Best blouses: I'm a 59-year-old editor and I've tried on dozens of high street blouses. These are the 7 that are slimming, stylish and youthful
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Like many women, I have discovered a uniform that suits me - and my lifestyle. For me, that means a high-necked blouse and a pair of trousers or jeans.
It’s a classic go-anywhere outfit that I feel confident in and - crucially - is age-appropriate.
Yes, I know that there’s a lot of talk about how age is nothing but a number and you should be able to wear whatever you like, but, I’m sorry, I don’t agree. It might be an unfashionable opinion but, at 59, I am a firm believer in dressing your age. And for me, that means, the more birthdays you’ve enjoyed, the higher your neckline should be.
I have worn these high-necked blouses over and over again as they have become staples in my wardrobe. I have lived in them through the festive season and the beauty of them all is that none of them will date so I can wear through the year.
The Hush leopard print is great at disguising my chest, you would think the opposite but I never feel as good as when I’m wearing that blouse with jeans or black trousers. Leopard print is also having a moment, it’s the new black!
My current style is far more modest than it was in my younger years. I’ve always been blonde and big-busted (size 16 on top) so am very conscious of not looking muttoney.
And that’s where my love of a power blouse comes in. Just to be clear, I have no intention of becoming invisible, or of not having fun with fashion - far from it on both counts. But a power blouse lets you turn heads.
So what to wear on the bottom? I usually go for comfortable loose size 14 trousers or a pair of jeans like these from Good American. I brought them with me to the fashion shoot because I love them so much I always wear them when I can! At a little over £100, they aren’t cheap but I’ve never regretted splashing out. It’s hard to find good smart denim over 50 and you can’t go wrong with this brand - especially if you are not a standard size 10. You could also pair these with a pair of smart elasticated trousers, if that's more your thing.
At the shoot, I rifled through a rail packed with high-necked blouses from the High Street and tried on 26 of them. These seven are hands down the best of the bunch, from just £36...
How we test
All the blouses have been washed on delicate/cold washes as I feel they last longer and never shrink as I am paranoid about my clothes shrinking. They all wash beautifully on this cycle using Fairy tablets.
A quick press and they are all as good as new. The Kaleidoscope doesn’t even need pressing, just hang on a coat hanger and let it dry. I have never put blouses into the tumble dryer so I let them dry naturally and then press and all look as good as new.
1. Holland Cooper Ariella Blouse
Just loved, loved, loved this one! The colour, the fabric, the fit, the sexy sheer sleeves which could easily work for a glamorous evening do. The front zip (which I would keep firmly up to the top) meant I didn’t have to reach round to do up at the back which really gets a lot more difficult as you get older
2. Kaleidoscope Together Olive Satin Crinkle Blouse
Although they call it olive, I’d say this thin pleat satin blouse was gold, and a great colour that would take you through the Christmas season, day or night. It had a really glamorous feel to it and the shimmering, loose pleats were very good at hiding my assets.
3. River Island Pink Premium Sheer Floral Print Shirt
This didn’t have hanger appeal - the combination of the florals and the bow looked a bit much. But once on, I was sold. It feels so glamorous and could hide a multitude of sins as the pattern and the design cover everything up.
4. Phase Eight Celene Satin Blouse
This comes with a belt which is definitely NOT needed as the blouse is too short in the body for that, but without it’s divine. Colour and fabric are are on point for this season and it would be gorgeous with chocolate brown trousers or a skirt too.
5. Hush Fleur Floaty Chiffon Blouse
While I’m not usually a big fan of leopard print, I couldn’t help but fall in love with this floaty chiffon blouse. The fabric and fit just worked really well together and the neckline was super-flattering.
6. Next Khaki Green Gold Hardware Long Sleeve Satin Blouse
I haven't shopped in Next in ages but I am so impressed by this khaki green blouse with gold detail on the neck that immediately draws the eye away from the bust and great detail on the cuffs. Such good value for money, and available in sizes 6 through to 26.
7. RO & ZO Pure Cotton High Neck Blouson Sleeve Blouse
The fit and the soft fabric are simply a revelation. The neck isn’t too tight, and there is a slight dip in the cut at the back which covers your bottom in such an elegant way. This could be daytime or evening and is a shirt to last you a lifetime that’s worth every penny.
... and in case you were after the jeans
Verdict
My favourite for comfort and style was the Holland Cooper Ariella blouse. I wore a size 16 and it just fitted like a glove. I have admired Jade Holland Cooper’s clothes for a while but I can now see why Kate Middleton loves her brand too. It will last forever. 5/5
The leopard print Hush blouse is a gorgeous fit and the fabric is so soft and luxurious that you want to wear it every day. For some reason the leopard print is really slimming and you can barely see that I struggle to find tops that fit properly.5/5
The Kaleidoscope blouse was my biggest surprise at £36 as it felt so luxurious and it felt so much more expensive than it was and I got such a surprise when I saw the photographs as it was so flattering and covered me in all the right places. A bit of a star buy. 4/5
The River Island floral pussy bow blouse was also a surprise as it looks like it shouldn’t be that flattering but once on it looks great and professional but dressed down is great for a drink with the girls. 4/5
After not shopping in Next for a few years the green gold detail blouse felt lovely and roomy and looks like it should cost a lot more. The gold detail at the neckline is very glamorous and if the light catches makes the face light up. A really detail for an older neckline and will last me years. 5/5
The Phase Eight chocolate brown blouse came with a belt which was not needed and would not flatter unless you were completely flat-chested. But with a French tuck (tucked in at the front) the blouse transforms into such a great look with the high neck adding so much glamour and hiding my neck and chest area beautifully. 3/5
RO&ZO was a label I had not worn before but this blouse made me a buyer for life. Everything was perfect and the dip at the back to disguise my bottom was great and was so slimming and so soft. Have worn it a hundred times and washes beautifully and is another star buy 5/5.
What type of blouse is slimming?
The most slimming types of blouses are ones you can French tuck in the front of your trousers/skirts - it's like magic as it makes your body look slimmer instantly. Good to go up a size too as that is another slimming trick. On me the Hush leopard print was the most slimming so I would say a pattern of any sort is a good way to appear slimmer.
What are the most flattering necklines?
I have found the most blouse flattering formula for me and that is high necks. When you turn 50 and even if you have moisturised your neck every day there are still certain things that happen to your neck and the way to look younger is to disguise it in my opinion. High neck blouses, pussy bows are the best way to flatter your neckline, it looks so elegant too.
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