Choosing women’s casual shirts and blouses

The choices in women’s casual shirts are almost as varied as are the women who wear them. Other than a dress or certain one-piece garments, almost all other women’s clothing items require the addition of a shirt to complete the look, from skirts to pants to suits to jeans. There are a wide variety of types of shirts and nearly all come in a wide variety of fabrics and colors, price and quality. Choosing  casual shirts, activewear or even a fun blouse all require you to think carefully before you buy. You’ll want to consider fashion, function and fabric, as well as price, to ensure that you get the right shirt for your needs.

Casual Shirts

T-shirts are not for lazing around the house anymore. Graphic t-shirts are great for teenagers and women in their 20s. Some t-shirts for women are not as loose as shirts for men and are quite form fitting to the body. T-shirts with v-neck necklines can look a little dressier if worn with a scarf. Tank tops are perfect for gym wear, sleepwear, layering, pairing up with a skirt for the summer or for wearing under sweaters in the winter. Tank tops do not conceal the arms at all so women who are a little self conscious of their upper arms might not feel as comfortable and confident wearing just a tank top. Polo shirts have made a recent comeback in college towns all across America. They are perfect for looking polished with little effort. Polo shirts are also very versatile and can be worn virtually everywhere. Halter tops and tube tops are other casual options, but usually don’t look as flattering on women who have a heavy bust line. They should be worn with a supportive strapless bra because they can make women look sloppy if worn without any support. Long-sleeved shirts are a great staple for the winter and for women who have larger arms and want to conceal them. Three quarter length sleeves are another option that will keep you a bit cooler.

Graphic T-Shirts

Shirts for outdoors

Women’s shirts for exercise and sports endeavors are also extremely important these days and will surely differ from those worn 9-5; the shirts for exercise or other strenuous activities require fabrics and construction where comfort and breathability are most important. Whether it’s tennis at the country club on Tuesday afternoons or an early morning job around the neighborhood, a woman’s shirt needs to move with her, keep her cool and comfortable, and be easy to take care of as it will be laundered after every wear. Then yet other occasions may include our everyday lives where comfort is undoubtedly the most important followed by the need to be stylish and demonstrate a bit of our own personalities in what we choose to wear.

Shirts for Tennis

Shirts for special occasions

Formal occasions and specialty items will be the least common need for women’s shirts, but of course those events will require specific garments also…perhaps an event like an inaugural ball  or a themed party such as Halloween, a beach wedding, or the Fourth of July cookout.

Different fabrics have different features

Fabrics used in women’s shirts should probably be the next consideration after the intended use. Depending on the materials and type of fiber used in the fabric’s makeup, the shirt will be more or less expensive, more or less forgiving and easily cleaned, more or less comfortable or attractive. Knits are typically more comfortable than wovens as they stretch and move with the woman. Woven fabrics, especially when used in fitted designs, will not give and many movements will not be easy. Cotton and linen – natural fibers – will breath more than man-made fibers. Wool will keep the wearer warm, while spandex will provide a tight fit without being uncomfortable. Polyester can be washed at home and won’t always need ironing if smoothed and hung up after leaving the dryer. On the other hand, silk may require dry cleaning and even the styles that are washable will still require pressing and special care in most cases.

Silk Shirts

More expensive fabrics – and less expensive ones

Women’s shirts that are made of high-end materials will be more expensive than others. Silk  typically runs about the most expensive. Silk will also cost more in the life of the garment as dry cleaning bills will continue to accumulate after every wear or two. A silk blouse may run $150, but a monthly cleaning bill of $8 for the shirt will add up if you wear the shirt for a year or two – even exceeding the original cost. In direct contrast, cotton t-shirts can be very inexpensive depending on the manufacturer or place of purchase. Typically, a cotton t-shirt probably runs around $20. That could be much higher ($50, $75 or more) for a designer brand or much cheaper, as little as $2 at the local discounter for a basic, white version. Active wear shirts can also pricey these days, but given the advances in fibers and comfort, it’s considered a good investment for the serious sport-loving women. Whether running a marathon or playing 18 holes for a personal record of 75. Looking good while playing golf or working out is a big part of the game for many women, so the investment in quality active wear and shirts in particular is well worth it.

Choosing your shirt

So, overall, the decisions to be made when choosing women’s shirts are great…not necessarily difficult, but many more considerations come into play. Where will the shirt be worn being the most important, but then the style and fabric will help or hinder depending on the needs. Sports and vigorous activities require fabrics that breathe and move. Professional wear won’t require as much movement in most cases, but needs to be more conservative than a shirt for the nightclub or hottest happy hour in town. Buy shirts that are appropriate for the need, but most of all, purchase those that you really like, work with other items in your wardrobe, and reflect your personal style and taste. That’s when you’ll get the most enjoyment and value from your wardrobe choices by actually wearing them, not having them hang in the closet for months or years with the tags on them because they weren’t quite the right choice.