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Two Ways to Style a Statement Blouse

Greetings, and hello March! I don’t know about you, but after a seemingly never-ending January, February felt like a blip. I can hardly believe it’s March 1st. Of course it’s snowing, ha!

Despite the snow, Cyndi and I are super excited to launch 26 Days of Spring Fashion, a style challenge where we each style a new spring outfit every day (except Sundays) during the month of March!

I’ve actually got a two-fer to start off the series — I’m sharing two ways to style a statement blouse.

Florals are a huge trend this spring, and while I tend to gravitate to solids, I’m really excited to incorporate some fresh prints into my closet this season.

This boxy blouse with the dancing tulips immediately caught my eye when I was wandering through Nordstrom last weekend. Isn’t it such a happy print???

I love how the bright colors are grounded on a black background — it’s perfect for this in-between season but will carry you right through summer.

If florals aren’t your thing, this blouse also comes in a classy navy geo print, a vertical multi-colored stripe, a green windowpane print, as well as solid black, ivory, and pink.

The brand is Halogen, one of Nordstrom’s exclusive labels, and it’s priced right under $50. It runs true to size; for reference, I’m wearing a small.

When wearing a statement piece like this blouse, I like to let it take center stage in the outfit, so the rest of these two looks are comprised of solid neutrals.

First, I paired this floral blouse with black pants and black leather pumps for a classy work wear look.

These 1901 ankle skinny pants are the perfect closet staple you can wear over and over with different tops and shoes to create a variety of work wear looks.

Fun fact: The 1901 brand was named for the year the first Nordstrom store opened. It’s a brand that represents timeless style with a modern twist, and these pants are the perfect example.

Classic black trousers are kept on-trend with their skinny, ankle-length silhouette and 4-way stretch fabric for maximum comfort and shape retention.

I also appreciate the flat front with a side zip so there’s no added bulk across the midsection, and the split hem at the ankle is a nice detail.

By pairing this statement blouse with black pants and black pumps and keeping my accessories minimal, this makes a great look for work or church.

You could totally add a blazer or cardigan for warmth and added interest, but I also like this outfit without a “completer piece.” I think it stands alone just fine.

For a totally different look that you can wear to the mall on the weekend or for lunch with a friend or to work on casual Fridays, I paired this floral blouse with white skinny jeans and nude ballet flats.

I love how this gorgeous floral print pops against the white jeans and creates a look that is light and fresh and fun.

There are so many options for footwear with this outfit, but I went with nude flats because I like how they blend in with my natural skin tone create minimal contrast against the white jeans, thus elongating the line of the leg and keeping the attention on the blouse.

I also think it would be fun to incorporate one of the colors from the blouse — either green (spring green suede) or pink (lipstick pink leather).

You can also add a denim jacket on top for another layer of interest (and warmth!)

This denim jacket is a staple in my spring and summer wardrobe. It’s such a versatile color that goes beautifully with both darks and lights.

It has a great fit with good structure through the waist, and the material has a good amount of stretch so it’s extremely comfortable. For size reference, I’m wearing the small, and there’s plenty of room to wear it over a lightweight sweater.

They’re hard to see here, but I accessorized with these double hoop earrings, also by Halogen.

The blouse is so busy, I didn’t feel I needed a necklace, so I went with larger earrings that are on the delicate side that complement the feminine floral print. I also added a simple gold bangle.

I can totally see wearing this outfit a lot this spring. I love the juxtaposition of the casual/rugged denim jacket with the feminine blouse and classic ballet flats.

If you’re looking to update a few of your tops this season, I highly recommend checking out this blouse at Nordstrom.

Outfit Details:

tulip print blouse // black ankle skinny pants // black pumps // similar black leather handbag // double circle earrings // crystal hinge bangle // denim jacket // white ankle skinny jeans (budget option) // nude flats // similar taupe tote

Be sure to visit Cyndi and see the spring outfit she’s styling today!

This post is brought to you by Nordstrom and ShopStyle. Thank you for supporting the retailers that support this site.

photos: Alison Cornell

Join The Conversation

25 Responses

  1. Bring on all the spring!! It might be snowing where you are but I’m looking at daffodils, leaves popping out on the trees, and more. It is 35 degrees today but tomorrow it might be 70! 🙂

    Love the outfit ideas today. Can’t wait to see more.

  2. Love the outfits JoLynne.  Can you give your opinion on the fit of the black pants—true to size, etc?

  3. Love this! Despite the snow outside my window, I am more than ready for some cute spring fashion inspiration. Bonus that I can actually recreate this look with items I already own (which in no way means I don’t want to totally BUY THAT BLOUSE.) Looking forward to more of this series, and especially love when you post two ways to wear an item. And in a totally self-serving request, would love it if you could post a travel capsule wardrobe for a week abroad in the spring, as my husband just suggested that we take our upcoming Italy trip in only carry-on bags. (bless. his. heart.)

    1. Hahaha! Carry on. HAHAHA!!!

      Seriously, I am not your girl. I couldn’t pack a minimal suitcase if I tried. Amy Jackson did a capsule travel post recently – it was on her Insta Story. Maybe she saved to her highlight reel. She did all neutrals, though, and I like colors. 🙂 🙂

  4. I love the 1901 black pants. Went to buy them in 10 petite and they are all sold out. :(. Do you know if they will restock?

  5. Love. Ready to get white pants out. Gave them a rest in October. Ordered some Keds slip on sneakers in beige so that’s all I need right now.

  6. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the top and both ways you styled it!  I am not one to wear florals either, but as you stated, this is more of a delicate floral print.  I am looking for a salmon/peach colored jean type jacket to replace the one I have, since I’ve realized it is way too big, but I haven’t seen one online.  Please let me know if you happen to come across one that is picked under $100.  Thanks!  I saw on the news last night that snow was coming your way.  Enjoy it’s beauty!

  7. Come on Spring!  Love the tulip blouse. You could wear that under a blazer for work or sweater, depending on how your workspace. I’m happy to see you wear a floral today, as I have bought three floral tops over the last month. Time to put the brakes on! 
    I don’t have any nude shoes but just realized how they seem to disappear,  leaving the focus on your blouse. I need a pair in my shoe lineup. 
    I’ve noticed recently that purses are matching shoes. For a while, it has been a no-no. Is it oK to match now? 

    1. I don’t think it’s ever been a no-no, but it is definitely more current to not be too matchy-matchy. There is no right or wrong – it’s just whatever you like. For me, it depends on the outfit, and on what I have in my closet.

  8. Two fabulous looks, I especially love the blouse with white jeans! This might be the year I will purchase some white jeans 🙂

  9. Awesome! The perfect post! Thanks for showing the two ways to wear this. 🙂 I LOVE florals and have a lot in my closet – can hardly wait to bust them out when the weather gets nicer. Stay warm!

  10. Really cute blouse!  I love it with both the black pants and white jeans.  I’m so ready for Spring!

  11. I love the work look even though I don’t work outside the home! It is still good to have an outfit to dress up in when needed, and those black pants look so good!

  12. Sweet blouse. I really like the second look but that’s  just because it’s more my style. I really need to get away from stripes and get some floral after seeing both your and Cyndi’s post today.

  13. LOVE this with the white pants. I love how you style things that it would never occur to me to buy. You take me out of my box! Thanks for that!

  14. I’ve been looking for black background print blouses for a year, so I bought this one as soon as I read your post.  I love it.  It is so cheerful and bright, but with that black background.  Thanks for the find!
    Have a great weekend!

  15. I noticed that your jean jacket has silver buttons.  Your jewelry is gold.  Does this matter?  I think I stress over this a bit.

  16. Thanks for the tutorial on how to style a statement blouse. I have a few statement tops in my closet so it’s great to see how to style them.

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