edot

Love this gothy summertime stuff. I have a fairly decent black lace high-collared shirt to wear a camisole underneath, but the clean lines afforded by this not-quite-tunic length and the lack of sleeves make me think I need another one.

Cute lightweight cotton blouse; the longer length makes it nice to wear with slacks or trim skirts, and it's perfect for summer with its cotton self. A bit '30s in the neckline ruffles and half-cap, half-flutter sleeves, and the print is sort of a precursor to the boisterous feedsack prints of the forties.

The simplicity of this blouse/shell is just really nice. It's the kind of thing that I wouldn't always take a second, longer glance at, but if I did? I totally get rewarded for it. the oranger shade of coral is nice, the silk-cotton blend is cool for climbing temps, it's interesting without being all crazy high-maintenance, and you can play it all cool and vintage, from the 30s up through the 80s, without looking like you got a part-time job as the community theatre costume director. Which, naturally, is the best way to play up vintage.

Neat collar; that's a fab idea.

I will say that ol' Posen does a pretty good job of growth through consistency--which is to say, this bitty cap sleeve blouse with a detailed bib inset is a theme we've seen before. He's pretty excellent at fabric manipulation, though I think I'd keep this blouse a solid color to keep it from being too busy.

So it's too low cut and that goony floral mess on the binding of the wrap panel has got to go, but the flouncing is very pretty. I would expect nothing less from Ms. Lepore, let it be said.

Terrific use of an ombre pattern--not to mention the most excellent incorporation of stripes into that fade-y aspect. This is divine: the elbow-length sleeve, the contrasting midriff band with sash to give the look of a two-fabric obi, the lightweight cowl neck all.

Seriously? Like, for really serious? Twelve hundred dollars for a little short-sleeved blouse? Jeezum crowe. I will break out the twin needle and the pintuck foot and even buy damn $20 a yard silk to PRACTICE on. Stuff is crazy, man.

I think a soft viscose velvet like this might jive better in a blouse design, but maybe not so much if it's lined. The high collar and loong sleeves are excellent, and I love the olive-brown with a lighter saddle brown.

It's a little gimmicky, but I think I like it. I'm really going to try to cop the sheer-play for next spring, and I do love a shaped placket on the closure strip. The theory behind this seems very vintage--I'm claiming '30s and not '70s while I'm at it, too.