How to Style a Statement Blouse

Although my wardrobe is mostly neutrals, I’ve always had a soft spot for a good statement blouse. As a proud millennial, I grew up in the era of the “going out top”—those fun, eye-catching tops paired with basic jeans that were a staple in my 20s. But as much as I love them, statement tops can be tricky to style.

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This is why I often stray away from buying statement tops. But when I saw this LC Lauren Conrad floral peasant blouse, I knew I had to bring it home with me. I love the style and the colors in this blouse, but I must admit, it’s a little busy, so finding the right balance in an outfit when styling it is key.

What is a statement blouse?

In my opinion, a statement blouse or top has three or more of the following elements:

Pattern: Whether it’s floral prints, stripes, or polka dots, when your shirt has a pattern it draws the eyes in that direction.
Texture: The texture of a shirt can add a statement. Sometimes there are lace or sequins, but other times, it can be much more subtle like an eyelet, dotted Swiss, or ribbed material.
Multiple Colors: A mix of colors can turn a simple top into something that stands out.
Sleeve or Neckline Detail: Unique cuts, ruffles, or exaggerated sleeves add that extra oomph.

If a top has just one or two of these features, I’d consider it an elevated basic rather than a full-blown statement piece.

The key to styling a busy statement blouse like the one below is to find balance. Because this top has all 4 of the key elements I listed above, it’s important to find the right pairing so I don’t overwhelm the top. Here are some outfit ideas of how I styled my statement blouse for fall.

Outfit 1: With Dark Jeans

Dark denim is always a classic choice for fall bottoms. When pairing a busy statement top like this one, I prefer to keep my bottoms very basic. I usually avoid distressed denim when wearing a statement top, as I feel that any extra details in the denim can distract from the top.

A statement blouse styled with dark jeans.

Blouse– xsmall || Jeans (24/petite, jeans are stretchy, size down) || Shoes (similar, similar) || Purse (thrifted, similar HERE)

Outfit 2: With a Navy Blazer

A blazer is always a classic fall layering piece. When choosing a blazer to pair with this blouse, I opted for a darker shade of navy. This blouse features a lot of lighter colors, like yellow and tan, so I felt that highlighting the darker blue tones in the top helped balance the look. I also felt that the lighter wash jeans went best with this outfit, rather than the darker wash. It also helps create balance with the darker blazer.

A peseant statement blouse styled with medium wash jeans.

A statement blouse styled with a navy blazer and jeans.

Blouse– xsmall || Jeans– 26/short || Blazer– xsmall || Purse (similar) || Shoes (7.5)

Outfit 3: With Navy Shorts

One of my favorite ways to transition my summer outfits into fall is by mixing summer and fall pieces. Once again, I chose to pair this blouse with navy. I also added a brown belt to complete the outfit and break up the two pieces.

Statement blouse styled with navy shorts and sandals.

Blouse– xsmall || Shorts-0 (almost sold out, similar HERE) || Shoes– 7.5 (similar) || Belt || Purse (similar)

Outfit 4: With Black Jeans and a Denim Jacket

Black jeans are always a fall staple for me. Pairing this statement blouse with black denim gives it a fall vibe. I layered it with a denim jacket and kept my accessories and jewelry simple, as I didn’t want to detract from the print and colors of the blouse.