May 11, 201205:07 PMGirl Next Door
British fashionista Charlotte Crowley tells you what to wear—and what NOT to wear.
Three Ways to Wear It: Polka Dot Shirt
My Trips to the Moon
Alexa Chung in polka dots
With the current economic climate, I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had to rethink my usual shopping habits. These days, instead of picking up anything and everything in H&M 'just because', I really have to think about choosing pieces that are going to last instead of pieces that seem great at that moment, but end up at the back of my wardrobe, with the tags looming guiltily, still attached. To ensure I always pick the best pieces, I play the “three ways game” for every item I consider buying- I have to find three different ways to remix the item (remixing: wearing the same item in different ways and with different things). This ensures that the item will fit easily into my wardrobe, and creates three new outfits straight away. Over the next few weeks, I'll be picking some of my favourite S/S2012 items and showing you three ways to wear them.
Today I've chosen a polka dot blouse.
Oasis $65
Polka dots have been a trend for centuries (seriously- they originated in the 19th century!) and never really go out of style. They're a classic, universal print that adds a touch of kitschy cute to any outfit. A polka dot dress is a great investment, but a polka dot blouse offers a fun level of versatility and can be worn in lots of different ways. I've decided to chose this red one from Oasis because I think red polka dots are gorgeous retro, but if you want to tone down the look, try a neutral blouse, such as this white one from Karen Kane or this navy one from House of Fraser. I've chosen three of my favourite ways to wear this blouse, but they'll also work for neutral blouses...
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Retro Casual
Pair your polka dot shirt with a pair of your favourite jeans and throw on a leather jacket. Add a pair of pretty flats, and for extra retro flair, add a printed headscarf and cat eye sunglasses.
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Preppy layering
One of my favourite ways to wear a polka dot shirt (or any kind of printed shirt- this works great with plaid too!) it to wear it under a sleeveless dress. I've made sure to chose a dress with a pretty collar and sleeves which will be visible under the dress. Make sure to pick a block-colour dress so the shirt stands out.
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Housewife Chic
For a 60s inspired look, pair your polka dot blouse with a full skirt. This is a great way to play with colour blocking (how about a bright blue or pink skirt with a red shirt?) or print mixing (florals and polka dots are a great mix). If you're feeling particularly ambition, try double spots with a polka dot skirt too. This is super easy- just ensure that your spots are different sizes.
How would you wear this shirt?
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