Three Ways: Silk Tie Blouse
Jul 19, 2011
I think the tie-neck blouse is a wardrobe staple. You can tie it in a bow if your frilly, a knot if you’re more sophisticated and it looks great under sweaters, jackets and tees. I really loved the blouse from French Connection that I featured this morning, so let’s make some outfits, shall we?
I don’t usually recommend t-shirts for work, but they make great layering pieces when paired with professional blouses. Here I layered the tie neck blouse under a navy scoopneck tee and paired them with a bright pink skirt. If you want to go even bolder, you could wear an orange, amethyst or bright green tee instead.
When wearing this much color, you need to choose neutral accessories. A simple tan pump and an interesting and seasonless tote bag.
Eventually I’m going to break down and buy this skirt. I just can’t get over the $75 shipping charge from the UK. I also need to decide if I am going to go for the full Jackie Kennedy and buy the matching jacket as well. What? Too much fuschia?
I like mixing pieces in different neutral tones. For this outfit, I mixed a mocha skirt, a white blouse and a beige sweater with dark brown heels. To add a bit of interest, I added an orange clutch and a jeweled, tribal-inspired set of bangle bracelets. This is a great outfit for now and pre-Fall.
We all know that I like to travel in style. This outfit is perfect for the train, plane or car trip. Why a cardigan and jeans? Because it’s chilly on Amtrak and that three hour train ride becomes unbearable when you’re freezing.
Wide leg jeans give the blouse a chic-1970s look. The sweater keeps you warm and the outfit chic. Add a large satchel to carry all your books and travel essentials and a simple wedge sandal. I also love the mixed-media drop earrings in copper and grey.
There's a Halogen pencil skirt in bright magenta that's part of the Nordstrom anniversary sale. It's a little darker than the fuchsia one pictured, but the shipping is cheaper (the skirt itself is about $50) if you need a pink pencil skirt fix.
Yeah, I really want a BRIGHT pink one. But the Nordstrom one is cute.
Halogen used to make a hot pink one. I actually bought it a couple weeks ago– before the sale– from Nordstrom. Andd I had been looking for something to wear with it, thank you Belle!!!!
I would keep an eye on the Halogen one, the skirt runs huge, so maybe people will start returning the hot pink ones and you can scoop one up. If you do, size down 1-2 sizes.
I just bought the Halogen skirt in the bright yellow! I think my biggest issue will be avoiding black with it so I don't look like a bumble bee. Do you think I could sub it in for the pink one in the top look?
Absolutely. And instead of heels, in Fall, try cognac boots.
If I owned any of these pieces (which I intend to very soon), you'd all know what I'd be wearing tomorrow, Thursday, and Friday!
Love these! This may be a silly question, but how would you tie the “bow” into a knot? What would it look like?
Your mention of cognac boots caused a sudden flashback to a fall/winter wardrobe dilemma–I got fabulous cognac booties on sale and am having a horrible time figuring out what I can wear them with. Partly because I am usually too cold at work to go bare-legged between November and March. I'd love to see a three ways post sometime this fall about cognac footwear (my tall camel boots could use some inspiration as well if you are so inclined).
R- Well instead of tying it high on the neck into a bow, you would treat the two sides like a men's tie and do a knot. Like a windsor, or just knot it in a simple way like any other pair of strings.
DHL-If I were doing the outfit with a yellow skirt, I would do tights a similar brown to the boots. I also like to do a navy skirt and navy tights.
I have longish hair, and I've never dared to wear a tie blouse for fear of looking just too conservative. Any tips for ladies with longer hair, on how to pull it off that kind of blouse without looking like a schoolteacher?
Woops,*how to pull off* … 3 cheers for proofreading one's own comment.
Sarah-
Go wavy and light, or go with a loose updo like Nicole Richie or Lauren Conrad. If the blouse is stiff you need to keep everything else light and playful. Look above, hot pink skirt, chiffon pleats, a striped jacket cardi and sandals.
If you wore it with a black pants suit or a sheath dress, it would be school marmish. Keep everything else fun and it will keep the outfit fun.
Love love love the skirt. And go for it, buy the jacket. What says confidence more than a bright pink suit?