The Ultimate Guide to Blouses: Work, Casual, and Going Out Styles (UK & USA)

Blouses are a cornerstone of a versatile wardrobe. Whether you’re dressing for a boardroom meeting, a brunch date, or a night out, the right blouse can strike the perfect balance between structure and softness. This guide covers the key blouse styles for every occasion, explains UK and USA sizing differences, and highlights the best high street and designer brands worth investing in—along with smart styling tips for each look. Finally, discover how Tellar.co.uk helps you find your perfect size in real-time across every brand, plus access to thousands of free style posts and fit guides.

👔 Blouses for Work

1. Classic Button-Down

A tailored button-down blouse in crisp cotton or soft silk is a timeless workwear staple. For formal offices, opt for whites, blues, or subtle pinstripes. In more relaxed environments, try prints or oversized silhouettes.

Best for: Corporate, meetings, presentations

Pair with: High-waisted trousers, pencil skirts, wool blazers

Fabric Tip: Choose non-sheer materials with structure for professional polish

Top Picks:

UK High Street: Reiss, Hobbs, Whistles
USA High Street: Banana Republic, Ann Taylor
Designer: Victoria Beckham, Theory, Equipment

2. Pussybow & Tie-Neck Blouses

These bring instant elegance to your 9–5 wardrobe. The tie can be worn loose for a relaxed look or tied into a bow for femininity.

Best for: Creative industries, client-facing roles

Pair with: Tailored culottes, midi skirts, slim trousers

Brands to Try: LK Bennett, Sandro, & Other Stories

3. Draped and Wrap Blouses

A flattering option for all bust sizes, wrap blouses offer comfort and shape without clinging.

Styling Tip: Choose blouses with internal fastenings to prevent gaps.

Fabric Tip: Jersey blends and viscose drape better over curves.

👕 Blouses for Casual Wear

1. Oversized Shirts

Boxy cuts and oversized cotton poplins are everywhere in UK and US street style. Roll the cuffs and half-tuck for an off-duty model look.

Best for: Weekend errands, smart-casual brunches

Pair with: Straight jeans, denim skirts, wide-leg trousers

Top UK Brands: Arket, COS, M&S Collection

Top US Brands: Everlane, Madewell, J.Crew

2. Smocked or Peasant Blouses

Embroidered or smocked blouses in cotton, voile, or linen offer a relaxed, bohemian feel.

Styling Tip: Pair with high-rise jeans or tiered skirts for an effortless daytime vibe.

Best Labels: Sézane, Nobody’s Child, Free People

3. Cotton Poplin with Volume Sleeves

Add a fashionable twist to simple denim with a structured blouse featuring balloon or puff sleeves.

Look for: Blouses with elasticated cuffs or gathered necklines for a modern silhouette

Popular Picks: H&M Conscious, Mango, Warehouse

👚 Blouses for Going Out

1. Silk and Satin Blouses

Perfect for dinner or drinks, silk and satin feel luxurious and look elevated. Try cowl necks, halter blouses, or one-shoulder styles.

Pair with: Wide-leg trousers, leather skirts, or slim tailoring

Top UK Picks: Ghost, Reformation, AllSaints

Top US Brands: Vince, Alice + Olivia

2. Sheer & Lace Blouses

These offer texture and subtle sexiness. Use layers—like a bralette or cami underneath—to control exposure.

Style Tip: Keep the base neutral for elegance

Best Labels: Self-Portrait, Ganni, & Other Stories

3. Statement Sleeves & Cut-Outs

Trendy blouses featuring ruffles, asymmetry, or open backs are ideal for dressy nights out.

Pair with: Tapered trousers, high-shine accessories

Look for: Zara Studio, ASOS Luxe, Rotate

📏 Sizing Differences: UK vs USA

A UK 10 is roughly a US 6
A UK 14 equals a US 10
Sizing varies significantly across brands, especially in sleeve length, bust width, and torso length.

Tellar’s post UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes: The Ultimate Guide offers a full conversion chart and tips for navigating these differences.

🧠 Fabric Matters: Choosing the Right Material

Different blouse styles rely on fabric structure:

Fabric	Best For	Features
Cotton Poplin	Office, casual everyday	Crisp, structured, breathable
Silk/Satin	Evenings, formal occasions	Drapes well, light sheen
Viscose/Rayon	Work & evening wrap styles	Drape-heavy, cool feel
Linen Blend	Casual, summer work looks	Airy, textured, natural look
Polyester	Budget-friendly fashion blouses	Wrinkle-resistant, varied texture

Explore Best Fabrics to Buy in Clothes

to learn which fabrics wear well over time.

🧥 Styling Advice: Day to Night Blouse Looks

From Work to Drinks: Pair a silk blouse under a blazer by day, and lose the jacket after hours.
Add Volume Wisely: If your blouse is voluminous, balance it with slim bottoms.
Tuck or Tie: A half-tuck, full tuck, or waist tie instantly sharpens a loose blouse.
Layer Smartly: Under a knit vest, dress, or light trench, blouses transition between seasons beautifully.

See more layering and tailoring advice in The Ultimate Guide to Smart Casual Blazers for Women’s Body Types.

🔎 How Tellar.co.uk Works – Your Fit, Matched in Seconds

Say goodbye to size guessing. Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free sizing tool, matching your body measurements to the size charts of over 1,500 brands.

Here's how it works:

Enter your bust, waist, and hip measurements—or your known size in one brand.
Use the Store Size Lookup tool to get your exact size in COS, Reiss, Everlane, Arket, Mango, and more.
Avoid size chart guesswork and reduce returns instantly.

It works right in your browser—no app, no subscription, always freeInstruction on Posts

➡️ Create your free profile here

➡️ Get your printable measuring tape

➡️ Explore sizing and brand fit insights in the Tellar Fashion Hub

🆓 Bonus: Access the Free Tellar Fashion Hub

Thousands of expert-written style posts, unbiased brand comparisons, and fit deep dives—always free, independent, and editorially honest.

Browse key resources:

📲 Follow Tellar for Daily Style Insights

Stay up to date with styling tips, real-time size advice, and brand reviews:

Instagram:@Tellarsizing
Twitter/X:@TellarSizing
Facebook:Tellar Sizing
Pinterest:TellarSizing

In Summary

Whether you need a polished blouse for work, a casual cotton number for the weekend, or a luxe silk piece for evening drinks—fit, fabric, and styling matter. And with sizing variation across UK and US brands, Tellar.co.uk ensures your blouse fits perfectly, every time. We love the brands we recommend, which we include regardless of affiliates. We are always honest, we will never be influenced by brands, just a genuine passion for fashion!

Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

Start now: tellar.co.uk