Three easy, dressier alternatives to a plain button down shirt
The button-less blouse If you have a large chest it's hard to find a traditional button-up blouse that fits — so many pull at the front and create a gap between the buttons. Avoid playing peek-a-boo with button-less A-line cuts, or blouses with a deep V-neck and closures that start at the mid-bust level or lower. Plunging necklines will elongate your frame, but don’t discount high neck styles completely. For a crew or mock neck, try a bold asymmetrical print or mix of materials (i.e. a lace neckline with gauzy sleeves and body), which will help delineate proportions too.
The frilly number Fall 2016 clothes are all about the dramatic touch, and blouses are tricked out with ruffles, ruffles, ruffles. Finding an adornment that flatters your shape can be tricky because, newsflash!, ruffles add volume. So know that this trend works best if you have a small chest. A frill running down the front of a blouse, across the chest or even cascading down the sleeves will enhance your assets. If you have a big bust or carry weight around your tummy, there are ruffle options worth a twirl — just choose ones that don’t sit front and center. A blouse with a frilly trim on cuffs or a waist-defining peplum are the way to go.
The pussy bow It looks like a ribbon attached to the collar of a shirt and it’s basically the Frank’s Red Hot Sauce of fall – designers have put that sh*t on everything. The subtle touch makes a basic blouse delightfully more girly, and it's a must-try for all shapes...you just have to scale it accordingly. If you have a large chest, reach for a pussy bow blouse with slim ties that lie flat and close to the collarbone. If you have a small chest, then have at it with oversize bows.
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