In conjunction with this Friday’s fashion lab featuring 6 Ways to Wear the White Blouse, I thought “why not offer a teen version?”
The whole white blouse thing can be a frustration for young ladies. It feels a bit like a uniform and often they are expected to have one and be able to wear it for various functions, choir performances and so on. I understand that frustration. At various times it seems I am expected to have black pants, white blouse, or khaki skirt, even if those pieces don’t work with my idiom.
Here’s a look both my girls have worn: white shirt + dad’s tie.
Actually, since thrift store ties come in such unique patterns, the ladies have also at times bought their own ties.
How to wear a tie:
- Either neat and tidy, like a business man, or as shown, more like a necklace.
- If this is too masculine, a rectangular silk scarf can be tied like a tie. Beware, though, a scarf is a bit matronly for many young ladies.
- The coolest idea ever: a fancy (bow-)tie and cumberbund set! When we got married, my hero wore a hawaiian print on a black background.
What about you? Have you worn the men’s tie?
I wore a tie with a white beater and baggy pants before. It was more of a costume than an everyday outfit.
I also wore a tie as a belt once:
http://salesrack.blogspot.com/2006/09/tied-zipped-and-styled.html
That tie as belt is CUTE (readers – go look at the pic, it’s not what you think.)!
The young lady in the picture has lately been wearing a tie as headband – very cute, very creative!
(We just won’t mention your other “costume”. he hee)
Absolutely! I wore a silk tie that was my grandfather’s throughout my twenties.
Never even considered it. WAAAYY too masculine for me. I did, however, have a weakness for Italian-cut men’s blazers in college. It’s been 20 years… maybe they will come back in style too.
Weeeellll….I’ve always wanted to dress up a basic white shirt, but I have never been able to find one. Why? I have narrow shoulders, and regular sized shirts look horrible! Petite sizes tend to cut off my arms’ circulation, hence, no white shirt.
If I *did* have a white shirt, though, I’m not sure I’d wear the tie. I think, depending on who wears it and how it’s worn, it can look a little too masculine and/or too caterer-y. (This might depend on the tie color too.) Also, I’ve tried them on and felt strangled. 😮 But I know some people do wear them and have no problems with that. 🙂
Really like the tie-as-belt, SRR! Almost an Oriental, obi-belt look with the print you have. Hmm…
Beth ~ I still think you have a strong romantic style influence. I was thinking about that the other night, considering the houses you have chosen, and now this!
Oxanna ~ I understand about the narrow shoulders. I didn’t have a white shirt for the longest time and then recently I have found 2 at the thrift store that work. One is a Gap size 2, it’s a little more restrictive than the other, and the one I will wear in the fashion lab is The Limited size XS. It fits a little more generously, but not sloppy.
I don’t wear ties anymore, but I did occasionally when I was younger. And I’d still wear the floral bow-tie if the right circumstance presented itself.
I think I remember trying to wear a tie and it being the dumbest looking thing I had ever tried to wear… I guess I just don’t pull off the weird and funky trends..LOL..
Sallie
Oh well. But perhaps your daughter will like it. 😉
Come to think of it, a tie looks cute with a blouse and a jumper or shift dress. It’s something I wore a looooooong time ago. Pumps would make the outfit look more adult-appropriate.
SSR, that tie belt is genius. You have such a gift! I enjoyed your blog and I loved that flat cutout ornate shape that was a necklace.
SRR, a tie with blouse and jumper is a great idea! Very timely.
My daughter had suggested a follow-up post on other tie ideas. I think it’s coming. 🙂
Is that back in? We all wore them like that in early high school!
Well, it’s not a huge trend, but my older daughter wore one to a job interview about a year and a half ago and my younger daughter – well, she’s the one that’s been wearing the tie as headband. But they both have had occasion to be required to wear a white shirt and they prefer a men’s tie to add some color and contrast near the face.
Many it’s just a perennial early high school look. 🙂