A blouse is a light, loose-fitting shirt, usually worn by women, often made of soft fabric.
It comes from French “blouse,” originally meaning a workman’s smock or overgarment. Over time, the meaning shifted toward a more feminine, dressy top in English.
The word began in the world of workers’ clothing before moving into fashion. It’s a good reminder that many “fancy” clothing terms actually started as practical words for everyday gear.
“Blouse” has been historically associated with women’s clothing and, in many workplaces, with gendered dress codes that imposed stricter appearance standards on women than on men. This helped reinforce norms about femininity and professional presentation.
Use “blouse” descriptively for a specific garment style; avoid using it as shorthand for “female worker” or tying competence to adherence to feminine dress norms.
["shirt","top","dress shirt"]
Women in many professions have challenged restrictive dress codes, asserting the right to dress practically and professionally without conforming to narrow feminine expectations.
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