Can You Wear Tank Tops to Work?
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We've discussed this in the past, but not in a while. Do you wear tank tops to work on their own, or only as a layer beneath a blazer or sweater? What are the rules about tank tops?
We've discussed sleeveless tops a lot as well as bare arms at work — they both used to be a lot more controversial than they are today!
As a general point to start — note that if you're wearing a sleeved top to work, not only is there no question whether it's acceptable at your workplace, but you can also save on drycleaning costs for toppers like blazers, sweater jackets, and cardigans. In general, the more fabric something has, the more appropriate it will be for a sleeveless top for work.
Tank Tops I Would Wear to Work
In general, you can wear ANY tank top to work — as a layer. The only tank tops that I would wear by themselves, though, have these qualities:
- the tank top hides your bra straps
- the tank top doesn't require a special bra
- the tank top doesn't leave any unusual exposed skin (lower belly, lower back, etc)
Some great tank tops that I noticed looking around the web…
Tank Tops I Would SaVE For the Weekend
For my $.02, I would know my office really really well before wearing these by themselves — but they're great for the weekend.
- tanks with chest pockets
- tanks with thick ribbing at the edges (something about it just looks so “underwear” in a chic way on the weekend, but not so much during the workweek)
- tank tops with arm holes that curve in to make your armpit even more exposed (especially with a halter top but even with some of the more common ones like the striped one below)
- has only thin spaghetti straps for the shoulder (meaning your bra will be exposed)
Great for the Weekend, but Know Your Office Before Wearing to Work
No.
+1.
sleeveless tops? 100% fine. Snug knit tanks? Nope. Layer only.
That’s like asking if you can wear dresses to work. Some, yes. All, no. Nuance, people. Nuance.
This.
I am in law and no, nope, and never. Even under a suit jacket (we have to take them off to go through court security), they read as way too casual and bare for someone representing someone else
For the first set, I wouldn’t call the Quince top a tank top, just a sleeveless top. I think the other 3 are really pushing it in a professional environment, even a casual one. Like, maybe no one would say anything, but they’d think it (and possibly question your judgement/professionalism).
For the last grouping, I think the J. Crew Factory one could be OK in a casual office.
I agree! The quince top would be fine in my office unless the V-neck hits too low, the Spanx one is okay unless it’s very tight, and no one would bat an eye at the JCF option.
Kinda depends on your body shape too. My slim 65 year old coworker wears sleeveless tanks under a jacket and walks around the office without the jacket. She still looks professional, but less formal. A younger woman might look even more casual. A slimmer top on a bustier woman might also be more questionable? (We are in-house counsel, and the coworker in question regularly meets with c-suite level executives).