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a hard one - black long sleeve blouse suitable for hot weather?

41 replies

nongnangning · 11/06/2026 12:21

OK this one is a bit of a challenge. Your style ideas solicited.
I would like to buy a long sleeve black blouse for a formal, work-type event ... but for wearing during hot weather, like recent UK heatwaves when its baking. The blouse has to have long sleeves - this is non-negotiable.
I've got this one below from Cos, which I think the shape of suits me well, but it's quite heavy fabric and I think I would be too hot in a heatwave.
https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women/womenswear/tops/blouses/product/voluminous-pleated-blouse-black-1318588001
Has anyone seen anything that might work? I'm a 14-16 on top - so something flattering to bigger boobs and not skintight would be great. Price point - would try anything, and up to about £150ish for the right thing. TIA

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nongnangning · 12/06/2026 16:21

EgregiouslyOverdressed · 12/06/2026 13:25

Not in black, though.

I realise I sound like I am lobbying for Big Silk Grin

Big Silk 😂

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nongnangning · 12/06/2026 16:22

HelenHywater · 12/06/2026 12:34

There are loads of long sleeved black linen shirts around - could you wear one of those? Cos, Arket, With Nothing Underneath, all of them have these.

I do have a lovely silk shirt from Equipment but I don't really wear it in the summer - I worry about sweat being very obvious (and also the constant dry cleaning).

The trouble with linen is that you look like a crumpled sack after about 5 mins ... well, I do anyway. Unless I had someone following me around with an iron 😂

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PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 12/06/2026 20:39

likelysuspect · 11/06/2026 21:22

Believe it or not I find linen rich or linen blends quite hot

You need something like the Cos blouse but in viscose. I find viscose the coolest fabric

I'm a big fan of viscose too. It's a great option for hot weather wear.

Nitgel · 12/06/2026 20:51

Muji this is very light but you may need something underneath like a cami top. I have it in blue its very light

FruAashild · 12/06/2026 21:29

I always find viscose a really hot fabric, I can tolerate it in a blend with linen for trousers to reduce the wrinkles (a moments silence though for the most phenomenal silk linen blend trousers I got from Boden about 20 years ago which I wore to death) but would never choose it for a summer blouse. Linen is obviously the coolest, then cotton. Silk is cool to wear but damp patches show up so strongly if it's a light colour. It does dry very quickly though.

likelysuspect · 12/06/2026 22:30

I keep reading that people dont like viscose but I can only say its so cool for me. I have a number of white shirts in it, a pair of light weight wide legged summer trousers which are so light and airy. Im on the look out for more.

nongnangning · 16/06/2026 15:33

Thank you so much, everyone. I am systematically working my way through all the ideas and will let you know how I get on

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Goldpanther · 16/06/2026 21:13

https://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/en/georgette-tie-neck-blouse-100083859.html?dwvar100083859_colorname=Black#start=1

I have this in both colours, and also have bigger boobs and find it's very flattering. It is very easy to return items if you change your mind.

TealReader · 16/06/2026 21:51

Joseph have a sale on. Their shirts are lovely quality. Also huge fitting- I’m a 10-12 and an 8 is fairly loose on me!

TRS20 · 17/06/2026 07:26

Sezane, it’s my go to for this kind of thing

limetrees32 · 17/06/2026 08:43

Another viscose fan here.
Like linen , there are different qualities, not all viscose is equal!.
I have the perfect ( for me ) viscose top.that I got in a charity shop in Kings bridge, Devon.
It's 100% viscose ,hardly needs ironing .
Unfortunately it's an Australian make which doesn't seem to be sold in UK.

nongnangning · 18/06/2026 22:26

Research ongoing:
This is just a flavour -I have been looking at all the suggestions, nothing is ruled out!
Yesterday I went to M&S Marble Arch to check out their Autograph silk blouse … but they didn’t have it, ha!
The Boden silk one is on preorder for mid-July
i went looking for Roman in my local area - only to find it had shut down!
This afternoon, I have been googling black viscose blouses - new and on Vinted etc
Tomorrow Joseph
etc etc
@goldpanther The Ralph Lauren one is absolutely lovely BTW, although probably wasted on my work 😎

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EgregiouslyOverdressed · 18/06/2026 22:34

Obviously a bit of a risk, but… www.vinted.co.uk/items/9206914636-autograph-100-silk-shirt-black-size-16

nongnangning · 03/07/2026 15:23

Update about 3 weeks after this thread started: I have absolutely been all over the place trying on black blouses. As many from this thread that i could find and a few more too.
At the moment I've bought @Followthesunshine 's Sezane Chlo in black silk. Which in RL is really nice. A bit too nice for wasting on work really, but at least I will look good. I'm still looking for a viscose option - more shopping to do!
Thanks very much everyone, the advice was really helpful. And as a side benefit I went to a few shops I hadn't been to in ages, eg Joseph.

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Georgiemc · 03/07/2026 18:32

I have this one and have worn when hot

eu.thefrankieshop.com/products/gelso-shirt-black?region=GB&currency=EUR

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