Ways to Wear... A Peasant Blouse

I feel that any vintage summer wardrobe ought not lack a peasant / gypsy blouse. I love them, and I now have four or five, both vintage and modern. They're easy to wear, flattering on all figure types, and perfect for creating a variety of vintage looks - don't think of them as restricted to 70s boho. If you can't find one vintage it's a great time to buy one new - thanks to this season's 70s trend they're widely available on the high street (last summer I really wanted one but couldn't find any!). They're also available in different fabrics and styles from Hungarian multicolour embroidered cotton to sophisticated satin to floral voile to dotted swiss.

Wear it... Vamp
Marilyn Monroe paired a yellow with black lace overlay peasant blouse with a sleek black skirt and fishnets in Bus Stop for a show-stopping sex kitten look. This is a look that works fabulously for evening or cocktail wear.

Wear it... Fresh Faced 40s
Match a peasant blouse with a carefree simple gathered skirt for a great everyday look that's both classically vintage and eminently wearable, perfect for summer.

Wear it... Pin-up
Channel the Elvgren pin-up with a peasant blouse worn to slip casually off one or both shoulders. Team with a full circle skirt and add stockings and peeptoe shoes for full-on pin-up style.

Wear it... 1930s Chic

McCall 87 ~ 1930s peasant blouse
Worn 1930s style with a slim skirt, a peasant blouse with embroidery and smocking makes excellent day wear for any season.

Wear it... Bohemian

And of course you can always take it 1970s boho - belted with a midi or maxi length skirt, or as a smock blouse over jeans (or flares, if you really want to work the 70s).