Thursday’s TPS Report: Cotton/silk ruffle printed blouse

by C on 02/18/2010 · 28 comments

in Fashion, The Personal Shopper (TPS)

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices.

Banana Republic Cotton/silk ruffle printed blouseWe’re liking this cotton and silk ruffled blouse from Banana.  The small bit of print… the shape of the neckline… the loose fitting sleeves — like it all.  We’d wear it tucked in with a gray or navy suit, perhaps with pearls.  It’s $59 at Banana Republic, available in both the purple and a light green. Banana Republic Cotton/silk ruffle printed blouse

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(L-2)

{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }

cj February 18, 2010 at 11:13 am

Cute print; love the color; hate the sleeves. It also looks like one of those shirts that looks good on the rack but fits really weird.

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KLo February 18, 2010 at 11:23 am

I bet it would look a lot better on a model with some actual shoulders (this one’s seem to be *very* narrow. I like the print and the neckline, but the color would wash me out.

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Clerky February 18, 2010 at 11:42 am

Pretty color, but this shirt seems kind of shapeless. Also, I’m bettting that it will go on sale in a few weeks for $19.99. I rarely pay full price at BR.

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jojo February 18, 2010 at 11:58 am

oh no.

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L February 18, 2010 at 12:08 pm

Would have to try it on, the styling (esp with that necklace, ugh) and model’s pose look weird to me.

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Anon February 18, 2010 at 12:11 pm

I’d be worried about accidentally flashing people with that neckline (esp if they came into my office and we had a conversation while they were standing at my desk).

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Trunk February 18, 2010 at 12:12 pm

…I usually like BR, but this reminds me of my Mother’s early 1980s nightgowns…

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anon February 18, 2010 at 1:06 pm

that is EXACTLY what I was thinking. It even looks like it was made from that same shiny flammable material

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Delta Sierra February 18, 2010 at 12:43 pm

Oh dear no, sorry, world o’ fail, this. Neckline sags, cut is shapeless, fabric looks cheap. Even the model looks like she is trying to slither out of it.

Also ironing is my pet peeve and yah I can just see standing there fiddling around with all those little ruffles.

Sorry for the snark, but I really am taking against it.

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anon - chi February 18, 2010 at 12:44 pm

Yuck. This seems too “little girl” to me in this color and fabric combo, and I don’t think this would work on anyone above an A cup.

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Corporate Tool February 18, 2010 at 1:19 pm

While I don’t love it, I think it might be ok under a suit. I like lavender and purples under grey suits, but on it’s own, absolutely not.

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Sharon February 18, 2010 at 1:24 pm

The fabric is very pretty and lilac and gray together is very big for this spring. With a plain neckline and no sleeves, it would have made a very nice underpinning for a gray suit, or as a blouse, it could have looked very nice with gray trousers. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I can’t wear sleeves like that underneath a cardigan or jacket, so it becomes useless.

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Woman of Color February 18, 2010 at 1:44 pm

What do people think about this suit? I am thinking of purchasing this to wear to a woman lawyer’s association gala where I am an award recipient. I love the cut, and the bit of “shazamm” that it has, but I am hesitatant about the cream color. As always, your advice is very much appreciated.

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml;jsessionid=4BSJSTWPKQ0KMCQAAKSRAHA?itemId=prod100270059&ecid=NMALRFeedJ84DHJLQkR4&ci_src=14110925&ci_sku=T2FQM

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B February 18, 2010 at 2:07 pm

I really like this suit, and it sounds appropriate for your event.

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Sharon February 18, 2010 at 2:22 pm

It sounds appropriate for your event if you’re trying to project a lot of personal power. I don’t think the shoulders would work on me, but, well, I’m me and not you, and don’t know your build.

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A February 18, 2010 at 3:34 pm

Love it, though don’t know if it would work on someone really curvy. Also wear with shoes w/o ankle straps, it cuts off the line. I think with nice black pumps it would be great.

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jcb February 18, 2010 at 5:10 pm

I’m not a big fan. I kind of like the black cross in the jacket, but I think it is the sholders and neckline that do it in for me. But, my style is not necessarily your style! If it’s the cream color that’s holding you back, I wouldn’t worry about that. The color is nice. Agreed re no ankle straps, just basic black pumps.

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Anonymous February 18, 2010 at 5:38 pm

I think the suit is gorgeous. Very classy. Go for it.

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Delta Sierra February 18, 2010 at 6:18 pm

Congratters on the award. I think the suit is fabulous, so long as you can live with the frequent dry cleaning, and the zip front. Zip fronts on me, when I sit down or bend over, always go into these bizarre undulations that in no way conform with my own frontal undulations.

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jcb February 18, 2010 at 1:51 pm

My fist thought was ‘no way’, but with C’s styling suggestions I can see it now. I need more structure personally, but on someone else it could look great.

I am bummed about the grayish, bland spring palettes. The past couple of years have been so nice with all of the jewel tones. Oh well.

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MelD February 18, 2010 at 1:55 pm

Interestingly enough, this shirt looks much better on the same model in the pistachio version. It seems like she’s wearing a shirt that is a size or two smaller and actually fits, as opposed to the lilac version that is huge and just sags unattractively. After looking at the pistachio version, I’d probably buy it if I saw it for a decent price.

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Cat February 18, 2010 at 2:07 pm

sorry, C, but that is FUG.

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Anne Vohl February 18, 2010 at 2:39 pm

I do not like the color or the style for work, with or without a suit jacket. In each season there seem to be a limited number of colors which will look good at work, for example in a blouse to be worn with a neutral suit. I am noticing that right now one of those colors is a muted red, ranging from a rose to an old brick to a deep amroon that is almost black. The other day I noticed a highly paid professional woman wearing a pale yellow silk blouse with black (in San Francisco) and it did not look good.

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Sharon February 18, 2010 at 3:51 pm

Yellow and black never look good together – always looks like a bumblebee. Just like pumpkin and black always looks like Halloween. Yellow and gray together, however, is great.

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Claire February 18, 2010 at 3:57 pm

I tried this top on last weekend and I was pretty disappointed. That model must have a ton of clips on the back of the shirt because it’s much baggier in real life and the neckline is a mess and you can see EVERYTHING when you bend over.

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legalicious07 February 18, 2010 at 8:25 pm

Thumbs down! This would do absolutely nothing on me!

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Y February 18, 2010 at 9:04 pm

I actually really really like this shirt and would totally get it to wear under a suit. I love loose tops like this , so much more comfortable than fitted things, and a great way to add some style to a boring suit.

Woman of Color – I think that suit is perfect for receiving an award – just (like PPs said) wear different shoes than the model!

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Porter February 19, 2010 at 6:45 pm

Sorry… HATE it. Those sleeves are just bad. And the print, combined with ruffles, is too precious.

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