Instead of that odd background, I'm going to show you, in ordinary setting, an amazing blouse I just found. Yesterday, I was walking from the Courthouse in Foley Square (NYC) to the train at Penn Station when I saw a window-display of pretty clothes. I entered, wearing my expensive wool business-suit and carrying a briefcase. I spent an hour scouring the racks of women's clothes. Nobody cared. This is New York.
In that serendipitous store, I found two cute dresses and the terrific blouse on the right. The blouse has an attractive yellow color and a delightfully feminine design with pleated puffy sleeves. It really appeals to me.
Truth the told, the word "blouse" itself appeals to me. I'm never sure of the difference between a "shirt" and a "blouse"; it seems you guys use the words interchangeably. Let me research the question. Be right back...
Okay, thanks for waiting!
According to Wikipedia, a blouse is "a loose-fitting upper garment that...is typically gathered at the waist (by a waistband or belt) so that it hangs loosely ("blouses") over the wearer's body. The word most commonly refers to a woman's shirt but can also refer to a man's shirt if it is a loose-fitting style (e.g. poet shirts and Cossack shirts). Traditionally, the term has been used to refer to a shirt which blouses out or has an unmistakably feminine appearance."
Do you agree with that? Can you add anything further to my understanding of this terminology?
Oh, and you're invited coo at the blouse, too. :-)
I love your blouse ... its is delightfully feminine! I also get really confused at time about what the right terminology is for a specific item, so don't feel alone, I think there are many women who just as befuddled.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your dresses and photos in the forest ... sounds like fun.
This outfit is just right from top to bottom.
ReplyDeleteThe bright color of the "blouse" :) looks great on you. Lovely texture on the skirt and I always love pattern tights.
Oh, and the forest picture idea sounds awesome.
http://iartfashion.blogspot.com/
those tights are amazing!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think of blouses as button downs, but they're not always called that. I wonder what button downs are called then.
ReplyDeleteOoh that is my absolutely all time favorite shade of yellow. And the sleeves are freaking cool too. I also really love the tights and the textured skirt. I like the balance of shapes in this outfit. I think it creates nice curves and soft lines. I think the blouse would also look excellent with a wide legged trouser in either a bright color or black.
ReplyDeleteI tend to use "blouse" to mean any non-tee shirt or other named style of shirt. Usually it's interchangeable with the word top for me. I know that's not the case for most people though. It just helps with my mental tags to do that.
I can't wait to see what you do with that photoshoot. That sounds like such a cool idea. I got to shoot in a really old B&B awhile back and still wish I had planned more, but I still want to go out to some "woods". Haven't made the journey yet.
You look gorgeous whether it is a blouse or a shirt ... although I think of this one as a 'blouse' and a button down top as a 'shirt'. Those rights are absolutely amazing and show off your gorgeous legs wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteOoh! What a beautiful blouse and such a sunny color! The sleeves are so flowy and feminine. Makes me want to spin around like Stevie Nicks, lol! you look great :) Heather
ReplyDeletethanks for your lovely comments! of course i am paraphrasing lady sov :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and SEXY! In my mind, blouse always refers to a women's garment and they are mostly tucked in. Shirt could be used, but mentally I associate that with men's clothing. It was interesting to read about your shopping. Do you buy without trying things on? If you want to try an item on, has that ever presented a problem for you?
ReplyDeleteHi Terri. You ask a good question. I always buy without trying clothes on. I've become good at guessing whether something will fit from checking the tightest area (waist) and paying attention to whether the material is stretchy or not.
ReplyDeleteIt would disturb the staff if I asked to try something on and I don't want to do that. In addition to being shy, I'm deeply empathetic and don't want to upset anyone. I'll sacrifice myself before doing that.
Once in a while, a cashier will guess that I'm buying an item for myself (it's really obvious if you think about it), but they never say anything. I wish they would so we could talk about shopping, but I'll never initiate that conversation.
I love this outfit.. those tights are awesome..very sexy!! and I love the yellow blouse on you!! what a great pop of color for winter!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteAlly!! I love this whole outfit so so much. That blouse and the skirt are amazing. And then the stockings are like, WHAT! That's a good thing. So, this whole look is super feminine and you are really coming into your own style with grace and elegance.
ReplyDeleteBlouson is one of my favorite words to use to describe the type of blouse you're wearing. It can also be used for a dress that gathers in the waist but flows gently away from the body on top and bottom.
xoxo,
Tracy
That's awesome! These colours are great! Keep on showing off those amazing legs! Any woman could be jealous of them, at least I am... :)
ReplyDeleteKinga
The blouse is cute but i am LOVING the skirt you paired it with - SO cute!
ReplyDeleteWell, I think you're a ray of sunshine all the time, yellow "blouse" or not. :)
ReplyDeleteI am really into sleeves like this right now, and I think they're pretty on-trend these days too. They kind of throw back to another decade and are just fun. I think this outfit is put together nicely. It's feminine and smart but also a little whimsical.
when i think of a blouse i think of a shirt with buttons and long sleeves. a shirt is anything else. lol
ReplyDeleteThose tights make the outfit!
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I'm constantly confused by clothing terminology! Is there a difference between slacks, trousers, and pants? I don't know; I've never known. I call them all pants and am done with it. I call all things for my upper body tops.
ReplyDeleteI really like the blouse/top/whatever the proper word is. Yellow, especially bright yellow, can be so hard to pull off with black without looking like a bumblebee. No bumblebee came to mind here - it's totally adorable! I love the shape of the sleeves. I think the textured tights are juts the right finishing touch. Where is the skirt from? I think I might have the same one, actually.
Oh, I love yellow and black together and the blouse is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHmmm I'm not a native speaker but I call "shirts" all those garments that have buttons (like button down shirts for example), even if they're for women. Don't know if it's correct or not, though :)
Life is a romantic poem
The sleeves of this blouse are so lovely! As well as the colour! It's also nice how it contrasts with the texture of your skirt, which looks fab by the way!
ReplyDeletelove that blouse, so lovely.
ReplyDeleteYes I would agree on the term and yep this would be a blouse - a fabulous one too!
ReplyDeleteAnd if I may add: you look amazing. This look, this right now THIS IS ALLIE, you've found yourself.
Funny, I was just wondering this morning about the difference between a shirt and a blouse, and now I know. I know this post is about the blouse but I must say I love the skirt and tights. You're legs are HOT!!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree with the wiki's blouse assessment. You seriously look amazing. I am totally cooing at that bright yellow blouse. I am so glad no one looks at you differently for perusing women's clothing. I have a dear friend that is transgendered and is so terribly frightened to show who she is because she is afraid all the guys she hung out with as a he would no longer accept her. We are from a very small town and I told her screw them if they don't still love you as a woman - what kind of friends are those anyway?
ReplyDeleteYour legs are amazing!
Great colours and matching soft garments! In all, one of the best outfits I think!I always thought that shirts have buttons and blouses don't. You can easily wear a blouse that's tight and fitting. But everyday we learn something new! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteAlly,
ReplyDeleteby far the best outfit! Love it!
-Jaz
http://summerlilacs.blogspot.com/