Paola Davitti

The term “blouse” may commonly refer to women’s clothing, but it has been used to refer to men’s garments at different points in history. The word originates from the term once used to describe the loose-fitting shirts that Frenchmen wore to work. Today, all kinds of vintage and designer blouses remain popular for everyday wear.

Designers made blouses more feminine in the early 1900s by embellishing them with embroidery and lace collars. The Gibson Girl blouse — named for a widely influential pen-and-ink drawing by American illustrator Charles Dana Gibson — added pleats, tucks and puffed sleeves. This made the blouse more stylish and fitted, which was appealing to women of all shapes and sizes.

Men’s white dress shirts informed the design of women’s blouses, including their buttons and collars. For women’s blouses, there are many more collar choices compared to men’s options. Popular styles include the Peter Pan, open spade and reversed collar.

Designers often make blouses from lightweight materials like silk and thin cotton. More affordable options are made with fabrics like polyester. While historically blouses were very plain, they can now be found in many vibrant prints and styles.

Through their evolution from workwear to everyday fashion, silk blouses are now a staple of modern style. Along with contemporary designs, vintage garments can sometimes be customized to fit any style.

Find a collection of vintage and designer blouses on 1stDibs.