white blouses

Wednesday’s TPS Report: Big Boss Polka Dot Blouse

by GuestPoster on 08/24/2011 · 162 comments

Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Today’s guest post is from Capitol Hill Style.

I love end-of-season sales, so I was thrilled to find this delicate, Swiss-dot blouse from Nanette Lepore ($149, Nanette Lepore Big Boss Polka Dot Blouse) on the Bergdorf’s sale site.

For the remainder of August, I’ll wear it with a navy pencil skirt, a coral necklace and flesh-toned pumps. And when the weather turns chilly, I’ll wear it under v-neck cardigans to add a bit of texture at the neckline.

Be advised, Nanette does run a bit small. I typically wear a size 4, but I bought the six and splurged on $25 in tailoring to make sure the fit was just right.

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line.
(L-2)

{ 162 comments }

Tuesday’s TPS Report: Long Sleeve Plunge Tie Collar Blouse

by Kat on 08/16/2011 · 107 comments

in The Personal Shopper (TPS)

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

This plunge tie collar blouse caught my eye last week when we featured the Rachel Zoe suit — I think it’s particularly interesting to compare this one (which to me has a 70s vibe) with others we’ve seen recently, like the one from Asos or the BR Mad Men collection. To me, it’s all in the sleeves — love the overly long, almost pooling effect of the sleeves, as well as the sharp V in front. This blouse is $295 at Bloomingdale’s (available in both ecru, pictured, and black.) Rachel Zoe Long Sleeve Plunge Tie Collar Blouse

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line.
(L-3)

{ 107 comments }

The Hunt: White Ruffled Blouses

by Kat on 06/06/2011 · 17 comments

in Basics, Being Girly, Fashion, The Hunt, Wear to Work

Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.

Maybe it’s just me, but the ruffled white blouse is everywhere this season. Yes, yes, there are lots of pirate/Labyrinth jokes to be made, but this is something that you will be seeing a ton of this summer and probably on into winter. So I thought we’d round up some of the best out there, in a range of prices. First, let’s check out some of the higher-end things for inspiration:

Love the cap sleeves, close fit, and origami-like ruffles. It’s available at Neiman Marcus for $890. Carolina Herrera Pleated Tie-Neck Blouse

This one has more of a Latin flamenco-dancer type feel to it — note the multiple ruffles on the placket. I like that the sleeves are kept very simple, but still wish they had given them regular cuffs. Escada White Ruffle Front Blouse, available at Bloomingdale’s for $695.

I like the floaty quality to the crepe de chine here, the wispy ruffled collar, and the fact that it’s both a tie and a blouse. This one was $690 at Saks, but is now on sale for $414. Oscar de la Renta Ruffle Front Sleeveless Blouse

Now for the more affordable ones — I think that in general, the more fitted the blouse is, and the “looser” the ruffles, (nothing overly crisp or clown-like) the better the blouse looks for the office. And even though I generally dislike tucking blouses, they do generally look so much better when tucked. I’d wear any of these under a blazer or even a cardigan for the office, paired with a clean, classic bottom, such as a pencil skirt or a pair of trousers. I’d avoid girly accessories and matches to this — an A-line skirt, a pink cardigan, etc. would all make it overly feminine for the office, in my opinion.

This one is nearly sold out at Neiman Marcus (sizes 10-14 are all that’s left), but given the fact that it’s Magaschoni and on sale that’s not bad. Love the darts and the puffed shoulders, and like the crispness of the collar versus the looseness of the ruffles. Was $220, now $77. Magaschoni Ruffle-Front Cap-Sleeve Blouse

This blouse (which we’ve featured before in the darker print version) is gorgeous — and available in Petite and Woman sizes. I like that the ruffles go all the way down to the waistband, and like the relaxed look to the V-neck collar (although I do see a top button, so you can fasten it all the way to your neck if you desire). The slight puff to the sleeves looks lovely, also. It’s $79.50 at Ralph Lauren. Loryna Cotton Ruffled Blouse

This blouse is one of my favorites, actually, even though it’s more of a tan than a white. I like the small origami-type ruffles and the long cuffs, as well as the fact that the blouse is stretch. This was $99, now $59.40 at Dillards (limited sizes available). Antonio Melani “Delores” Blouse

LOFT’s website is momentarily down, but I like the look of this ruffle blouse. Compared to the other blouses, this has much smaller ruffles on the collar and placket — and it’s a nice way to sample the trend in a safe way. It’s $44.50 at LOFT (in regular and petites). Favorite Ruffle Blouse

Finally: I like this sleeveless number from The Limited. I like the darts and the cascading ruffles, and the round jewel neckline looks flattering and work appropriate. The blouse is $44.90 at The Limited (available in white, green, and yellow). Mixed Ruffle Sleeveless Top

Readers, which of the ruffled blouses is your favorite? (If you’ve seen another one that’s still for sale, please share it in the comments!) What do you think of wearing them for the office?

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

(L-all)

{ 17 comments }

How to Keep White Blouses White

by Kat on 06/02/2011 · 67 comments

in Basics, Laundry, Layering Pieces

How DO you keep your white blouses and tees white? Reader L wonders, and as summer’s heat is upon us I think now is a great time to discuss this…

Currently, I’m living in hot and sunny south Florida. Not to be overly gross, but my whites just do not stay as white as they should simply because of all the sweating that I do here! I know that I could go see a dermatologist or I can try a new deodorant, but that’s not my question/issue. My question is: other than bleach, what do you do to keep your whites fresh and white? It’s my opinion that Florida living prevents white clothing from ever looking totally clean, and that’s a total damper on a DC girl who lives an ill-fitting black/gray/blue suit and a white button-up. What do you do?

We actually have talked about the best deodorants for the working woman — but as you note, this is a different question. (Pictured: Stretch Poplin Blouse, on sale at Saks as part of their new designer markdowns (up to 40%!) – was $395, now $237.) The tips that I know of for keeping whites white:

a) Think about your undergarments. A white blouse frequently needs a camisole anyway (I’m a fan of the nude-for-you bra paired with a white camisole, but that’s me) and so look for one that has high arm-holes — the cotton camisole will help “catch” the sweat (yes, eww, but still).

When you’re laundering it,

b) Avoid the dryer at all costs. Even if the shirt says “tumble dry low,” most of the yellowing comes from the dryer — so hang your white blouses, or lay them flat to dry. If the tag says “dry clean only” or even “dry clean” (the latter of which usually means it can be washed), I’d be inclined to get the shirt dry-cleaned if you really like it.

c) Before you wash it, pretreat areas that are likely to be dirty. My husband always sprays the collars, underarms, and cuffs of his button-down shirts with Spray n’ Wash before we do the laundry. I’ve read about a number of other solutions for cleaning whites — peroxide mixes, baking soda mixes, etc, but I’ve never tried them myself – readers, please weigh in!

d) If all of this still doesn’t help, look into underarm shields. I only know about this product because a friend wanted to invent it — alas for her, a lot of companies beat her to the punch, including the folks behind Hollywood Fashion Tape (Dress Shields Behind The Seams Garment Protectors by Hollywood Fashion Tape), but this is great news for white blouse wearers.

Finally: keep in mind that while the white blouse is classic, it is by no means the only thing you can wear to look professional — check out the Corporette Guide to the Best Tops For Under Suits!

Readers, what are your tips for keeping your whites sparkling white?

{ 67 comments }

Wednesday’s TPS Report: PORTS 1961 Short sleeve shirt

by Kat on 06/01/2011 · 93 comments

in The Personal Shopper (TPS)

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

Ok: this shirt does not look like much on the mannequin. In fact, it kind of looks like a boring, frumpy, shapeless blouse. But I think if you look closer it’s that rare basic, an ivory silk blouse, that has some gorgeous detailing on the neckline, sleeves (appropriate for all offices!), and would look stunning tucked into a pair of trousers, a pencil skirt, or worn beneath a suit. It’s marked from $180 to $128 at Yoox.com (sizes 0-12 still available as of this AM). PORTS 1961 Short sleeve shirt

Seen a great piece you’d like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line.
(L-2)

{ 93 comments }

Surprise Basics for Women’s Workwear

by Kat on 03/08/2011 · 147 comments

in Basics, Fashion, Wear to Work

Reader S has a question about which wardrobe items become surprise basics for the working woman…

Would love to hear you and readers share which pieces have unexpectedly come into your regular wardrobe rotation. For example, I know that you’ve found purple pumps to be quite versatile. Now that many of us have found the classic basics, what are some pieces that you have found to be surprise basics?

Great question! Personally, I find that there is little way to predict what will be a favorite — it depends on how an item wears, what surprises it holds (how low does that neckline go if you lean forward?), and how it fits after you’ve laundered it at least once. Still — there have been a few unexpected basics in my working wardrobe, including purple pumps, as reader S correctly points out. (Pictured: Surprise, South Lambeth, SW8, originally uploaded to Flickr by Ewan-M.) Other things that might not be on every woman’s must-have list of items, but are items I’ve never regretted purchasing:

Colored purses. I find that really any color of purse works perfectly with my style — I have white, black, yellow, blue, green, red, purple — even multi-colored bags. I have found that I don’t carry brown bags as often, but that’s me. Personally, I find colored purses to be more versatile than colored shoes — I’ve had some bad experiences with teal-colored shoes (my pale legs looked positively sick) and other lighter-colored shoes (hello, smudges and scrapes). I wear my kelly green purse a surprising amount — it’s a fun, happy color that doesn’t make it into much else in my wardrobe.
Olive-colored pants. I’ve always found this particular color of pants to be surprisingly versatile. I wear them with black tops, gray tops, even purple tops. A few years ago I even had a pair of olive green pants and an olive cardigan that matched almost perfectly, so I wore them together (with, I think, a purple tank beneath) — it’s more fun than wearing all-black, but not quite as matchy-matchy as wearing, say, all red or all gray.
A good watch. Hey, no one wears watches anymore, right? We have our cell-phones and our computers and Outlook alarms to tell us what to do, when. Still: next time you’re at a big networking lunch, take a look around — and you’ll be surprised by how many high-quality watches surround you on other wrists, of both men and women. It makes a statement about personality (are you a Cartier or Rolex person?), and it also has a subconscious trigger that shows reliability and attention to detail. It also has a slight “I’m a member of the club” effect, which can be useful when networking. This shouldn’t be a splurge but, rather, a planned purchase. (I “bought” my watch for my 30th birthday — but it took me a year and a half of researching and deciding before I actually plunked down my credit card.)
A good set of pearls. Or even a good set of fake pearls. But talk about surprisingly versatile — I wear mine to almost every big networking event like a conference, as well as to interviews. Pearls are also great for “stodging” up a hip look — after all, they are white and basic and go with everything. I’ve also used mine to “raise the neckline” of sometimes questionable tops — the bright white of pearls tends to bring the focus up to your face. Mine are around 7.5MM or so, I think, and I prefer the slightly longer 18″ length (but 16″ is also classic). Look for pearls that are as close to round and symmetrical as possible.

I think that’s about everything that might be a “surprise” basic for me — but I’ll keep thinking. Meanwhile, things that have been disappointments include:

some bags that I bought because I really, really wanted to own something from that designer — and not so much because I liked the bag itself. I have a brown Bulga and a red Kate Spade that I never wear, and they make me sad.
some “must-have” basics — the white blouse, for example. I’m just not a person who wears white that often, plus I hate ironing. Similarly, you have to know your own body — a boxy Chanel-type jacket is probably never going to look right on my hourglassy figure, and any pant with a tapered ankle just looks out of balance with my hips.

Readers, what are your surprise workwear basics? Which items surprised you by NOT being worn as much as you’d have thought?

{ 147 comments }

← Previous Entries