Oldest Woman in the Bistro: The honest-to-goddess blouse

Last week, Le Duc and I tried a new bistro, scouting on behalf of visitors who ask for our recommendations. The crowd was "une foule bigardée", a colourful, motley assortment of all ages. There, I saw a woman in what I thought was a blouse and skirt; as she walked by, discovered it was actually a dress:

This is by Attersee, of cotton shirting and silk-cashmere voile, so it's pricey (over  $US 1, 095) but this is not a hard look to adapt, in this length or shorter. Keep the effect: the open neck, rolled sleeves. The side-tied sash is optional; it's good with a belt, too:

I realized, then and there, I should lavish some love on my blouses; they transmit a distinct femininity, a pinch of polish. Mine have languished mainly because they require ironing. There, I admitted it. 

(Sidebar: The blouse is a garment that is identifiably womenswear. "Pretty" goes with "blouse" like "nice" goes with "piece of fish",  but 'pretty' isn't often paired with "shirt". The shirt typically buttons up the front, as in menswear, and may be collared or not. Some men wear blouses; I'm not getting into that now.)

The pandemic dealt blouses a terrible thump—all that loungewear invaded—but this fall I see women back in blouses, from hardy denims to floaty confections. 

In today's windows, blouses and shirts that add that "yes, I got dressed" mode. Quite a few women say that they love a good shirt or blouse, but have trouble with gaping buttons. For you, here are some that keep buttons off the bust.

Detailed and different

I'd wear these with jeans, trousers, nothing too "lady".

Isabel Marant tiered printed georgette blouse; sale price $US 246 at The Outnet. I like the blurred print, and the small stand collar. 

There is detail for days in Veronica Beard's "Tivi" denim shirt, and the result is a fit and refinement that elevates it above the usual man-clone model. The price is elevated too—$CDN 348. But I figure it's a lifetime buy, or maybe there is an opportunity for fractional ownership. I wanted to show it as an example of tailoring that is devilishly difficult to find at any price point now.

 Graceful classics

 These cuts are a departure from the usual button-front shirt, and provide some ease at the bustline.

Left: A calm silk blouse is a thing of beauty, especially when washable. From Banana Republic; price $CDN 170; also made in ecru and a soft blue.   

Top right: Another BR piece, the 70% cotton/30% silk shirt (70% cotton/30% silk blouse (washable!) (at time of writing it was marked down to $CAN 39). BR are really upping their game in the last year, via good fabrics and a wider size range. It is probably s/o by now but a stellar example of how an oversized cut does not have to look like a glum rectangle.

A blouse need not be a delicate, airy confection. Here, oxford cloth departs from its button-up duty to appear in a more graceful Easy Shirt from Toast (price, £115):

 Whites

The beauty of a white blouse, an image consultant told me, is that it can stand alone as a top, no matter what the occasion. If you're a white shirt woman, you'll like this article from The Strategist, "The 14 Very Best White Shirts for Women". If I were one, Alain Figaret's white poplin, with "Je t'aime" embroidered inside the placket, would be a treasure. (Price €135.) Embroidery available in various colours.

The special and spectacular

A showstopper blouse can be worn for occasions, but also works with a pair of jeans. The finale is shared by two that prove a specialty piece is more wearable than you'd think.

Anne Fontaine silk watercolour "Aquarelle" blouse ($US 950): I caught my breath. Its supple waft (click on the link to see) and beautiful yet discreet palette make it worth spending to me what is a whole lot.  

The covetable label Equipment have long produced gorgeous silk shirts but the narrow cut left out women with definite busts or hips. Finally, they are making extended sizes (to 4X) in many styles. Obviously these are being snapped up, because many are s/o, but I wanted to shout this news. Shown, Bradner silk satin shirt; sale price is $US 129 but s/o in many sizes.

In Montréal, silk blouse season is short as that of peonies, but if we slip a silk/wool cami under one, it can serve through late fall, even into winter. That isn't trivial, because while I wasn't looking, well-made blouses' prices zoomed up; they easily can cost as much as a dress. 

Still, I call a good blouse a Buy and Hold star, because just like a bouquet of those peonies, it provides a heady charm every time.