The airy blouse that makes me feel bright, pretty and noticed again.

On the cheerful watercolor polka-dot print and pretty ruffle that draw compliments, the flowy cut that skims, the sleeves that cover the arms, and the flattering tie-neck. Why a small South Carolina family made it this way, and why they're clearing it now.

By Sandra Thompson · Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Posted September 2026 · 6 min read

I am 63 years old, and my tops had all turned sensible and dull. Plain, safe colors that did nothing for me and that no one, myself included, ever really noticed. I had started to feel a little faded, if I am honest — like I had quietly stopped being someone people looked twice at.

What I wanted was one pretty, cheerful blouse that made me feel bright and a bit noticed again — something airy and feminine that skimmed over my middle instead of clinging, and covered my arms. Pretty, and comfortable, at once.

Then a friend of mine turned up in the loveliest airy blouse, covered in soft watercolor dots with a pretty ruffle at the neck, looking bright and cheerful and years younger. I asked her where on earth she found it. She laughed and told me to read the Clarke family's letter first.

The Clarke family runs a small boutique here in South Carolina, family-run since 1986 — three generations, mother to daughter. The blouse is called the Candice, and their letter walks through the handful of things they refused to compromise on. I am going to let their words carry it, because they say it better than I could.

1A cheerful watercolor polka-dot print

We built the Candice around a soft watercolor polka-dot print with a pretty raised, textured weave — cheerful and feminine, the kind of blouse that brightens your whole face and has people asking where you found it. Bright and joyful, never loud, and it lifts a plain outfit in an instant.

2A flowy cut that skims

We cut it soft and flowy, so the light fabric drapes and skims over your middle instead of clinging anywhere. Airy and forgiving, and so comfortable — you can breathe, move and enjoy your day, and still look pretty and pulled-together.

3Sleeves that cover the upper arm

We gave it a flowing three-quarter puff sleeve, finished with a pretty ruffled cuff, that covers the upper arm and drapes softly below the elbow. Pretty and covered where so many of us would rather be, and light and airy for a warmer day.

4A flattering ruffled tie-neck

We finished it with a soft split V-neckline, edged in a pretty ruffle and tied with a tassel drawstring — a flattering open neck that draws the eye up and lengthens, and ties just as high or low as you like. Elegant, and just a little romantic.

5Light, airy and easy to wear

We made it from a light, airy fabric that feels wonderful on — breezy and soft, never stiff or heavy. Dress it up for lunch or an evening, or wear it with your everyday pants; it looks pretty and pulled-together either way.

6Eight colors, and it fits the body you have

We make the Candice in eight colorways — a bright orange, pink, green, blue and more — and from a size S to 3XL, cut soft and flowy. It is meant to fit the woman — not make the woman fit the blouse.

The Candice, against the tops you've been wearing

Why they're clearing it now

They priced the Candice at $129.95 when it launched, and it sold at that price all season. But for America's 250th, the Clarke family wanted to give something back to the women who have kept their doors open since 1986 — so every one is going out at under fifty dollars.

I ordered mine that evening. It arrived a few days later in a kraft-paper parcel with a short handwritten note from the family. It has become the first thing I reach for whenever I want to feel bright and pretty.

I do not usually write things like this. But I had started to feel faded and unnoticed in all my plain, sensible tops, and this one bright, pretty blouse handed me back a bit of cheer and a bit of attention. If that sounds like you, I hope you find your size before it clears.

— Sandra Thompson · Mount Pleasant, SC

This is a personal account from a Clarke Family customer. Sandra was not paid to write it. · The Clarke Family · Family Fashion · South Carolina, since 1986 · Free UPS shipping · 30-day money-back guarantee.