Most of us ladies like to wear separates. We tend to keep dresses as something to wear to a party or for another special occasion. The rest of the time, we prefer to pair trousers or skirts with a top of some kind, often a blouse.
If you are in the market for a few new shirts, or tops, you are in luck, because as I found out when I went shopping for some, the choice is amazing. It seems that every designer and retailer has decided to stock a big range of shirts and blouses this spring.
So, now is definitely a good time to go out and restock your wardrobe. Here is just a taste of what is available in the shops, at the moment.
Tunic cut blouses
For the first time in decades, the tunic shirt is back in vogue. For 2017, they come in a range of lengths. If you are looking for blouses that flatter even the fullest figure, but still look smart, this cut is the one for you.
Highly textured blouses
Many designers have stuck with the highly textured fabrics that proved so popular in 2016, but they have started to use them to make blouses instead of just dresses. These beautiful lace tops are striking, elegant and ultra-feminine especially those that are classically styled, perfect for a special date.
Embroidered shirts
Embellished and embroidered blouses have also been reworked and added to many designers’ collections. They come in all shapes, sizes and styles.
If you are looking for something relatively plain, with just a little interest to draw the eye, opt for one that has a small area of embroidery on the shoulder. However, if you want to make a statement, and catch the eye of everyone in the room, your best option is to buy one that features a fully embroidered front.
Utility shirts
However, that does not mean women that want a simpler look have been forgotten by designers. Far from it, there are plenty of simple utility style shirts on the racks. They are very good for the office, but can also be made to work for the weekend.
Roll up sleeves
Many of the blouses that are available this year, feature roll up sleeves. Most of these are made from either linen or denim, which means that they are great at regulating your body temperature. If you are looking for the perfect shirt to take you through the remaining cold months into the warmth of spring these blouse are very good options.
If I had to sum up the main blouse trend for 2017, I would have to say it is smart casual. This is great news for your pocket, because it means you can get a lot of use out of these tops. Many of them will look equally good worn under a jacket in the office, or paired with a pair of jeans.
The trick is to buy the ones that are made from the best materials, and are in a style that fits in well with your existing clothes. If you take this approach, you will end up with beautiful blouses that will see you the remaining three seasons of 2017.