A blouse is typically a woman's shirt, although rarely you will hear men's military shirts referred to as blouses as well. Women's blouses are generally button-up, long sleeve shirts made of a lighter material, but this can vary. Women's blouses always have their buttons reversed from men's button-up shirts - the buttons are on the left and the holes are always on the right. Many women will wear the top button open on their blouses, which could be for comfort or for fashion. Many people will wear pins or scarves over blouses to make them more fashionable. Blouses are generally worn in a somewhat formal situation where the woman needs to be less casual, such as in the workplace or for an upscale event.http://www.apparelsearch.com/glossary_b_3_textile.htm

Blouses can range in appearance. They can be thick or thin. They can be cotton, silk, or a variety of other materials. There are long sleeve, short sleeve, and sleeveless blouses. Some are designed to be worn under other shirts or jackets. Some have embroidery or tooling, and other blouses are simple in design. Blouses come in all all colors, and some even have patterns such as stripes or dots. Blouses are worn universally across the world, but may have a different name in some countries.

Blouses became popular during the Victorian era. They were often used in the workforce for women who were seamstresses or secretaries, and were generally worn with a simple skirt. Over the years, they have changed only in embellishment, but they are still just as popular as they were in the early 1900's. There are many designers that make high end fashion blouses, but blouses can be affordable purchases as well for women of all sizes.