Naughty necktie blouses
July 3rd, 2008Blouses aren’t everyone’s cup of tea because they are fussy, dramatic, dressy and high laundry maintenance. For these reasons many people stick to comfy knitted tops.
Blouses with neckties have a small target audience because they’re even fussier and hard to wear if you’re well endowed. This happens to be my favourite type of blouse and I know I’m in the minority. I adore their vintage, yet modern appeal and playful charm. They make me feel feminine, lady-like, elegant and alluring. (I’m very drawn to the “naughty librarian look” which works well with my specs and short hair).
Necktie-blouse don’t need to be sleeveless. They’re just as fab with a longer sleeve in Autumn layered under a cardigan or jacket. Opt for a V-necktie blouse to elongate the neckline. Stick to wovens for a crisper look. You don’t need to tie a bow at the neck with this silhouette. A neat square knot or loose tie often looks better.
A necktie blouse is a superb way to maintain a professional look in warm weather. Pop it over a pencil skirt, slacks, jeans or clamdiggers and you’ve got a great little look (belted or voluminous). Blouses in general are my “go-to” top in warm weather and I wear one almost every day. Any other blousy girls out there?
Most necktie blouses are woven, but occasionally you’ll find one in a knit like the black style above (which theoretically makes it a necktie knitted top). Necktie blouses that tie at the neck look particularly good on women with a smaller bust line and longer neck. But it’s easy to elongate this look if you don’t have a long neck by knotting the ties instead of tying them into a bow.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:10 am
I am a recent convert- I love this look. I currently own two: white SS woven cotton blouse and cream elbow sleeve knitted top, but plan to get at least two (or maybe even more) for fall: black, purple and maybe some cool print. But I am waiting for longer sleeves. I recently saw a teal SS one at Express ( fall collections are already coming in) that I’m considering as well.
I have both long neck and small chest, so I can get away with this style. I prefer to tie a loose knot though, the bow looks to fussy for my workplace, tough I’d wear it in a bow elsewhere.
I actually like blouses a lot, but do not like them if they are ‘blousy’ ( as strange as this may sound) - I prefer styles with a tailored waist, which have been more difficult to find recently. Oh, and I adore that black Rachel Pally one in the middle of the top row!
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:29 am
Thanks to you, Angie, my blouses have been favorites this season, especially the more voluminous ones. I was skeptical at first but kept looking per your suggestions. The necktie blouses are a bit fussy for me and I would definitely not wear them with a bow, but I might have to try the BR one.
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:32 am
Angie, I am de-lurking to say I love checking in with your site every day to see what goodies you’ve posted! I really like this look, but I’m not sure I can carry it off or if I just need the right style. I have a long neck, but I’m on the bustier side (34C). What do you think, should I avoid it altogether?
July 3rd, 2008 at 7:38 am
I love necktie blouses but well endowed girl it’s hard to find one that flatters. Does anyone have any suggestions?
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:03 am
I have actually started looking around for a style like this but I am having challenges with the short-neck issue. I am looking for a design that has the tie placed lower and so far there are not a lot. But I suspect this style will be more common in the near future so it may not be as much of a challenge going forward.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:05 am
I have been trying to diversify my tops from almost exclusively knits to more tailored shirts. However, while I am relatively flat chested I do have wide shoulders and it’s hard to find woven shirts/blouses that are not tight across the top. I love the look of those necktie blouses–would definitely wear one if I could find one that fits.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:10 am
While this look is not for me, I love the idea of “the naughty librarian”. I’d love to see fashions of more naughty professions. Naughty nurse is obvious of course, but what about naughty engineer, naughty mommy, naughty scientist, and perhaps naughty politician. Oh, do behave!
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:23 am
I looooooooooove these blouses as they combine cute silhouettes with built-in scarves … but I’ll admit to shying away from dry-cleanables. Still, this is such a fantastic look, I might have to make an exception. That floral sleeveless number is simply glorious!
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:36 am
You know I’m a blousy girl! I might try the V neck tie blouse from Banana Republic–crew necks aren’t as nice on me, especially if there’s too much fussiness going on at the neckline (ruffles are the exception).
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:37 am
Ladies! I’m excited you’re excited. Thank you Sal.
Tanya, you were made for this look. The black knit has your name written all over it. May I suggest a waist cinching belt for the ones that don’t fit around your microscopic waist? A perfect look for you.
Ana, I’m waiting for your support. You and I are blousy-twins.
Patience, I’m honoured you preserved. Both blouses I’ve seen on are killer.
Meredith, you crack me up. How about naughty writer – just for you.
Marlene and Joelle, don’t give up. Your blouse is out there.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 am
Yay! I’m not a “blousy girl” in general, but I’ve been drooling over neck-tie blouses lately. I love naughty librarian look, and the possibilities for funking up a very feminine piece. Haven’t found the right one yet; maybe I’ll still get one for summer, and if not then I’ll be there in fall for sure. Can’t wait.
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:56 am
I’m trying to go from college to semi-college (grad-school), and since I am both long necked and small chested, I will have to try a few of these on over the holiday weekend.
Great advice as always, Angie! You’ve made me think more about my clothing, something I’ve always tried to do but always got so frustrated. This is absolutely my favorite blog. Now I just need to get myself on the forums.
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:13 am
I love the top left and bottom left. Gorgeous. Alas, this look just doesn’t work for me - mostly because I have a very short neck. The green one *might* work okay. Those who can wear it - enjoy!
I was never a “blousy” girl until this past year. Now I own several blouses and I love them.
July 3rd, 2008 at 10:43 am
I have been looking for a tie-neck blouse for sometime, just haven’t found the perfect one for me. I would probably not wear it with a bow because I’m not that into bows. I love the look of sheer silk blouses with a pretty print that I could toughen up with my black belt.
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:26 am
I do think us “well figured” girls can wear these as well - you just have to be very particular about the silhouette - I’ve even cut off part of the ties because they were getting a little voluminous around the neck and the chest area (I sew, but your alterations person can do it too) - I do love the whole “naughty, naughty girl” theme - let’s not behave!
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:57 am
I’ve owned one [1] necktie blouse and that was one too many for me. Maybe it was because it was a flimsy polyester but mostly I feel like the frumpy sidekick right out of one of those Doris Day movies…and not in a good way [at least they were funny or drunk so they don’t care how they looked]. I’m also somewhat busty and short necked…Maybe if there were some tips on tying?
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Thank you for this post, Angie. I love the look and think I will be able to wear it well. I especially like the bottom left blouse. It seems a great way to add femininity in a sleek way, if that makes sense. I recently picked up a small long white cotton scarf (Target) that I plan to pair with a white collarless blouse to give the general look of a tie blouse without some of the fussiness. Now I wish I’d bought the black one too while they were available.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Oh, Angie, speaking of blousy twins, hee hee–I just picked up the most AMAZING blouse on sale at Neiman Marcus. I’ve had my eye on it literally for months, and it was such a splurge for me (even on sale I had to save up for a while), but I love it SO much! I might put an outfit together and maybe post a picture in the forum sometime. It’s voluminous, but I think still very tailored, so I could wear it with or without a waist belt.
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I worn a blouse once and was made fun of in school so badly by a mean boy in school (you could see the bra beneath it, tastefully, but still slightly visible) that I never wore one again. I like the knitted blouse top, but I’m not overly fond of the woven ones.
July 3rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I don’t think its possible for me to adore this look any more than I do!
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Hate the look. It’s popular throughout most of East Asia, but I think that it’s overdone and generally unflattering.
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I love these new tops and was eyeing a couple of them at Old Navy a few weeks ago but alas I am not at an office at the moment and am not sure where else I would wear them. The town where I am currently, uh, trapped, Salt Lake City, is kind of anti on the dressy office look since females here shouldn’t have to work but they all do. Anyway, I am not sure if this neckline would work for me but it sure does have a certain cool appeal.
July 3rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I’m a “racy rectangle” that happens to be busty. And I have a long waist. I’ll see a blouse that looks so pretty on the hanger, but I try it on and it just looks so wrong on me. =( It’s frustrating!
July 4th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Hope you find what you’re looking for Lauren and Antje. I’m excited you like the look.
Kristers, there is an art to tying the actual tie. You don’t want to be left with fussy long ties and alterations might be the answer especially if the ties were meant for a bow.
Bustier gals can wear the look if the neckline is low and the tie is re-fined (and not bowed). I had a well endowed client look sensational in an ink blue sleeveless neck tie AT blouse this season.
Therese, there are less dramatic and flattering necktie styles for sure. Who better to sport the look than a petite rectangular SE Asian body type.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Love these kinds of blouses, but usually with long slightly puffy sleeves. Great ’70s look!
July 10th, 2008 at 10:06 am
i love this look so much that i bought 2 tops similar to the marc jacobs polka dot number, second row center. however, my bra straps show even with a criss-cross back. i avoid strapless bras whenever possible, so i find that i can only wear these tops with blazers or cardigans. but here’s the catch: then i feel like i’m suffocating with too much fabric around my neck…it just looks odd. So i’m thinking i should avoid the halter neck style (even if it makes shoulders look best). The green blouse above looks best, seems like you could wear it with a normal bra, add a cardigan and still look sharp.
July 14th, 2008 at 11:07 am
I adore this look! And like Tanya, I have a small chest and fairly long neck. This look is on my shopping list for fall.
July 16th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I’ve just found your blog and have a lot of interesting reading ahead of me. I live in the subtropics and wearing knits in summer is just too hot. Last year I started making more blouses than I’ve ever made before and I find them to be much neater. I still wear knits, but as day wear and definitely work wear, a blouse is my preference. The cut away shoulder and necktie like in the picture on the top left is my favourite look. The cutaway is very flattering as well as cool to wear. The soft ties are feminine and not too fussy. I love it.