Ask Angie and everyone: shirts vs. blouses

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Ask Angie and everyone: shirts vs. blouses

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Two recent WIWs. Maybe I will try to take more examples later.
#1 Equipment silk blouse
#2 Rails cotton button down

Don't they have basically the same silhouette? Why is one a blouse and the other a shirt. (This has no actual importance in terms of what I wear but I was a philosophy major! I must have definitions!)

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5 years ago

Dressing

17 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

nemosmom

Veteran

TOTAL GUESS HERE, but maybe it's the silk that's the differentiator? I mean, cut-wise they are both shirts.... but one is drapey... and one is more rigid.... but not by much.... ok. nevermind, I have no idea. Following!

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YOU GOT IT. Dead right

You passed YLF Terminology class cum laude, and wear the looks well.

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Whatever they are, both shirts/blouses look amazing on you.

5 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

Love both of these on you regardless of terminology. Blue is your color!

5 years ago

Jane

Veteran

Love these. The houndstooth check especially. Good to know about the definitions.

5 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I agree,the houndstooth is a winner on you.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Lol, I have no idea, have often wondered the same thing. I hope someone pops in with an answer.

5 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Ha! I am just guessing based on what you said Angie! For me, silk blouses are much easier to wear because the material drapes back rather than sticking out from my bust, which makes me even boxier. But the key point is the back of neck coverage and v-neck, which are why I have returned to them lately.

Thank you everyone for you kind words. I am really just being a nudnik about this .

5 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Shevia, I love it - "I must have definitions" - we are sisters in that regard

YLF in both! xx

5 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

Shevia, thanks for getting this clarification, I like definitions too. Most of my shirts are soft drapey fabrics and thus should be classified as blouses rather than shirts. I do like a nice crisp cotton shirt and would like to add one or two to my wardrobe.

5 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Jaime, makes sense. Silk drapes and glides soooo well.

5 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

I call both of those shirts, and so do stores like Net-a-Porter. If it’s cut like menswear, it’s a shirt to me. Blouse originally meant a slightly billowy top (centuries ago, so that can change of course!) and I only use it for something that doesn’t have a button front, classic men’s collar, and structured cut. I have a very clear sense of where the line is for me, but it varies between people obviously.

5 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Greyscale’s definition makes sense to me.
Shevia, still not understanding what you’re saying

5 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I always cleave to Greyscale’s definitions personally. But I understand why a silky shirt is blouse like. And actually tend to wear silky shirts and blouses interchangeably. Crisp shirts for slightly different applications. In different types of outfit.

Whatever you call these you look brilliant in both!!

5 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I think it might vary from retailer to retailer. We don’t use button down as a term, and actually blouse is not used that much either. More often shirt, tee or top!!

I love that silky blouse Shevia - it really suits you.

I like that crossover area - not pure shirts, nor pure tees. But blends - tee shape but woven, shirt but no collar etc.

5 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

I fail YLF vocabulary because I would call one a shirt and one a silk shirt.

5 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes. I am delighted that my need for definition is shared! So I will say this - I think it depends on what you are focused on.
Angie's definition is the look and feel of the top - a silky button down blouse does not have the same menswear feel as a stiffer cotton shirt. The "would it be found in the men's department of a conservative department store? (with the buttons on the other side)" test.
Others, like Greyscale and cindysmith and others are looking the basic cut of the garment regardless of material and drapiness. The "does it have a collar and buttons down the front" test.
It really doesn't matter what we call it. Or does it? Heh, heh I crack myself up.

5 years ago

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