London summers are hard to crack wardrobe-wise. Mornings remain crisp, while afternoons are coated in a cloud of cloying humidity. Trying to dress practically for in-office duties while retaining a hint of elegance is a tall order.
Hence the importance of great fabric. Lightweight, breezy textures are key to mastering city style, which is why this season, I’m reaching for the ever-sweet prairie blouse.
Effortless, romantic and airy, prairie silhouettes are immune to the trend cycle. This is perhaps due to their storied history, which dates back thousands of years. The garment originated in Eastern European, mainly in Romania, yet achieved mainstream success in 1970s America when the ‘prairie look’ was very much en vogue.
© My Mum Made ItInspired by the 19th-century, high-necked, long-sleeved attire worn by early settlers, prairie blouses took on a new sartorial cachet - one we still covet today.
Bohemia-tinged brands such as Ralph Lauren, Doen, Chloé and Isabel Marant remain ardent champions of whimsical, lace-trimmed puff sleeve pieces - often pairing the top with bell bottoms, matching maxi skirts or glam rock-esque hotpants.
© Imaxtree
© ImaxtreeRecent seasons witnessed the return of the style on the runway. For spring/summer 2026, Bora Aksu delivered broderie anglaise dress options in shades of pale candy pink, teamed with kitsch bonnets and lace tights. Sandy Liang also leaned into Rococo nostalgia, debuting crisp long sleeve, collared designs alongside ditsy floral alternatives cut with lace panelling. Zimmermann followed suit, tapping into ghostly aesthetics with tiered, long sleeve renditions.
Unsurprisingly, Chemena Kamali (AKA The Queen of Boho-Chic) incorporated prairie blouses into her autumn/winter 2026 collection, proving the versatility of the girlish look. Styled with leather and muted cashmere, the beruffled blouses married countercultural charm with flirtatious femininity.
The A-listers certainly approve of the aesthetic, with stars such as Bella Hadid tapping into Victoriana bed jacket silhouettes and Sabrina Carpenter infusing her on-stage wardrobe with kittenish cropped iterations. Safe to say, the prairie blouse isn't so much of a trend as a permanent player.
Prep your wardrobe for maximum spring/summer frolicking this season and discover our favourite prairie blouses below.
Best prairie blouses to shop now:
Frederica Blouse
Dôen
Californian brand Dôen is always our first port of call for feminine, ruffled pieces like the ever-romantic Frederica Blouse.
Aurelie Blouse
My Mum Made It
Hailing from cult Aussie label My Mum Made It, this adorable white puff sleeve blouse is perfect for styling with low-rise baggy jeans for off-duty days.
Tayona Shirt
Sezane
Sezane is saturated with girlish shirts and blouses to peruse this season - our pick would be the endlessly pretty Tayona Shirt.
Eponine Blouse
If Only If
Lightly sheer and complete with a sweet rounded collar, If Only If's Eponine Blouse is an easy-wear delight that radiates ethereal charm.
Lace Detail Short Sleeve Top
Channel your inner Joni Mitchell with a touch of 70s-inspired boho whimsy courtesy of Topshop. We'd style this gem with a denim maxi skirt and brown cowboy boots.
Ellery Cotton Blouse
Rixo
Intricate ruffles and darling prints are Rixo's bread and butter. The brand's Ellery Cotton Blouse is prairie perfection, topped off with a lace-trimmed collar and short sleeves.
Nella Blouse
ba&sh
ba&sh is a key player in the boho-chic market, as demonstrated by the gloriously flowy, feminine Nella Blouse.
Angela Blouse
Loretta Caponi
I'll never say no to a flutter sleeve, hence why Loretta Caponi's cotton blouse is heading straight to the top of my wish list.
Nelida Blouse
Isabel Marant
Boho glamour is firmly intertwined with Isabel Marant's brand DNA - as the gorgeously gauzy Nelida Blouse coolly demonstrates.
Broderie Bodice Top
Serena Bute
Available in a myriad of tempting colourways, Serena Bute's elegant puff sleeve blouse is set to become a wardrobe staple.
The Broderie Anglaise Blouse
Skye by Brora
Featuring a prairie-inspired broderie anglaise finish and a sweet sailor collar, Skye by Brora's cotton blouse culminates in a beautiful hybrid piece.
Poppy Blouse
Minka Dink
Featuring a romantic floral print topped with mother of pearl buttons, Minka Dink's Poppy Blouse is an ode to playful vintage aesthetics.
Nora Schiffli Top
Haveli
A short sleeved option for those wanting to maximise their summer glow this season, Haveli's tie-up cotton top can be paired with mid-wash jeans for an effortless look.
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