If you only buy one boho top this year, make it a peasant blouse. It goes with a long skirt for a faire, with jeans for errands, and under a hoodie when the weather turns. It is also one of the kindest shapes for a curvy body, because it is loose where you want room and finished with details that draw the eye where you want it.
Here is how we like to wear ours, plus a quick look at sleeve styles so you can pick the right one.
What makes a blouse a peasant blouse
A peasant blouse is a loose, lightweight top with a relaxed body and a soft neckline. Most have some kind of gathering, ruffle or tie at the neck, hem or sleeves, and many are covered in embroidery. The shape goes back centuries, which is why it fits so naturally into Renaissance and medieval outfits.
Ours are made in India, mostly from rayon, which is light and breathable on warm days. You will find the full range in our peasant blouses collection.
Bell sleeves or puff sleeves?
The sleeve does more to change the look of a peasant blouse than anything else.
Bell sleeves
Bell sleeves are fitted or relaxed through the upper arm and then flare open toward the wrist. They move when you move, which makes them great for dancing and for faire costumes. They also balance a fuller hip or skirt, because the width at the wrist echoes the width at the hem.
The practical downside: wide cuffs can trail into your food. Push them up or fold them back when you eat.
The Nagarkot Bell-Sleeve Embroidered Tunic has butterfly bell sleeves, a flared hem and embroidery with sequins, in sizes Small through 3X. See more in our bell sleeve tops.
Puff sleeves
Puff sleeves are gathered at the shoulder and again at the cuff, so the volume sits at the top of the arm. They look sweet and a little vintage, and they are easy to wear under a vest or bodice because there is no long cuff to tuck away.
If you would rather not add width at the shoulders, a bell sleeve or a short ruffled sleeve is usually the more comfortable choice.
Short and ruffled sleeves
For hot weather, a short sleeve with a ruffle gives you the same romantic feel with less fabric. The Chitwan Medieval Embroidered Blouse has a round neck, short sleeves and a ruffle hem that skims over the middle, in sizes Small through 3X.
With a maxi skirt
This is the classic boho pairing, and it is hard to get wrong.
- Tucked in: tuck the blouse into a high-waisted skirt to show your waist. This works best with lighter blouses that do not bunch.
- Half tucked: tuck just the front few inches and let the back hang loose. You get some shape without feeling squeezed.
- Loose over the skirt: let a longer blouse or tunic hang over the waistband. Add a belt or a sash at the natural waist if you want definition.
A busy patchwork or tie-dye skirt goes best with a simpler blouse. A heavily embroidered blouse looks best over a solid skirt. Our boho maxi skirts collection has both.
With jeans
A peasant blouse is one of the easiest ways to make jeans feel less plain.
- Flared or bootcut jeans with a bell sleeve top give you a 70s look. Add a crossbody bag and boots.
- Straight-leg or slim jeans balance a looser, longer blouse. Leave it untucked and roll the sleeves if they are long.
- Front-tuck into a high-rise jean if you want a clear waistline.
An embroidered blouse and jeans is also an easy outfit for the drive to a faire, before you change into costume.
For a Renaissance faire
Under a bodice or corset, a peasant blouse becomes the base of a full Renaissance outfit. The blouse shows at the neckline and sleeves, and the bodice gives the shape.
- Choose a blouse with a wider neckline so it sits nicely above the bodice.
- Bell sleeves and ruffled sleeves both look right for the period.
- Pair it with a long, full skirt. A patchwork wrap skirt or a layered skirt both work.
The Gokyo Peasant Ruffle Blouse has a round neck, large floral embroidery and ruffles at the hem and sleeves, in sizes Small through 3X. It looks good on its own or under a vest. For a full checklist of shoes, layers and what to bring, read our plus-size friendly Renaissance faire guide.
Layering for fall
A rayon blouse is light, so in fall it needs a partner.
- Under a fleece-lined hoodie or jacket. Let the ruffled hem or embroidered neckline peek out.
- Under a long cardigan or vest. Bell sleeves fit more easily under an open vest than under a fitted jacket.
- With leggings or tights under a long skirt, and boots.
Richer colors and denser embroidery feel right in the cooler months. The Dhaulagiri Renaissance Embroidered Blouse is a diamond-neck tunic covered in embroidery, in sizes Small through 3X, and works under an open cardigan from September through the holidays. Browse more in our embroidered blouses.
Finding your size
Peasant blouses are relaxed through the body, but the bust and shoulders still matter. Measure your bust and compare it to the size chart on the product page. Every product has its own chart, so check each one. If you are full-busted or between sizes, size up for an easy fit.
Many of our styles come in sizes up to 3X. You will find them all in our plus-size boho tops collection. If you would like the measurements of a specific blouse, email us and we will send them.
Caring for an embroidered blouse
Hand wash in cold water and line dry. Turn the blouse inside out to protect the embroidery, and wash bright colors on their own the first few times. Skip the dryer, since rayon can shrink with heat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear a peasant blouse if I have a large bust?
Yes. Go by your bust measurement on the size chart, and size up if you are between sizes. A blouse with a tie at the neck or a wider neckline gives you more room to adjust.
Should I tuck in a peasant blouse?
It depends on the skirt or pants. Tuck it into high-waisted bottoms to show your waist, or leave it loose over leggings and slim jeans. A half tuck is a good middle ground.
Which sleeve is better for a Renaissance faire?
Both bell sleeves and puff sleeves look right with a bodice. Bell sleeves feel more dramatic, while shorter or puff sleeves are easier on a hot day and while eating.
What if it does not fit?
Unworn, unwashed items can be returned within 30 days of delivery for an exchange or store credit. Orders of $200 or more ship free within the US.