When summer rolls around, I get serious about revamping my summer wardrobe, and Amazon is a surprisingly good place to start when I’m not in the mood to spend a whole lot of money. Lately, I’ve been browsing its collection of versatile blouses and am tempted to shop a few ahead of my summer travel plans. While I don’t intend on overpacking, I like to think I can never have enough breezy tops or button-up shirts to choose from, especially when they’re priced under $50 apiece.
Below are five blouse deals I’m shopping for summer; starting at just $13, I recommend that you do, too.
This gingham blouse is all I want to wear on my trip to Italy this August. It has an airy fit, perfect for having dinner al fresco on a warm evening. The puff sleeves and peplum silhouette are playful but not overly sweet thanks to the peek-a-boo tie-front that adds a subtle sexiness. I’d wear it with capris or denim cut-off shorts. Shoe-wise, I could go with anything from kitten heel mules and espadrilles to leather slides.
Lately, fabric content impacts how I shop more than anything else. It’s a hard sell if it’s not made of cotton, silk, wool, linen, or cashmere. It’s a guideline I try to stick to, even when shopping on Amazon, which is full of synthetic options that tend to boast lower prices. So, I was thrilled to find this mandarin collar button-up shirt that’s made from cotton and linen. It comes in a few cheery colors, like bubblegum pink, peach, and baby blue, as well as some neutral ones for my fellow minimalists.
As I said, I like to think I can never have enough breezy tops or button-up shirts. I’m ready to add this option to my cart in the yellow stripe print. The 100 percent cotton shirt will serve as the perfect beach cover-up, worn open to catch the breeze and rounded out with a pair of denim shorts. The same ensemble could be restyled for errands around the city, tucked in and styled with a pair of leather slides.
Nothing reads “summer” better than a smocked blouse. I love that this style from Levi’s is slightly cropped, so it’s easy to wear with high-waisted shorts or with lightweight denim pants on cool summer nights. The square neckline does well to show off a bronzed collarbone, too.
If you love the idea of a button-up shirt but appreciate a lower neckline, you should try this Gap top, which offers the best of both worlds. The collarless crew cut naturally gives your neck and collarbone some breathing room, though you can also tailor the neckline by wearing it unbuttoned two or three times over. The gathered fabric along the bust and puffed bracelet sleeves add a feminine touch, too.