A Letter From a Reader

As Comfortable as Your Favorite Blouse, But Lovely as a Work of Art

A soft, easy blouse in a gorgeous colorful print, with simple buttons and an easy neckline. Comfortable, effortless, and full of personality — with everything you already own.

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by linda parker· mount pleasant, south carolina

Posted August 2026 · 6 min read
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Photographed at home..

At 68, I want to be comfortable, but I'm so tired of looking like every other woman in a plain little blouse. I still want a bit of personality, something that says I haven't given up on having a little style of my own.

 

What I really wanted was one easy top that felt comfortable but far more cheerful, something with color and character that I could put on and feel like myself in. Everything I owned was either comfortable or interesting, never both.

 

It was my sister who told me to stop settling and try one from Brooks & Bennett Newport, a colorful printed blouse she thought I'd wear constantly. Before I tell you what happened, I think you should know what finally convinced me.

 

The blouse is called The Ivy, and what surprised me was how easy it was underneath all that color. The relaxed shape, short sleeves and simple button front were exactly the little things I care about now. I'm going to walk you through them, because they say more about The Ivy than I could.

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As comfortable as your favorite blouse — but a little work of art

We made The Ivy as a soft, easy blouse covered in a gorgeous artistic print, with simple buttons and an easy neckline. It's every bit as comfortable as the everyday tops you already live in, but instead of disappearing into an outfit, it's a little piece of wearable art. You put it on with simple trousers and feel comfortable, put together, and wonderfully like yourself again.

"The colors are even prettier in person. I wore it with white trousers and didn't need to do another thing."

Diane M., Greenville SC
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Soft and easy — comfortable without feeling shapeless

Most colorful, "fun" blouses seem to come with a compromise. They're either fitted and fussy or so loose they simply hang. Not The Ivy. It has an easy shape with enough room through the middle to feel comfortable, while still falling neatly when you wear it. Relaxed and flattering, both at once.

"It gives me room where I want it without making me feel swallowed up. Exactly the sort of fit I look for now."

Janet S., Bluffton SC
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Simple buttons and an easy neckline that make it effortless

The little buttons down the front make The Ivy feel finished without making it fussy, while the softly open neckline gives you just enough room around the neck. Wear it exactly as it is or add a simple necklace. There isn't much to think about. Put it on, add your usual trousers, done.

"The neckline is just right, and I love the little buttons. It looks finished without needing a scarf or anything extra."

Carol R., Charleston SC
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It goes with everything you already own

It works beautifully with the things already hanging in your closet — white trousers, jeans, simple slacks — and instantly lifts the whole outfit with its color. One easy blouse that makes even your plainest trousers look considered, so you can reach for it again and again without having to plan what goes with it.

"I wear mine with white trousers or jeans and let the blouse do the rest. It's become one of my easiest outfits."

Patricia L., Columbia SC
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A beautiful printed design, and an easy shape made for you

The Ivy brings together rich blues, turquoise, purple, green, red and touches of gold in a gorgeous screen-printed design, with easy short sleeves and a relaxed shape that gives you room to feel comfortable. A blouse made to bring color back into your closet without asking you to change the way you already dress.

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The Ivy, against your usual blouse

Typical everyday blouse

The Ivy

The feel

Stiff or fussy

Soft and easy to wear

The look

Plain, forgettable

A colorful print that gets compliments

The fit

Fitted or shapeless

Relaxed and comfortable

The neckline

Too high or restrictive

Softly open and easy to wear

The wear

Needs careful styling

Classic collar makes simple outfits feel finished

THE USUAL WINTER TOP

Clings, or hangs like a sack

Hot, stiff fabric

No pockets, or too shallow

Bare arms, or a hot cardigan

Loud or cheap-looking print

THE PATRICIA 

Skims with a soft A-line

Soft, lightweight, breathes

Deep, hidden side pockets

Sleeves that cover, and breathe

A cheerful wildflower, noticed for good reasons

Why they're clearing it now

They priced The Ivy at $199.95 when it launched, and it sold at that price all season. But for the Brooks & Bennett Newport Clearance Sale, we wanted to give something back to the women who have supported us since 2001, so the remaining Ivy blouses are now $49.95, well under a third of the original price.

 

Mine arrived folded in tissue with a little handwritten note on top. I put it on with white trousers that same afternoon and felt wonderful — I didn't add a scarf or anything else. The print did all the work.

THE IVY COLORFUL BLOUSE

4.7 / 5 from 1200+ reviews

$199.95

$49.95

A soft, easy blouse — comfortable without feeling shapeless

A gorgeous colorful screen print full of personality

Simple buttons and an easy neckline with no fuss

A relaxed shape that works beautifully with simple trousers

Sizes XS–5XL · Free UPS shipping · 30-day money-back guarantee

See if your size is still in stock →

The Ivy · $49.95 while sizes last

Our Clearance Sale ends tonight.

Buy 2 get 10%, buy 3 get 15%, buy 4 get an extra 20% off. When it's gone, it's gone.

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Since 1996

Family-owned in Newport

I don't usually write things like this. But The Ivy gave me exactly what I'd stopped hoping to find, one easy blouse that's comfortable but still full of personality, relaxed without feeling shapeless, simple to wear, and lovely with everything I already own.

 

It's become one of those blouses I reach for without thinking. If you've been resigned to plain, forgettable tops the way I had, this is the one I'd tell you to try, while the sale is still on.

— Linda Parker · South Carolina

See the IVY— $49.95 →

This is a personal account from a Brooks & Bennett Newport customer. Linda was not paid to write it. · Brooks & Bennett Newport · Timeless Women’s Fashion · Free Shipping · 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee.

See the IVY — $49.95 while sizes last