10 Different Styles of Summer Blouses to Try When You’re Tired of Tees
Summer is all about tees—easy, comfortable, throw-on-and-go. But after a while, wearing the same old thing gets boring, and it’s easy to fall into a summer-style rut.
That’s where a pretty blouse comes in. It’s dressier than a tee, more feminine than a button-up shirt, and it instantly makes you feel a little more pulled together, even if you’re just wearing it with jeans.
If your closet could use a refresh, I’ve rounded up 10 different styles of summer blouses that are stylish, flattering, and modern for women 40, 50, 60+.
boatneck floral popover blouse
How is a Blouse different from a Shirt?
Blouse, shirt, top. It can be confusing, right? So what’s the difference? Shirts and Blouses are styles of tops. Shirts are more structured, tailored, and close-fitting, while blouses are more soft, fluid, and loose-fitting, especially at the waist. Traditionally, blouses were made of lighter, more pliable fabrics, such as silk, satin, and chiffon; however, these days, they also come in more casual, comfortable materials like cotton and synthetics. The line between blouses, shirts, and other types of tops has blurred over the years, and that’s a good thing!
The 10 Best Styles of Summer Blouses for Women Over 40
1. Ruffle Blouse
Ruffles are back in a modern, understated way. Think soft details at the shoulder, along a collar, or cascading down the front—not full-on frill overload. They add a touch of romance and softness to clean, minimalist outfits. This gorgeous blouse would be perfect for a vacation. Couldn’t you just see this in Greece? The stunning blue and white with the cute tassel fits right in.
Linen peasant blouse | white cropped jeans |sandals
2. Peasant Blouse
You can always count on a peasant blouse to look relaxed, soft, and pretty. With their loose, flowy fit, open neck, and long sleeves that gather at the wrist, they have a romantic boho vibe. This gorgeous yellow one is linen, which is perfect for summer and very trendy at the moment. Relaxed but still refined, the peasant blouse is one of those easy-to-wear pieces that adds charm without trying too hard. The soft neckline and gentle volume make it feel feminine but unfussy. Style it with jeans, silky pants, or a flowy skirt.
satin wrap blouse | cropped wide-leg pants
3. Wrap Blouse
One of the most flattering silhouettes for any age, a wrap blouse defines your waist and adds a little shape without being clingy. It’s a smart, pulled-together option that can easily go from day to dinner—especially in a linen blend or soft jersey. This satin one is extra luxe. It’s actually more of a tie than a full-on wrap, but it gives a stunning effect. I’m wearing it with cute, frayed-hem, wide-leg, cropped jeans to dress them up.
Button-down blouse | pants | similar sandals
4. Button-Down Blouse
I’m seeing a lot of airy, loose button-down blouses this spring with puffy, feminine sleeves. They have a lovely drape and a relaxed elegance. I picked up this pretty blue cotton striped one at Talbots. If you look closely, you will see it had thin, subtle silver threads running through it, which give it a little more life than a basic blue and white stripe. I’m wearing it with white cropped jeans, but it’s also cute paired with tailored shorts and wide-leg linen pants. I love the modern “coastal grandma” vibe this shirt gives – relaxed yet not old-fashioned.
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5. Tie Waist Blouse
This is a silhouette I’ve noticed a lot lately that is a bit of a twist on the classic blouse. This classy sleeveless blouse is a combination of a shirt and a blouse. It has the collar and tailored look of a sweater, but it’s loose through the waist and then belted with a thin tie. I really like it! How about you?
6. Front Tie Blouse
Here’s another type of blouse that seems to be everywhere, and I just love it because it says classy and relaxed at the same time. This silky V-neck blouse with the cheery floral print is a knockout with white pants. It’s nice and loose at the waist, but the front tie gently tied keeps it from looking sloppy and gives it a sophisticated vibe.
Sleeveless Shell | white jacket | sandals
7. Sleeveless Shell
Clean-lined and satiny, this sleeveless shell blouse is perfect for layering or wearing on its own. It works beautifully with jeans or tucked into a skirt for a modern, grown-up look. Bonus points for being completely bra-friendly. And doesn’t it look great with this white jacket? It comes in dozens of colors, too.!
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8. Split Neck Blouse
If you love a V-neck but want a little more coverage, the split-neck blouse is your best friend. It’s subtle, elongating, and universally flattering. It’s one of my favorite style blouses and very easy to find, whether you prefer long sleeves, cap sleeves, or sleeveless options like this one here. I love the clean and simple neckline and shape, which give it a minimalist, tailored look, but it is also soft and drapey. The beautiful split neck creates a lovely V that opens your neckline just enough to frame your face and showcase a pretty necklace if you prefer.
tunic blouse | white jeans | sandals
9. Tunic Blouse
Longer lines, elegant drapes, and just enough coverage. A well-cut tunic blouse doesn’t need to be tucked in but makes you feel instantly more pulled together. Also good are tunic blouses with side slits or a high-low hem. Pair them with slim-cropped pants or ankle-length jeans for a loose and flowy yet chic, over-skinny look.
10. Off-the-Shoulder Blouse
Off-the-shoulder blouses are a truly elegant way to add a touch of drama to a beautiful summer evening, event, or vacation. They’re very popular because they look dressy and alluring, but they don’t feel like you are trying too hard. They’re soft, flowy, and elegant. The key with a blouse like this is to make the rest of your look simple and let the neckline stand out.
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O.K., one more!!
I couldn’t resist showing you this puff blouse, which is similar to the one I wore earlier but has puffier sleeves and dark stripes. I just think it looks fabulous with dark wash jeans, and you know how I love dark wash when you’re after a more classy, dressy look!
The Last word
I love summer blouses because they are airy, loose, and perfect for the summer heat. They’re dressier than a tee and not stiff like a tailored shirt. Even the most casual summer blouses possess a lovely drape and relaxed elegance. And with so many choices, looking stylish in a summer blouse is a cinch!
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Your dog is so adorable. Can I ask the breed?
Thank you
Hi Judy, Well, thank you for the lovely compliment. Bella is a Maltipoo- 6 pounds! This is our first dog (or should I say my daughter’s dog, but you know who looks after it – Lol!) Bella is a sweetie. Very calm and good-natured. I hesitated about a dog because I thought she would be so much more work than a cat, but she is no trouble at all. We call her our dog-cat, and she loves to hang around when we shoot and model with me! Thanks for dropping by. Cheers, Deborah