White Eyelet Blouses

White Eyelet Blouses

What Is Eyelet?

Eyelet is a fabric, usually cotton, decorated with small holes that are cut and then finished with embroidery around the edges. The holes form patterns such as flowers, leaves, scallops or simple dots. It is also called broderie anglaise, which means English embroidery, a name that dates back to the nineteenth century.

Eyelet sits somewhere between plain cotton and lace. It has the airy, decorative quality of lace, but it is sturdier and more casual, which makes it easy to wear every day. Because the holes let air through, eyelet is especially comfortable in hot weather.

Eyelet has a long history in summer clothing, from Victorian petticoats and christening gowns to 1950s sundresses. That heritage gives it a gentle, nostalgic feel that suits garden parties, picnics and seaside vacations.

Eyelet can cover a whole blouse, or it can appear only as a trim, a yoke or a band at the hem or sleeves. A scalloped eyelet edge is a classic finish, giving a pretty, wavy line at the cuff or hem.

White is the traditional color for eyelet, as the shadows of the holes show most clearly against it. To tell true eyelet from a printed or woven imitation, read the fabric details listed with each blouse.

Outfits With a White Eyelet Top

A white eyelet top is a natural partner for denim. With light-wash jeans or denim shorts, it looks relaxed and summery, and with dark jeans it feels a little more polished for a lunch or an evening out.

For a softer look, pair it with a pastel skirt in blush, powder blue or butter yellow, or a floral midi skirt. White linen trousers create a fresh, all-white summer outfit, while navy or khaki trousers make it feel crisp and nautical.

Sandals, espadrilles and white sneakers suit eyelet best, keeping the mood light. A straw bag and simple gold or shell jewelry complete the look for vacation and weekend days.

Eyelet already has texture, so avoid pairing it with other busy details. A plain bottom and simple accessories let the embroidery stand out.

For a special summer occasion, a white eyelet blouse with a colored midi skirt, low heels and pearl earrings looks fresh and elegant. At a wedding, the colored skirt keeps the white top from reading as bridal.

What to Wear Under an Eyelet Top

Because eyelet has holes, what you wear underneath will show through. Underwear that matches your skin tone, whether a camisole or a bra, is the most discreet choice, letting the pattern stand out without drawing attention to what is beneath.

A white camisole makes the holes look more solid and opaque, which some women prefer for the office or for more coverage. A pale colored camisole, such as blush or powder blue, can add a pretty tint behind the holes for a playful summer look.

Many eyelet blouses are lined or have a solid layer at the front, which makes them easier to wear on their own. If a blouse is unlined, a smooth, seamless camisole keeps the look clean.

Eyelet With Sleeves or a Collar

An eyelet blouse with sleeves offers more coverage and suits a wider range of occasions. A short or half sleeve with an eyelet edge is fresh for summer, while a long sleeve feels right in spring. A neat collar gives eyelet a slightly vintage, schoolgirl feel that looks lovely with a skirt.

For more white styles, the white blouses page has plain and printed options, and the white lace blouses page covers eyelet's more delicate cousin. Our summer blouses gather more airy styles for hot days, and collared blouses show neat necklines in other colors.