From Truly Victorian:
A shirtwaist is the original name for what we would call a blouse today. They are usually for summer wear, and are unlined and unboned and come in a vast array of styles. They can be made of any light weight fabric. Shirtwaists start to become popular in the early 1890s and become even more so throughout the next few decades, and are a staple for the working woman and the fashionable woman alike. It can be worn tucked into the skirt, or over the skirt, as desired.
For our shirtwaists, the center front is cut on the straight of grain, and is closed with buttons. The sleeve is the Large Mutton Sleeve popular in 1893-94. The collar is a stand-and fall that looks particularly nice with a four-in-hand tie, similar to the men’s ties of the period. The body portion is gathered to fit a waistband, with a peplum attached to the same waistband. The peplum can be omitted, if desired, to create a Spencer Waist. View A, has a plain front, and View B has a front yoke with gathers at the center portion of the yoke.
Bust 30″-56″
Waist 22″-48″