The Hunt: Dressy Tops for Work Outfits
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Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work 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.
If you've been hunting for dressy tops for work outfits that have that special something, we have some great suggestions — and we'd love to hear yours. These are all machine washable, and can easily be worn beneath blazers for a more conservative office environment, or just worn by themselves with trousers for a more business casual style.
How to Find Dressy Tops for Work Outfits
For purposes of this post, we're not including (links go to our round-up posts):
- blouses with buttons (whether crisp or silky), or silk popovers
- sweaters and sweater tees
- tops that are dry-clean only or need to be ironed
- basic work-appropriate T-shirts
- camisoles or other sleeveless tops (know your office!)
We've rounded up all of those in the past, and we'll put our latest favorites at the bottom of this post… but for purposes of today, we're hunting for that hard-to-define top that can really elevate any work outfit, and effortlessly add style and polish…
What Details Make a Top Dressy Enough for Work?
In general, tops we're including might have features like the following… (links all go to Nordstrom if you want to see the most recent options they have)…
- surplice necklines
- cowl necklines
- twisted or wrapped tops (whether faux or real)
- tops with ruching
- draped tops
- asymmetric details
- pleat details
- peplums
- corset inspiration (in an architectural, not boudoir kind of way, if that makes sense)
- puffed sleeves
- ruffles
- belted tops
- poms and other details
{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}
The Best Dressy Tops for Work Outfits
M.M.LaFleur
Some might call this blousy T-shirt from M.M.LaFleur just, you know, a blouse — I'm including it in this roundup because it feels somehow more than a blouse with the draping, slight peplum, and dolman sleeves — but it also feels like it's as easy to wear as a T-shirt. (In fact, the brand notes that this top is “the intersection of three of our favorite things: a classic tee shape, elegant draping, and machine-washable, travel-friendly fabric.”)
The shirt is 100% polyester and can be machine-washed; it currently comes in three colors, sizes XS-XXL. Also great: their Antonia top (an elevated V-neck that feels more like a blouse) and their Jin top, a button-front knit with a wide square neck.
Boden
This Supersoft T-shirt with frill details from Boden is lovely — such a great way to elevate a crewneck. I also like the slightly puffed sleeves, and the keyhole at the back.
The T-shirt comes in five colors — green and navy have multicolored poms, while red, black and white have poms that match the shirt for a monotone look. It's $45 at Boden, available in sizes 2-22.
Modern Citizen
Modern Citizen has a number of clothes that feature this polished wrap effect — this slightly cropped T-shirt also has it.
The shirt comes in six colors, in sizes XS-1X — we've pictured the “blue grey” option.
Amazon Seller Avanova
I recently saw this top from Amazon seller Avanova featured in a Buzzfeed roundup, and liked it a lot — it has a really elegant look but for a super affordable price. The top comes in the half-sleeve version pictured as well as a sleeveless, short-sleeve, and long-sleeve version; all options are under $35 and come in about 30 colors in sizes XS-3X.
The material is a polyester/rayon/Spandex blend — they suggest “hand wash only,” but I would definitely put it in a delicates bag in the machine.
(One of the reader favorite sellers, Milumia, has a two sleeveless options that are really similar; so does seller Sweaty Rocks.)
{related: what to buy at Amazon for work outfits}
Saint & Sofia
This cowl-neck tee from Saint & Sofia looks great — it has an almost classic elegance to it. I've pictured it in this pretty blue floral pattern, but most of the 9 color options are solids. The shirt is made out of an “sustainable eco viscose,” which the brand describes as having a “silky smooth hand feel,” but the brand does not that it's machine washable.
The top is $44, and comes in US sizes 2-18; they also have camisoles, dresses, and long-sleeved tees featuring a cowl neck as well.
The Fold London
This Belleville top is one of the OGs when I think about this kind of top — it isn't quite a blouse or T-shirt, definitely not a sweater — but it's not a blazer either. I've always thought it lends a ton of authority and polish to practically any outfit, whether you wear it with jeans or more formal trousers.
The top comes in 9 options, including sleeveless ones, at The Fold, available in US sizes 2-14, and the brand notes that it is “cool machine hand wash, at least in this “Clever Crepe” material.
Looking for a dupe? Amazon seller Grace Karin has a few similar options, including this top under $50.
MELLODAY
Melloday, at Nordstrom Rack, is a new brand to me, but they have a lot of really cute tops for really affordable prices, including this short sleeve gathered peplum top. We're picturing it in black, but they also have a number of prints, as well as the top in white.
The shirt was $48 new, but is currently marked to $24.97. It's available in size XS-XL.
Vince
Vince makes a number of elevated basics that are perfect for filling this kind of spot in your wardrobe. They're a bit less “feminine” and more streamlined, also, if that's more your style.
As Elizabeth notes,
Wrap blouses like this one were a long-time staple in my business casual wardrobe for several years. They’re comfortable, elegant, and can be paired with pants or skirts without a lot of fussing. This one from Vince has a high neck that looks flattering and won’t require a cami underneath to avoid accidentally revealing a little too much.
The top is $195 at Nordstrom and comes in sizes XXS-XL. It's available in black and “black rose.”
The Fold
This knit top from The Fold looks fabulous — it's interesting and sculptural but still professional. I love it!
The top is $375 at The Fold and comes in sizes XS-XL.
Other Great Tops for Work Outfits
These tops all fall into more distinct categories… here are our latest favorites from each category!
Work Appropriate T-Shirts
Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2025, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Nic + Zoe, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!
Dressy T-Shirts with Sophisticated Prints
Looking for T-shirts with fun but professional prints for 2025? Some classic brands to check include Boden and The Kit. These may be on the more casual side, but also look at Lilly Pulitzer and Sanctuary.
Great Sweaters for Work
Short-Sleeved Sweaters
Some of our favorite short-sleeved sweater tees for 2025 include cashmere ones from Quince ($45!), Ann Taylor, Theory, J.Crew,* and Boden. (* plus sizes too!) For other materials, try Tuckernuck (cashmere/silk), J.Crew Factory (100% cotton), and Amazon (viscose/poly). Nordstrom and Anthropologie both have a huge selection of sweater tees, also! (All of the ones below come in white and black, as well as other colors!)
Silky Blouses
100% Silk Tops for Work Outfits
Silky Button-Front Blouses
Hunting for silk button-front blouses for work? As of 2025, readers love Boden, Everlane, M.M.LaFleur, Club Monaco, and Lilysilk. For more affordable options check Quince ($69!) and Grana; for fancier options check L'Agence, Equipment, and Vince. We've also rounded up other kinds of silk blouses (tanks, popovers, etc.)!
Crisp Button-Front Blouses for Women
Hunting for a crisp, collared button-front blouse? Some of our longtime favorites as of 2025 include Ann Taylor and J.Crew; iron-free options from Brooks Brothers and Foxcroft, and we'd splurge on Boss. Also check out our DIY options for gaping blouses — and note that if you just want a collar beneath a sweater, you can always go for a fake collar instead.
Sleeveless Work Tops
Sleeveless tops are still a know-your-office situation, but much more accepted than previously. As of 2025, some of our favorite sleeveless tops include ones from Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, Amazon seller Milumia, and Vince Camuto — Elie Tahari's silk one is also lovely.
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
I may be old and cranky, but none of those, with the possible exception of the one from The Fold, looks like a “dressy top” to me. The Boden one, in particular, looks like weekend wear.
I am 45, so perhaps an old. A few of these, if styled differently, would read dressy to me, but I agree with the sentiment above. When I think of a dressy top, I think elevated/polished/sophisticated/neat.
A lot of these look cheap, even if they aren’t, and many of the oversized blouses might be stylish, but they are not polished.
Yeah, that fabric is pretty casual.
The MM one looks dressy to me because of the fabric, but I agree, the rest are ‘casual Friday’ looks at best.
Dressy tops are hard. I think that’s why so many people layer with a blazer.
I’m 38, but I agree. I think I could style the Amazon one and the one from The Fold to be office appropriate without a third layer, but many of these read as weekend/date wear to me. Or like a “going out top” for my fellow millennials.
I’m having a hard time finding good work blouses for just this reason, honestly. I’m in an office where I don’t need to wear a jacket unless I’m appearing on behalf of a client, but it’s hard to find tops that fit my aesthetic (which is more minimal/classic) that read as formal enough for me to feel comfortable wearing them to the office.
I am old and cranky, and will die on the hill that regular, Jersey, tee shirt material is not dressy. I’ll make an exception for a finely knit, smooth, dense, not see-through knit styled in a tee fashion but with nicer edging, worn with a blazer, and if anyone knows where to capture this unicorn these days please let me know.
Agreed, but I feel like this is a lesson every younger generation needs to learn on their own along with just how bad cheap jersey can be (becomes see through when it stretches, pills easily, gets runs, etc.).
I swear by the LL Bean pima cotton shaped tees. They are a fine knit, dense, opaque, nice edges, come in various non-casual necklines (boatneck, anyone?), and three quarter sleeves. I own multiples in jewel tones and neutrals, and they are very professional under a blazer or cardigan.
Agreed, and this is why I make it a point to stalk The Fold sales. I’ve got 3 of their Belleville tops and 3 of their other ‘statement’ blouses. Aside from one stretch silk blouse and one wool top they’re washable, hold up well, and definitely convey the ‘I am a senior woman taking this meeting seriously’ vibe.
To me, they look too casual for the office and too office-y for weekend wear.