Women's Blouses

A blouse is defined at the neckline before anywhere else. Tie-neck and pussy-bow styles gather at the throat, mandarin and band collars stand without a fold, and V-necks, keyholes and off-shoulder cuts open the line instead of closing it. A button-through front reads closest to a shirt, while pullover and wrap-front blouses skip the placket altogether and let drape do the shaping through the body.

Sleeves carry the rest of the volume: puff shoulders, balloon sleeves, bishop sleeves gathered into a cuff, flared bell openings, and plain long or three-quarter lengths each change the proportion above the waist. Peplum hems, smocking and pintucks do the same lower down, adding structure at the waist and through the bodice. Silk and satin fall and catch light, georgette and chiffon float and want something underneath, crepe hangs matte with a little more weight, and cotton poplin holds a crisper line.