Sustainable Style: two ways to wear a statement blouse, all year round
Sustainable style. Photos: Claire Pepper
The grown-up blouse in a snazzy, standout print makes perfect not-too-dressed-up daywear. For the second part of my collaboration with NET-A-PORTER’s NET SUSTAIN platform – and to show versatility as well as sustainability – I thought it would make good style sense to show two ways to wear Mother Of Pearl’s eco-friendly Lyocell shirt. Opt for Casual Glamour by pairing a statement shirt with Goldsign’s The Curved white, high-rise tapered jeans and Gucci loafers (the shoes are an old pair of mine, still available on NET-A-PORTER HERE) for an outfit that’s great for slinking around in, whatever the season.
Looking the business
And for a business-creative look (think I might’ve just created a new dress code there) swap jeans for a pair of go-everywhere black trousers, these are by Vince from NET-A-PORTER’s mainline collection, and heavenly hi-tops. Again, the shoes are my own. But good news, this season NET-A-PORTER has started selling Good News the London-based sustainable sneaker specialist. The Mother Of Pearl patterned blouse has a gently puffed sleeve with an elongated cuff and the brand’s signature faux pearl detail which provides just enough character to make the right kind of statement.
Mother Of Pearl pearl detail
More not-too-dressed-up daywear here:
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Discussion (19 Comments)
Boadicea says:
Love, love, love that blouse, except for the split cuffs. They would drive me nuts!
maudie says:
Too cool for school ‘business-creative’ , check me out, bad-ass styling going on here! You look fabulous and your specs are wonderful!
gilda says:
Check out vspconsignment.com
A pre owned on line and bricks and mortar clothing store great selection and so clearly above in terms of quality and sustainability They are also launching men’s wear as well this yearElizabeth Scott says:
I LOVE this! Unfortunately the wonderful blouse is not sold in a 16. (Sobs)
I bought them as a Gift to Self with the royalties from my first book, Jacqueline. It was a lot of hard work in a very short space of time and I deserved a treat!
Steele says:
You don’t have to buy Gucci to get the look! There are plenty of similar styles available. Sam Edelman makes a great one.
Sara says:
SO understand the gift to self with a special windfall! My sentiments too, though I’ve yet to do the book any book….. Lovely blouse but it would need several gifts to self to buy at that price. It does look great on you, with both colour of jeans and trousers. Love black and white and anything that looks like a polka dot. Love the cuffs but think I agree with Boadicea and I’d end up tucking them in somewhere, slightly not the look I’d be after.
Sustainable at a sustainable (lower) cost? Still to be done, it seems. Please do not tell me to buy fewer, more expensive items, I’m not exactly buying daily as it is.
While a part of me readily says, and wholly believes, that style does not have to cost a lot of money, it is still infuriating to see the things I really fall in love with costing way beyond my means and also way beyond what my conscience can absorb, even if I had the dosh. I do think sustainability, in all forms, is coming up as pricy, which in one sense is ok as it means less exploitation of workers and resources but it does mean too that many of us will have to make serious adjustments to our wardrobes and as yet, not sure how many will do that voluntarily. Just look at the profits of ASOS and Boohoo ; then we jump to Net A Porter and their charges AND profits. What is there for those of us in the middle with a conscience but wanting style?Martine Large says:
That blouse looks lovely on you, and I love the pearl on the cuff, but I have short arms and I couldn’t do any work in those sleeves. But as always I love how you spell out the idea of an outfit, the influences and building blocks, so one can interpret it for oneself. Business-creative here I come.
Catherine in Oz says:
O! The Business-Creative ensemble looks fabulous. Love everything about the shirt (except price, sigh…) and I think Lyocell is such a wearable fabric. But I wonder, Alyson, would you hand wash it? The care instructions say “dry-clean only” but don’t you think that seems at odds with eco-friendliness?
And is that your hand in the close-up of the cuff? You have lovely hands!Jacque says:
Lots of manufacturers put the “Dry-Clean Only” label on their clothing as an easy option for them and you are right – any clothing brand promoting itself with the eco tag should consider clothing care as part of its branding. I hand wash everything regardless of the labeling although silk and wool can be a problem as those fabrics can shrink can shrink. I also dislike designers who label their clothing as 100% cotton and then when I decide to dye it I find it is sewn together with polyester thread.
Catherine Connolly says:
You have styled that blouse way better than on the Net A Porter website. Very inspiring.
I love the idea of Business-Creative, and love the outfit, which you suit. I was trying to come up with a description of my work dress code, and the best way to describe it to myself was Smart-Creative; I’m a teacher, and the expectation is that we should be “well-dressed”, without needing to be overly formal. There is a “no trainers” rule, but I think smart sneakers can creep in under the wire – I certainly consider myself properly dressed when I’m wearing my patterned Stan Smiths, and the Georgina Goodman sneakers qualify too, I think!
Classy blouse and never goes out of style, black and white is so versatile….love this look
Gabrielle says:
Great outfit! Especially love the cuffs. Always partial to a sleeve detail. Love the glasses too. Where from?
Isobel 
Christine Leave a Reply
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Like the new “business creative ” category of dress. And the spotty blouse, with the celestial spotty sneakers and your serious specs make a cool look.