Kate Spade Madeleine Dot Balloon Sleeve Bow Blouse

I thought I’d do something a little different today. You know usually I choose a designer item, whether it be a handbag, a pair of shoes, or some other accessory, and then try to find more budget-friendly alternatives. I think there’s no reason we can’t all look like we’re wearing designer accessories, even if we can’t really afford them. I also think sometimes those designer duds are just overpriced. They’re made from the same leather and thread as the less expensive stuff, right? Right. But then I thought, well, what about putting all of that together? How do you coordinate all those accessories? And what’s hot right now? I have to admit, part of the inspiration to go in a slightly different direction came about from Kate Spade’s new clothing collection. I’ve loved her shoes and handbags for years, and now she has gorgeous clothes to go with them. One of the hot runway trends right now is slightly updated versions of classic ’40s looks, and it’s not hard to do. Depending on what you pair this Kate Spade Madeleine Dot Balloon Sleeve Bow Blouse with, you can easily put together a sophisticated, trendy look without breaking the bank.

For simplicity’s sake, I’m going to call it the Madeleine because that whole name is just a mouthful. Well, I’m typing, so maybe it’s a handful. You know what I mean. The Madeleine is, in Kate’s words, “…a vintage-inspired blouse elegant over cigarette pants or tucked into a tweed pencil skirt.” I couldn’t agree more. It’s made from one hundred percent silk twill, and has a pointed, stand-up collar. The tie can be made into a long bow, as you see, but it’s also removable for a less busy look. The long sleeves are ballooned, another classic detail, and the mother of pearl buttons have Kate’s tiny logo on them. It’s unlined, so you may want to wear a camisole under it. But what I like most about it? The polka dots. You can get this beautiful blouse for $265 at KateSpade.com.

Ok, so once you put the blouse together with those cigarette pants or the tweed pencil skirt, what else are you going to wear? Remember, we’re going for ’40s sophisticated here. What else but spectator pumps? Jessica Bennett’s Kosta spectator pump is an ideal choice. The upper is patent leather, and the interior is lined with leather, which will conform to the shape of your foot. Adding even more comfort is a lightly padded footbed, which you’ll appreciated on the three-inch heel. The heel is also covered in patent leather, and the sole is leather too. The best part of this shoe is the classic wing tip style with tiny perforated detailing. You need to see it up close to appreciate it. When I look at these shoes, I see Katharine Hepburn. If you wear them with a skirt, be sure to also wear stockings with the seam up the back for an extra vintage detail. If you love these shoes as much as I do, don’t wait to get them. They’re usually $144, but they’re on sale right now for $126.72 at Zappos.com.

The last thing you need to complete the look is a great handbag. Well, you’ll need to add a few other small accessories like earrings and maybe a bracelet. I would keep those small and understated, like a classic pair of pearl stud earrings and a thin, simple bangle to keep the polka-dotted blouse from being too busy, and to let the main outfit components shine. With that in mind, when choosing a handbag for this look, I’d go with a clutch. You don’t want some bulky bag hanging off your shoulder when you’re trying to show off such a gorgeous blouse. Not to mention, it’s silk. The less pulling on it, the better. Try adding this Steve Madden Jemma Foldover Clutch. When it’s folded, it has a classic clutch look, but it can be opened up if you need more space, or would rather carry it by the cut-out handles. The exterior is made from synthetic materials, but it looks like patent leather, so it will coordinate perfectly with the spectator pumps. The interior is lined with satin in a highly contrasting chartreuse. You won’t have any trouble seeing into the bag to find your lipstick, that’s for sure! There’s a back wall zip pocket for that lipstick, too. Complete the look for less. Usually $58, the Jemma is now just $46.07 at Endless.com.