Fashion Fridays: My Love Affair With The Blouse

Ahhh.  A blouse.  Such an intrinsically feminine item of a working woman’s wardrobe.  A place where you can embrace color and pattern and shimmer.  Sigh.  I heart blouses. 

Alas, the truly lovely blouse is becoming ever elusive.  So if ever I find one, I snatch it up. 

A blouse is far more versatile than you think!  You can wear it to work under a suit or blazer.  You can wear it with a pair of jeans and sandals on the weekend for a date.  You can throw your blazer off and don a necklace for the effortless work to evening look.  Seriously, you don’t have enough blouses. 

So here are my picks for the week (Talbot’s is running a fierce sale, for not much longer, so get in on some of these 60% off deals because a truly chic blouse tends to cost more than your average boring shell):

This neutral colored geometric blouse is my current favorite.  You can wear it with anything and the fabric is silky and elegant. 

I think you always hit the department stores just for selection sake along – try Dillard’s, Nordstrom’s, Macy’s, and Bloomingdale’s and pick the fabric or color or style of blouse you want. 

This snake print chiffon blouse (yep, that’s right) from Dillard’s is even a little out of my comfort zone but it would look fierce under a steel gray suit and add the little interest you need.  Simultaneously, you throw on ankle boots and jeans and you can head off to a concert. 

And for a complete splurge, I love this patterned royal blue Kate Spade blouse from Nordstrom’s (which has also just kicked off their semi-annual sale)!

Ann Taylor is doing better at bringing work pieces back and their blouse category is no schlump.  Everything from the delicate ivory with black peter pan collar to the ocean blue silk number are beautiful additions to every work wardrobe.

 

While normally I eschew the shell, I have featured a couple here and this color-blocked eyelet number is too lovely to omit from the list.

And I love a silk blouse.  They are timeless.  This simple silk blouse from Ann Taylor comes in five hues (a testament on its own to its timelessness) but I’m partial to this sea salt blue shade. 

What about you?  Are you a blouse lover?  Where do you shop for the ever elusive unique blouse?