Why Didn't I Think of This Before I Bought Them?

October 11, 2010 5:58 PM

I bought these two new shirts for work. I love them, but their fluffiness and length makes figuring out what to wear with them more of a challenge than I expected. I've only thought of one decent combination: straight skirt with boyfriend length sweater and a shirt. (My workplace is conservative, meaning suits and skirts or pants with blazers are the norm. Bare arms won't work.) Thoughts, fashion hivemind?
posted by bearwife to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

Is there any reason a blazer doesn't work with these tops? I often like ruffly shirts under blazers to make them a little more femme.
posted by piratebowling at 6:00 PM on October 11, 2010

Best answer: Do you have a pair of wide black trousers? Those + the black shirt + black boots/shoes + contrasting cardigan or blazer.
posted by the_blizz at 6:01 PM on October 11, 2010

They look like they would work great with black pants and a blazer, yep.
posted by limeonaire at 6:15 PM on October 11, 2010

Best answer: These ultra-feminine blouses are the perfect excuse to try out some menswear-inspired trends. Try these tops with tweed blazers with elbow patches, or herringbone pants. Nubby wool would be nice too.
posted by juniperesque at 6:23 PM on October 11, 2010

Best answer: oooh I love ann taylor.
IMHO, if you wear an oversized top, the pants should be slim.
I would wear slim pants - skinny jeans or tights, maybe slim slacks tucked into boots?
with a cropped sweater.
a blazer would work too I think.
all the advice here is good so far.
a matching skirt / jacket suit would be cute, with knee high boots.
posted by saragoodman3 at 6:41 PM on October 11, 2010

Best answer: I think the ruffle-y, feminine quality of those tops would look really nice under a snug fitting "little boy" blazerlike these.

Or a fitted leather motorcycle jacket, like this.

I think you need something slightly more masculine to balance out the softness of those tops.
posted by gumtree at 7:07 PM on October 11, 2010

Best answer: Prim cardigan, "shrunken," 3/4 sleeves sort of fit, with no concern about the top being notably longer than the cardigan. Optional: belt on top. (My bathroom accumulates a lot of J. Crew catalogues)

Have you seen polyvore.com? Nobody has made a "set" with either of your tops, but if you click around on similar tops you can find a few ideas.
posted by kmennie at 8:01 PM on October 11, 2010 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I would pair it with a black pencil skirt and a fitted cardigan, with a slim belt. Though this is pictured with a dress, I'm thinking of a silhouette like this.

This is an approximation of how I see it.
posted by rachaelfaith at 12:15 AM on October 12, 2010

Response by poster: Thank you, fashionistas!
posted by bearwife at 8:35 AM on October 12, 2010