Thrifting Queen

K/R Zara silk blouse (and some other stuff)

August 23, 2013

A couple of days ago I posted about the need for a white or light cream drapey blouse (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-requested). I am not a crisp button down kind of gal but instead am on the hunt for a drapey, soft, slightly voluminous blouse that I can wear over top of pencil skirts for debomshelling and also with work trousers and jeans untucked or semi tucked.

Inge had linked in that post to a beautiful 100% silk blouse from Zara and I ordered and received the blouse today. First the good things: the silk is DIVINE and beautiful against the skin, the blouse is exactly the type of style I'm looking for - very simple, elegant and soft. The sleeves are too long but that's not a big deal - Wonder Woman can shorten them. The negatives are the blouse is a little more sheer than I was wanting as I don't particularly like the extra layer of a camisole but for the right blouse, I may be willing to overlook that. And I'm wondering about the fit on the shoulders. I'm a petite with narrow shoulders and this blouse only comes in regular sizing. The shoulder seams are past my physical shoulders. What are your thoughts on fit and style? These are pitiful stylings but hopefully you can get the idea.

Hubs and I went for an early dinner right after work today and decided to treat ourselves to a few new goodies for our anniversary. Hubs (a.k.a. Mr. Casual) got a pair of fantastic pants and a few tees from Lululemon and I chose the ink blue blouse and ponte knit-leather tuxedo stripe pants from Jeanne Beker's petite line. I have lost a few more inches and didn't realize just how large the shirt was on me until I saw these pictures. I assume it's too big? should I size down or is the shirt just a no go for me anyway? The ponte knit pants (which do not photograph well unfortunately and are bunching a bit on the ankle due to the need for shortening) are a full size down for me - whoo hoo! The last two pics are the ponte pants, which if keeping will be part of the great Pants Hunt of 2013, paired with Dex multi-media sweater I purchased. It has a great hi-low hemline and is a camo type of silky fabric in the front with a knit sweater sleeves and back. I just love it.

Anyway...over to you for your thoughts and wisdom :) What stays and what goes?

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Posted in the Shopping category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

18 Comments

  • Marley replied 10 years ago

    First of all - it is very noticeable that you have lost some weight - I almost commented in one of your posts the other day, but I know that's not always a good idea :-) - so I didn't!  But, now that you have brought it up - I just have to say YES - its obvious!  Way. To. Go.
    OK - for the Zara blouse - I wear a cami under everything, so that would not be an issue for me - so, that's just going to have to be your decision if you want to do that or not.  I think that the sizing looks good - not too big on the shoulders at all.  I love the way that you have semi-tucked it into the jeans - such a great outfit!  My only question about it would be the length.  Is it long enough?
    The cobalt and black blouse looks too big to me - I'd definitely try a size smaller - love the pants and that Dex sweater is fabulous!

  • replied 10 years ago

    I like the white blouse with the BF jeans, but don't like it loose with the skirt for some reason. It looks really shiny too but that might just be the camera.

    I really like the trousers on you!

    The blue shirt looks good in some photos and large in others. Is it supposed to be an oversized fit?

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Marley - thank you for the lovely comments on my weight. I still have a ways to go but it's nice to see the progress. I actually chose to try this blouse because of the length. Because I'm only 5 feet tall, a blouse that isn't a petite make is usually waaaaaay too long on me. I wanted something that wouldn't overwhelm my height. Does it look too short to you?

    Ceit - the blouse is a little bit shiny but looks more so thanks to the camera flash. The blue shirt is supposed to be an oversized look but I'm thinking this is too oversized? It's funny because I just grabbed my regular size (Petite Large) and didn't even try the Petite Medium, assuming it would not fit.

    Two votes in favour of the ponte pants and glad you like the Dex sweater Marley.

  • Joy replied 10 years ago

    Congratulations on losing those inches. I also have been converted to wearing a tank or cami under any white shirt or blouse. It just looks better. I like your white silk blouse best in 5&6.
    I love the blue shirt and hope you can size down. Pants and sweater look fab!

  • shedev replied 10 years ago

    I like the white shirt with the jeans. I like the blue shirt but I'd see if the oversized fit plays well with your toppers. That third outfit just knocks my socks off.

  • Mona replied 10 years ago

    The blouse is beautiful on you. I vote keep but only if you are comfortable wearing cami under it. I am not a fan of blue shirt. In my humble opinion, it is too big. Try a size down on it. 
    The pants and sweater are a keeper.

  • Peri replied 10 years ago

    Love the sweater...it is a definite keeper.

    The blue blouse maybe...but a smaller size might be better. I don't love it on you as much as the sweater.

    I'm not a fan of the white blouse. But that's partly me...I am searching too for a white blouse with every descriptor you mention, except the sheerness would be a deal breaker for me. But white that isn't sheer may be a mythical beast, so if you can live with it that's fine.

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Shannon, congratulations on your anniversary AND on the weight loss. 

    I like the look of the white shirt with the jeans, but I agree with Marley that it looks a touch short for leaving untucked. Very odd. I wonder if it is supposed to be a bit cropped? It is also a bit sheer, but I know that effect is maximized by the flash and might not be as noticeable IRL. Hmmm. You have 60 days, right? I would hang onto it but not wear until you see if you can do better. 

    The blue shirt is gorgeous but I want to see you try the size down. 

    The pants look great! And so does the Dex top. Do you like their stuff? I have been tempted to order online but I have not seen it in person because our Bay has so little of the interesting stock. 

  • Krista replied 10 years ago

    Shannon, I will be a spanner - I think you can do better with the white blouse. I find it quite sheer and if you are really looking for a great blouse to wear with many aspects of your wardrobe, then I don't think you should compromise on the fabric. That being said, I do enjoy the blouse with your jeans!

    The ponte pants are awesome, as is the Dex top. I agree with the others that you need a smaller size in the blue shirt. And congrats on your weight loss - you look great!

  • Karie replied 10 years ago

    Size down on that gorgeous blue blouse you skinny girl! The white is also beautiful, but I like it much better in photo #1 than I do in #2, and I'm not sure why. I would try wearing a cami under it for a while around the house and see if bothers you enough to be a deal breaker.

  • Susie replied 10 years ago

    Yes it is quite obvious that you are now a smaller size! I like the white blouse with the jeans bit I don't love it out. But I'm not a fan of straight edge blouses, maybe because of all the hi low hem styles, a straight one seems to lack style?

    I do like the blue top but agree that you should try the medium. The pants look great.

  • deb replied 10 years ago

    Shannon, try a silk cami with the silk blouse. I have them in multiple colors to go under all of my silk shirts. I like the Talbot's cami's. It is on sale here.

     http://www.talbots.com/online/.....8;catId=ca

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Your feedback is so incredibly helpful - I really appreciate it everyone :)

    Shedev - great question about seeing if the oversized look of the blue top works with my toppers and it DOES NOT. Thank you for reminding me to check on that. But it may with a size smaller so will investigate that.

    Suz - I just looked at the Zara return policy and it's 30 days from the day of the order so I do have a bit of time. As for Dex stuff, I have to admit I do like most of it, especially for fairly inexpensive "fast" fashion. For example this sweater was regular $45 and on sale, I paid $30. Even if I only wear it this fall for a few months, I consider that reasonable. 

    deb - thanks for the link for the cami. Because I'm in full blown menopause and suffering multiple times per day with hot flashes, any layer I can do without works for me. But if I need to wear a cami, at least it can be a good one!

    So my thoughts so far are:

    1. Keep the ponte pants and Dex sweater.
    2. Try the size down in the blue blouse.
    3. Hold on to the Zara silk blouse for a bit while checking out other options.

    I will say that I quite like the Zara blouse with the jeans. I did try it quickly underneath my black leather blazer and was just kind of "meh" with it in that combination.

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    I agree with all your decisions above. I love the last outfit. The blue top is just too big. I am undecided on the fit and shape of the Zara blouse - I love the idea for you but feel like it is not the ultimate fit, on the other hand, it is not bad at all.

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    It's the straight hem that is throwing the white blouse silhouette off untucked. No structure. As soon as you semi tuck - Voila. Structure. Spectacularly fluid.

    So I'm 100% with Marley. Try the blue blouse a size down, and the other two items look great. Really fun on trend pieces.

  • Transcona Shannon replied 10 years ago

    Angie -thank you so much for weighing in. I couldn't figure out what was off about the Zara blouse until the straight hem issue was mentioned. I guess I have to figure out if I'm willing to buy a blouse that I will only wear semi tucked when my original plan was to buy a blouse that could be worn in and out. I do love the look of it with my jeans though... Do you think the blue blouse has potential in the size down?

    Shevia -thank you so much for your insights.

  • Deborah replied 10 years ago

    I love the blouse. I would suffer with a cami because it looks so good. This particular white tone is beautifully against your complexion.

    The cobalt blouse is too big IMHO, it's not doing you justice...I love it and I think it's worth sizing down.

    The pants look fantastic from what I can see:). Me I give the Dex sweater a big thumbs up:). Nice haul:)

  • AviaMariah replied 10 years ago

    It sounds like you've already got this all figured out but I just wanted to chime in that I I also love the ponte pants and dex sweater on you.  I have a similar pair of ponte pants that I wear all the time for work and casual.  So much that I duplicated.  :)

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I started playing dress up when I was 4 years old and haven't stopped since! My income doesn't match my tastes so it's all about figuring out how to thrift my way to a fashionable life while tossing in a few delectable items.