Major Must-Have: Vince Contrast-Placket Blouse

11/13/2013

photo source: Nordstrom

This season I am really digging looser, minimalist cuts and expert tailoring.
After seasons of more-is-more embellishment and baubles, it's time to pare
everything down and focus on beautiful cuts, textures and colors.

Thankfully, some of my favorite brands like Vince and Theory agree. In the blouse department in particular, Vince gets it just right, and I am completely obsessed! (My closet is happy; my bank account, not so much.) I love the tom-boyish cuts, the expert tailoring, the beautiful fabrics and the earthy yet urban colors. The blouses have a certain understated, almost edgy, femininity to them that I just want to envelope myself in. It's everything I love about downtown New York style all rolled up into a piece of beautifully draped fabric.

I could go on about a number of the pieces in the line (and I certainly will in future posts), but I have one favorite item in particular that is a must-have addition to your work and weekend wardrobe: the Contrast Placket Blouse, $275. (And it just so happens it can be obtained ON SALE at Bloomingdale's right now.)

I happened upon the navy/black version (color description: "coastal") while on a recent shopping trip to Nordstrom in Kansas City with my mom (Good lord, how I love department store shopping in the 'burbs! So empty! So spacious! With a seat for Mom!), and immediately fell in love. (Thankfully Mom took note and gave it to me for my birthday - shopping with Mom is the best!).

I have tried on and purchased a lot of shirts in my day, and I can tell you that this Vince one is worth the splurge. The silk is so sumptuous and totally luxurious (and this comes at a time when I feel like the overall quality of my "go to" silk top brands like J.Crew and even Joie is declining). The cut is perfection: the neckline is beautiful and offers just the right amount of coverage (though watch it with that little plunge in the office!); the sleeves are a flattering length (no arm fat accentuating cap sleeve here, folks!); and because the placket goes all the way down the blouse with a sort of fluttery, fly-away effect at the shirt-hem, the blouse hangs just right around the hips, which pear- and hourglass-shaped ladies will appreciate. You could even do a half-tuck to accentuate the waist, if you're daring, for a look that's effortlessly chic (not to mention super comfortable). Plus, it's long. It is also tremendously versatile: it can easily be worn day or night, day-to-night, at work or on the weekend. I've worn it in every aforementioned situation, and it fits seamlessly into all of them.

I have a soft spot for mixing navy and black (it goes with everything), and I just love the mix of navy and black in the Coastal version, which is available at Nordstsrom and Bloomingdale's. I am normally a huge fan of Nordstrom - excellent customer experience and one of the first high-end department stores to offer free shipping and returns - but I can't deny a good discount when I see one, and Bloomingdale's is offering a Friends and Family 20% discount until 11/21 (code: FRIENDS)! So that $275 blouse becomes a more stomachable $220, which also wins you free shipping at Bloomies (on orders of $150+).

My mother used to be a buyer and always taught me that if you find an item of clothing you love, make sure you buy it in more than one color. Trust me, she'd say. You need more than one. No surprise here, but Mom is always right. While having the Coastal version is great, having the Coastal version and this Blackberry one (without contrast) is even better. The blackberry one is sold at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman (though I prefer Neiman Marcus for in-store experience if you can get yourself out to the 'burbs, and they also have better deals in general for online shoppers). And all colors that exist are sold at Vince (which also offers free shipping and returns!).

Both colors of the top go particularly well over skinny black pants or jeans for weekend and can be paired with a long black cashmere sweater or a sharp jacket for the office. In terms of sizing, it runs pretty true to size (it should fit a bit loose). For a more casual look, pair it with distressed boyfriend jeans rolled at the cuff and ballet flats or men's inspired oxfords.

Happy Wednesday.... and happy shopping!
KK