Monday, November 5, 2012

Review of collection bow blouse in electric plaid

You may remember when I first spotted this blouse couple of months ago:


It was interesting, but I was worrying it would be made of polyester and cost a small fortune.

Pretty soon it showed up on the website. It was 100% silk, which was great, but as I feared, it was too pricey to really be a contender for my closet real estate.

Buy it here

Oh well, I thought, maybe it is too matronly anyway, with the busy print and the bow ties.

But the fact is, I kept it in mind, because the idea of front ties and its secretarial charm was making inroads in my sartorial dreams. Then Ema and Gigi reviewed it and it looked great on both. My resolve to look the other way was crumbling. Finally, it went on sale and with an additional 30% off and I surrendered. Of course, an hour after I placed the order (and I could no longer cancel it), I developed a case of buyers remorse. I bought it Final Sale without ever trying in on, which I almost never do! Surely it will be a disaster. And it will serve me right. I am very good at scolding myself, although I rarely heed my own good advice...

The delivery was delayed due to the storm and for a week I was both worried and hoping that the package would be lost, but the box eventually arrived, all intact, at my doorstep.
 
Size 6

I have ordered my regular size 6 and the fit is good. It is quite boxy and short which does not bother me too much, but I think it may be too short for some. The sleeves are full length on me, but again, I have proportionally short arms, and they will probably be bracelet length on some taller gals.

Short and boxy
I love the fabric. It is a nice weight silk, more like silk twill, not slippery and not see through. The print is busy and bright but I think this is actually an advantage, since the streaks of almost-neon cobalt blue and hot pink make it more modern and less of  'Grandma's plaid'.


The ties are not too long, which may be a disadvantage if you wanted to tie a big bow. I like it because it makes it easy to wear untied.
BR trench and Repettos

The colors look great with blue jeans. This was my original idea to dress it down and make it more modern and casual. I actually wore it on casual Friday and did not feel too dressed up. The blouse also looks good peeking out from behind the coat, blazer or cardigan.

There are quite a few colors in the print and it will go well with cobalt blue (or festival blue), bright dahlia, other shades of bright pink, orange, camel and black. Personally, I prefer it with neutrals, but this is just me and how much brightness I can tolerate.

J.Crew wool trousers and Coach McAlister's


I tried it with camel trousers and the color is a perfect match. It is hard to style this blouse, since with the busy, colorful print and ties, the accessories options are limited. I was not crazy about this outfit, it was just OK. I think it might have been better with camel matchstick cords or capris and black shoes.  However, I did not have time to change, so I wore this to church and I was (maybe too) appropriate...



I liked it with jeans much better, but I think my favorite way to wear it is with all black.

J.Crew skirt and shoes, BR clutch

For me, the blouse works with both pants and pencil skirts, as long as they are slim in the hips, since the boxy shape of the blouse may add volume on top.


I don't think I would attempt a hookup with the pencil skirt from the same fabric. Maybe if I was 15 years younger?

No, I think I'd rather wear it with a black leather jacket. Only, I don't have one.



Hmmm....

  
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That's all folks!

Did you buy any of the Electric Plaid items?
What do you think of the blouse?

Please share, it would be no fun without you!!!

25 comments:

  1. YOu like fabulous!!! I love how you have styled this!!!!

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  2. I like it best with all black as well, although the look definitely has a secretary vibe to it. Silk twill is my favorite, I'll bet it feels like a million bucks to wear. I got my plaid fix from BB but I probably couldn't wear this one anyway, I really struggle with patterns and it seems to be getting worse each year.

    I noticed that the Black Fleece pebble leather flat boots are back on Brooks Brothers website in all sizes. I don't know if it's a fluke of the site upgrade or they found some lost stock or perhaps brought them back (at half price?), but wanted to let you know in case you want to try them. The Preferred Customer discount is held over until end of day today and there is free shipping on $200+ for an unspecified, limited time. There should be another F&F in early December for 25% off, if you are still considering them then.

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    1. Thank you xoxo! I tried to order the shoes with the 25% off but at the end of the check out I got the out of stock message :(

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  3. Lots of color possibilities with that blouse, so it's interesting that you found it hard to style. I like what you've done, though. The Repettos are cute with it and I like it untucked with denim, but I like the tucked with black best of these looks.

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    1. With the styling I meant it was difficult mostly because you cannot really wear a necklace or any jewelry which sometimes help to make an outfit more edgy or modern.

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  4. Love all those options especially the jeans - you have such lovely slim legs that jeans always look great on you. I totally think you could do the skirt as well! Why not? It's still quite classic.

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    1. Now that the skirt is $99 (minus 25% and 14% rebates/rewards), I am seriously tempted...

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  5. My favorite is the way you're styled it with the black skirt! Thanks for sharing your photos and review of this top. :)

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    1. Thank you ABC! I always liked one bright print item paired with all black, it is usually foolproof...

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  6. Wow, gorgeous on you! Love it in all your iterations. I also resisted until I saw it on Ema and Gigi.

    Alrighty, since no one else seems to want to do it, I will wear the blouse together with the skirt and post a pic later this week. ;)

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    1. Oh no! Now you WILL make me buy the skirt too ;)
      Stay strong ajc, you can do it...

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  7. I love it and it looks great with your denim too. The colors are so pretty with your skin tone.
    I hate that buyers remorse, I'm happy it worked out well!

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    1. Dani, I was actually thinking of you with this blouse, it is a ladylike piece imo. Buyer remorse is a close friend of mine, unfortunately :(

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  8. You look great! I really wanted the ballet flats in this color, sweet orange, but they sold out so quickly. I've been checking every morning so hopefully . . .

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    1. Oh, I did not even see them, I love colorful shoes! I am sure they will pop back, everything does...

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  9. Mmm hmmm...I like it so much on you, AJC. Of course I love it w/the pop of shoe color. And also w/the black bottom. I didn't think of that. Plus so chic w/the trench.

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    1. p.s. Thanks for the link love. Adding yours to my post :)

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    2. Gigi thanks, I also loved it with the shoes you tried on (and Ema bought).

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  10. This looks great on you-- I would have been terrified to try.

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    1. Lane, I was terrified but I hate to admit but some of my FS purchases are my favorites, I think it is because I couldn't question them...

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  11. AJC- It is gorgeous on you. I particularly like the black bottom pairing. Yay- we have power(and heat) at last! I popped in to the mall and looked at all of the holiday? pieces. Still the same old catalogs however.

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    1. yay for power KnitYarns!!! we have to go shopping together to celebrate!

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  12. This looks great on you and my question of the day is AJC are you getting taller? You look 6ft. You're legs go forever. Thanks for the review.

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    1. haha, this is because I am not proportional, I have torso and arms of 5'4 person, so my legs seem longer in comparison...

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