Blouses for peasants (plural peasant blouses) A woman's blouse with puffed sleeves and a square neckline inspired by traditional European peasant attire. The term "peasant blouse" is also used as a generic name for any simple, loose-fitting woman's dress without buttons or zippers. In modern usage, the word "peasant" has come to denote someone who lives in rural poverty. Thus, a "peasant blouse" is something worn by a poor woman. The peasant blouse became popular again in the late 1950s and early 1960s when American women began wearing oversized versions of the garment. These were usually made from denim and had elbow patches, pocket tabs, and/or belt loops attached to them. The oversized version of the peasant blouse was commonly referred to as the jean jacket because it resembled one worn by men in the United States. In recent years, the peasant blouse has become associated with peasant clothing worn by female farmers in developing countries. There, the shirt is called a tuni and its use is obligatory for women living on farms. It can be white or colored, but most often it is black. The word "peasant" comes from the Latin patricius, which means "noble".