Women’s Blouses and Prints
Blouses are more tailored than knit tops and often include feminine details like ruffles, tie or soft bow at the neck or embroidered decorations. They do not have a buttoned vertical opening and can be made in fabrics that are fluid or oversized.
Style a silk wrap-front blouse with elevated joggers and white slip-on sneakers for a chic athleisure look that works for both workwear and vacation!
Definition
While the terms blouse and top are used interchangeably by many people, a blouse is a specific type of shirt that gathers at the waist or hips, puffs out over the body and has a distinctly feminine aesthetic. Blouses are a little fancier-looking than shirts and may even be made from stiffer fabrics, but they are also soft and drapey. They don’t typically button through the front like a shirt and rarely feature a shirt collar. Hems and sleeves can be any length and most of them are woven.
Blouses can be worn with a variety of skirts and pants, but are most often paired with jeans for a casual day out. They’re a classic addition to any wardrobe and work well in a variety of settings, from the office to the beach.
Some historians believe the word “blouse” has its origins in the loose peasant tunics worn by farmers long ago, but it’s also possible that the word evolved blouse from other meanings, including blowsy and puffed. Regardless of their origin, today’s blouses are a great choice for any occasion.
Style
Blouses are made to look a bit more dressier than t-shirts and knit tops. This is because they typically include a fancier-looking kind of fabric such as silk or very light cotton. They also feature a lot of designs and styles that are feminine. This makes them a popular choice for many different types of occasions, from casual to formal.
A blouse is usually more tailored than simple knit tops and may contain “feminine” details like ruffles or embroidered decorations. They can also come in a variety of shapes and lengths, including sleeve and hemlines.
A sleeveless blouse is an excellent choice for warm weather and can be dressed up or down with the right accessories. A bow blouse features a soft bow detail at the neckline and adds a feminine touch to any outfit. You can wear this with a pencil skirt for a business-ready look or pair it with jeans and a cardigan for a casual day out. A wrap blouse features a cinching or tie at the waist and is great for creating a figure-enhancing silhouette.
Fabrication
Blouses are a common garment in women’s wardrobes and come in a range of styles. They can be made of different fabrics, from cotton to silk, and can be long sleeved or short sleeved. They can also have a collar or not. They can be adorned with feminine elements such as lace, embroidery, bows and more. Blouses are generally more tailored than shirts and they can be worn in a variety of occasions.
A blouse is often crafted from forgiving fabrics that drape and stretch, creating a flattering silhouette. They can be shaped into a wide array of designs, from masculine shirt styles to floaty pussy-bowed blouses. They don’t usually have buttons all the way up and down like shirts, but they can be either buttoned up to the neck or left open.
Historically, blouses were gathered or pleated at the waist or hips and secured with a belt or other fastenings. These styles add to the literal “bloused” look of these tops and many blouses are still crafted this way today. Alternatively, they can be fashioned into wrap blouses that tie around the torso.
Prints
Prints are great for safely blending a slightly ‘off’ color in an old favorite item or combining cool and warm colors together. They also help to break up a solid article that could feel heavy for the wearer. They are an excellent way to add interest to a wardrobe without adding more color, especially for women who find that neutrals wash out their hair or blouse eyes. Prints come in adventurous and tame categories, and some are safe for all shapes while others work best for certain figures. Adventurous prints have a busy, close pattern with no background. Dense prints make the area it rests on look smaller, which is a good trick for my V shape clients to enlarge their bust.
Versatility
A versatile blouse is one that can be worn in a variety of different ways. It can be worn for work or casual occasions and it can be paired with many different types of bottoms, from jeans to PU leather pants to even casual skirts. Versatility is an important factor to consider when shopping for clothes. Versatile clothes help you get more use out of your wardrobe, so that you don’t fill your closet with only one-use items.
Historically, the lines between blouses and shirts have been clear: men wear shirts and women wear blouses. However, now that gender is a concept that is flexible and fluid, both men and women can wear whatever they want.
Some of the most versatile blouses come from designers who specialize in different styles. For example, Pallavi has blouses that feature intricate embroidery and lace. Swati Uberoi offers blouses that are perfect for a mehendi ceremony. Similarly, Ahmedabad based designers like Shyamal & Bhumika and Sashikant make blouses from khadi silk that can be worn with saris of any color.