A white button up blouse is a staple in most wardrobes. It’s an item that will never date and one that can be worn to the office, at the weekend, and out out. It is, in essence, the definition of a classic wardrobe piece and I’m going to show you why by illustrating 3 quite different ways to wear it.
I had a tough choice deciding which three looks to share with you, so make sure you pop back as I will be sharing three more with you later on in the season! This really is a versatile item!
WEARING A BUTTON UP : SMART CASUAL
BLOUSE – UK (similar) | USA // JACKET (similar) – UK | USA // JEANS (similar) – UK | USA // NECKLACE – UK // SHOES (similar) – UK |USA (similar)
A tailored jacket layered over a classic white blouse is always a winning look. It’s one of those combinations that just works, and it works for most occasions, which makes it a great fall back combo for those times when you just can’t decide what to wear. Here I’ve teamed the winning combo with gently ripped denim and black pointy heels for a slightly edgy look, but they work just as brilliantly with a pair of tailored trousers/pants, a pencil skirt, a pair of boyfriend jeans, leather trousers/pants, flats or heels…you name it, it will work. And that, my friends, is why it’s a winning combination. If the blouse is long, and you have short legs and a long body like I do, then play around with tucking the blouse in – I tucked half the blouse into my jeans and found it elongated my legs a little – result!
DRESS UP A CLASSIC BUTTON UP
BLOUSE – UK (similar) | USA // PALAZZOS – UK (similar) | USA (similar)
I wanted to create an evening look with the blouse but wanted to do more than just layer it over a pair of dressy trousers/pants, so I teamed it with this pair of vintage palazzo trousers/pants and finished off the outfit with a waist belt (which yes, I’ll admit, is looking a little tired now). The belt is what really makes this outfit – it hides the join (which I felt was a little ugly), it emphasizes my waist, and it raises the waist band of the palazzos to even greater heights, making my legs look even longer! Sometimes it’s the smallest detail that makes the biggest impact!
DRESS A BUTTON UP DOWN FOR EVERYDAY
BLOUSE – UK (similar) | USA // SWEATSHIRT – UK (similar) | USA // JEANS – UK (similar) | USA (similar) // HEELS – UK (similar) | USA
This is an outfit that blurs the line between smart and casual. The relaxed jeans and un-tucked blouse add an ‘everyday’ feel to the outfit that could look scruffy if it wasn’t for the addition of the heels that add a little polish, and the pretty sweatshirt that tames the blouse.
I’ve written a few other posts sharing a host of different ways to style a classic button up. You can check them out here, here and here!
