Shirt vs Blouse: A Distinctive Guide
When it comes to wardrobe essentials for every professional working woman, a shirt or blouse is a must-have item. It’s hard to tell a blouse and a shirt apart, and many times the to mean the same thing. There is no standard definition for a shirt and blouse, but there are several theories attached to these garments when it comes to descriptions. Below are some of the theories:
A blouse is defined as a loose-fitting upper garment formerly worn by women, workmen, artists, and children. A blouse gathers at the waist or hips so that it hangs loosely over the body. Over time, the term has been used to refer to a shirt which has an unmistakably feminine appearance. A shirt is what men usually wear to work and a blouse is the shirt version for women.
Some people also define a shirt as the general term for anything from a halter top to a tee-shirt. A shirt doesn't have to be identified as short or long-sleeved. Shirts may or may not have buttons or zippers, any type of closure and are made of different fabrics like cotton, silk or satin. Other people have defined a shirt as more of a formal garment. They add that shirts have buttons, cuffs and collars, they are usually buttoned at the front though this varies with different brands.
Lastly, within the UK, a shirt is identified as a piece of cloth that always has buttons at the front while a blouse can be with or without buttons.
Whether it’s a shirt or a blouse, there can be frustration when trying to determine the perfect fit. Many women have asked questions about how to wear them. Below, we try to answer some of these questions:
What are the types of shirts, what is the difference, and what’s the best fit?
There are mainly four types of shirts you will find. Long-Sleeved, ¾ mid length sleeved and sleeveless:
Long-sleeved shirts
These offer the most classic and professional look. When you choose a TUKKED Shirt, you no longer have to worry about the gap at the breast line. You can consider the Classic Straight body long sleeve or the Classic Ruched long sleeve from the Tukked Shirts available in blue and white. The sizes vary from XX-Small to 3X Large as TUKKED believes in all-inclusive sizing. You can machine wash cold on gentle cycle, hang dry or low heat dryer, iron or steam as needed, the shirts are imported and contain sixty-five percent cotton, thirty-two percent nylon and five percent polyurethane. Tukked shirts easily slip over your head and offer a hidden zipper down the back. The blouses feel good on the skin and stretch.
Sleeveless shirts
Sleeveless shirts are your best option during the warm season. Long-sleeved button-down shirts tend to get hot and uncomfortable during this time of season. TUKKED shirts offers multiple colors and a ruched option. Their cloth material is mainly cotton which offers comfort. You may also opt to layer it with a jacket or sweater if your work environment does not recognize sleeveless tops as appropriate. For the perfectly light and comfy office look, opt for a chic sleeveless blouse.
¾ sleeved shirts
If you wish to break from the discomfort of having to roll your sleeves up all the time, Tukked ¾ sleeves will be ideal for you any day any season. You will breathe and move freely, unlike other shirt brands, the fabric is soft and stretchy, and our “no-gap” shirt design will enable you to wear your blouse comfortably. Just like TUKKED’s other shirt designs, the front of the shirt is sewn shut to eliminate gaps permanently from chest to hem. The top three buttons function to wear open or closed and there is a hidden zipper down the back. You can choose the pink ¾ sleeves shirt or the blue straight body ¾ sleeve shirt and build your confidence with your look.
When can you wear your sleeveless shirt?
A sleeveless top is much better for layering and creating clean lines beneath cardigans and blazers. If you wish to wear your sleeveless blouse without covering your arms, it is essential that you understand office dress code. Some offices are conservative and do not always consider sleeveless shirts professional.
What can you pair with your short-sleeved shirt?
Your short-sleeved shirt will match effortlessly with a pair of blue jeans whether they are skinny, straight or wide-leg pants. If you love boots, consider an ankle boot to compliment the look. For a dressier look, you can pair your short-sleeved shirt with a pencil skirt. High heels compliment the look nicely, or you can also choose ballerina flats for a more relaxed feel.
How to identify the perfect fitting long-sleeved shirt:
The sleeve length
If you stretch your arm, the sleeve should end slightly below your wrist and not any shorter than that. The cuffs should be tight enough so they cannot be undone without opening the buttons.
The shoulder area
The shoulder seam should seat at the end of your shoulder before going around and going down. This will help you determine whether you need to go a size up or down to find.
The collar area
You can use the trick of putting two fingers between your neck and shirt to figure out if your shirt fits well. If you can fit two fingers easily, then then you have found a shirt that fits well.
Having a two-finger gap is important because it allows for breathing, especially if you run into a tense situation.
The sides
Your shirt must sit close enough under the armpits but not touching them. If you do not have enough room, it will be very uncomfortable, and if you sweat it will show immediately.
The back
If you cross your arms, the shirt should not feel too tight or pull in the back. Breathe in deeply, if you feel uncomfortable, it’s not the right fit, and the trick is to go a size up.
The length
A proper fitting shirt should generally be longer than your regular tops if you intend to tuck into your pants. When you raise your arms fully, the shirt should not come out or show skin.
If you are buying a blouse for the first time or looking to replace the one you have worn forever, it can be frustrating to find the right brand. TUKKED Shirts is the perfect fit! Get more information on details about your look for shirts, blouses and more outfits from our blog.
