10 Fashion Tips on Blouses and Bikini

1. Classic for the Office The most basic – and easy – way to dress for the office is pairing a tucked-in blouse with trousers or a pencil skirt. Consider this look a quick fall-back option for busy mornings, but don’t wear a regurgitation of the simple combo every workday if you want to avoid a style rut. This is a jumping-off point; think of it as the canvas upon which to create a unique look with styling variations, fun jewelry, and lively accessories.
2. Color, Pattern, Fabric A simple fix to infuse your work wardrobe with more life is to buy blouses that turn heads – think color, pattern, and fabric. Sure, a classic white shirt is a must-have, but wearing one day in and day out gets dull. You can stick with the effortless combination of basic trousers or skirt and still look fresh every day if your blouses are varied. Why not try a subtle leopard print blouse? Or a semisheer necktie blouse? Or a rich plum blouse? Gathering a collection of unique blouses means that dressing fabulously is as easy as grabbing a top and bottom from your closet in the morning.

3. Cuff Links aren’t just for Men Most women show pride in an overflowing jewelry box (or jewelry drawers, in my case), but they neglect a must-have: cuff links. A pair of cuff links, whether simple or sparkly, jazz up any blouse – and they’re functional. For a variation on your favorite blouse, pull the cuff toward your elbow so the underside of the sleeve folds back and creates a three-quarter length sleeve look, then add cuff links to secure the shortened sleeve in place.

4. Add a Sweater or Shell This may seem like a no-brainer, but layering a blouse under a sweater or shell is an of-the-moment look thanks to fresh tweaks. To make this pairing look modern, don’t tuck the blouse. What’s interesting is the juxtaposition of an undone shirt with a trim piece over. Opt for a lightweight sweater with slim fit (long- or short-sleeved) or a sleeveless shell. Allow the bottom of the blouse to peek out, unbuttoned.

5. Under a Shift Dress Much like the jumper you wore in fourth grade, a basic shift dress looks great with a blouse layered underneath. This is a simple combination so keep it fresh and play with mixing patterns, wearing bold jewelry, or sporting colorful scarves. With the right blouse, you can resurrect warm weather dresses for chilly seasons and get around your office “no sleeveless” dress code. If you’re feeling shapeless, define your natural waist with a skinny belt.

6. Cute with a Cardi Another easy layering option is pairing your blouse with a cardigan. To look put together, match a slim blouse with a cardigan that has a similar fit, keep both garments buttoned up with the top few blouse buttons undone so the necklines match up, fold back the blouse’s cuffs over the cuffs of the sweater, and finish off the combo with a skinny belt at the natural waistline.

7. Fake a Bedazzled Collar Drop the glue gun and craft store studs; you can fake a bedazzled collar, a look seen on recent runways, with the right necklace. Start by buttoning up your blouse all the way to the top – yes, really – and then add a large statement necklace right over the shirt. It should sit just under the collar.

8. A Jacket Alternative Unbutton your blouse and wear it over a t-shirt or camisole. In warmer weather, when you don’t want bulky layers, this is a breezy substitute for a cardigan or jacket.

9. Raid his Closet for a New Dress Here’s a cheap and chic way to get yourself a new shirt-dress: Sneak into the wardrobe of your husband, boyfriend, dad, or brother and snag a few work shirts, which instantly become dresses with a few adjustments and accessories. Roll up the sleeves of the oversized shirt, secure with cuff links or discreet pins, and create shape by fastening a thick belt at the waist. This versatile new “dress” can be worn with bare legs, leggings, ballet flats, wedges, or flat boots. Just avoid stilettos: You don’t want it to look like you’re doing a walk of shame.

10. Repurpose for the Beach   Can’t give up on your favorite (but noticeably worn out) blouse? Or love the feel of your husband’s well-worn Oxford? Repurpose oversized blouses that are no longer suitable for regular wear as cover-ups for the beach or bikini pool.

The photo Celebrity Beach and Bikini  http://hienalouca.com

Ali Straka is a graduate of the University of Missouri girl School of Journalism. She majored in magazine journalism with a minor in textile and apparel management. She used her experience as a college student to contribute to developing products from University Photo Chic in addition to writing regularly for the site. In her free time, Ali muses about fashion, interior design, and all things pop culture on her blog According to Ali. She hails from the North Shore suburbs of Chicago-Beach.