Party Blouses

Party Blouses

Party Blouses by the Kind of Party

A garden party in daylight suits light colors, florals and soft sleeves; a blouse with a flutter sleeve or a ruffled neckline looks right on a lawn. Pair it with a midi skirt and flat sandals so you can stand on grass comfortably for the afternoon.

A dinner party or birthday meal suits a richer color and a more defined neckline: a square neck in wine red, a V neck in navy, a lace detail in black. Here the blouse is seen across a table, so detail at the neck and sleeves counts for more than detail at the hem.

Holiday and Christmas parties bring their own palette of reds, greens, plaids and small festive prints, which our Christmas blouses cover in detail. Office parties call for something that would still look right at your desk the next morning.

New Year's Eve and milestone birthdays sit at the dressiest end. This is the night for a deeper color, a lace sleeve or a softly draped neckline, worn with something you can dance in — a fluid skirt or wide trousers rather than anything tight.

Party Blouses and Tops: What to Pair

The bottom half decides how dressy an outfit reads. Party blouses and tops worn with jeans read relaxed, with wide trousers they read smart, and with a pleated or tiered skirt they read celebratory. Choose the bottom first based on the invitation, then pick the blouse.

Keep the balance in mind. A blouse with plenty going on — ruffles, a large bow, a bright print — pairs best with plain bottoms. A simpler blouse can take a patterned or textured skirt.

Shoes and bag should follow the level of the bottom half rather than the blouse: sandals and a straw bag for a garden, low heels and a small clutch for a restaurant.

Think about the layer before you leave home. A fitted cropped cardigan or a short jacket sits neatly over a party blouse, while a long, bulky coat hides it entirely. If the party is indoors, pick a layer you are happy to take off at the door.

Long Sleeve Party Blouses

Many parties happen in the colder months or in over-cooled rooms, and long sleeves keep you comfortable through a whole evening. Look for sleeves with some character — a gathered cuff, a lace section, a bell shape — so the blouse feels festive rather than office-like.

Deeper colors suit long sleeves at evening parties, and a piece from our long sleeve blouses in wine, navy or emerald goes from the party to the next family dinner without looking like a repeat.

Sleeve width is worth a thought if the evening involves dancing or a buffet. A close, gathered cuff stays out of the food and stays put when you raise your arms, while a very wide bell sleeve looks lovely standing still but needs more care at the table.

Party Blouses for Over 50s

For women over fifty, the best party blouse pairs one standout detail with real comfort. A soft neckline, a sleeve to at least the elbow and a hem that sits smoothly over the hips let you enjoy the evening without adjusting anything. A little stretch or ease through the body helps too, since party evenings involve more sitting, standing and hugging than most.

Color can do the celebrating so the cut does not have to. A wine, emerald or deep blue blouse in a simple shape looks more festive than a pale one covered in trim, and it will be comfortable enough to stay on the dance floor.

For more on dressing up in your fifties and sixties, see our dressy blouses, and try elegant blouses for quieter occasions.