I don’t own a lot of blouses, possibly because there’s a level of chic formality to them that isn’t often required in my life. I don’t have a job that allows me to wear my pinup clothes to work, so I only own a handful skirt suits and blouses for the rare occasion when I get to channel all my vintage secretary sartorial dreams. Saying that, this mindset of mine does do a great disservice to the humble blouse, which, like most things, can be styled up or down just as easily if only the wearer has a little imagination and style. The Estelle blouse by Heart of Haute definitely benefits from such generosity of styling and wear, because it is doooppppe.

Blouse: Striped Estelle C/O Heart of Haute
Suit Set: Black Diva suit by Heart of Haute (Review here)
Gloves: Farago
Shoes: Old Primark
Bag: Vintage

With it’s cap sleeves and high neck pussybow, there’s many ways you can wear the Estelle top for different but equally wonderful looks. Worn with suits, whether skirt or pant, it’s formal and classic, giving off an air of almost foreboding confidence and togetherness. But for the classroom- or office-based workers amongst us it’s easy to pair with trousers or a skirt for an appropriate professional look. And then there’s it’s layering ability, looking just as good with a V-neck cardigan that allows the bow to stand out as a statement feature as it does layered beneath a dress. It’s style twin, the Elsa blouse, featuring the same shape but with full length sleeves, can especially shine in that latter dress-layered capacity in these cooler approaching months.

Basically my assumption that I needed to have a formal job to make justifiable room in my closet for more blouses is heartily proven wrong by Estelle, and for that I offer her my full and humble apologies. Plus, her addition to my wardrobe provided an addition to my life skillset, that of learning to tie a perfect, neat bow–even if I did have to watch some YouTube tutorials to do so. Sssh. Let’s keep that part between us, okay?

I often get a little worried about the fit of blouses too, as their typically-non-stretch fabrics can result in that dreaded bust-gaping issue between buttons if you have dramatic measurements but I had no such problem with this blouse. I have it in the 1X and it’s 44-47 inch bust accommodates mine with no straining or pulling. The 39-40 inch waist puts it a little larger than the size chart states but that just makes it comfortable for tucking into bottoms easily. If, like me, you’ve never had the knack for tying the perfect bow then you should find this YouTube video will help you out.

The Estelle blouse comes in 13 prints and colours at present, updated with new options every season, in sizes XS-3X for $58-62. Heart of Haute is a family-owned business that makes all their items locally in California. They ship internationally and offer a 10% discount code to returning customers.