I’ve been obsessed with bow tie blouses for a while and the one that Annie recommended at the end of this post (option #4) has been stuck in the back of my mind. Last night, I happened to be nearby an American Apparel store where I found two prints in my size (XS). I asked the sales associate if there were any promotions and I also inquired about their return policy since I wasn’t really familiar with shopping at AA. I wasn’t surprised to hear that there was no sale and I also didn’t like their return policy (you have 45 days to return the items for store credit or exchange) but I still went through with the purchase anyway.
I tried them on again at home with a few of my work staples (refer to the below pictures) and I was pleased to find that they were fun, girly blouses that I’ll enjoy wearing this fall/winter. As a fit comparison I found that the size XS is a very similar cut to my size 2 H&M blouse.
For the first blouse I chose the secretary blouse in black dots and bows on white:
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| Paired with my high waisted Zara skirt |
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| Paired with by Banana Republic bow pencil skirt. |
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| Paired with my Theory jumper and Forever 21 patent belt |
For the second blouse I chose the secretary blouse in white black narrow stripe:
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| Again, paired with my Zara high waisted skirt |
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| Paired with my J.Crew wool mini skirt |
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| Again, paired with my Theory jumper |
Both blouses are 100% polyester which from my experience washes well in cold water and they will air dry fairly quickly too.
Bows are such a feminine feature and makes any outfit that much more interesting…I am in love with such detailing as it can work in an office setting, going about town or shopping with the girls…so flattering and versatile :)Good post :)Would love to see you at my blog? Would mean a lot to me Jenny xoxohttp://suprajen888.blogspot.co.uk/
Great choices and both of them look really nice with the skirts and jumper. Will you also style these for casual days? Putting blouses with jeans is a fairly "new" concept for me. I have been seeing the bloggers do it for some time now, but haven't quite found the right blousy top to go with the jeans I own. I will probably have to invest in some new dark wash skinnies to make the outfits look really polished.
Are you keeping both? I adore both of them on you especially the way you styled them. They are addicting aren't they? I can't believe the price but if you love them – worth it:)
I really love the first one. I love the pattern and look very sophiscated paired with your Zara skirt. I hope you keep that one 🙂
Very cute! My fave look is the first print with the theory jumper!
hehe… Thanks Lisa! Yeah I didn't like the last print with the jumper as much but it might just be missing a belt to make it less boring?
Thanks Yvonne! I definitely love the bow print more but then again I'm partial to bows.
Yes! Thanks for your thoughts. I wish I waited for a sale but I'm not familiar with AA and don't know when the next one is and if it'd even work on these blouses. Next time, I'll try to hold myself back. 🙂
Oooo I love them both! ESP with the theory jumper. Makes it look classy but at the same time so girly ^.^
Thanks Mary-Irene! I appreciate your suggestion and welcome the challenge. I did initially try to style them for casual wear but the high tie neck didn't look quite right with any of the blazers I own. I'll try to style them but alone and/or with a cardigan and jeans. I hope that I can find a look I can share with you and the other ladies for casual wear. 🙂
Thanks Jen! I'm glad you stopped by my blog and I'll check yours out now. 🙂
aww…Thanks Trang! You're such a sweetie. <3
I love your style!
Thanks Lisa!