As summer ends and the return to the office looms, the thought of heavier trousers, tailored pencil skirts, and chunky blazers can be daunting. However, a trusty blouse remains a faithful item that ticks both style and comfort boxes. Blouses are often less fitted than standard cotton shirts, offering a more elegant and modern edge while flattering nearly all body shapes. They are also versatile, pairing with casual denim, midi skirts, trousers, and suits.
Blouses don't have to be boring, either. They can carry the summer wardrobe's dopamine fix into autumn with delicate design details such as puff sleeves, pussybow necklines, and stylish patterns. Below are some of the best blouses to inspire your return to work.
Top Picks from Next, H&M, and ASOS
Next's Chocolate Brown Scarf Long Sleeve V-Neck Blouse strikes a balance between smart and casual. The neck tie can be worn as a bow for more coverage or left relaxed, and it pairs well with a midi skirt and knee-high boots. It costs £42.
H&M's Frill-Trimmed Cotton Poplin Blouse embraces the prairie trend with vintage-inspired details like high necklines, ruffles, and voluminous puff sleeves. Its loose fit and light blue shade make it office-appropriate, and it can be dressed down with denim or layered under a suit. It costs £27.99.
ASOS DESIGN's Bow Blouse With Puff Ball Sleeve offers a modern take on a work shirt, featuring a signature pussybow, pleated neckline details, puff sleeves, and buttoned cuffs. It costs £38.
Bold Prints and Modern Updates
Nobody's Child's Red Check Ruffle Trim Top features a classic check pattern in red, blue, and grey hues, with a ruffle trim that relaxes the silhouette while keeping it office-appropriate. It costs £69.
River Island's Brown Deer Print Pussybow Blouse taps into the deer print trend for autumn and winter. The soft brown and beige shades allow for versatile styling, and it costs £42.
M&S's Sheer Collared Utility Shirt is a transitional piece for fluctuating temperatures, with a utility style and sheer fabric. It pairs well with flared jeans or a pencil skirt and can be layered over a rollneck. It costs £45.
Simple and Refined Options
New Look's Blue Check Side Tie Long Sleeve Shirt features a draped knot detail that adds shape, suitable for work days and weekends. It costs £29.99.
Matalan's Khaki Cinched Button Through Blouse adds two darts to each side for a natural cinch, highlighting curves with a collarless neckline. It costs £18.
Karen Millen's Petal Print Organza Pussybow Blouse features an abstract design with autumnal hues of forest greens, rich burgundies, and deep ocean blues. It can be styled with high-waisted trousers, a midi skirt, or denim, and costs £89.
