This time Anna, Ann and I are styling a sheer, grey blouse.
This blouse belongs to Anna, and I have to admit that I found it enormously difficult to style.
{Even more than my usual PPP-panic!}
Styling someone else's clothes can be very hard.
There were a whole host of hurdles to overcome before I could wear this shirt:
Anna certainly knows how to pick a challenging piece!
But, that is the point of all of this isn't it?
Showing how different (and difficult) items can be tweaked, styled and made to work for different women with different personal styles.
I decided to bite the bullet, and keep with the 'cool' colour theme.
Teaming the silver-grey blouse with a lilac vest top.
Nice and simple.
The blouse is quite voluminous, so I needed a neat shape on my bottom half.
Skinny jeans were the obvious (and easy) choice.
Once I had taken my black skinny jeans out of the wardrobe the rest of the look fell easily into place.
These old jeans make anything feel like it's more me, and this shirt was no exception.
As I could not wear it buttoned up, or belted, or open (like a duster) I decided to layer it under a neat denim waistcoat.
The waistcoat nips the blouse in, slightly, and gives some shape back to my body.
I needed roll the sleeves up (because of the awkward length) this helped give the illusion of shape too.
Adding a necklace, bangle and studded belt gave the outfit some more interest and pulled the grey and blue together.
My oversized fringed bag, and grey strappy sandals, finished my look off nicely.
After all of the problems this shirt posed, I thought I would be disappointed with the finished look...
But, I have to admit to really liking the end result!
Sometimes we surprise ourselves, don't we?
However, after having said, that I am still quite happy to parcel this shirt up for it's return journey to the Isles of Scilly.
It is much more at home with it's rightful owner.
Thank you Anna, for such a great challenge!
This blouse belongs to Anna, and I have to admit that I found it enormously difficult to style.
{Even more than my usual PPP-panic!}
Styling someone else's clothes can be very hard.
There were a whole host of hurdles to overcome before I could wear this shirt:
- I can't wear this blouse on it's own, because the stiff shoulders sit oddly on my frame.
- I don't like the nehru (or mandarin?) collar. I have no idea why.
- The colour is leaving me cold... no pun intended!
- The little buttons and loops are nice, but the shape is unforgiving on my frame when buttoned up.
- The blouse is the wrong size (and shape) for me.
- Belted, the stiff fabric sticks out at odd angles and looks silly.
- The sleeves are an awkward length (I have quite long arms) so they're neither long, nor cropped on my limbs.
- The fabric is too sheer, too stiff and just not 'me'.
Anna certainly knows how to pick a challenging piece!
But, that is the point of all of this isn't it?
Showing how different (and difficult) items can be tweaked, styled and made to work for different women with different personal styles.
I decided to bite the bullet, and keep with the 'cool' colour theme.
Teaming the silver-grey blouse with a lilac vest top.
Nice and simple.
The blouse is quite voluminous, so I needed a neat shape on my bottom half.
Skinny jeans were the obvious (and easy) choice.
Once I had taken my black skinny jeans out of the wardrobe the rest of the look fell easily into place.
These old jeans make anything feel like it's more me, and this shirt was no exception.
As I could not wear it buttoned up, or belted, or open (like a duster) I decided to layer it under a neat denim waistcoat.
The waistcoat nips the blouse in, slightly, and gives some shape back to my body.
I needed roll the sleeves up (because of the awkward length) this helped give the illusion of shape too.
Adding a necklace, bangle and studded belt gave the outfit some more interest and pulled the grey and blue together.
My oversized fringed bag, and grey strappy sandals, finished my look off nicely.
After all of the problems this shirt posed, I thought I would be disappointed with the finished look...
But, I have to admit to really liking the end result!
Sometimes we surprise ourselves, don't we?
However, after having said, that I am still quite happy to parcel this shirt up for it's return journey to the Isles of Scilly.
It is much more at home with it's rightful owner.
Thank you Anna, for such a great challenge!
TOP: Wallis (Anna's)
WAISTCOAT: New Look
SHOES: All SaintsJEANS & BAG: Topshop
VEST: JohnnieB
NAILS: BarryM
Necklace, Rings, Earrings and Bangle: Various gifts and vintage pieces.
GLASSES: Tkmaxx
Anna from Anna's Island Style
Anna is the owner of this tricky piece.
See how the sleeves seem to fit her frame (no rolling required!)
She has used the shirt as a tunic, over cropped white trousers, and a vest top.
Simple and chic.
Her outfit seems more metallic, silvery and summery and the blouse goes beautifully with her fair hair.
Great job!
{I love how the wooden background matches her outfit too!}
Tunic & Trousers: Wallis
Shoes: Bebbou
Vest: H&M
Belt & Rings: Charity shop
Necklace: Dorothy Perkins
Sunglasses: Quay Australia
Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
Ann has taken this shirt and turned it on it's head ... quite literally!
She has taken this item and made it fit her life.
Turning it into sexy beachwear in an instant.
She never fails to surprise me.
Cut-offs and a DIY boob tube, over 40?
Yes!
Phew.
We made it.
This (for me) was the most challenging item to date!
I wonder what on earth will happen next month?
How would you have styled this blouse?
Open or closed?
Layered or on it's own?
Please let me know in the comments.
Or, contact me.
Open or closed?
Layered or on it's own?
Please let me know in the comments.
Or, contact me.
Linking up to: I will wear what I like (Monday), Visible Monday, Turning heads Tuesday, The Pleated Poppy (Wednesday), Colour and Grace (Wednesday), Brilliant blog posts (Thursday), Hat Attack (Friday), Forage Fashion Friday , Fun fashion Friday
SHOP the LOOK
What a nice initiative to do something like this! We did this in the Fashion Store I worked after closing time. To get ideas from eachother of how we could style items!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice initiative to do something like this! We did this in the Fashion Store I worked after closing time. To get ideas from eachother of how we could style items!
ReplyDeleteIt was Anna's idea Nancy...and a great one too. Your dressing up time after work sounds like loads of fun! XXX
DeleteWell done Samantha, I think you rocked this tunic even though you had severe reservations. (Wow, that was quite a long list of reasons not to like it!) I paid £4 in a charity shop for this with the only intention of using it for #PPP and I think it was money well spent. I haven't worn it out myself yet, but thought it might be useful at Christmas time to wear with lots of sparkle. I love the surprise of seeing what we've all come up with and like you, I always wish I'd come up with something that you guys thought of too! Can't wait to see what the next parcel will contain. BTW I loved the wicked laughter x
ReplyDeleteAnna
Hahahaha...yes, sorry Anna! You certainly know how to throw down the style gauntlet. I am looking forward to seeing this shirt styled again in the cooler months. I am assembling my parcel for you slowly, but surely. i hope to send it off soon. XXX
DeleteI love the idea of layering a denim vest over this tunic!!
ReplyDeleteIt adds such an element of dichotomy to the overall outfit!!
It's so fun to see the three of you use your creativeness with one piece of clothing!! Bravo again!
jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you Jodie! This little waistcoat is proving to be more useful than I thought. XXX
DeleteLayering a denim vest over something with a lot of volume is one of my favorite tricks. I really do like how all three of you styled this, but I would have definitely gone the same route as you did. I think the stiff material and collar would have made it challenging for me as well. You did a fabulous job...you look great and not the least bit uncomfortable!
ReplyDeleteDebbie
www.fashionfairydust.com
I actually only bought this denim waistcoat after seeing you wearing one (a wee while ago now... last year, actually!!) and thinking it looked great. So I have you to thank for saving this outfit, Debbie! XXX
DeleteI can't stop looking at you. You are looking stunning as usual. After reading your blog I can say that this is the perfect style of layering. Love to copy this style of yours.
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you! XXX
DeleteI love how you created that 'illusion of shape' adding a waistcoat (favorite tip!) and also love that mauve subtle touch of color and interesting accessories!. You look gorgeous and absolutely yourself!
ReplyDeleteAnd also love what other girls did, all of you created something different and amazing!! Such inspiring outfits!
besos
Thank you Monica. It was a hard piece (for me) and I struggled with it. I am glad you think I pulled it off...and managed to look like myself (so important). XXX
DeleteAfter a lot of tweaking and brilliant styling, like you, I ALSO love love love the end result! You look cool and swishy and effortless, and the colours really work beautifully on you. Well done, Samantha! All three of you ladies really made this item your own. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Lisa! You are very kind. I am glad you think I managed to pull off this outfit. This blouse was such a tricky item...everything about it was not me at all. It was nice to sink my teeth into something so tough! :oD XXX
DeleteYou could make a brown paper sack look stylish. Your take with this tunic was sheer brilliance and you look so well put together that no one would know the hidden struggles you had getting there. Ann's spin on turning it into a strapless top is mind-blowing.
ReplyDeleteRena
www.finewhateverblog.com
Hahahaha...you are very kind Rena.
DeleteAnn blew me away too, she always comes up with something surprising :oD XXX
I always love seeing what everyone does with an item in this series! I love how creative you got despite - or because of - your list of reservations! Seeing the three looks, one wouldn't know it's the same item, which is great!
ReplyDeleteAndrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
Thank you Andrea. Every month is a surprise to me too! (We don't confer) I am so glad you enjoy these posts. They are great fun. XXX
DeleteWow. I like this alot. I love the color this light grey with design and then the top underneath/purple kind of brought out the purple tones in the tunic. Love those shoes too! I think i need a pair! ( wink!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with Turning heads tuesday
jess xx
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com