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Best Blouses For Work

silk blouses for work
Veronica Beard $328

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:

  1. Best Work Pants for Women
  2. Most Comfortable Jeans: High Waisted Stretch Jeans
  3. 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.

Alice + Olivia Willa Blair Z Ladies Print Silk Button-Up Shirt

silk blouses for work
Alice + Olivia $395

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

MANGO Button-Up Shirt

blouses for work
MANGO $59.99

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: Available in 4-12.

Material: 100% lyocell

Veronica Beard Amelia Button-Down Shirt

blouses for work
Veronica Beard $298

Available at Veronica Beard.

Sizing: Available in 00-16.

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

Halogen Tie Front Button-Up Shirt

best work blouses
Halogen $89

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: Available in XS-XL.

Material: 70% rayon, 30% nylon

L’AGENCE Dani Silk Button-Up Blouse

silk blouses for work
L’AGENCE $380

Available at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.

Sizing: Available in XS-XXL.

Material: 100% silk

Velvet by Graham & Spencer Tami Satin Puff Sleeve Top

work blouses for women
Velvet by Graham & Spencer $229 $115

Available at Velvet by Graham & Spencer.

Sizing: Available in XS-XL.

Material: 100% VISCOSE

Vince Smocked Shirt

best blouses for work
Vince $225 $168.75

Available at Nordstrom, Vince, and Revolve.

Sizing: Available in XXS-XL.

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

Frank & Eileen Eileen Relaxed Button-Up Shirt

blouses for work
Frank & Eileen $248

Available at Nordstrom.

Sizing: Available in XXS-XL.

Material: 100% linen

Veronica Beard Coralee Lace Puff-Sleeve tee

blouses for work
Veronica Beard $258

Available at Veronica Beard, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Net-A-Porter.

Sizing: Available in XS-XL.

Material: 100% Cotton

Masai Copenhagen Irekana Floral Top

work blouses for women
Masai Copenhagen $148 $111

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.

Sizing: Available in XS-XXL.

Material: 100% FSC viscose

Sanctuary Oversize Sateen Shirt

work blouses for women
Sanctuary $89

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

Veronica Beard Alexandria Floral Top

blouses for work
Veronica Beard $398

Available at Veronica Beard, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Sizing: Available in 00-16.

Material: 70% viscose, 30% cotton

Velvet by Graham & Spencer Dion Peasant Blouse

best blouses for work
Velvet by Graham & Spencer $198

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 Bloomingdale’s.

Sizing: Available in XS-XL.

Material: 100% Viscose

Ulla Johnson Kaitlyn Split-Neck Printed Crepe Blouse

work blouses for women
Ulla Johnson $320

Available at Neiman Marcus and FWRD.

Sizing: Available in 00-16.

Material: 70% cotton, 30% viscose

Steve Madden Marisol Smock Detail Cotton Button-Up Shirt

blouses for work
Steve Madden $69

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

Available at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Steve Madden, and Dillard’s.

Sizing: Available in XXS-XXL

Material: 100% cotton

Veronica Beard Ashlynn Brushstroke Blouse

silk blouses for work
Veronica Beard $328

Available at Veronica Beard.

Sizing: Available in 00-16.

Material: 100% silk georgette

Veronica Beard Anabel Puff-Sleeve Top

best work blouses
Veronica Beard $198

Available at Veronica Beard.

Sizing: Available in XXS-XL.

Material: 97% pima cotton, 3% spandex

L’AGENCE Jenica Lace Blouse

work blouses for women
L’Agence $325

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

Available at L’AGENCE.

Sizing: Available in XXS-XXL.

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

Veronica Beard Marion Print Silk Blouse

silk blouses for work
Veronica Beard $378 $93.74

I recommend wearing this cami underneath for more coverage since this blouse is sheer.

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.

Sizing: Available in 0-10.

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.

Topshop Colorful Metallic Blouse

blouses for work
Topshop $68 $33.99

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

work blouses
Rebecca Taylor $295

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

work blouses
Equipment $295 $265.50

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

best work blouses
Veronica Beard $395

ba&sh Tarmac Shirt

best work blouses
ba&sh $230 $138

Joie Stow Blouse

colorful blouses for work
Joie $198

This Joie blouse is one of my favorite work blouses of the year!

Vince Lilac Bias Silk Blouse

silk work blouses
Vince $395

Caslon Raglan Sleeve Seersucker Top

best work blouses
Caslon $59 $41.30

A.L.C. Dana Metallic Stripe Long Sleeve Silk Blend Blouse

colorful blouses for work
A.L.C. $395

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

best work blouses
Vince $325

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

colorful blouses for work
Zadig & Voltaire $298

Akris Punto Stripe Cupro & Silk Blouse

best work blouses
Akris Punto $595

Alice + Olivia Julius Abstract Floral Print Cotton & Silk Blouse

colorful work blouses
Alice + Olivia $395

This work blouse is available at Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.

Ulla Johnson Jules Floral Flutter Sleeve Cotton Top

best work blouses
Ulla Johnson $255

A.L.C. Delphina Silk Blouse

best silk blouses for work
ALC $395 $237

Karen Kane Tie Front Stripe Button-Up Shirt

best work blouses
Karen Kane $149 $89.40

Donna Karan New York Women’s Leaf Print Stretch Cotton Top

best blouses for work
Donna Karan New York $295

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

blouses for work
Joie $278

This Joie Bolona Silk Blouse in chili is simply gorgeous. Not for the stain prone, but gorgeous nonetheless.

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