Blouson can mean different things. For example, in a fashion sense, it is a style of garment for women that has fabric blousing over a fitted waistband. From an interior designer's point of view, a blouson is a type of valance or curtain that when filled with paper, looks puffy and full. Both types are derived from the French word for blouse.
Blouson tops may have additional fabric below the waistband, covering the hips and stomach area. This style resembles a shirt that is tucked in and then pulled slightly out and over the waist. The popularity of blousons can be attributed to the way the blousing material hides or camouflages problem areas on a woman's body. For instance, it may help hide a pudgy midsection. When paired with a well-fitting pair of pants or a skirt, this style can work as office or casual attire.
Women's blousons can be found in a variety of fashions, including shirts, blouses, dresses, hoodies and swimsuits. Ladies whose lower bodies are wider than their shoulders or whose waists are not evenly defined may benefit from this style. Blousons typically fit loosely in the torso and are gathered or darted toward the midsection. Blouson dresses with fitted skirts often work well for women who want to show off their hourglass figure; those who don't can always choose one with a fuller skirt. Some women who carry their weight in the upper part of their body may not enjoy this style, as it can make them look a bit disproportionately large on top.
For designers looking to dress up their windows, a blouson valance may do the job. Also known as a cloud or balloon valance, this type of window treatment has two general styles: stuffed through the side with tissue paper for a balloon look or tailored to look puffy. Most blouson valances come with three-inch rod pockets, which is proportionate to the height and length of the valance when the rod is inserted. Many people find tissue paper works well for stuffing; recycled plastic grocery bags or newspaper may work as well.
To ensure proper fullness, valances should typically measure two to three times the width of a window, including two inches on each side for hardware. If the window being dressed is very large, two valances may be used as long as the center joint is hidden.
