Blouses for all Budgets

Ahh, some of us fell in love with this blouse, from Prabal Gurung, back in April when I used it in a packing plan.  I had the real pleasure of actually seeing and touching this gorgeous thing...  you couldn't see a stitch anywhere, the fabric was exquisitely heavy and intricate - we're talking about a work of garment art.  If I owned such a thing, I'd have Botox on every cell of my body above my hips, so that I would never dare to perspire on such a beauty...

But one of my friends asked me if there couldn't possibly be something a little bit... less... like a mortgage payment, that might function similarly in the wardrobe in question.  Bien sur, baby - all you need to do is figure out what the essential qualities of the garment in question are, and then replicate them in something else.

This particular blouse didn't need to do anything except be beautiful, and go well with navy separates.  But I also thought that I should try to scare up great prints with a feeling of tile or other repeated motif, and something that included a red or reddish tone in the pattern.  So I offer you options at a variety of prices:

Cacharel,  Kenzo, Marni

Marni,  P.A.R.O.S.H.,  Desigual

Lucky Brand,  Anne Klein,  Alexon

Kohl’s,  Target, Dorothy Perkins

I will never, ever, tell you how much money to spend on anything - that's for you and you alone to decide.  I will, with a clear conscience, suggest that you try to avoid clothing made in terrible working conditions.  I will also strongly encourage you to at least walk through the poshest part of any store or mall, and look seriously at the merchandise.  Ask questions.  The staff there are justifiably proud of what they sell, and will show you what goes into quality construction if you politely ask.  And I will encourage you then to buy fewer items, and buy the very best that you can afford, and to then cherish it and wear it to bits.

But money does NOT equal good taste, nor style, nor elegance.  We all know that....