Real stories · The print that flatters

This blouse does what my mirror's best angle does — all day, everywhere

The print that flatters before you've said a word — that's what this blouse turned out to be, and the cleverness is all in the lines. Every woman has a best angle: the mirror, the lighting, the one photograph where everything hangs exactly right. We just can't take it with us.

This, it turns out, is the wearable version.

It's the Gevaria from a British label called York Boutique — a tunic-length blouse in a flowing black-and-cream wave print, with a V-neckline, a buttoned placket and a softly curved hem that falls over the hips.

The flattery is pure geometry. The waves run TALL rather than wide, drawing the eye up and down instead of across — while the V-neck opens the neckline and the longer curved hem glides over the hips rather than stopping at them. The result isn't complicated: everything reads longer. I put it on over plain black trousers, looked in the mirror, and found myself standing differently.

Waves that run tall, a V that opens, a hem that glides — which is why the mirror's best angle now comes with me to the café.

It's £34.95 in the sale — half the usual £70 — and I did check I could send it back if the magic didn't survive real life: a fortnight, free delivery. It survived. It's soft, it moves easily, and it's been worn three times in nine days.

The verdict came at the café. Sandra studied me with narrowed eyes for a full ten seconds and finally said, 'have you lost weight?' No, Sandra. Same me. Cleverer blouse. She has since borrowed the name, which is how all her compliments end.

If you'd like your best angle on tap, do have a look. The Gevaria is rated 4.6 out of 5 by more than 210 women, in UK sizes 8/10 to 18/20 — and at half price it goes quickly.