Did you know that most women own 20-30 tops? That includes T-shirts, tank tops, blouses, and more. How many tops do you own?
You may be wondering why "blouses" are in their own category. Isn't a blouse just a top? What is a blouse anyway, and what makes it distinct?
We're here to talk all about different short and long-sleeved blouses and different blouse designs. Read on to learn more!
What Is a Blouse?
So what is the blouse definition anyway?
A blouse is a type of top. A top is a piece of clothing that covers the top of your body (or at least part of the top half of your body, as a cropped top is still a top.
A blouse is a top without buttons that you can pull over your head. The types of sleeves, cuts, necklines, and lengths have nothing to do with whether a top is a blouse. A blouse should be able to stand alone and shouldn't look like undergarments (though there are some exceptions).
There are many different blouse styles and types. While some blouses are "nice tops," others are far more casual and you can wear them with jeans or even sweatpants if you're not dressing up.
Blouses vs. Shirts: Is There a Difference?
Many people use the terms "blouse" and "shirt" interchangeably, but are they really the same? No, and the difference may surprise you.
Some people believe that a blouse is just a "nicer" shirt or top, and as a result, they think that button-up tops are blouses because they're often used in more formal environments. This isn't the case!
Blouses and shirts both fit into the category of "tops," but, as we mentioned before, blouses don't have buttons. They're generally made of soft and flowy fabric and they can be (but don't have to be) "dressier" than other tops.
"Shirts" have to have buttons. That's right, your T-shirt isn't really a shirt at all! It may not be a blouse either, however. It could be a standard top!
Different Blouse Types
So what are the different types of blouses? In reality, there are more types to count, but some of them are more popular than others. Here's a quick rundown of some of the more popular types of blouses you may see in stores and fashion magazines.
Peasant Blouse
So what is a peasant blouse? A peasant blouse is a simple type of blouse that tends to have elastic around the waist, the ends of the sleeves, and the neckline. It imitates peasant clothing.
These blouses are generally made of soft and breathable materials, like linen or cotton, but that isn't always the case.
Peasant blouses can have either short or long sleeves. The sleeves tend to be "peasant sleeves" which have a bit of "puff" to them to make them look distinct.
Peasant blouses are casual and pair well with jeans or leggings.
Bow Blouse
A bow blouse is, as the name implies, a blouse with a bow. The blouse will have a faux tie around the neck that comes to a bow at the front. This is a sweet and elegant look.
Some bows are distinct and made from a different fabric from the blouse itself. Other bows blend in with the fabric.
This is an old-fashioned style that is still popular today. Bow blouses tend to be semi-formal or business casual, making them great for work or school outfits.
Wrapped Blouse
Wrapped blouses are chic and comfortable. They give the appearance of wrapped fabric around someone's chest, shoulders, and belly, but most of the time, they're completely closed.
Wrapped blouses tend to have low necklines, and genuine wrapped blouses can be quite daring. Many people choose to pair them with tank tops to add extra coverage.
They're versatile blouses that can be either work-friendly or completely casual depending on how you style them.
Peekaboo Blouse
A peekaboo blouse is one of the cuter blouse styles, and it comes in a lot of different varieties. The main feature of a peekaboo blouse is that it has at least one extra opening to show some skin.
Often, this is around the clavicle area. The blouse may have a high neckline, but there will be a bit of skin showing beneath it (which is the perfect place for a necklace).
"Cold shoulder" blouses are also peekaboo blouses. The blouse has sleeves, but the shoulder caps are exposed, giving a faux "off-the-shoulder" look.
Peekaboo blouses can be either casual or suitable for a workplace.
Babydoll Blouse
Babydoll blouses have fallen out of popularity, but they're sure to make a comeback soon. These blouses are tight around the chest with an elastic band right underneath it. The rest of the fabric is loose and flowy, giving the appearance of a baby doll's dress.
Some babydoll dresses are sleeveless, but many of them have long or short puff sleeves to enhance the "cute" appearance. These tend to be casual blouses that go best with jeans or leggings.
Popular Designers for Blouses
There have been many popular designer blouse creators over the years! Most major fashion houses have, at some point, created trendy blouses that would inspire styles for years to come.
Coco Chanel created blouses that blurred the lines between masculine and feminine. Ralph Lauren makes stylish designer blouses that are both casual and classy enough for work.
Current popular blouse brands include Madewell, Steve Madden, and For Love and Lemons, but there are countless options at any department store.
What's Your Favorite Type of Blouse?
In short, it's traditionally a type of top that doesn't have buttons but can be worn on its own. There are many different styles of blouses! While many people think that blouses have to be formal or fancy, this isn't the case.
So what's your favorite style of blouse? How do you like to wear your blouses?
At Fashion-Era, we love all things fashionable! Check out the rest of our posts for more fashion inspiration. Start here with fashion trends from 2021.
