Best Ladies' Blouse & Skirt Outfit Ideas
Fashionable two-piece outfits for women over 60
Seasonal skirt and blouse styles for every woman...
If you're looking for some inspiration on how to style a ladies' blouse and skirt outfit, we have got plenty of ideas.
The blouse and skirt outfit is a classic combination that never goes out of style. We strongly believe that fashion doesn’t stop at the age of 60, so you have every reason to continue wearing beautiful clothing that makes you look and feel amazing.
At James Meade, you can choose from a wide range of ladies’ blouses, skirts, and accessories to create endless outfits for all occasions. This guide will help you find the right blouses and skirts for your wardrobe, no matter your age.
How to wear a blouse and skirt
A ladies' blouse can be worn with a skirt to create an attractive outfit that is suitable for both formal and casual wear, but how do you style the two pieces together?
First of all, choose a blouse that suits your body type and personal style… Remember there are more options than the classic collared blouse! While a simple white blouse should be in every woman’s wardrobe, there are other types of blouses that can pair with a skirt just as perfectly to make a wonderful two-piece outfit. Consider a mandarin collar blouse or collarless blouse with a round neckline, and try different sleeve lengths to suit both the weather and your style.
Short sleeve blouses are good choices in early spring or summer, long sleeve blouses are ideal for the cooler months, and three quarter sleeve blouses are pretty much suitable any time of year.
1. Decide on the length and style
James Meade offers a whole range of flattering skirts in timeless styles such as a-line, button through, pleated, soft pleated and straight in plain designs, checks, prints and floral. Each skirt is handpicked to coordinate with the various ladies’ blouses we have on offer.
It’s important to choose the right length and style of skirt to help balance your look. Wearing your skirt sat on your waistline above your hips will accentuate your silhouette, regardless of your size. Longer hemlines are great for elongating the legs and creating an elegant yet modern style that flatters many body types.
Long A-line skirts often work best when paired with form-fitting tops such as a long sleeve blouse to avoid looking frumpy, but they also pair nicely with a fitted short sleeve blouse left untucked for a casual summer style. Shorter, more fitted styles like a classic straight skirt provide a slightly smarter appearance and would look ideal with tops like this three-quarter sleeve button-up blouse for a polished look.
2. Coordinate your colours
Coordinating colours and designs between items of clothing may sound complicated, but the reality is a lot more straightforward. When pairing a patterned blouse with a patterned skirt, opt for the same patterns in order to create an outfit that works well together without clashing or looking too busy.
Worn together, matching tops and bottoms give the impression of a dress but allow for the flexibility of different proportions to make a better fit to match your body shape. As long as you choose similar or complementary colours, you can easily mix and match garments to style patterned pieces with plain coloured items for a fail-proof outfit every time.
3. Select the right fabric
James Meade stocks women's skirts that are cut from the finest quality fabrics such as pure cotton, pure wool, viscose and denim.
Selecting the right fabric will depend on the style you're going for, the level of movement that you want, and also the weather.
• Wool blend skirts are thicker and provide an extra layer of warmth, ideal for winter.
• Viscose skirts are stretchier and can offer greater flexibility when moving around.
• Cotton skirts are both durable and lightweight, ideal for warmer weather.
• Denim skirts are perfect for trendy casual outfits that never go out of style
The same goes for selecting the right fabric for your blouse. James Meade has an array of material choices for ladies’ blouses including pure cotton, wool mix, viscose, silk mix and Liberty Tana Lawn™.
Should you tuck in your blouse?
It's all about what looks best on you and how you want your figure to look. Tucking a blouse into your skirt is an easy way to define and lift up the waistline, making it look slimmer while avoiding the accentuation of any extra curves you may have. Accessories such as a narrow leather belt are also great for adding definition to the waist.
Ladies' blouse and skirt outfit ideas for all year round
The idea behind creating blouse and skirt outfits for ladies that are suitable for all seasons is to choose pieces that are versatile and can be worn several times to create fresh new outfits.
Depending on the weather, you can easily add layers to a blouse and skirt outfit with a simple cardigan or longline jacket for a casual look, or perhaps a blazer for a smarter finish.
Ladies' Blouses
You can never go wrong with a classic white blouse, it's a wardrobe essential for every woman of any age as it goes with absolutely everything.
But don’t be afraid to try bold prints or colours, either! Neutral colours like mocha, grey, navy and ecru have their place in every woman’s wardrobe, but a pop of colour can elevate any outfit and transform a subdued look into a more adventurous one.
Why not have a play around with different patterns and prints? Plain-coloured skirts will always complement any statement top, whether it’s striped blouse, checked blouse, floral blouse, or patterned blouse. Take a look at our range of ladies' patterned blouses to see what style takes your fancy.
Ladies' Skirts
If you want a skirt that can be worn all year round, we recommend a mid-length A-line skirt. It’s a timeless classic and James Meade has plenty of colours to choose from in our range which come in UK sizes 8 to 24. Even a quality denim skirt can be very versatile and makes for a stylish casual outfit every time. What’s more, denim fabric never goes out of style so you can stay perfectly on trend year on year.
Try choosing a long A-line or straight denim skirt that comes just below the knee as this will look flattering on most body shapes whether you are tall, petite, or plus size!
Ladies' blouse and skirt outfits for Spring & Summer
Blouses and skirts are essential when it comes to spring and summer outfits.
The best ladies' blouses and skirts for warm weather are those that are more relaxed and loose-fitting. This is the time of year when you want your clothes to feel comfortable and airy, not stuffy or heavy. If you're new to wearing skirts but want to try out something different than trousers, this is the perfect time!
Spring and summer months certainly call for bright colours and floral blouses. At James Meade, our collection of blouses and skirts come in a range of colours and patterns for every season and style so you will have no difficulty in finding the perfect outfit.
Ladies' Blouses for Spring & Summer
Short sleeve blouses and sleeveless blouses are going to be crucial in warm weather so that you can keep cool while looking good at the same time, but long sleeve blouses can come in handy when it’s a little breezy outdoors. You can also wear short sleeve blouses unbuttoned and untucked over a sleeveless top as an alternative lightweight layer for summertime.
With flowers coming into bloom during spring and summer months, floral blouses are go-to designs for these seasons that will always pair well with any plain coloured skirt. You could also try nature-inspired patterned blouses and striped blouses, too.
Ladies' Skirts for Spring & Summer
Straight skirts can be a great choice for most occasions, or opt for something a little looser like an A-Line, flared or a simple pull-on skirt for the warmer weather. The fabric is another factor to consider as you don’t want a material that’s too thick - a pure cotton skirt would be ideal for summer months and will complement any ladies' blouse.
Floral print skirts go well with plain or matching floral blouses and add a summery touch to any outfit for the season. Denim skirts also create a trendy look, especially when paired with a light checked blouse.
Ladies' blouse and skirt outfits for Autumn & Winter
The key to dressing for the cold weather is layering - and there’s definitely no need to sacrifice style just because it’s getting cooler outside!
The best thing about ladies' blouse and skirt outfits is that they can easily be combined with additional layers to keep you staying warm and looking stylish.
If you’re looking for something more casual, try our knitwear collection - these knitted sweaters and cardigans are ideal for layering with our classic collared blouse. Or, try pairing your skirt and blouse with a sophisticated blazer for a tailored look or a matching longline jacket for more of a statement.
It’s also worth considering the choice of fabric of your garments to keep you that bit warmer, too. James Meade has several wool mix blouses and a variety of pure wool and wool blend skirts that pair perfectly together.
Ladies' Blouses for Autumn & Winter
Long sleeve blouses, particularly pure cotton blouses, will work wonders at this time of year. Blouses with deep, earthy colours and striking patterns are excellent for these cooler seasons. For example, this vibrant striped blouse and traditional paisley print blouse made with Liberty fabric are excellent contenders for autumn and winter months.
Ladies' Skirts for Autumn & Winter
Although you can wear any skirt any time of the year, colder months usually call for darker colours and thicker fabrics. Try a super soft and cosy wool blend fabric, like this straight chequered skirt. Tweed skirts are also a great option for autumn and winter months, especially when paired with a classic soft handle long sleeve blouse.
Accessories for ladies' blouse and skirt outfits
Part of dressing well is feeling comfortable and confident in what you are wearing and that can be achieved not only with garments that fit properly, but also with chic accessories for your outfit.
The right accessories can add the finishing touch to your skirt and blouse outfits and can really transform your look with the simple addition of a handbag or piece of jewellery.
A necklace or pair of earrings will add a touch of elegance, a silk scarf will look sophisticated, while a handbag will complete any outfit with practicality and style.
In colder weather, you may also want to add a colour-coordinated scarf or snood for an extra layer of warmth, and don’t forget the hat and gloves to help keep the chill at bay
Learn how to style blouse and trouser outfits
