Inspiration Board: Brie - Femme Blouse + Denim

Jeans go with basically everything these days...except maybe a ball gown (ok, I expect to see some celeb do this now, just to prove me wrong :)). How often, though, do we push their boundaries? Jeans and tees, jeans and tanks, jeans and hoodies: "casual denim" can get like a mantra. It's a bit more romantic and unexpected to pair them with something dressier...and not just a blazer (disclosure: I do practically live in that combo). Brie's take on denim here is a little fancier...but nowhere near fussy. She's paired a floral blouse - like a real *blouse*! - with her skinny jeans. Blouses are old school feminine, practically forgotten in waves of pants-wearing rebellion. They used to be staples, paired with long skirts in the daydreamy Victorian days of Anne of Green Gables. In daydreamy modern days, we get to resurrect them and borrow their grace and sophistication to counter hard-working denim. Brie's version is a muted floral print, a variation on the theme of dark florals that was all over the last two years' fall runways. The dusty tones echo the gothic poetry evoked by those patterns. Brie finished the look with her tan Dinah pumps, keeping the whole look dusky. This outfit is super simple; the key to it hinges on your blouse. It's important that it be a femme blouse...no office-y oxford shirts. A button-down front doth not a blouse make! (quoth Brie (non-Bella version)). It can have a collar (pointed, mandarin, Peter Pan = all work)) or not. It can be a button-down (or back ;) ) or not. It can be solid fabric or sheer (cami or bandeau beneath, pretty please), long- or short-sleeved. What it needs most of all is to be beautiful, never basic.  Ruffles, lace, pin dots, bows, lace-up details = all fabulous. And don't limit yourself to florals: solids, stripes, lace are all a go! Think pieces like this, this this, this or this ;). Add your favorite skinny, slim or straight jeans and voila: la beauté et la grâce...with a touch of attitude. Play up the feminine with bowed pumps, ballet flats or vintage-feeling t-straps (pick a color that coords with your blouse, or go neutral), or play it down with heeled booties.  Stay feeling beautiful, loves! XO
Psst I've got a massive new Inspiration Board in the works for this month that I can't wait to share with you ;)