Blouse vs. Shirt — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 8, 2023
A blouse is generally a loose-fitting upper garment primarily designed for women, while a shirt is a garment for the upper body that can be worn by both men and women.
Difference Between Blouse and Shirt
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A blouse is a term that often refers to a garment specifically designed for women. The designs for blouses usually include softer fabrics, and they often have intricate details such as frills or lace. On the other hand, a shirt is a term that can be used to describe an upper body garment worn by both men and women.
Blouses are more often associated with formal or professional wear, particularly in settings where women are expected to dress in a somewhat conservative manner. Shirts can be either formal or casual and are generally considered versatile garments suitable for a variety of occasions.
In terms of design, blouses frequently offer features like flowy sleeves, fitted waists, or decorative necklines. Shirts typically have simpler designs, featuring straight cuts and are usually fastened with buttons. Both garments may come with or without collars, but it is more common to find collars on shirts.
In fabric choices, blouses are often made from softer, drapier materials like silk, satin, or fine cotton. Shirts are commonly made from more robust and stiffer fabrics like cotton, linen, or polyester. While blouses might feature intricate patterns or embroidery, shirts tend to have simpler prints or solid colors.
From a grammatical perspective, the word 'blouse' is typically used as a singular noun and is most commonly associated with women's clothing. The term 'shirt' can be both singular and plural and is used by men and women both.
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Comparison Chart
Gender
Primarily for women
Both for men and women
Occasion
Formal or professional
Versatile, formal or casual
Design Features
Decorative elements
Simpler designs
Fabric
Softer materials like silk
Sturdier fabrics like cotton
Grammatical Use
Singular noun
Singular and plural noun
Compare with Definitions
Blouse
A blouse is a women's upper garment often made of soft fabric.
She wore a silk blouse to the office.
Shirt
A shirt is an upper-body garment usually with a collar.
He wore a collared shirt to the meeting.
Blouse
A blouse can have varying sleeve lengths and styles.
She wore a sleeveless blouse during summer.
Shirt
A shirt can be long-sleeved or short-sleeved.
He wore a long-sleeved shirt in the winter.
Blouse
A blouse can feature elaborate design elements like frills or lace.
Her blouse had lace trim around the sleeves.
Shirt
A shirt is suitable for both casual and formal settings.
She wore a casual shirt to the picnic.
Blouse
A blouse is often worn in professional or formal settings.
She chose a conservative blouse for her job interview.
Shirt
A shirt can be made from various materials like cotton or linen.
She prefers shirts made of cotton for comfort.
Blouse
A blouse () is a loose-fitting upper garment that was worn by workmen, peasants, artists, women, and children. It is typically gathered at the waist or hips (by tight hem, pleats, parter, or belt) so that it hangs loosely ("blouses") over the wearer's body.
Shirt
A shirt is typically fastened with buttons.
His shirt had buttons down the front.
Blouse
A woman's upper garment resembling a shirt, typically with a collar, buttons, and sleeves.
Shirt
A shirt is a cloth garment for the upper body (from the neck to the waist). Originally an undergarment worn exclusively by men, it has become, in American English, a catch-all term for a broad variety of upper-body garments and undergarments.
Blouse
Make (a garment) hang in loose folds
I bloused my trousers over my boots
Shirt
A garment for the upper body made of cotton or a similar fabric, with a collar and sleeves, and with buttons down the front
Tonight he's smartly dressed in shirt and tie
Blouse
A loosely fitting shirt that extends to the waist or slightly below, worn especially by women or children. See Note at greasy.
Shirt
A garment for the upper part of the body, typically having a collar, sleeves, and a front opening.
Blouse
A loosely fitting garment resembling a long shirt, historically worn by European workmen.
Shirt
An undershirt.
Blouse
A coat or tunic worn as part of a military uniform.
Shirt
A nightshirt.
Blouse
To hang or cause to hang loosely and fully.
Shirt
An article of clothing that is worn on the upper part of the body, and often has sleeves, either long or short, that cover the arms.
It can take a while to learn how to iron a shirt properly.
Blouse
A shirt, typically loose and reaching from the neck to the waist.
Shirt
An interior lining in a blast furnace.
Blouse
A shirt for women or girls, particularly a shirt with buttons and often a collar; a dress shirt tailored for women.
Shirt
A member of the shirt-wearing team in a shirts and skins game.
Blouse
A loose-fitting uniform jacket.
Shirt
To cover or clothe with a shirt, or as if with a shirt.
Blouse
(India) A short garment worn under a sari.
Shirt
To cover or clothe with a shirt, or as with a shirt.
Blouse
To hang a garment in loose folds.
Shirt
A garment worn on the upper half of the body
Blouse
(military) To tuck one's pants/trousers (into one's boots).
Shirt
Put a shirt on
Blouse
A light, loose over-garment, like a smock frock, worn especially by workingmen in France; also, a loose coat of any material, as the undress uniform coat of the United States army.
Blouse
A top worn by women
Blouse
A blouse often has a fitted or drapey design.
Her blouse was fitted at the waist.
Common Curiosities
What fabrics are common for blouses?
Silk, satin, and fine cotton are common.
Is a blouse always for women?
Primarily, but not exclusively.
Are shirts more casual than blouses?
Shirts are versatile and can be both casual and formal, unlike blouses which are often more formal.
Do shirts always have collars?
No, there are collarless designs.
What occasions are shirts appropriate for?
Nearly all, from casual to formal.
Can men wear shirts designed as blouses?
Yes, though it's less common.
Is the term 'blouse' outdated?
No, it is still widely used.
Can a shirt be sleeveless?
Less common, but yes.
What fabrics are common for shirts?
Cotton, linen, and polyester are common.
Can blouses have buttons?
Yes, but they often have other fastening methods.
What occasions are blouses appropriate for?
Work, formal events, and dinners.
Is a polo a type of shirt?
Yes, it is a specific style of shirt.
Can a blouse be sleeveless?
Yes, there are various sleeve styles for blouses.
Are blouses and shirts season-specific?
No, but fabric and design may vary by season.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
