Welcome back to our 6-part series on a hot trend for 2011 - The 1970s! This latest installment progresses from the wide leg pant to highlight your upper half with The Blouse.

The hottest blouse of the moment is the pussy-bow blouse. Why is it called a pussy-bow blouse, you ask? The term is derived from they way cats were once depicted in story illustrations. Also, Aristocrats used to place bows around their cats’ necks to dress them up.

Front Tie Blouse
I am always reminded of the film 9 to 5 when I see a Front Tie blouse. You can make this piece feel slightly vintage with tailored pants or a pencil skirt. Pair with wide leg trousers or jeans and platforms for a trendy 70′s look. This blouse is versatile and fun, can be layered, added to a mixed-print look or stand out on its own in a fun print. It’s vital to keep proportion in mind when working with this style as the bow can over-accentuate a fuller bust.

Dorothy Perkins- Coral Swallow Pussybow Blouse

Dorothy Perkins- Tan Pussybow Blouse

Style 369- Lurex Spotted Tie Neck Blouse

Evans- Black Pussybow Tie Shirt

Yours- 2 and 1 Blouse Dress

Dorothy Perkins- Stone Georgette Blouse

Dorothy Perkins- Leopard Pussybow Blouse

Peasant Top

This is a classic look made popular in the late 60′s that continues today. It’s perfect for the spring and summer seasons and so easy to layer under a blazer for the office. This style of blouse is meant to be loose and flowing, but don’t be scared of the light fabrication as it will not add bulk to your figure. If you go for a sheer blouse, wear a fitted cami underneath to highlight your silhouette.

Old Navy- Womens Plus Crochet Trim Gauze Top

Dorothy Perkins- Cream Embroidered Kimono

Shop Translated- The Gypsy

Nordstrom- Daniel Rainn Darcy Print Top

Nordstrom- Michael Kors Animal Print Knit Top

Evans- Sienna Couture Polka Dot Pussybow Blouse

OneStopPlus- Romans Miranda High Low Blouse

OneStopPlus- Romans Lace Yolk Top

Dorothy Perkins- Mink Pleat Smock Top

Sleek & Silky

Bold colours are hot for 2011. You can meld this trend with the 70′s look by playing with fabrics, colour and styling that whisper of the decade’s vibe but are thoroughly “today”. Shine and silk can highlight more than you may want them to so when shopping for a sleek & silky blouse look for styles that don’t hug the body.

ASOS CURVE- Exclusive Ruffle Cami Top

Dorothy Perkins- Yellow Split Sleeve Top

Dorothy Perkins- Coral Tuck Ruched Top

Nordstrom- Michael Kors Peasant Top

Bloomingdales- Jules Oversized Silk Blouse

Tunics
A closet staple. We hardly ever meet a tunic we don’t love! This season some of our favorite plus retailers are adding touches of the 70′s with sleeve volume, colors and prints. Styles range from subtle floral prints to ruffles and even tie-dye. Perfectly paired with skinny jeans, leggings and (of course) your bare legs!

ASOS CURVE- Rose Bunch Flute Sleeve Dress

ASOS CURVE- Chiffon Kaftan Dress

ASOS CURVE- Blossom Print Cover Up

Evans- Balloon Sleeve Print Tunic

OneStopPlus- Roamans Bianca Tie Dyed CaftanTunic

OneStopPlus- Roamans Tie Dyed Tank

New York & Company- Sheer Printed Tie Blouse

Dorothy Perkins- Chocolate Butterfly Tunic

Volume + Detail
We love seeing the decade in the details! Modern pieces with beautiful finishing touches that make us want to add these blouses as closet classics!

Dorothy Perkins- White Ditsy Swallow Top

Style 369- Mink Pleat Front Blouse

Style 369- Long Sleeve Grey Spot Blouse

Evans- Long Sleeve Ivory Spot Blouse

Evans- Printed Satin Shirt

New York & Company- Floral Sheer Peasant Top

Dorothy  Perkins- Cream Pintuck Lace Blouse

Dorothy Perkins- Terracotta Colour Block Blouse

In our 70′s Series we’ll break down each of the 6 Key Area’s we describe above in more detail, show you how to shop it for your shape and bring you our favorite items to shop in stores now. This is Part 05.

See previous posts here:

Intro:  The 70s Trend

Part 01: Going the Distance

Part 02: The Wide Leg

Part 03: 9 to 5

Part 04: Friday Night Fever

Next up: Part 06 – Accessories and finishing touches!

We loved Anne Hathaway’s outfit at the Christian Dior event. She looked perfectly geek-chic in her faux wayfarer reading glasses, white blouse and black pencil skirt. The leather jacket and black platform pumps add edgy details to her outfit. Curves can definitely rock this look.

Shop Her Look:

Amazon- Nerd Wayfarer

Torrid- Cream Textured Woven Tank

Jessica London- Bi Stretch Skirt

Nordstrom- Artifacts Faux Leather Moto Jacket

Zappos- Gabriella Rocha Tama

Amazon- J Renee Gabriele Satin Clutch with Rhinestone Bow

Bare Necessities- SPANX: Moderate Control Swiss Dot Patterned Pantyhose

Images from People.com and Google.

What do you think of Anne Hathaway’s look?

Check out MP friend and Plus Model Lauren Koenig on the Today Show! Lauren Koenig is modeling an asymetrical military-inspired jacket and a knot-front plum blouse that both help to camoflauge a tummy.

Shop Lauren’s Look!

Macy’s- Kensie Jacket, Military Ruffled with Belt

Macy’s- Alfani Shirt, Twist Front Stretch

Macy’s- Alfani Plus Size Pants, Wide Leg Trousers

Macy’s- Alfani Shoes, Step n’ Flex Gracie Pumps

What do you think of Lauren Koenig’s look on the Today Show?

Being that I am from Buffalo, NY, I have been exposed to a fairly decent amount of fashion culture and possess a strong awareness of what is going on fashionably speaking of course! I’ve recently moved to a very rural college town: Potsdam, NY.  There is certainly a questionable amount of fashion awareness, any would be encouraging! Among the typical college sweats and hoodies, I am still motivated and committed to looking my best. When I look good, I feel good and confident!

In this outfit, I’m rocking Gap’s new Legging Jean – so soft and already broken in. I’m also wearing a graphic BCBG Generation top with a tan military style jacket also from Gap. I absolutely adore my nude flats! They’ve taken me from spring to fall and match with almost everything.

As far as accessorizing goes, I generally keep it simple, which works well in the collegiate environment. Check out my white TOY watch and sterling silver rings from Silpada with my favorite Tiffany’s silver heart bracelet!

It’s hard choosing a favorite item but when it comes to my wardrobe, I like my basic staple pieces. I am absolutely adoring my skinny jeans! Don’t you just love seeing more and more real sized or plus sized models featured in them? Us beautiful ladies with curves CAN rock them too!

Sincerely and Fiercely,
Caralyn

Shop Caralyn’s Look:

Gap – Jean Leggings

Nordstroms – Steve Madden Kinnetic

Nordstroms – AK Floral Cap Sleeve Plus Size Blouse

Gap – Leather Moto Jacket

Shopbop – Shashi Pave Bead Bracelet

Do you want to be our next city style correspondent? if so email us at info@madisonplus.com

“Fashion is so many different things. It should be pretty. It should be exciting and make you feel good. It’s not just clothing, it’s a state of mind.”

Kay Unger
Head Designer

Inspiration for the Fall 2010 Season:

“For fall I thought about a very lady-like sensibility.  We always do feminine clothing, this fall I focused on beautiful bold colors, pretty prints, and some killer LBD’s (because let’s face it, everybody already has one or two or more in their closet so to buy another Little Black Dress it better be something special!).  I also chose fabrics that feel good to wear; silks, chiffon, and satin with stretch to be comfortable and flattering.”

Top 5 Fashion Picks for the Season:

1) Strapless Tiered Bottom Gown (available in October in extended sizes)

2) Classic Pencil Skirt

3) Beautifully Printed Blouse

4) Something Ruffled

5) Animal print!

What is your critique of the Kay Unger fall season?

Black is the new black. Yes, this neutral is back with vengeance. We first saw black very heavily in the punk rock trend, now it has reincarnated into to a new dark romance. This new love affair with the color black also brings new fabrications; such as lace and silk and embellishments; such as rosettes, ruffles, and pleats.  This color trend is worn head-to-toe yet has a romantic allure to it. This look was seen all over the Fall 2010 runways with Julien Macdonald, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana all showing the trend so we had to translate it from straight to plus for our fans!

Indulge in a little black magic this season!

Nordstroms- Hanky Panky Long Sleeve Lace Plus Size Tee

Nordstroms- MICHAEL Michael Kors Studded Sleeveless Plus Size Dress

Nordstroms- In Bloom by Jonquil Lace Trim Plus Size Top

Torrid- Tripp Black Skinny-Leg Twill Plus Size Pant

Torrid-Black Pyramid 2-Row Wristband

Torrid- Gold Black and Silver Textured Bangle Bracelet 20-Pack

New Look- Thrill Neck Button Top

New Look- Lace Corsage Top

New Look- Corsage Bubble Hem Top

New Look- Knotted Necklace

Will you indulge in a little black magic?

Sabina is a new, up and coming plus model with Ford+ who is making the transition from straight size to plus. She is a Sweden’s Next Top Model alumni as well. We were so excited to have her come by the MP office so we could snap a photo of her off-duty style. She is so classic in her fitted trench but she adds in some edge with sky high heels and her full head of hair.

Shop her Off-duty Look!

Nordstroms – Krista Bootie

Nordstroms – MICHEAL by Micheal Kors Textured V-Nk Plus Size Blouse

Nordstroms – Ellen Tracy Plus Size Trench Coat

Nordstroms – CJ By Cookie Johnson ‘Joy’ Plus Size Denim Legging

Nordstroms – Hype Zulu Expandable Tote

Thank you for stopping by Sabina!

What do you think of Sabina’s look?

Our model off duty today is Maiysha;  both a Ford + Model and a grammy nominated singer for her new album “Undercover” that is coming out soon. (To find out more go to Maiysha’s website here!) Maiysha loves to go shopping on Ebay to mix high and low end fashion together. She’s a huge Gap lover and shops at Old Navy for her basic tees. Here Maiysha is rocking an equestrian/Parisian look and we love how her scarf added a touch of color to complete her look!

Shop Her Look:

Macys – Pintuck Roll Sleeve Blouse

New Look – Crochet Beret

Dorothy Perkins – Pink Scarf

Torrid – Black Vest

Zappos – Wide Calf Boot

Torrid – Zipped Chambray Skinny Jean

What do you think of Maiysha look?