Sure, we all know what basics professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. In “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have.
This post was last updated in January 2023.
We haven’t rounded up the best camisoles for layering (or demi camisoles) in far too long — so let’s discuss.
Which are your favorites, ladies? What do you like about them — simplicity, stretch, shaping powers — something lacy or pretty? — or fun colors or prints to add a pop of color or fun to an otherwise basic outfit?
What color camisole do you think is best under white blouses? (I’m on Team White all the way!)…
Our Latest Favorite Camisoles for Work
Pictured above, our favorite camisoles for work: one / two / three / four (25+ different color combos in a 4 pack!)– don’t forget about demi-camisoles too, such as this, this or this — or chemisettes!)
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Another minor note: if you’re inclined to wear a camisole to prevent a gaping problem, such as with a wrap dress, you may want to check out some of our favorite products to prevent gaping…
Some of the top products to help you fix a gaping blouse include:
Above, some solutions for gaping blouses: 1) Topstick toupee tape 2) double-stick medical tape 3) Flash Tape 4) Fearless Tape 5) black & white and colorful safety pins — see more clever solutions for workwear problems in our Amazon shop!
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Anonymous
Any camisole recs for someone who tends to sweat with an extra layer against their skin? I love wearing ivory and white tops but wearing a polyster or spandex blend camisole underneath makes me feel like I’m in a sauna.
JenB
The cotton ones from Old Navy are all I wear for basically the same reason.
Anonymous
Oh yes, I see they only have 5% spandex. That sounds doable. Thanks!
AMB
I really like the ones from Express! They come with a shelf, which for someone with lots of in the chest area, helps me feel more ‘contained’
Cube
I’m ashamed to admit this, but Forever21 has some of my favorite camisoles. I very rarely shop there, but found some basic camis in basic colors that have actually lasted for several years. I am petite and busty, and it seems like most camisoles are so low cut with such long straps they do nothing to help cover my chest, but I do not have that problem with theirs.
Lone Engineer
+1 to all of this. Petite and busty and I love the F21 camis for all the same reasons. They have a zillion colors including multiple shades of nude, and they’re only $1.80 usually! The only thing I don’t like is that the edge at the neckline and back is thicker than I’d like, so there’s a bit of a line under my blouse. When I care about the line, I wear an Ann Taylor cami instead. They’re invisible and fit nicely on me.
SwElle
I’m the same! It’s the only thing I buy from Forever21 (has been for years, but I never really liked the store). Petite top, busty.
SSJD
I’d love recommendations for an undershirt/camisole with short sleeves, so that I can wear it under my wool sweaters and avoid washing them after each wear. Any ideas?
Anonymous
WHBM had thick nylon scoop neck shirts that I’ve used for this.
Anonymous
Hanro if you’re fancy, Uniqlo if you’re not.
SSJD
I like this distinction ;) Thanks. How does Uniqlo sizing run? Is it TTS for adults, or is it sized for tweens and teenagers? I have no experience with the brand. I’m pretty small on top–wear XS in most brands.
Runner 5
Uniqlo is pretty TTS in my experience. I wear the same size in its knitwear as in H&M and Gap.
Elbe
I think the Heat tech runs small
Kat G
Adea specializes in that kind of thing too. If you like demi camisoles, some Halftees have sleeves. Uniqlo is probably a good bet for affordable types though.
SwElle
I have since great ones I bought on sale from Ann Taylor (so not sure if full price is worth it) with sleeves. They are so comfortable I’ll wear them around my place, too.
I went on a hunt for these last fall and found some but the AT ones are my favorites.
Shelf Bra Camis
Any recommendations for shelf-bra camis? Old Navy camis used to have shelf-bras but they don’t seem to anymore.
Kat G
Uniqlo had a ton when I was looking today.
KateMiddletown
Merona at target – I like them for sleeping
Rebecca
I used to buy them at Express, haven’t in years but worth checking out.
jwalk
Weirdly, Charlotte Russe. If you wear them on a frequent basis you’ll get no more than a couple years’ worth of wear from them, but they’re $7.50 individually and frequently BOGO 1/2 off.
Runner 5
I have some M&S ones that I love – they have a stretch lace trim that’s not overly lacy so they’re neither totally utilitarian nor too fancy for me. I’ll see if I can find them online
Runner 5
http://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-v-neck-lace-trim-vest-with-staynew/p/p22367764
They come up significantly smaller than the picture implies – with negative ease.
Shirts
On a related note, does anyone have a recommendation for white camis, short-sleeve or long-sleeve t-shirts to wear under an open cardigan or jacket? Since I want to wear something open on top, it can’t be too clingy on my post-kids belly, and I’d like it to be reasonably opaque.
reunion gift committee
LBH shirts — they sell them at tennis shops / amazon / online. The front has two layers (so even the white is opaque) and they are not clingy. They do run small though.
KT
Ranting.
I was an idiot 2 weeks ago and left my beloved LL Bean Field & Town tote in my car when I took my pup to the dog park Saturday morning. It was super early, busy, and in a very nice area, so I didn’t think twice. Of course that is stupid and someone smashed my window and stole my purse.
Irritating, but no real biggie. It was a pain to get the window replaced, but I had all of my cards canceled within 5 minutes.
Where I’m annoyed (and shallowly so) is that I went to LL Bean yesterday to replace my bag. They have discontinued the Field & Town bags! The clerk said maybe they might have some online, but they’re completely out and just have 2 or 3 red ones left. I hate the red and miss my classic, gorgeous black bag.
The clerk tried to sell me the replacement “Exchange Street Tote” but it sucks. The straps are shorter, thinner, and are only attached to the top of the bag (my favorite feature of the F&T is that I could put a bowling ball in it without the straps giving). It doesn’t have inner dividers/pockets and is just not the same quality.
BOO
KateMiddletown
I can empathize – my sister’s clutch/wallet was stolen from the car while she was at the dog park last fall. It’s got to be an easy target area. Sorry to hear about that :(
Wildkitten
Oh no! You should call and see if they can find one at another store and ship it to you!
Shopaholic
Check ebay! You never know what you may find on there if all you want is to replace your classic black bag.
I am sorry to hear about that though – I would be so upset if that happened to me!
KT
HA I’m definitely stalking eBay. I have about 10 different alerts with different keywords :)
In the meantime, I got a cute but junkie cheap one from Kohl’s until I find a replacement holy grail tote bag
Anonymous
does this one work for you? It’s a nice looking tote.
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/92078?page=womens-signature-westport-leather-tote-womens
KT
I did look at this one, but I’m not a huge fan of the slouchy/fold over look. I’m always grabbing stuff so it needs to have an easy zip top
Meg March
That sucks– but please tell me you actually put a bowling ball in your purse! Giggling at the mental image.
KT
Very close to it I think! At one point i had a first aid kit, a laptop, mouse, stapler, scissors, cosmetics bag, straightener and my lunch in it.
It was like a Mary Poppins bag!
JP
I have a brown leather Town & Field from 2010/2011, very gently used, that I stopped using and can sell you if you are cool with brown vs black. I’m very petite and it was too big on me, but I agree, it’s a great bag. Email josiepyeavonlea at g mail dot com
Not THAT Ellen
Can someone advise regarding a camisole washing issue? I have purchased “white” camisoles from various brands over the years that are not cotton – they are more of a stretchy material, and no matter how I wash them (I usually wash them in whites only loads), they seem to get dingy/almost gray pretty quickly. When I purchase white cotton camisoles they stay white just fine, it’s the ones that are made of stretchy material that seem to get dingy. HELP!!!! What am I doing wrong?
Fishie
I have had the same issue!
Gray
This is a year late… but white synthetics go grey if your detergent is whitening.
Rebecca
I’ve had great luck with camisoles from The Limited. They are reversible so you can choose between a v-neck or scoop neck (you turn it around, not inside out). They have some fun colors and then good basic colors. And several shades of “nude” if I remember correctly.
Krista
The limited filed bankruptcy. I am crushed. The seamless cami has been a staple in my closet for years. I will wear mine until they are rags
Uniqlo
LOVE LOVE LOVE the uniqlo airism tanks! I just got one last week and it is already my favorite cami. It is thin, lightweight, comfy and most importantly does NOT ride up! Doesn’t hurt that they’re super cheap too!
My others were from Commando (pretty good, rides up a bit and a bit too light) and Shimera which I hated. I cannot get that thing to not be around my waist 10 minutes after I put it on.
c
I’m gonna plug for Costco camis. Cheap, durable, soft, awesome.
Anonymama
Yes! Also not too tight and not too loose, and don’t bunch up too much
SA
Great quality except I’m short and even with the adjustable straps all the way shortened I have cleavage.
eperdutoo
I have have nothing but love for the WHBM shaper camis. I wear them year-round. I’ve also found the Gilligan O’Malley ones decent from Target and they are half the price as WHBM but they tend to roll up, unlike the others. WHBM has sales frequently which helps brings the cost down. I rotate through 4 camis and they hold up well.
[email protected]
Hi all can anyone recommend a cami that isn’t long ?? (XL needed) I am petite but don’t usu. fit in petite tops.. I only use camis to wear under sheer tops and I don’t like seeing the cami lining the shirt, or the ones I need it with, just doesn’t look right.
thecatsmeow
@cjohn, I have been eying the JCrew Perfect Fit tanks myself. Not sure on length. I would just hem them if necessary.
Which brings me to my main question. Where is the JCrew Perfect Fit tank in this? Does anyone know how that compares to the Halogen skinny strap?
Lisa
I have to put a plug in for Soma. I bought 2 and they were the only thing I could put next to my skin when I had a shingles outbreak. No seams. Limited colors, though.
I used to buy merona shelf camis to sleep in but recently they are smaller in top so I can no longer wear.
Lauren
I think Nordstrom has changed sizing on their Shimera tanks. I bought a size S back in April that fits perfectly – just got one from Anniversary sale (still S) that was large. No longer petite friendly. S is now listed as (4-6) . Any petite suggestions out there? Whats a 4′ 10″ girl to do!