[ tailored and sporty blouses. click for image credits. ]
I’ve always felt like one of those girls who admire other gals who wear blouses, but always feel so awkward in one myself. It used to be the “tucking in factor”; it seemed that every blouse I wore as a teenager slowly worked it’s way out of the neatly tucked position in the skirt waistband I had placed it in before I left the house. Now as an adult (and thanks to wearing things that sit on my waist!), that isn’t the problem. Rather, I sometimes feel like a proper blouse is a bit too delicate for me and it intimidates me with it’s overtures of primness and togetherness! They don’t call me “Casey-the-Klutz” for nothing. lol. Yet, my closet is still filled with blouses–the siren call doesn’t exempt me!
[ sweet and feminine blouses. click for image credits. ]
On that personal style note (with far more about blouses and my personal style reservations than you ever wanted to know!), I decided to do a compilation post of blouse images. Despite my lack of gracefulness, I still want to wear (and sometimes do) the sweetly style pieces with bits of lace insertion or adorable bows. Blouses for me don’t just span one or two decades that I really love; I absolutely adore 1910s shirtwaist blouses along with sporty 40s numbers! However, in my not so humble opinion, I think that the 1930s really was the pinnacle of the Blouse World. Few decades have been able to encompass so many different variations on the basic blouse, and I think the preoccupation of the 30s with bias makes them even more special.
[ modern style mavens and their lovely blouses. click for image credits. ]
Tell me: do you like blouses, or prefer the more modern tshirt? Do they not fit into your lifestyle, or do you absolutely adore them? Do you like ‘em classic and sporty, or thoroughly romantic
I just love blouses as well! But like you I don’t always feel comfortable in them, but a lot depends on the style I guess. Though I think you always do a marvelous job pairing the blouses you have with things. I really love 40s blouses too, but you are so right the 30s just steal the show. I’ve actually been on the hunt to find some good blouses lately and your post inspired me to continue my search
I really love blouses, but often they’re see-through or the are gaps between the buttons. that’s why I wear them mostly unter dresses and pullovers, but then I really like cute collars. what I really love are knitted shirts, they’re just so comfy and you can wear them the whole year!
I feel exactly the same about blouses – love the look, but feel far too indelicate to successfully wear them myself. Most of the time, anyway!
Oooh, I am such a blouse girl! I’ve only started hoarding them in the past year. I noticed a blank in my wardrobe, and it just seemed that I needed them. It makes wearing pants, shorts, and that sort of thing much better, I think.
There’s nothing better than a sweet white vintage blouse with a peter pan collar. It’s hard for me to find ones that fit though, because I’m tall with broad shoulders.
I love blouses, but I feel silly wearing them with skirts! Im in high school and it seems way to formal when the other kids are wearing ripped jeans and too tight shirts.
I tend to pair my skirts with simple tank tops and tee-shirts and my jeans with ruffly, way too girly blouses!
I’ve recently become enamoured with dainty little blouses, myself; I love Edwardian shirtwaists the most, but they seem to be so hard to find in pristine condition. Blouses give a bit more variety as opposed to my usual dress-filled wardrobe, I just need more skirts to go with them!
I love the blouse from little red fox’s blog. It’s got moxy!
I just downloaded a bunch of blouse images from the CoPA archives, hoping to get inspiration for a go-with-everything blouse. What I’ve realized in the process is that I want at least one for each era!
Q: How many white or off-white blouses does a girl need?
A: As many as possible! You need casual, dressy, frilly, tailored, long, cropped, long-sleeved, short-sleeved, etc…
I could make nothing but white blouses for months and still not have enough. YIKES!
I like blouses, but I usually prefer the simplicity of a dress. Being short (.. okay, whatever, I’m an average 5’4″..) I think dresses look better on me, too. If the blouse isn’t a perfect fit, everything gets bunchy at the waist.
I love #5 from the second collage! I have never once liked fringe before, haha.
I love blouses…but I hate my shape. It’s not really possible for me to find an item of clothing– anywhere!– that fits both my ridiculously-large bust and my somewhat-more-trim waist.
Also, um, buttoning up is not so friendly to me. I hate gaps.
If it wasn’t so hot I’d definitely wear more blouses. I like plain ones with peter pan collars if I can but I think they look great under vests in the fall.
I love blouses! Sadly I have too few but wen I try to sew one the inspiration dissapears and the result (if I even finnish it) will be a big dissapointment…
But it was a long time I made one and I wait for fabric from germany (hopfully it will come at the end of this week
)
I wear blouses almost exclusively! I adore them and have a closet crammed full. Second is a lovely sweater. While I may be a modern girl I have vintage leanings *grin* No t-shirts here!
Nice post, Casey. I love blouses, but I also love the comfort of low-rise pants and skirts. I’m working more high-rise skirts into my wardrobe, but that means I’m left with a bunch of tops that look goofy tucked. I wonder if it’s something many young women go through as they transition from casual college attire to more professional and polished looks. I’m holding out hope that someday I’ll come across a blouse style that looks great tucked (and stays tucked! That’s the trick!) and untucked. A pipe dream, more than likely.
interesting…I thought it was just me and the awkward blouse moments! I really really like the idea of them – the execution is where I run into trouble. but it has been a while. perhaps I should give them a second chance.
such a lovely and inspiring collection of pics, I too love the blouse but get a little intimidated by them though recently I have been just going for it and getting lots of compliments on the ones I wear.
I must admit that, albeit owning a few myself, I rather go for T-shirts for everyday, for one reason: they’re far easier to wear with sweaters than puffy-sleeved, tie-collared, delicate little blouses (plus they’re cheaper and easier to find!). This might change as I’ve been much into eastern Europe folk inspiration lately, and can’t wait to receive a certain pattern.
But I’d also be very happy to find a 1930 blouse pattern, as I, also tend to think these years were a sort of “blouse golden age”…
i love blouses. love love love them. however, due to my figure i have never found one that fits right (little waist, not so little bust, not-even-there shoulders), much to my dismay. Just like Emmy. so i wistfully gaze at them on those that can pull them off.
Oooh such lovely inspirational pics, and thanks so much for including me in your montage of blouses! I don’t have many as I had to throw most of mine away 2 years ago because they no longer fitted. I am yet to replenish my collection at my new size.
Blouses are so feminine. I’ve been watching old black and white movies today, and admiring all the beautiful blouses worn by the actresses…detailed collars, lace insets, buttons deluxe, delicious sleeves with interesting details. I would love to wear blouses more often, but am no fan of the current fabric and styles that seem to highlight every chub roll a woman has…even the thinnest of women. As a curvy girl, I would love to find the “perfect blouse” style that would fit my body correctly, and could be embellished in different ways to make it unique. Great pictures you have posted!
I’ve been wanting more blouses in my wardrobe recently, and see ones I like on other women, on TV, etc, but can never seem to find anything I like when shopping. I think blouses may finally put me over the edge in terms of learning to sew.
i was surprised to hear your thoughts on the blouse. you are so ladylike that i assumed they were naturals in your wardrobe, and though i cannot imagine you being clumsy, i must admit i was thankful for the empathy. i am known for my klutziness too. forgive me for digressing from the topic, but i simply got lost in your prose. quite as old-fashioned and sophisticated as you. it’s a delight to read. i love this phrase in particular. (obsessive gushing ended) have a beautiful evening, casey.
“…with it’s overtures of primness and togetherness.”
@Erin – I’ve also been trying to find blouses that will work both tucked and untucked. There are some lovely blouses from the 50′s that are fitted through the waist and sort of long, like a simple peplum almost. If they’re fitted properly, you can tuck them in OR wear them out. For example McCall’s 4096 is shown both tucked and untucked, as is New York 389. Butterick 5972 is shown in both a short and longer version, but I think the longer version could be tucked in, especially into a fuller skirt. Try looking at http://vintagepatterns.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page for images of these and other blouses of this type. You may find something that will work for you!
Excellent post! I love each of the blouse pics you’ve included
I love blouses, and have acquired plenty over the years, but I don’t wear them nearly as often as I do dresses. It’s partly due to the tucked-in factor, especially concerning pants; I have a small waist and often pants and skirts are just a bit too big to wear a blouse tucked in neatly. I end up wearing sweaters or blouses meant to worn untucked instead. A cinch belt helps to solve the fit issue though; I wish I had them in every color to match
I would choose a blouse over a tshirt almost any day, although I do have a couple of plain tees in my wardrobe that I quite like with a patterned skirt. I admit I do ofen find it hard to find blouses that fit me and are flattering though.
i’m always on the lookout for good blouses! but unfortunately i’m tiny (5’3″, 100 lbs, narrow shoulders and waist) my only option is to sift through kids clothes at thrift stores or wear them a little looser (tucked in with suspenders).
Blouses are a staple in my wardrobe. They look so much better on me than t-shirts and most tops. But I exclusively wear the crisp, classic, sporty styles, and always untucked. I “don’t do” frills and I look silly in anything too cute. I would love a blue polka dot blouse with a bit of frill or a bow in front and slightly poufy short sleeves. I tried several and they simply don’t work for me. Sigh. The only downside is the ironing. With my husband being a dress-shirt-person, too, I have A LOT to iron. I try to think of it as pampering myself, because it makes me feel good to look good.
I love blouses, but also don’t wear them as often as I like. I prefer my blouses a little on the romantic side. I love peter pan collars ans ascot bows especially.
I love blouses! But I don’t have very many because I get too distracted by pretty dresses and don’t end up buying anything else, most of the time! Hehe.
-Andi x
I know exactly what you mean, but I have to say, that blouse in the photo looks perfect on you! So cute, and the skirt is awesome.
I’m always short on blouses. How come it is so difficult to find a simple cream peter pan collar blouse that doesn’t choke me?
I am constantly amazed at 1930s blouse sewing patterns I see, they were so theatrical! I used to wear light little t shirts with vintage skirts when I was in high school, but that look feels “too young” now. I know that sounds absurd me only being 20, but somehow it does
I adore the blouse in image #5!
I adore blouses from the 1940s. The shoulders and darts in the front are so flattering – that add angles where normally us gals tend to be a bit rounded!
very lovely blouses ..!!
la mode est un eternel recommencement cela me rappelle les années 50
I do like to wear blouses. I find that they are more professional looking than the average t-shirt. The also have more of a fit and construction that hides any cubbiness one might have. But I have not worn them tucked in, it always seemed to me that tucked in blouses or button downs look very 80′s and that was not what I would want to go for, but maybe I should try it and see how it works.
I love blouses! I seem to have a predilection for white ones – so cool and classic! If you have untucking problems, there are waistband tabs that you can buy to sew in your waistband that will prevent the problem. When I used to make all my skirt and pants, they were a must!
I bought a 50s vintage pattern to make blouses just last week…I’m still figuring out how in the world I will be able to use it, but the styles are so great…!
I have always been a sweater girl myself. Maybe because some can hide things and others can show off things…hope that didn’t sound too improper. Blouses are great too but i don’t own many outside my work wardrobe.
I love the idea of a blouse. But every time I try one on.. I tend to feel silly. I don’t know if its the collar or the length of my hair… But I really need to find a style I like and that is flattering since a blouse is more feminine and professional. This is always my first stop for inspiration though!
I love blouses as well and agree with the bias cut fabric versions being the best, they’re just so darn hard to find!
The thing that keeps me away from them is that I’m so self conscious about my tummy area and so I shy away from tucking things in, so I naturally gravitate towards knit tops that have a clean hem. Plus the fact that I have such a small waistline with such ample hips, things that fit in the hips are often too big in the waistline and a t-shirt can hide that to a degree whereas a tucked in blouse can’t.
Oh fashion and fit can be such a chore sometimes!
xoxo
Oh, this is ridiculously gorgeous! Love the blouses, love the collage.
I love the primness and wear blouses all the time! (and a few more people my age, me being in high school, could really do with some more prim and proper in their lives!)
I especially love shirtwaists and such from the 1910s but one of my favourites is a pretty blue blouse from the 1950s.
Hooray for a picture of Anja! (Clever Nettle)