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When I was younger, I used to steal my mom’s clothes. I’d parade around our house in her blouses and sing “Part of Your World” because I inherently believed I was an old woman trapped in a five-year old’s body. As I grew older, I noticed that while my body was changing (hello, puberty!), my fashion sense did not. I was called a “manang” and ridiculed for my apparent desire to cover my entire body with clothing.
I still loved wearing blouses. I caved in to peer pressure though and revamped my style to look younger (and yes, that did include wearing disgustingly glittery tops that made me look like I was a Christmas ornament).
If my story sounds remotely like yours, read on. Don’t throw away your favorite blouses just because they make you look older than you are. This guide is meant to teach you the many, creative ways to wear that classic button-down blouse.
Wear it unbuttoned
Forego the traditional jacket! An unbuttoned blouse over a breezy dress creates an effortless summer look. Take note of the proportions. Blouses (especially if you’re stealing – er, borrowing – your boyfriend’s shirt) tend to be quite long. Pairing these types of blouses with a maxi dress, for example, would be excessive. Classic blouses are also usually single-colored and plain. You can play around with this look with a dress that is more colorful and funky.
Under a dress
Don’t want to show your arms but love a sleeveless dress? Try wearing it over a buttoned-up blouse. This is a fun way to still dress conservatively and be fashionable. Think of it as turning the traditional cardigan-over-dress style inside-out! This works best with dresses that are little more form-fitting or feminine as it balances out the androgyny of the blouse.
One-sided tuck
This is a style that is super easy to do. Lift up one side of the blouse to expose the waistband of your pants. This helps define your waist and keeps the outfit from looking boxy. This look can be done over jeans. To add a more flirty touch, try wearing brightly colored shoes. The effect is perfectly-tailored casual chic.
Tied-up
Take a cue from the fab that was the 1940s. Tie the ends of the blouse and layer it over a dress or a skirt for a cute summer outfit. You can also try this with high-waisted pants.
Belted
Add structure to your blouse by adding a skinny belt. The belt helps define your waist. There are many ways to go about this. You can try wearing an unbuttoned blouse over a dress and then adding a belt or you can wear it buttoned-up over a pair of solid, opaque leggings and then adding the belt. The former look would be more appropriate for office wear while the latter is a great lazy-day outfit.
Tucked into jeans
Let’s not forget the original way to wear blouses. Instead of tailored pants though, try tucking the top into a pair of jeans. Complete the outfit with a bright belt to keep the look young and fun.
You’re only as old as you feel. Let that translate into how you dress. Let us know how you wore your buttoned-down dress this week! Like our Facebook page or leave us a comment below.
