Best Blouses For Work

Blouses for work have been an extremely popular request from my clients over the past several 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:

1. Best Work Pants for Women
2. 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.

Vince A Line Asymmetric Top

This work blouse is most flattering if you have a size D bust or smaller. Pair it with any work bottom, jeans, or a leather skirt.

Availability: Available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Zappos, and Vince.

Sizing: XXS-XL. Runs slightly big, order a size down.

Material: 100% polyester

Nic + Zoe Crinkle Crepe Pleated Button-Up Shirt

Availability: Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: XS-XL. Runs true to size.

Material: 67% recycled polyester, 33% polyester

Lanhtropy Cupid Linen Shirt

This metallic set from Lanhtropy is insanely comfy and so much fun. For more conservative work environments, skip the metallic shorts and pair the top with pants instead. It’s a lightweight linen and will look good on anyone size C bust and smaller.

Availability: Available at Lanhtropy and Nordstrom.

Sizing: XS-XL. Runs large.

Material: 100% organic linen fabric

L’AGENCE Seychelle Lace Button Front Shirt

Wear a navy bra or cropped navy bralette underneath this work blouse. It’s so bold, yet comfortable and versatile. This top is great for people who do not want to tuck in their shirts. It won’t show your belly if you are 5’6″ or shorter and wearing high-waisted bottoms.

Availability: Available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus.

Sizing: XXS-XL. Runs true to size.

Material:  100% cotton

Alice + Olivia Eloise Button Down Blouse

I absolutely adore the colorful swimmers on this stylish work blouse. And it isn’t sheer — just make sure to wear a nude bra under it.

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Revolve, Neiman Marcus, and Alice + Olivia.

Sizing: XS-XL. Runs true to size.

Material: 100% silk

The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens The Danielle Shirt

This work blouse is so bold, yet comfortable and versatile. There are holes, but you’re good to go with a nude bra or white bralette. The compliments keep coming every time I wear this baby!

Availability: Available at The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens.

Sizing: XS-XXL. Runs true to size.

Material: 100% cotton

Availability: Available at Nordstrom and Bella Dahl.

Sizing: XS-L. Runs true to size.

Material: 55% linen, 45% rayon

Alice + Olivia Finely Lasercut Denim Shirt

Availability: Available at Bloomingdale’s and Alice + Olivia.

Sizing: XS-XL. Runs true to size.

Material: 100% cotton

Frank & Eileen Finley Sleeveless Layering Button-Up Shirt

See more of my favorite pieces from Frank & Eileen in my full review.

Availability: Available at Frank & Eileen.

Sizing: XXS-XL. Runs true to size.

Material: 100% Italian cotton

Veronica Beard Linds Silk Blouse

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Veronica Beard.

Sizing: 00-16. Runs true to size.

Material: 100% silk

Veronica Beard Sera Denim Button-Down Shirt

Availability: Available at Nordstrom and Veronica Beard.

Sizing: 00-16. Runs true to size:

Material: 100% cotton

Bella Dahl Oversized Split Back Button Down

Availability: Available at Bella Dahl.

Sizing: XS-L. Runs large.

Material: 83% Tencel 17% Cotton

Availability: Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: S-XL

Material: 100% cotton

The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens The Boyfriend Shirt

Availability: Available at The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens.

Sizing: XXS-XXL

Material: 100% cotton

Veronica Beard Hickory Silk Blouse

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, and Veronica Beard.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 80% silk, 20% viscose

Alice + Olivia Roanne Button Down Blouse

Availability: Available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Alice + Olivia.

Sizing: XS-XL. Runs true to size.

Material: 70% cotton, 30% silk

Veronica Beard Avalina Button-Up Vest

The vest look is very current, and this is one of the most flattering and versatile versions.

Availability: Available at Neiman Marcus and Veronica Beard.

Sizing: 00-16. Runs true to size.

Material: 55% lyocell, 42% cotton, 3% elastane

Banana Republic Cotton-Silk Cropped Cardigan

Don’t forget you can wear a cardigan like a top! It’s sooo cozy, comfortable, and perfect for cold offices. This work top is another great option if you don’t like tucking in your shirt.

Availability: Available at Banana Republic.

Sizing: XXS-XXL. Runs true to size.

Material: 80% cotton, 20% silk.

Alice + Olivia Onica Floral Chiffon Top

Availability: Available at Saks Off Fifth and The Outnet.

Sizing: XS-XL. Runs true to size.

Material: 61% viscose, 39% silk

Veronica Beard Dax Knit Vest

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Revolve, Mytheresa, and Veronica Beard.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 83% viscose, 17% polyester

Veronica Beard Ailani V-Neck Blouse

Availability: Available at Revolve, Neiman Marcus, and Veronica Beard.

Sizing: 00-16

Material: 100% linen

Bella Dahl Clean Front Button Down

Availability: Available at Bella Dahl

Sizing: XS-L. Runs true to size.

Material: 100% Tencel

Alice + Olivia Dimitra Oversized Button Down

Availability: Available at Alice + Olivia.

Sizing: XS-XL

Material: 100% viscose

Availability: Available at Nordstrom and Farfetch.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material:  100% silk

Kobi Halperin ‘Mila’ Sleeveless Stretch Silk Blouse

 

Availability: Available at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: XS-XXL.

Material: 91% silk, 9% elastane

Veronica Beard Amelia Button-Down Shirt

Availability: Available at Veronica Beard.

Sizing: Available in 00-16.

Material: 84% Cotton, 12% Polyamide, 4% Spandex

Vince Smocked Shirt

Availability: Available at Vince.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 85% viscose, 9% polyester, 6% elastane

Steve Madden Marisol Smock Detail Cotton Button-Up Shirt

This bustier-shaped work blouse is best for women 5’4″ and shorter.

Availability: Available at Nordstrom Rack.

Sizing: S-XL

Material: 100% cotton

L’AGENCE Jenica Lace Blouse

This work blouse pairs well with this cropped cami. Wear it underneath for extra coverage.

Availability: Available at Nordstrom, Saks fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, and L’AGENCE.

Sizing: Available in XXS-XXL.

Material: 45% nylon, 29% cotton, 26% rayon

Availability: Available in other colors and prints at Frank & Eileen, Nordstrom, and Shopbop.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 100% linen

Vince Cowl Neck Silk Blouse

Availability: Available at Vince, Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 100% silk

Availability: Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: XS-L, runs large, order 1-2 sizes down

Material: 100% cotton

Veronica Beard Coralee Front Button Blouse

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: XXS-XL

Material: 97% pima cotton, 3% spandex

L’AGENCE Dani Silk Button-Up Blouse

Availability: Available at Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: Available in XS-XXL.

Material: 100% silk

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.

Material: 75% pima cotton, 25% hemp

Ulla Johnson Kaitlyn Split-Neck Printed Crepe Blouse 

Available at Neiman Marcus and FWRD.

Sizing: Available in 00-16.

Material: 70% cotton, 30% viscose

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.

ba&sh Tarmac Shirt

Vince Lilac Bias Silk Blouse

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.

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.

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.