When you go to buy a dress, choosing one among a vast variety of styles and designs is difficult. In this blog, we will guide you about the elegant and voguish blouson dress, which looks good on any type of body shape. Blouson dress style is very feminine and graceful that fits at the waist with the help of a belt, elastic, or drawstring.
The blouson (pronounced bloo-sawn) dress is a must-have in every woman’s wardrobe. The fact that you can wear it almost anywhere proves the versatility of this garment. Let’s dive into the basics of what is a blouson dress and multiple ways to style it with finesse.
What To Expect In This Article?
What is a Blouson Dress?
If we define the blouson dress precisely, it is a dress with a cinched waist and slightly pulled-out blousing material. The bodice of the blouson dress is a bit puffed up, making it appropriate for all body types.
The blouson waist dress doesn’t have an exact length and style. You can find a short blouson dress with a slim fitted hem, just like a pencil skirt, or a long blouson maxi dress. There are casual blouson dresses available, and there are highly formal ones fit for a wedding.
To sum up, blouson style dresses have a lot of variations, differing in lengths, types of necklines, fabrics, silhouettes, and level of formality. There can be plain, short blouson dresses, or blouson gowns that you can style with finesse.
However, it is a level up from other types of dresses due to its figure-flattering style. For skinny women, the blouson top dress gives an appearance of a fuller figure. On the other hand, it enhances the curves of plus-size women as well. It is the perfect attire to divert attention from a plump midsection.
How the Blouson Dress Originated?
The style of a fitted waist with a billowed blouse material started back in 1900. Blouses were designed with a drawstring in the hem so that they could be fitted. After that, the blouson style was adopted for jackets, as seen with the first women’s bomber jacket made for the US fighter pilots that had a cinched waistline.
For women, the style became popular in dresses, with celebrities like Audrey Hepburn wearing blouson dresses in their movies.
Fast forward to this era, the blouson top dress is immensely popular among fashion-conscious women. They know how this fashionable dress increases their feminine appeal and is a sophisticated garment.
How to Style the Blouson Dress
Wearing a blouson dress gives a woman a charming and effortlessly attractive look. It’s a versatile piece that can be styled in many ways. You can wear it on its own for a simple yet elegant appearance or pair it with a tailored jacket made with leather, polyester, fleece, or denim for a more structured, refined look.
For a softer, fashion-forward vibe, try layering it with a suede jacket — perfect for adding texture and warmth. Depending on the level of formality, accessorize with scarves or belts to enhance the silhouette. The blouson waist dress pairs beautifully with all kinds of footwear, from boots and stilettos to pumps and moccasins.
Here are the suggestions of styling multiple types of blouson dresses that you can try.
Pairing Blouson Cocktail Dresses With Long Boots
One of the most effortless ways to rock an outfit that mimics the mod fashion is to wear a red or pink blouson cocktail dress with black knee-high boots. Or, nothing can beat the black blouson dress in a bodycon style with black long boots for a simple but absolutely classy look.
If the fabric of your cocktail dress is silk, velvet, or satin, you can wear it to formal parties and even to a wedding. You can add a pair of flashy stud earrings to add some bling to this look and a chained black shoulder bag.
If long boots are not your thing, you can also pair the cocktail blouson with black ankle straps and finish off the look with a blingy clutch.
Casual Blouson Dress With a Trench Coat
Try dressing up in the Parisian style by teaming up a casual blouson dress with a dressy essential, like a woman’s leather coat or a dark denim jacket.
A casual blouson dress, maybe a striped one in a jersey, or a printed linen dress. Get one of the best trench coats in a bold color to pair with the dress. A wool beret, ankle boots, and a baguette bag are all you need to finish off the Parisian look.
For an added touch of personal flair, consider a custom jersey blouson dress, allowing you to select a pattern or color that uniquely reflects your style, perfectly complementing your chic trench coat.
You can also opt for a plain, casual blouson-style dress in a bold color with a flared bottom, and layer it with a cropped denim jacket or a brown slim-fit jacket for a pretty girl-next-door look.
Red Blouson Dress
Nothing makes you look more attractive than a red dress—and if it’s a red blouson dress, even better. Go for a darker shade of red with tiny white polka dots and a plunging neckline to craft a look that’s effortlessly captivating.
Style it with a messy hairdo and minimal makeup for that natural charm. Black kitten heels add the right touch of sophistication. Instead of a typical clutch, carry a custom printed tote—it’s chic, personal, and roomy enough to hold all your essentials while keeping your outfit on point. Finish with a delicate necklace, and you’re set for a flawless dinner date look.
White Blouson Dress
If you want a simple look with a blouson dress, the best option will be to choose a white one with a surplice neckline. This dress will signify absolute elegance, even if you pull it off without much styling and accessorizing.
Also, white blouson dresses are highly versatile, lending themselves to various types of jackets, cardigans, shrugs, and scarves. They are like a blank canvas which you can fill with eye pleasing layers and accessories.
To keep the white blouson dress look uncomplicated, opt for minimal accessories like a silver neck chain and ear studs. Focus on the hairstyle and makeup instead and go for a dewy look.
If you have got white gladiator sandals, they will go perfectly with this blouson waist dress. Otherwise, go for beige peep-toes. This may be one of your best summer looks that is effortless yet perfect.
One-Sided Shoulder Green Blouson Dress
Want a blouson dress style that leans towards a bold look? Try a one-shoulder short blouson dress in green color for an irresistible and refreshing look. The chiffon dress can be worn both formally and casually.
For a formal look, choose a loose curls hairstyle, shimmery eyes, and dull gold t-strap sandals. If you want to wear this dress down, pair it with cream ballerina flats and a matching cross-body bag for a casual lunch date look.
Pink Blouson Dress With a Jacket
Jackets look quite chic when paired with blouson-style dresses. To create fascinating fall and winter looks, opt for heavier outerwear such as a leather jacket for the modern woman, fleece, wool, sherpa, or even a custom embroidered jacket for a personalized, standout touch. For quirky spring and summer outfits, lighter options like denim or polyester jackets work beautifully.
A black polyester jacket over a pink lace blouson dress makes a fabulous combo — the pink adds femininity, while the jacket introduces a chic, stylish contrast. Complete the look with black customized boots and a personalized leather bag for an effortlessly fashionable finish.
Yellow Blouson Dress With a Slit
In the mood to dress up in something bold yet elegant? Slip into a yellow blouson dress featuring a voguish belt and a daring thigh-high slit — a look that radiates confidence and charm all on its own. For an added touch of sophistication, layer it with a custom trench coat, or channel a more fashion-forward vibe with a stylish women’s leather coat that brings instant polish and attitude.
Complete the outfit with a black shrug or a soft silk scarf, black platform heels or cone-heel sandals, and a custom handbag to pull the whole look together with effortless style.
Long Blouson Dress
The length of a blouson-style dress can range from your upper thighs to your ankles, or even longer. Longer blouson dresses look especially elegant and are often chosen for formal occasions where a refined appearance is desired.
You can go for a long blouson dress in a deep red shade and elevate it with leopard-print heels, a leather travel bag, and a shoulder bag for an evening-ready look that feels both bold and sophisticated.
Alternatively, try a light-colored polka dot blouson maxi dress in hues like blue or pink, paired with a contrasting bolero jacket and an oversized jacket layered over it for a chic, graceful, and fashion-forward finish.
Long Sleeve Blouson Dress
Taking inspiration from vintage fashion, you can go for a modest blouson dress with long sleeves and a turtleneck. The beauty of this style lies in its versatility — any color or fit you choose will exude elegance. The sleeves cinch at the waist, while a ruffled neckline adds a charming retro touch.
For an elevated finish, layer your outfit with a custom denim jacket for a casual yet refined vibe, or opt for a shearling jacket for women to add warmth and texture during cooler seasons. Complete the look with small hoop earrings, straight hair, and subtle makeup to enhance the timeless appeal of your dress.
Blouson Maxi Dress With a Fur Bomber Jacket
Build a comforting yet stylish winter outfit with a blouson maxi dress and a fur bomber jacket.
A brown bomber jacket with fur elements adds instant luxury and pairs beautifully with a blouson maxi dress for a perfect mix of elegance and edge. Opt for deeper dress tones like navy, black, or maroon and a neutral fur bomber in beige or brown — a floral black blouson dress with a cream fur bomber is a no-fail combo. Complete the look with suede ankle boots, a quilted leather wallet, and a duffle bag for a polished, cohesive finish.
For a more classic, retro-inspired vibe, try an aviator jacket with your blouson dress. Its structured shape and soft shearling lining bring warmth and vintage appeal, making it perfect for fall or winter events.
If you want something youthful and sporty, opt for a varsity-letterman jacket. It adds a playful, modern twist to the soft silhouette of a blouson dress — ideal for casual outings where you still want to make a stylish statement.
Styling a Blouson Formal Dress
As explained above, you can get the blouson dress in a formal style as well. You may have bought a beaded blouson dress or fully embellished blouson gowns for an upcoming party or a wedding. Remember that less is more when styling a formal blouson dress. There is a chance of making a faux pas if you try to dress up too much.
If your formal blouson dress has already got blingy detailing on the sleeves waistline or hemline, there is no need to go for lots of heavy jewelry. Keep the look graceful by wearing intricate jewelry. Choose teardrop earrings and a delicate wrist watch to accessorize the blouson gown. Make a nice hairstyle that compliments your dress and keep the makeup subtle.
Opt for a pair of stylish stilettos and a matching envelope clutch to complete the stunning diva look.
Styling a Patterned Blouson Dress
Blouson dresses with appealing patterns can give you a beautiful and enticing look. You can buy a dress in short or long length with varying patterns such as chevron, paisley, floral, or even a plaid pattern.
To style the blouson dress with a pattern, try to go with footwear and handbags in plain, neutral colors to bring out the dress’s appeal even more. You can pair a denim jacket with these dresses as well.
Wearing a Blouson Dress Over 40
Who says that the following fashion and dressing up in style is limited to a certain age bracket? For mature women, the blouson style dress will add even more elegance to their look. Pair your dress with other graceful essentials to create looks that will get you many compliments.
A great idea would be to build a classy outfit with a pink blouson maxi dress and a black leather jacket for mature women over 40. Use accessories such as a splendid wristwatch, pearl earrings, statement rings, and long necklaces to add finishing touches to this look.
The Blouson Jacket
It would feel incomplete to only talk about what a blouson dress is and not discuss a bit about the highly popular blouson jacket. To give a brief intro, blouson jackets have a typical bomber jacket design that has a secured waist. A buckle, ribbed knitted material, drawstrings, or elastic can be used to cinch in the waistline of the jacket.
Blouson jackets are available in a wide variety of materials such as leather, polyester, fleece or linen, and are popular in men and women alike.
FAQs – Blouson Dress
Blouson dresses create a flawless silhouette due to the fact that the area just above the natural waistline is fitted. The blousing material that hangs, as a result, camouflages the problem areas while drawing attention to the neckline, and hem of the dress instead.
No matter what your body type is, you will always look gorgeous and class apart while wearing a blouson dress.
You can enhance the appeal of your pretty spring dress even more by layering a classy leather jacket over it. Or, you can also choose a denim jacket. Make sure the jacket you choose fits you well and complements the color and style of your dress.
Blouses particularly have a very feminine appeal to them. They are tops that are loose-fitting and with or without a button closure. Also, they are either in a pullover style or have a zip at the back.
Blouses for women have a variety of necklines. The blouses are of the same length as the shirts. You can wear blouses over jeans, skirts, shorts, and various types of pants for flattering looks.
The basic difference between the blouse and the tunic is length. The tunic is longer, while the blouses are shorter, ending at the lower waist. You can wear any type of pants, skirts and shorts with a blouse, whereas the tunic is best suited with jeans or fitted pants.
In contemporary fashion, blouses are typical for women’s wear. Although, in some cultures, blouses refer to shirts for men. Furthermore, if we refer to the term blouson in menswear, you will also know that it is another name for a leather jacket.
Wrapping Up the Blouson Dress
Summing up the query what is a blouson dress, we have touched on different styles of blouson dresses that you can try. Wearing a blouson dress is definitely the best way to look glamorous, so you must know how to style it with finesse.
We have laid down several outfit ideas, complete with the accessorizing, for your inspiration. You can choose any of them that is appropriate according to the occasion.
I just bought the most gorgeous beaded blouson formal dress. This article helped me decide on the accessories and reassured me that the fit was correct. Thanks