Workwear Essentials: Tops & Blouses

Let’s get back to workwear basics and talk about a few tops and blouses you need in your work wardrobe

With so many trends coming and going, and influencers encouraging you to buy into said trends, it’s hard to determine what you really need in your wardrobe. Today, I’m sharing a few essentials, or basics, that are anything but basic and never leave you feeling like you have nothing to wear.

I had the idea to start this essentials series to help anyone who struggles with having a strong foundational wardrobe. A lot of times you don’t know where to start, but once you get started, you can build and build to create a wardrobe you love. Here are a few styles of tops and blouses to keep in your wardrobe that will never fail you.

Button-down shirts

Button-down shirts are a number one must-have, no matter what your office dress code is. Wear them with power suits and slacks at a more formal office, or with your favorite jeans at a more casual one. There are also a ton of fabrics, colors, and prints to choose from. I recommend starting with a good old white, cotton option. You’ll get plenty of wear out of it and you can build so many options around it.

Shell tops

I absolutely love shell tops. They’re usually sleeveless and a great option for layering in every season. These are a great “throw on and go” option for whenever you don’t feel like dealing with a button-down shirt. They work especially well for formal and business casual offices, but you can literally style them with anything.

Cowl-neck tops

I’ve recently started loving the elegance of a cowl-neck top. The cut is simple, but the gentle folding of fabric at the neckline makes the top more interesting. They’re really flattering for every bust size and so easy to style with trousers or a skirt.

T-Shirts

I know we don’t typically think of T-shirts as workwear, but in a post-pandemic world, many workplaces have started to relax their dress codes and make way for more casual tops. I must admit, finding a quality t-shirt that fits well and doesn’t look dingy after a few washes was a struggle—but I stumbled upon the perfect option at Gap. T-shirts are great to throw on under a cute blazer with a pair of jeans, or even to dress down a tailored trouser.

Tanks

Tank tops are the t-shirt’s sleeveless sister and a must-have for when the weather warms up. Like button-down shirts, you can find them in a plethora of fabrics and colors. Even though they tend to lean more casual, you can certainly dress them up depending on the style you choose. Tanks and t-shirts are my favorite “tuckable” shirts that lay nicely and don’t look bulky when tucked into pants and skirts.

And there you have it. A few styles of blouses and tops that you actually need to have a functional work wardrobe. Stay tuned for the next part in the workwear essentials series to help build a work wardrobe you love.