They say that trends are circuitous and never has this been more true to me than Spring 2010. When I was in middle school I lived in peasant tops. It was pretty much all I owned for tops besides a few Roxy tees. (Peasant/skater! Come on! That was awesome.) And my goodness are peasant tops ever back with a vengeance.
I had been resisting revisiting 1995 for awhile but gave in upon spying Floreat’s Off The Map Blouse ($88). The site says this top is by Odille but the tag tells me otherwise. My fit relationship with Floreat is incredibly confusing. For blouses like the Wavelet, Ice-Capped and Solar Star Blouse I have to size up to an 8. Yet for tops such as this one I grab my true size 6 only to find it’s too big. What the heck Floreat?? I could have easily gone down to a 4. If you’re petite this top will overwhelm you.
The material is a gauzy cotton with grid-paper like lines running softly through it. There’s a contrast flower piping creating visual interest. This is definitely one of the nicer peasant tops I’ve seen this year. The shoulders were ridiculous though. Linebacker-sized, easily. I think this top would be a nice airy piece for summer. I wasn’t completely in love with it so I sent it back to the rack for now to be reconsidered upon sale time.
one.september’s Suave Shell ($78) has a huge ruffled collar and that was reason enough for me to try it on. I enjoyed the colors in the floral pattern too — even if it does look a bit like Grandma’s sofa. I tried on my true size medium which worked well.
I would like the collar a lot better if the silk trim was a lighter color like pink or the warm purple in the shirt. This dark grey was just far too overpowering. It looks like I have a ruffle snake coiled around my neck. I suppose the good thing is that this draws attention upwards. Not quite working for me though. Back to the rack.
Tiny does blouses! This is their Florid Facade Top ($88) and it’s been a hit in the blogging community as well as in-store, given the online reviews. I can see why. The beautiful embroidery with touches of elegance is exactly what Anthro’s customers expect. Even the buttons are just right. I love the buttoned-up sleeves too. The back is just solid and tee-shirt like. It’s a bit disappointing contrasted against the beauty of the front.
The shirt is a soft jersey with a silk collar and an appropriately stiff placket. It’s also seriously sheer which completely takes away from how light the top is. The last thing I want to do in warm weather is layer yet this shirt forces you to. This top is a pass for me for now.
I noticed some weird item labelling in London (I pointed it out in my blogs with pics) – particularly with the Galloping Fillies Skirt by Odille which was tagged IRL as being by Fei… What's happening!?
That's too bad about the sizing for the Off the Map blouse. I saw it in the store yesterday and knew that it would be too big for me. It looks really cute, but it would probably overwhelm my petite frame. I am usually a size 2, but I'm not sure if the 0 would even work from me.OT — I got the Skyfall dress yesterday in the mail and it is so cute! I had never tried it on, but based on your recommendation I thought I would try it out. The size 2 fits perfectly and the striping on the top is so cute. But I agree, it's more of a spring dress because of the thin silk.
I have noticed it before too, Hometown Queen. I think it's just an accident. Diem, so glad you like the Skyfall Dress!
I love the Florid Facade Blouse. For spring it is great because you can wear it over or under any of your "strappy" dresses when it is still too cold to wear the dress alone!
Ooh I love the Off The Map Blouse! It looks great on you! Thanks, as always, for the reviews 🙂
I didn't think much of that Off The Map Blouse online, but I love it on you Roxy! You should consider it – it's incredibly flattering on you.
Now I want to try on the Off The Map Blouse! So cute on you! I always stay away from solid white tops though since I'm pretty pale, but I still might try it. On another note…Roxy, can I order an item online that is backordered until the end of Feb., or do I have to wait until it is available online?
Ady – that's a great point, I think it would look nice layered over a dress. And the reconsideration begins…Thanks Maria & Kim!sara22185 – yep, you can order a backordered item. Your card will not be charged until the item ships.
I was so drawn to the Off The Map blouse when I saw it in the catalog, but when I tried it on in store (I'm a size 0), it was HUGE. It was sad because I really liked it.
I would never have noticed the Florid Facade Top if it hadn't been part of that neutral outfit set with the City Garden cardigan. Looks beautiful on you.I didn't realize the sleeves on the Off the Map blouse are that puffy. The product shot and catalog look a little longer. Do you have them pushed up or do they look like that IRL?
Hi Roxy! I just purchased the Off the Map Blouse and I'm wondering…How would you style it other than just jeans and shorts? I'd like to dress it up a bit for work..Do you think I can wear this with a sweater? Any suggestions?
Hi Roxy,Totally OT but I couldn't figure out where to put this. I just bought the Eltham crops in brown and need help styling them for work and for casual wear. Could you possibly help? Thank you and have a terrific weekend!
I wouldn't have given the Off the Map Blouse a second glance but now that I saw it on you I might have to give it a go! It looks so pretty on you; great neckline for you!
val – agreed. I think it's designed to be oversized and flowy, but but it's a little beyond that.Ellabel – I noticed that too. I didn't try to pull the sleeves down. That's how they naturally sat on me when I put the top on. They might pull down into that sleeker shape (either way, I find the length odd).Sharon from CA – I think the top would look great with a cardigan over it. Maybe a medium blue to pull out the floral pattern? Or you could do a patterned cardi since the top is mostly white. Pair it with an a-line or straight skirt and you're all set.Anon – sure, I'll brainstorm some ideas. I'm running embarrassingly behind on the styling posts at the moment though, so to get you started I would recommend doing a straight blouse with some flounce around the neckline, maybe like the Feathery Tank I tried on the other day? Or how about the Vivian Tank or the Tandem Jump Blouse? You can put a cardigan over any of those and belt it, or a nice blazer. Basically you're looking for a shirt to continue the column shape the pants create.
Roxy I love that Suave shell on you. And I know if I like it on you, I'll like it on me! Thanks so much for all that you do! I hope Anthro realizes that they really do need to give you an employee discount!
My goodness, I am in awe of some of Anthro's peices lately.