How To Wear Romantic Blouses This Spring (For Women 40+)
This spring, we’re seeing lace, eyelet, embroidery, and other romantic details on blouses. And while I love these details, they can sometimes make a top look youthful, like lingerie, or like it belongs on a movie set. So, I’ve been looking for embellished blouses that look mature and polished. Here are the details to look out for, and how to wear these romantic blouses this spring if you’re over 40…
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1. Choose A Crisp Fabric
If you don’t want that lingerie look, avoid silky or sheer fabric. Choose a fabric with more structure, like cotton lawn (shirting fabric), chambray, or a woven cotton/linen blend.
I’m wearing Madewell’s High-Neck Pintuck Top in soft blue (in my usual size XS). It’s a lightweight 100% cotton blouse which is soft but still crisp. The pintucks (narrow decorative folds in fabric) also give it some structure. The fabric itself isn’t sheer, but the lace insets are, so I’m wearing a camisole underneath it.
For a more casual look, take a look at this Lace Trim Chambray Shirt. If you prefer a v-neck, you might like this Embroidered Top.
2. Pay Attention To the Sleeves
Voluminous or ruffled sleeves can make a lace-trimmed blouse look quaint or boho. For a classic and polished blouse, look for traditional sleeves that end in a cuff, a plain hem or a gathered hem.
3. Look for Small Details
This spring, I’m seeing a lot of romantic blouses with tiny ruffled collars, which have a more polished look than large drapey ruffles. Thin lace trim, pintucks, and other small details also make a blouse look feminine and polished.
This Smocked Frill Top, Ruffle Collar Shirt, and this Ruffle Neck Button Up are all classic button-up shirts with a romantic twist.
4. Pair It With Tailored Pants Or Clean Jeans
For a polished look, balance your romantic blouse with tailored dress pants or clean jeans (no fraying, distress, or fading). You can also try a pencil skirt if you have one, but the full midi-skirts that are trending right now will give you more of a boho or vintagelook.
Jeans (similar) / Gray Wide Leg Pants / Brown Straight Leg Pants
I’m wearing my romantic blouse with mid-rise flared jeans, but it is dressy enough for tailored pants, too. Try flared, wide leg or straight leg pants.
5. Finish With Slim Shoes
This spring, both square-toe and pointed-toe shoes are trending. We’re moving away from lug-soles and platform heels, to ballet flats, kitten heels, and sling-backs. Loafers are still trending, but this spring they’re softer and slimmer than past years.
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