The Almighty Blouse

Blouses are beloved mainstays found in every woman’s closet. Often the bridge piece that fully coordinates a wardrobe, blouses have the ability to be paired high or low, dressed up or down and worn week or weekend. Classic in cut and loose in fit, they also adjust to fluctuating waistlines and camouflage expanding midsections in a pinch. Blouses are versatility personified. Keep these wardrobe workhorses in rotation through fall with these fresh, on-trend ways to style:

1. The Classic White Blouse
   Few things are more stylish than a classic, clean and crisp white blouse. Tuck in to an A-line skirt then style with a popped collar, rolled sleeves, ballerina flats and teardrop earrings for an elegant, stately look. Or wear untucked over ankle crop jeans, white canvas sneakers and a Panama hat for a casual yet polished go-to uniform. An oversized white blouse can double as a swimsuit cover-up too, proving its infinite versatility. Consider soft white over optic white to better connect with teeth and eyes, and stock up on multiples — cotton, linen, wrinkle-free blends — so there’s always one at the ready. Most importantly, avoid dingy fading by replenishing regularly to maintain a crisp, sharp look.

2. Silk blouse
   Silk blouses add a touch of fancy and feminine to just about anything. Pair with menswear-inspired separates — trousers, vests, pinstripes, glen plaids, boyfriend blazers — to soften the masculine edge, or pair with jeans and kitten heels for a high-low combo that levels-up denim without it looking over the top. For an extra touch of femininity, layer a camisole underneath silk blouse with a pop of lace showing above the third or fourth button. It will soften the look, and your state of mind.

3. Printed blouse
   A printed blouse is a great way to make a statement. Go for a timeless print — traditional paisleys, jewel tone floras, chic leopard — and pair with neutrals to quiet down the motif, or an accent color to turn up the volume. Think paisleys with navy vs. burgundy, florals with black vs. cobalt or leopard with camel vs. red. A printed blouse can also balance shapes that are widest below the waist, making the head-to-toe silhouette more in harmony.

4. Puffy sleeve blouse
   From a poof at the shoulder seam to a billowing bishop sleeve, puffy is in. The puffy sleeve blouse has been on-trend for several seasons and is likely here for more. A flirty, sweetheart look, puffy sleeves range in volume so make sure scale matches your own. Pair with rough and tough elements — leather, coarse tweeds, chunky knits — to tone down innocence, or match with feminine pieces to emphasize it — ruffled midi skirt, flowy maxi skirt, airy Palazzo pants. If your shoulders are wide, this trend probably isn’t for you.

5. Pussy bow blouse
   The pussy bow blouse is a slightly formal, iconic style that can be found in a range of materials. Its bow-tie statement neckline is hard to miss with synthetic fibers yielding floppy bows and crisp cottons making stiff, structured ones with volume and drama. If your facial features are diminutive, go for less volume and keep prints small to medium scale. Square jaws and round faces can do the opposite. Honor the pussy bow blouse’s dressy roots by pairing with tailored pieces like suiting, pencil skirts and trouser jeans. Wear with a leather jacket to balance the femininity, or a velvet blazer to emphasize it.

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