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.
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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!!!
