Collared Blouses

Collared Blouses

What Counts as a Collared Shirt?

A collared shirt or blouse is one with a separate piece of fabric sewn around the neckline that folds or stands. Most collars have two parts: the stand, a narrow band that rises up the back of the neck, and the fall, the part that folds down and lies over it.

A blouse can have a collar without having buttons all the way down, and a button-front top without a collar is not usually called collared. What matters is that finished piece around the neck. A simple bound edge or a round neckline does not count, while a small band collar that stands up without folding usually does.

Yes, a collared shirt can be a blouse. The word blouse simply describes a softer, more feminine top, and many blouses are built on a classic collared shirt shape with lighter fabric and gentler details. A blouse collar is often a little smaller, rounder or softer than the stiff collar of a man's dress shirt.

Types of Blouse Collars

Beyond the familiar pointed collar, blouses use many other collar shapes. A turn-down collar is a soft, flat collar that folds over without a tall stand, giving a relaxed, easy look that suits everyday wear.

A sailor collar is square at the back and tapers to a V at the front, often edged with a contrasting stripe. It has a nautical, slightly vintage feel. A shawl collar is a rounded, continuous collar that rolls from the back of the neck down into the neckline, with no notch.

A heart collar has two rounded points that curve toward each other at the center, forming a heart shape. It looks sweet and playful on printed blouses. A bow collar has long ties at the neck that fasten into a bow, and the bow blouses page covers the different ways to tie one.

A notched collar, like the lapel of a blazer, gives a blouse a tailored, jacket-like look. It suits the office and pairs well with trousers.

Collar size matters as much as shape. A small, narrow collar looks neat and modern and sits easily under knitwear. A wide, generous collar, often seen on 1970s-inspired blouses, draws attention to the face and needs little else. A smaller collar usually feels more comfortable on a short neck or a petite frame, while a larger one balances broad shoulders.

A contrasting collar, such as a white collar on a printed or colored blouse, adds a crisp, slightly schoolgirl touch that suits cardigans and pleated skirts.

Collar Out or Collar In?

Under a crew-neck sweater or cardigan, the usual choice is to bring the collar out over the neckline. It frames the face, adds a neat edge and gives a plain knit a preppy, polished look. Smooth the points so they lie flat on the knit, and tuck the rest of the blouse in or let a narrow band show at the hem.

With a V-neck sweater, the collar sits inside the V and the points lie flat against the blouse. This looks tidy and suits the office, and it works just as well with a cardigan buttoned partway up, where the collar fills the open neckline above the top button.

Under a blazer, there are two common ways to wear it. Laying the blouse collar over the blazer lapels gives a relaxed, retro look, and it works well with a soft, wide collar. Tucking the collar inside the lapels looks sharper and more formal, and it suits a smaller, crisper collar.

Whichever you choose, press the collar first so it keeps its shape. The work blouses page covers more office pairings, and button up blouses gather collared shapes with a full placket. For crisp white versions, the white button up blouses page explains what to look for.