Blouses for work have been an extremely popular request from my clients over the past couple of years. It began during the pandemic. When office work went to Zoom, all anyone could see was your blouse, so my clients were scrambling to enhance their upper body style. The request for flattering work blouses has only increased now that everyone’s in full work mode.
One question I often get from clients is, “how dressy do my work blouses need to be?” My answer: you want your wardrobe to mimic the general tone of what your colleagues are wearing — but take it up a notch. Obviously, workwear is far more casual than it was five years ago, but we still need (and want!) to dress well to enhance our self-esteem and performance at work.
But dressy does not have to mean uncomfortable. The best work blouses feel like pajamas, but will not be confused for such. Whether you’re looking for a more formal look or a more casual option, we have a work blouse for every workin’ woman on this list.
Silk Blouses For Work
I do love a gorgeous silk blouse for work, but we all live in fear of staining it. The key is to get printed silk blouses. A print will often hide a stain. People also avoid silk because the tag says “dry clean only.” This is misleading. You don’t have to take most silks to the dry cleaner. If you have a front-facing washing machine, you can just do a short cold water wash on the delicate cycle with your blouse in a mesh bag. If you have a top-loading washer with an agitator, stick with the dry cleaner, since the agitator is very harsh on fabrics.
But here is the best tip for wearing silk blouses for work… I have a collection of the most gorgeous printed silk blouses for Zoom meetings that I rarely wash. Why? Because I am only wearing them for 15 minutes to 2 hours at a time. As long as it is below 75 degrees, my top just doesn’t get stinky in that time. In fact, three of my go-to blouses for Zoom calls have — ahem — never been washed actually. I’ve had them for years, but I only wear them for 20 minutes at a time. They still look and smell brand new. I swear to you.
Now that I have grossed you out, let me tell you something that grosses me out. I have a massive aversion to polyester masquerading as silk or chiffon. This is my biggest no-no. Polyester work blouses cheapen you. It is one of the few things I can be a bit harsh on. Of course, there are exceptions, and I have included those on my list. But when in doubt, skip polyester.
What Do I Wear With My New Blouses For Work?
You can pair your work blouses with pants, skirts, and in some more casual offices, shorts, and jeans. This depends on the dress code at your work, the physicality of your work, and if people can actually see you below your waist — bless you, remote work. (Fun Fact: the ability to work from home is a legal right in some countries.)
Here are the other blog posts I have written that can help you find bottoms to pair with your work blouses:
- Best Work Pants for Women
- Most Comfortable Jeans: High Waisted Stretch Jeans
- Flattering Wide Leg Pants
I will add more blog posts to this list as we update or create them. If you’re looking for a simple shell top to pair with a colorful skirt or pair of pants, see my post on the best shell tops.
Kobi Halperin ‘Mila’ Sleeveless Stretch Silk Blouse
Available at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.
Sizing: Available in XS-XXL.
Material: 91% silk, 9% elastane
Michael Stars Pruitt Balloon Sleeve Gauze Top
Available at Nordstrom.
Sizing: XS-L, runs large, order 1-2 sizes down
Material: 100% cotton
MANGO Button-Up Shirt
Available at Nordstrom.
Sizing: Available in 4-12.
Material: 100% lyocell
Veronica Beard Amelia Button-Down Shirt
Available at Veronica Beard.
Sizing: Available in 00-16.
Material: 84% Cotton, 12% Polyamide, 4% Spandex
Nation LTD Edie Solid Shirred Shoulder Cotton & Hemp Top
I am allllll about the v-necks. It is the most flattering neckline and this Nation LTD V-Neck top is insanely soft.
Available at Nordstrom.
Sizing: XS-XXL
Material: 75% pima cotton, 25% hemp
L’AGENCE Dani Silk Button-Up Blouse
Available at Bloomingdale’s.
Sizing: Available in XS-XXL.
Material: 100% silk
Veronica Beard Sura Floral Shirt
Available at Nordstrom.
Sizing: Available in 00-16.
Material: 100% viscose
Vince Cowl Neck Silk Blouse
Available at Vince, Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom.
Sizing: Available in XXS-XL.
Material: 100% silk
Boden Sienne Print Silk Button-Up Shirt
Available at Nordstrom and Boden.
Sizing: 4-18
Material: 100% silk
Velvet by Graham & Spencer Tami Satin Puff Sleeve Top
Available at Velvet by Graham & Spencer.
Sizing: Available in XS-XL.
Material:
Vince Smocked Shirt
Available at Vince and Revolve.
Sizing: Available in XXS-XL.
Material: 85% viscose, 9% polyester, 6% elastane
Frank & Eileen Eileen Relaxed Button-Up Shirt
Available at Frank & Eileen and Nordstrom.
Sizing: Available in XXS-XL.
Material: 100% linen
Veronica Beard Coralee Lace Puff-Sleeve tee
Available at Net-A-Porter, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, and Veronica Beard.
Sizing: Available in XS-XL.
Material: 100% Cotton
Masai Copenhagen Irekana Floral Top
Available at Masai Copenhagen and Nordstrom.
Sizing: Available in XS-XXL.
Material: 100% FSC viscose
Velvet by Graham & Spencer Dion Peasant Blouse
Some of my more minimalist clients don’t love colorful blouses for work because they’re memorable. This can be true if you are in the office every day or constantly logging onto video meetings with the same people. Most of my clients though, are rarely in an office and are not on video meetings every day. If you are not seen often, colorful work blouses, like this one by Velvet by Graham & Spencer, are a great choice.
Available at Velvet by Graham & Spencer.
Sizing: Available in XS-XL.
Material: 100% Viscose
Steve Madden Marisol Smock Detail Cotton Button-Up Shirt
This bustier-shaped work blouse is best for women 5’4″ and shorter.
Available at Dillard’s.
Sizing: Available in S-XL
Material: 100% cotton
Veronica Beard Anabel Puff-Sleeve Top
Available at Veronica Beard.
Sizing: Available in XXS-XL.
Material: 97% pima cotton, 3% spandex
L’AGENCE Jenica Lace Blouse
This work blouse pairs well with this cropped cami. Wear it underneath for extra coverage.
Available at FWRD and Bloomingdale’s.
Sizing: Available in XXS-XXL.
Material: 45% nylon, 29% cotton, 26% rayon
The Best Work Blouses From Years Past
I originally wrote this post on the best work blouses years ago. I’ve left these photos below for nostalgic purposes. Whenever I update older posts I love to hold on to a collection of images as a bit of a time capsule so we can watch how our style evolves.
Ulla Johnson Kaitlyn Split-Neck Printed Crepe Blouse
Available at Neiman Marcus and FWRD.
Sizing: Available in 00-16.
Material: 70% cotton, 30% viscose
Sanctuary Oversize Sateen Shirt
This work blouse is best for blondes and redheads. It is too dull for brown and black hair.
Available at Nordstrom and Sanctuary.
Sizing: Available in XS-XXL.
Material: 100% polyester
Halogen Tie Front Button-Up Shirt
Available at Nordstrom.
Sizing: Available in XS-XL.
Material: 70% rayon, 30% nylon
Alice + Olivia Willa Blair Z Ladies Print Silk Button-Up Shirt
I adore colorful blouses for work. Colorful blouses are a great way to be noticed and will enhance your mood at work — something I think a lot of us need. Some people call this dopamine dressing. I call it, dress for the mood you want to be in. And let’s not forget colorful and printed work blouses hide stains!
Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Alice + Olivia.
Sizing: Available in XS-XL.
Material: 100% silk
Topshop Colorful Metallic Blouse
This Topshop Colorful Blouse may seem too racy for work, but a Nic + Zoe black tank underneath will fix that. When the weekend comes, just wear a black bra underneath it to embrace its full sexy glory.
Rebecca Taylor Vivianna Silk Blouse
This Rebecca Taylor Vivianna Silk Blouse is my favorite of all the work blouses that can also play. The print is incredibly versatile, the fabric feels amazing, and it’s very flattering.
Equipment Cornelia Print Silk Blouse
Throw a black tank top under this Equipment Cornelia Print Silk Blouse for work, and then just wear a black bra under it for a night out.
Veronica Beard Abra Floral Print Ruffle Blouse
ba&sh Tarmac Shirt
Joie Stow Blouse
This Joie blouse is one of my favorite work blouses of the year!
Vince Lilac Bias Silk Blouse
Caslon Raglan Sleeve Seersucker Top
A.L.C. Dana Metallic Stripe Long Sleeve Silk Blend Blouse
As you may remember from my spotlight post on A.L.C., it’s one of my favorite brands for bold prints and flattering garments. If you’re looking for a colorful, silk blouse for work you can’t go wrong with A.L.C.’s tops, like this gorgeous piece featured above.
Vince Crushed Pleat V-Neck Top
This work blouse is a godsend for those who hate to tuck in tops. This Vince top must be left untucked.
Zadig & Voltaire Tink Glam Rock Satin Blouse
Akris Punto Stripe Cupro & Silk Blouse
Alice + Olivia Julius Abstract Floral Print Cotton & Silk Blouse
This work blouse is available at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.
Ulla Johnson Jules Floral Flutter Sleeve Cotton Top
A.L.C. Delphina Silk Blouse
Karen Kane Tie Front Stripe Button-Up Shirt
Donna Karan New York Women’s Leaf Print Stretch Cotton Top
This work blouse by Donna Karan New York is for very tall women, or those willing to have a tailor bring up the waist.
Joie Bolona Silk Blouse
This Joie Bolona Silk Blouse in chili is simply gorgeous. Not for the stain prone, but gorgeous nonetheless.
Lafayette 148 New York Floral Print Silk Button-Up Shirt
Veronica Beard Alexandria Floral Top
Veronica Beard Marion Print Silk Blouse
