Seemingly simple, it's a technique that's sure to make a big impact! A few twists and you've got a criss-cross knot for a more discreet but just as stylish look.
How to wear a lavallière shirt
Irresistibly retro
The lavalier-collared blouse, made up of two strips of fabric that tie around the neck and fall to the chest, is the embodiment of BC-BG power dressing in the collective imagination. This fashion piece is making a comeback this fall!
A landmark piece from the '70s
A little cultural trivia: legend has it that the lavallière shirt takes its name from the Duchess Louise de La Vallière, who was a young mistress of Louis XIV. Indeed, she loved wearing these wide-knotted ties around her neck!
Over the course of the 19th century, this shirt became the one we know today. It was mainly worn by painters and artists for its poetic, bohemian feel.
But it was in the 70s that the lavallière collar really took off, becoming a key piece in women's wardrobes, combining modernity and femininity. It was thanks to fashion icons such as Farrah Fawcett, who paired it with flare jeans (see our article: Flare pants, why do we love them so much?) or Faye Dunway, who wore it under a pencil skirt, that it was democratized. Today, it's even becoming a BC-BG wardrobe favorite with a suit.
How to wear a lavallière shirt with style?
The lavaliered blouse, which originated in the men's wardrobe and was long associated with formal wear, can now be worn every day, as long as you wear it with style!
The great classic: the lavaliered shirt paired with a pantsuit, very much in vogue this season. Extra chic, it's a no-brainer if you play on the elegance and natural simplicity of these two fashion pieces. Pairing a black suit with a white lavaliere blouse creates a very Yves Saint-Laurent luxury effect.
You can also soften the sexy side by pairing it with a wiser option, such as a midi skirt, or even high-waisted oversized pants.
This winter, slip on boyfriend jeans and a lavaliere shirt under a straight coat or even a leather perfecto. Accessories include ankle boots and a hat for a sophisticated look.
The great classic: the lavaliered shirt paired with a pantsuit, very much in vogue this season. Extra chic, it's a no-brainer if you play on the elegance and natural simplicity of these two fashion pieces. Pairing a black suit with a white lavaliere blouse creates a very Yves Saint-Laurent luxury effect.
You can also soften the sexy side by pairing it with a wiser option, such as a midi skirt, or even high-waisted oversized pants.
This winter, slip on boyfriend jeans and a lavaliere shirt under a straight coat or even a leather perfecto. Accessories include ankle boots and a hat for a sophisticated look.
How to tie the bow on a Lavallière shirt?
Short, long, discreet or imposing, there are many ways to wear the lavallière knot. It can be tied and untied in the twinkling of an eye, and worn as you please, giving it a wide range of styles.
1- The simplest: the untied lavallière
This is the option that will appeal to the less manual among you. Just let the fabric fall delicately over your chest for a relaxed effect.
2- The classic: the big floating knot
For an ultra-chic no-fail look, wear your lavallière with a wide floating bow that you leave straight, or tie to the side for a bohemian effect.
3- The "pro": the tie effect
The neat, more reserved alternative to the lavaliere knot: the knot that ties (almost) like a tie. Simple, quick and effective!
4- The original alternative: the cross knot
5- Bonus 17:10: the lavaliere comes off!
One of the special features of the 17H10 lavallière blouse is that its collar can be unhooked. This gives the illusion of having a completely different shirt in your wardrobe! Buttoned all the way up or unbuttoned, it's equally at home in everyday wear.
As well as being pretty and incredibly soft on the skin thanks to its satin effect, the 17H10 lavallière blouse is ethically responsible. It's made from natural materials (rayon and viscose). So it's chic and environmentally friendly! (see our article For ethical and responsible fashion)
