Styling a blouse...

A simple blouse can go a long way!

Light and flowing blouses are all the rage right now. They're great for pairing with shorts, skirts, pants, you name it! They're super simple to style and yet can transform a person's look from very feminine to rocker chic to uber vintage. Here are a few easy and yet fashionable ideas on different ways to style a blouse...

I like this outfit because its loose-fitting and super casual while still being fashion-forward. The almost "frumpy-ness" of the loose blouse and shorts (as well as the bunched and rolled sweater sleeves), is contrasted by the high hemline of the rolled shorts which show off the long and slender line of the legs -- which also is a great way of showcasing those super fun leopard print socks! 

You have to be careful when wearing loose or "frumpy" clothing -- you want to make sure you always contrast it with something fitted or some sort of slim lines.

I love this look. Its very feminine and slimming. The ruffles on the blouse are so soft and pretty, and the black shorts paired with the black tights and shoes contrast the looseness of the blouse and create legs that look a mile long.

Here are a couple of links for more styles with blouses and shorts:

The blazer on this first one is really cute and the cut is fantastic. The small pinch at the waistline in this coat creates curves against the straight lines of the blouse and white shorts.
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?id=19830464#

This one is a great example of some high-waisted shorts done right -- and the polka dot blouse is pretty darn cute too.

http://www.polyvore.com/lookbook.nu_collective_fashion_consciousness/thing?id=19469802#

Can you see a pattern? Skinny jeans w/ blouse = fabulous (if done right). The first picture is a pretty straight forward example of keeping things simple yet pretty: the bow on her blouse pretties things up on what could otherwise be a somewhat boring outfit.
I love this mustard colored cardigan in this second photo...and the hat. Not many people would be brave enough to try even one of these pieces. And like I stated before: contrast loose with fitted. The heels and skinny jeans make the flowy mustard cardigan work.

This last photo is pretty easy...something made up of pieces that I think most women have in their closets: White blouse, fitted blazer, skinny jeans, boots = done. There are so many variations you could make of this outfit. Try different colored blouses, different types of skinny jeans, flat boots, leather boots, or those fun little cut-off/ankle boots. =)

Alright, one thing you should know about me: I LOVE VINTAGE. This outfit is so vintage...its fabulous. I adore her white blouse with the tie in the front. And the khaki, belted, high-waisted trousers = SO good. This may not seem like something anyone can pull off...but I say its definitely worth trying!

Blouse + skirt = fabulously feminine. I like how the ruffled skirt in the first photo (which looks almost denim) give this outfit a sort of country feel to it.
And this second outfit is so great for work - I think I'd insist on going out after work just so I could continue to show it off ;). The ruffles on the blouse soften the hard lines of the pencil skirt so very well. Also, note the unique waistline of this skirt - a nice change-up from the average straight lines.

So I posted these photos actually not for the reasons of how they're styled here (although I do love these outfits). But because they would be great bathing suit cover-ups for the beach! The sheer fabric is light-weight and loose so you won't get super hot like you would in a cotton cover-up, but you will still feel like you're covered. Ah! Here, see:

Amanda Seyfried did it in Dear John =)

Last, but certainly not least: I love this outfit on Emma Waston (who has become one of my favorite fashion icons). The blouse is so light and sheer that you can see some of the nude tones underneath -- without it looking transparent and trashy -- which creates a very feminine touch against the black vest. The trouser-shorts also help to keep this outfit very soft...and adorable ^.^

So there ya have it. Very simple and very chic. I'm sure most of you already knew most of these tiny styling tips, but every now and then it helps to see a few reminders to refresh your style.