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11 best women’s blouses that are all about puffy sleeves and statement collars
Whether you prefer white or red, high-neck or V-cut – these are the ones to buy now
Sick of layering up in jumpers and T-shirts? Enter the humble blouse. When it comes to wardrobe staples there are few that work quite as hard as a classic shirt.
It can be worn for any and all occasions – including those, most importantly, that take place in the confines of your home.
Perfectly home-office appropriate – wear comfortable trousers on the bottom and still look put together on conference calls.
But the power of this piece means it can also be worn as part of your favourite off-duty look or to Friday night (Zoom) drinks.
At the moment, when you're looking for the perfect blouse, opt for something with a big collar or big sleeves (or even both).
Wide collars shone big on the spring/summer 2020 catwalks.
Chanel’s ready-to-wear resort 2020 show saw a model don a black balloon-sleeved blouse with a supersize contrasting white collar tucked into leather Bermuda shorts.
While Victoria Beckham and JW Anderson opted for a more classic approach with pointed collars and understated tailoring. Equally as chic.
As for big sleeves Rejina Pyo, Cecilie Bahnsen and Richard Quinn made a compelling case – parading bold romantic takes on Renaissance-inspired sleeves down the runway.
Rejinya Pyo said: “Puff sleeves are a flattering way to play with shape and volume and can convey power and femininity.” And we couldn’t agree more.
When looking for the perfect sleeve, think puffy, floaty or flared, something that billows at the arm and will make you look and feel powerful.
We’ve tested blouses that are on trend – puff sleeved, square necked and statement collared – assessing their versatility, fit and the quality of the material used to ensure that you are not only stylish, but also comfortable.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The verdict: Women’s statement blouses
For the perfect high-low puff-sleeve number, that you can dress up or down, Weekday’s Flo blouse is a standout. If you’re willing to splash the cash though, we love the All Saints kimi silk blend top.