How do you wear a blouse?

[Cricket]

I love the way a fitted blouse adjusts to my frame. But I have problems finding the more loose blouses. I have found that online shopping for those types never work for me. I have to try them on personally.

I get very upset when I find a gorgeous shirt on the rack, gleefully make my way to the dressing room only to put it on and discover my body frame (lanky by the way) looks awful in it. I debate on getting in the fetal position right there in the room and yell for an attendant to bring me back to reality.

 

[Marzena]

I think shirts and bloses are not that universal wardrobe staple they are made out to be. There are many highly individual dimensions they must negotiate, all those ins and outs of a woman's figure , including the rarely mention problem of sleeve fit and shoulder drop, all of which influence the final outcome.
I too would never buy a blose online, I seem to have the added dilemma of fit at the waist and bursting buttons at chest level, or good bust fit and baggy shapelessness everywhere else.
Apart from wearing a vest, another possibility is wearing a fitted, fairly unbuttoned blouse over a lacy camisole.

 

[chanteuseCarey]

I am busty with a small waist comparatively. I always carefully safety pin (vertically) between the buttons on my blouses from mid bust to hem. No gap-o-sis! I asked my fave alterationist about sewing snaps instead but she said that they don't hold well, so pin. I used to tuck in my blouses into the waist of my pantyhose or brief panties if need be. My modern Ralph Lauren linen and cotton blouses are bought larger to accommodate the bust, so I have the waist and hips altered to fit me.

 

[Miss Golightly]

I have the white blouse Fleur is wearing, it's a great style, but it does need a bit of starch. I can recommend Heyday as they have brilliant blouses and they are really great people to deal with. I had a bad experience with VOH online, so they're not on my christmas card list, although the sales girls in the shop are sweeties.

I have the white blouse too Miss Sofia (great minds!) and I am not crazy about the fit on me - too baggy under the arm or something - just quite ill-fitting (I got one of their haltertops too and the neck strap was not well made and doesn't sit well on me - don't think I will be getting too much wear out of it). For ages now I have been on the lookout for the perfect white shirt - finally found it the other week - it was the most I have ever spent on a shirt (it's a Michael Kors) but I love, love, love it and will wear it until it falls apart!!!!!!!!

 

[Miss sofia]

Great minds indeed! I was thinking about purchasing the black satin VOH halter nearer Christmas, but i may have to rethink that now!

I do think a good, white shirt is a wardrobe must. I have heard Michael Kors cut is impeccable on all his clothes. I don't feel guilty about the expensive purchases i have in my wardrobe as they tend to be classic, staples and frankly the cost per wear, compared to the initial outlay always justifies the price. (My excuse and i'm sticking to it)!

My Holy Grail white shirt was a D and G one, similar to the one Uma Thurman wore in Pulp Fiction, it went with everything and i wore it to death, literally. (I had to live on roots and berries for months after i bought it)!

 

[Miss Golightly]

Well don't write it off just yet - the black halter top I got fits very well and the strap sits nicely - the problem area on the white one is just around the side of the bust where the strap starts - it's really baggy - weird.

I'm all about spending on the classics - a good bag/coat/scarf will stand the test of time (and pretty much stay in style).

 

[C-dot]

Well don't write it off just yet - the black halter top I got fits very well and the strap sits nicely - the problem area on the white one is just around the side of the bust where the strap starts - it's really baggy - weird.

I'm all about spending on the classics - a good bag/coat/scarf will stand the test of time (and pretty much stay in style).

Great philosophy on investing in good quality! I agree about the VoH halter. My dress has one, and it fits perfectly on me. The only thing I will say is the back is just a wee bit too low to wear a strapless bra with, but the bust has wire shaping in it so the girls are still supported.

 

[Miss sofia]

Oh thanks Miss G and C-dot, i will take the plunge then! I have a couple of evening skirts that i don't have much to wear with and i'm trying to be a good girl and pull my wardrobe together, so phew, is all i can say!

 

[C-dot]

Oh thanks Miss G and C-dot, i will take the plunge then! I have a couple of evening skirts that i don't have much to wear with and i'm trying to be a good girl and pull my wardrobe together, so phew, is all i can say!

I'm trying to do that, too. For me, I need more button up blouses lol

 

[Miss sofia]

I'm bloused out, maybe i should start a blouse box!!

 

[Miss Golightly]

Great philosophy on investing in good quality! I agree about the VoH halter. My dress has one, and it fits perfectly on me. The only thing I will say is the back is just a wee bit too low to wear a strapless bra with, but the bust has wire shaping in it so the girls are still supported.

There have been times I have pulled the back of my strapless bra waaaaaaay down just so I can wear it without it showing - I just hate not wearing a bra (I'm not even that busty or anything!) - I like the security of having one on I suppose (just in case!) - I've used the sticky on bra things from ASOS as I had this dress that you simply couldn't wear a bra with and after a little while I was used to it but if there is someway I can wear a bra - I will!!!!!!!

 

[C-dot]

There have been times I have pulled the back of my strapless bra waaaaaaay down just so I can wear it without it showing - I just hate not wearing a bra (I'm not even that busty or anything!) - I like the security of having one on I suppose (just in case!) - I've used the sticky on bra things from ASOS as I had this dress that you simply couldn't wear a bra with and after a little while I was used to it but if there is someway I can wear a bra - I will!!!!!!!

I hear ya! I'm not a fan of strapless bras, and by extension, any top that requires me to wear a strapless bra. I feel like I need straps to hold everything in lol

 

[Miss sofia]

I'm the same ladies! I loathe strapless bras, but like Miss G will find a way to get one on under a top, even if it doesn't necessarily require one. (I've even sellotaped myself in before). I have yet to find a decent strapless bra, i'm always paranoid they will end up round my waist during the course of an evening or i will pour out of one cup, both of which has happened to me. (Hence the taping, pinning etc).

I like the idea of the fifties, longline strapless bras. Does anyone own one? Do they work better than a standard strapless bra.

 

[Louise Anne]

Do you mean a Merry Widow? Miss Sofia there are some here which look like they will work

 

[Miss sofia]

I knew they had a name, well done Paul. I shall take a peek! Thanks again x

 

[C-dot]

Okay.

If anyone is looking for a blouse, get the Vivien of Holloway one. I now have two by way of a very kind lounger (you know who you are ) and they are my instant favourites.

 

[Miss Golightly]

C-dot - you look fabulous - that shirt is perfection on you (might I also add I am crazy about your hair!)!

 

[lolly_loisides]

C dot, you look lovely. Hmmmm I must go and take another look at the VoH website.......

 

[Miss sofia]

stunning!!! I agree with Miss G, your hair is flippin' amazing.

I do like the Voh blouses, but i found the fit a little off for me. Also the linen one i had was a complete bugger to iron, although i wear it with dungarees which hides a mulititude of dodgy ironing! You certainly look smashing in yours.

 

[TheSwingingBee]

You gals have inspired me to go back and re-try a previous failure of a sewing project. I've been wanting some blouses for a while now and I've got a great vintage pattern, but the alterations needed to the pattern have driven me batty. Though as my grandmother always told me, "A woman will never look as classy as when she has a white collar next to her face." Though I'm not entirely sure where else a collar would go...