It's the B word.
Yes, it's the blouse. A word that I used to loathe but one that I have come round to loving. Ok so maybe not the word itself but the item for sure. Maybe it's a sign of my age (weeps) or maybe it's that they're generally more ubiquitous.
Today I'm all about print. Looking forward to A/W, print is going to be big. But I'll admit that I still find it a tad scary (print that is, not A/W generally..!). I've got my head round the print dress but historically I've always shied away from print in anything but a scarf.
However, a print blouse is the ideal wardrobe pick me up to bring life to all those old work suits that you've grown bored of wearing and will take you from the office, straight out into the evening.
They're also the ideal throw on for those days that aren't super warm - look great with shorts, jeans, culottes or skirts.
This colourway would look amazing with denim.
Notch Collar Blouse from Banana Republic £55
Still more than a little in love with a neck tie.
Tie Neck Print Blouse from Banana Republic £55
An extra 10% off all sale at Me+Em until midnight on Monday. Makes this one a fabulous buy. Would look so gorgeous with white jeans.
Spot Silk Eyelash Trim Blouse from Me+Em in the fudge spot was £165 now £49
And as if by magic - with shorts. Seeing as it's not going to be as warm this week, I reckon we'll all be wearing a blouse or two.
Navy and white Ambra Top from DVF was £207 now £82
Floral at Warehouse. Adore this print. I was absolutely gutted that the dress didn't live up to expectations but maybe the shirt is another way of getting a bit of bee love.
Pom Pom Print Shirt from Warehouse £39
Floral at M&S. I have looked at this so many times since it recently came into stock and I love it. The detail for under £30 is amazing. Personally I would prefer as a dress - such a shame they don't do a matching skirt...
Long Sleeve Floral Frill Blouse from Limited Edition at M&S £29.50
More frills and florals at M&S.
Ditsy Print Shirt from Limited Edition at M&S £29.50
Now I know most people groan when I mention Per Una but I defy anyone to not acknowledge this is pretty cool. Stella McCartney eat your heart out.
Loose Fit Animal Print Blouse from M&S £39.50
Speaking of animals - my favourite leopard print in the sale at Net A Porter. With an extra 20% off sale using the code SALE20.
APC leopard print shirt was £130 now £78 pre extra 20% off.
And in the sale at Mango.
Animal Print Blouse was £29.99 now £9.99
Ferns and leaves at DVF in the sale. Not the cheapest but a great reduction and a classic that you'll have for years and years.
Marnie Blouse from DVF was £275 now £110
Or black version also from DVF - the Meadow blouse was £290 now £116
Similar shape at Mango.
Floral Print Blouse from Mango was £39.99 now £14.99
White and black floral at Warehouse £39
And cheating now as it's not really a blouse... but it's a sort of blouse without any fastenings.. (which clearly makes it just a top. Oops. But it's blouse fabric).
Ditsy Floral Top from Warehouse £35
But I do think my favourite is probably the new in Zig Zag print ruffle blouse at Warehouse £42
Blouse yay or nay? They do work so well to liven up an age old suit, are perfect for adding interest to a jaded wardrobe and work just as well at the weekend with jeans and a blazer.
At the moment, I am however all about the dresses. Cannot. Get. Enough of them. A combination over the last couple of days of old and new, proving that you can get never have too many.
Ocean floor print shirt dress - & Other Stories
Black clutch bag - Tory Burch
Blue and black sandals - Reiss
Saturday - working in the morning for a charity styling day and then out all afternoon/evening for a BBQ. Am so in love with this dress, I can't tell you. And beyond pleased that I did have it shortened.
Issy dress in animal print - Rixo
Pompom suede sandals - Zara
Silver bag - Anya Hindmarch
And today for a shopping trip and then a long dog walk with the children.
Snakeskin and floral dress - Sportmax
Silver bag - Anya Hindmarch
Metallic and black leather sandals - hush
We're now watching Antman and I am dying on the sofa after trying to convince myself all day that Rose isn't actually the devil's juice. When in fact, it is. First day of holidays tomorrow. Can't wait (well, until 9.20 when I'll be wishing they were back at school, that is...!)
Hope everyone has had a fabulous weekend. Weather is set to get cooler.. are we all sorted with our Summer wardrobes yet?
I love a blouse! X
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise there were so many people who did but I've learnt how popular they are!
DeleteI love a blouse too, not so much for a traditional button down, but pretty much everything else. Mine get worn with jeans and a leather jacket, or with shorts, so versatile.
ReplyDeleteDanish Pastry
The looser, silky styles I think are much more versatile than a more traditional work style one. I'm just learning how versatile they are!
DeleteOh, some lovely blouses here. Of course, I like the DVF blue one best - expensive taste! I agree, they are so versatile, with jeans or more dressed up too.
ReplyDeleteYou're looking lovely in your dresses. We started our summer holidays last week, the warm weather has been helpful... park, beach. I am probably going to run out of ideas later!
Yes, it's always the most expensive isn't it? *groans*....
DeleteI am all over the ideas for this week. Going back to basics....!
You mentioned trying on the pompom dress: did you try just the drop-waist one? I'm really tempted by the other, more structured cut, but it's a bit complicated to order from Warehouse as they don't deliver to my country. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, I did only try the drop waist one. The other looks gorgeous though...!
DeleteHold on a minute. What on earth are those pom pom sandals - they are freaking gorgeous! Did I miss a blog about them? Spill! Almost too frightened to ask if available now - please say no, my bank balance has been hammered this month already! You look gorgeous in all the dresses - love the Reiss outfit the most, closely followed by the pom pom rig out.
ReplyDeleteerrr no you've missed nothing. They were a complete impulse purchase on Friday afternoon!! They're from ZAra - go forth and buy xxx
DeleteNooooo! Oh god, have just ordered them - they are beyond beautiful. Praying they don't fit me! X
DeleteI won't tell you how comfy they are then... wore them for TWELVE hours on Saturday!!
DeleteLove a blouse!! A girls best friend for the over 40's!! You look lovely in that dress you had shortened, Kat :-). For anyone interested, who may have, like me, missed the boat earlier in the year, I have good news that there are some more hush cropped harems that have returned to stock. Horrah! In the sale too :-)))). I excitedly await delivery! Thinking a white blouse might work with them?! ;-). Still reading, Kat. Fab blogging as always xx
ReplyDeleteThank you - a blouse would be LOVELY with the harems!!
DeleteBeginning to love the item but not the word! I hate the blouse word, it sounds so frumpy and matronly which is a shame. I prefer the word shirt. What is the difference between a blouse and a shirt anyway? I have just last week purchased a fab shirt/blouse from Mango which has little tigers all over it! Not my usual thing at all but I love it, will be fab in the autumn or on cooler evenings now and I'm so pleased to see it's similar but miles cheaper than the APC leopard one ... Feeling quite smug right now, Also got a plain khaki one from H&M in the sale for £9... Is it sad I'm already thinking ahead to Autumn?
ReplyDeleteOh that animal one sounds GORGEOUS. And yes - so so thinking towards Autumn.. seen today's blog?!
DeleteAm a recent blouse convert and have the Me + Em one in the Fudge Spot - quality and detail are superb and now totally bargainacious in the sale! Definitely recommended.
ReplyDeleteAll their clothes are just too too gorgeous.
Delete