Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Another Bow Blouse DIY + OOTD Options

I'm one of those people who will buy multiples of the same item just to get different colors.  It's no different when it comes to DIY garments.  I LOVE bow-front tops and I can't seem to get enough of them.  I feel like they have dual functionality as a stand-alone type top or layered beneath a cardi / blazer / sweater.  They can also be dressed up or down.

Today's version was a print I fell in love with at the local Joann's.  It happened to be a shiny charmeuse type of fabric (and I have to say that I'm not always a fan of wearing something shiny - just seems to show imperfections) so I wound up using the "wrong" side of the fabric for more of a matte look.

Bow Front Blouse, DIY
Black Pencil Skirt, DIY
Ann Taylor Perfect Suede Pumps, Granite
Oops, I forgot to put on my snake print belt in gray!

Or a more casual alternative with a sweater and jeans:
Would pairing a necklace with this be too much?  I feel like it's missing something...

Is there a type of blouse that you just can't get enough of?

9 comments:

  1. You did a great job as always! The fabric is gorgeous and just the right shade of shininess. Great choice on using the more matte side. I lovvee how you paired it with the high-waisted pencil skirt. So elegant! I think adding a necklace would be perfect -- one of the shorter ones that doesn't fall too close to the neckline. When in doubt, pearls are always a great choice.

    I'm definitley a lover of drape-y blouses. Still keeping my eyes out for one with a bow!

    ReplyDelete
  2. that fabric print is nice! love it with the high-waisted skirt. I think the missing item would be some dangly earrings to complete the look?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the print of the top! Chandelier style earrings would be great asset, or some subtle pendants to fill in the space. Great DIY!

    I try to limit my clothes so I only have one of each style and try not to get dups. But I have a thing for cardigans and stripes. =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love bow blouse too and I don't think I can ever get enough of it (unless I somehow end up with one in every color and print). I have the same obsession with ruffle front tops too. :)

    I love how you wore it and am as always impressed by your sewing skills. I think a necklace would be too much but can't really imagine it in my head right now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh I love myself a good bow too and stellar job on making this top! It looks like it could easily be from Banana or AT. I agree that wearing a necklace would be too much...but I would like to see you wear this top with a more daring v-neck to show off a little more of that awesome fabric at the neckline!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love this top. I think it looks great dressed up with the pencil skirt. Unfortunately, I really cannot get away with wearing sleeveless to work (too cold most of the time and then somewhat inappropriate, although I suppose in the early part of the school year and the end of the year when the temps are close to 90F it can be acceptable). I always end up adding a cardigan to my sleeveless tops. This looks so elegant.

    My one complaint about sewing with that kind of fabric is how easily it frays at the edges. I fear that I will have no seam allowances left to finish by the time I get to the end of sewing. My snow leopard PFC#4 dress was like that...that fabric deteriorates if you look at it too long.

    I also buy/make multiples in different colors. I have 5 pairs of my basic tab front trousers in white, brown pinstripe, black, mocha and latte (I named the colors, but the names approximate the actual shades of brown). I have 3 of the 2 ply cashmere Lord and Taylor cable crew sweater in cream, lime green, and peach; I have used the same pencil skirt pattern for all of my pencil skirts, although I do tend to make slight design changes like the length of the hem or the width of the waistband.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love it! But then again I love everything you do!!! I don't think adding a necklace would be too much- I think it would look awesome!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cee - Thanks so much - you always have the sweetest things to say! Ooh, I love drapey blouses too - my favorite one of yours is that LOVE21 dress :)

    Olyvia - Thank you for the suggestion - I never think about earrings for some reason. I'll have to try that!

    Stylepint - Thanks so much! I too am a big fan of cardigans and stripes :)

    Elle - Ruffle blouses are just so versatile because there's an infinite amount of ways to ruffle a top - good choice :) I'm with you on the every color and print - I have a tendency to collect LOL.

    Sisters Sincere - Thank you for the kind words and the suggestion on the v-neck - I think showing more of the blouse would look more balanced.

    Kerry - I remember my HS kept the school deliberately cool to prevent the girls from wearing revealing clothing, do other schools do this too? I agree that sleeveless is not always work-appropriate depending on the environment. And YES on the fraying - I serged, but I still saw a few flyaway threads on the sash.

    Yay for someone else who buys/makes multiples - we are very much on the same wavelength :)

    Really Petite - Aww, thanks so much! I think I'll try a simple, short string of pearls or maybe some dramatic earrings :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. i love bow-tie blouses and never thought about wearing them underneath other sweaters! i love how it looks in the second picture and will definitely have to try this out!

    and i think a pair of dangly earrings would've been a good touch and not added so much to the look that it would've been over the top.

    cuteandlittle.com

    ReplyDelete

I'm the type of gal who gets giddy when I receive mail - it's no different with comments! I really appreciate the feedback and love hearing from you :)

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...