Bare Arms at Work: Yea or Nay?
This post may contain affiliate links and Corporette® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Can you have bare arms at work? Are shells and tanks acceptable to wear under jackets? As everyone's layering for fall, this seems appropriate to discuss now, and Reader K brings up this age-old question: can you go sleeveless at the office?
I graduated law school in May, and am currently a federal law clerk. My mother, who is an attorney, my sister, a law student, and I have been debating whether sleeveless tops are appropriate work attire for attorneys. I have an ivory silk blouse/shell/tank that I love, but my mother feels is only appropriate if I never take off my suit jacket.
I wore it to chambers with a black skirt suit last week. Normally I wear my suit jacket throughout the day, but that day it was over 80 degrees in chambers…so naturally, I shed the jacket while working. The judge came to give me something while I had the jacket off and while I would have liked to have the jacket on when interacting with him, I shrugged it off considering his office was uncomfortably warm as well. What do you think of the top? Is it appropriate for work? With or without a jacket or sweater over it?
Can You Have Bare Arms at Work?
For the record, I prefer wearing sleeved shirts under jackets — in addition to sidestepping the “bare arms” conundrum, it also makes laundering easier by protecting the underarms of your jackets or sweaters. But I'm really curious to hear what the readers say, so I thought we'd do some more polls to try to close in on what it might be that has historically made sleeveless tops so offensive. Is it strappiness/amount of bra showing? Is it a “this is underwear” vibe to simple camisoles?
{related: the sleeveless professional look}
TLDR: Our Latest Favorite Sleeveless Tops for Business Casual Outfits
Note how all of these have thick straps (not spaghetti or halter), have a relatively high neckline, and generally look a bit more blousy than a camisole, which is (really) designed to be an undergarment.
Going sleeveless at the office is 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.
Our Latest Favorite Camisoles (For Comparison)
Some of our favorite camisoles for work in 2025 include Commando's Butter camisole and Honeylove's shaping cami. If you're on a budget, try J.Crew Factory (reversible and several “nude” shades) or Amazon's multi-packs. Other options: demi-camisoles from companies like Halftee (Amazon also has a lot) — or chemisettes!
Our Poll: Why Can't You Wear Bare Arms at Work?
Like I said, I'm really curious to hear what the readers say, so I thought we'd do some more polls to try to close in on what it might be that has historically made sleeveless tops so offensive. Is it strappiness/amount of bra showing? Is it a “this is underwear” vibe to simple camisoles?
Not on the poll: lacy camisoles and skin-colored camisoles, both of which I'm against for anything but underwear (as in, kept underneath). Whether worn by themselves or just as a layer to raise the neckline, they look too much like underwear for the office.
There are other dimensions here also — looseness? fabric? What factors are you considering when you say something is or isn't acceptable, other than a gut feeling (and the all-important caveat, know your own office!)
So I've picked four camisoles below in variations of strappy and blousy. Remember, the question is which tops are acceptable to wear BY THEMSELVES, not just as a base layer….
For my $.02, #1 is the perfect camisole for layering under something — but does not look the best on its own. #2 looks great on the weekend, and I think there is probably where it should stay. Numbers 3 and 4 don't look horrible, but to my eyes a sleeved version would just look better and more appropriate in both instances, and so the sleeved version is what I would advise readers to build your wardrobes around.
Readers, what are your thoughts re: being bare-armed in the office? What factors matter when deciding whether a top is acceptable (other than know your own office)? Do you go with bare arms at work?
Just Saying: Third Pieces to Layer Over Sleeveless Looks
Great Sweaters to Wear With Sleeveless Blouses
Lady Sweater Jackets
Some of our latest favorite Chanel-style jackets for work in 2025 include these, but in general check more jacket-y options like Chanel, IRO, L'Agence, and Veronica Beard, as well as more sweater-y options like St. John, and ba&sh. J.Crew and Nic & Zoe offer a bunch of both kinds, in regular and plus sizes. On the budget side of things, check out CeCe, Tuckernuck (XXS-XXL), J.Crew Factory, and Mango. (Also check out our roundup of the best lady jackets for work!) Nordstrom has a bunch in all price points!
Chic Sweater Blazers
Some of our favorite sweater jackets for the office as of 2025 include M.M.LaFleur (the OG, the jardigan!), L'Agence, Summersalt, J.Crew, Modern Citizen, and Jenni Kayne. For budget options check J.Crew Factory and Quince.
Plus-Size Sweater Blazers
Hunting for the best sweater jackets for plus sizes? Some of our favorites of 2025 include J.Crew Factory (up to 3X), J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, Nic & Zoe, and Lands' End. (I don't know this brand, but this boiled wool one looks nice too, and this $40 option is available up to size 6X.)
Classic Cardigans
Some of our favorite classic cardigans for the office as of 2025 include those below. Check Talbots and J.Crew Factory if you're looking for plus sizes, and Quince if you're on a budget. Veronica Beard and Brooks Brothers both keep a bunch of options in stock. Two other reader favorites: Anthropologie and Sézane.
Blazers for the Bosses
Our Latest Favorite Blazers In General
Some of the best blazers for women in 2025 — great for wearing as separates! — include options from Cinq à Sept, J.Crew (collarless and collared), Everlane, and Madewell. Hunting for a deal? Check out J.Crew Factory and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop).
Great Plus-Sized Blazers
Some of our favorite plus-size blazers as of 2024 include Talbots (plus-size petites and talls!), Eloquii, J.Crew (up to 3X), J.Crew Factory, Universal Standard, Liverpool, and this great Nic & Zoe sweater blazer.
Great Double-Breasted Blazers
These are some of our latest favorite oversized boyfriend blazers for work as of 2024…
Shrunken Blazers
Shrunken blazers are coming back in 2025! J.Crew has a suit featuring a shrunken blazer, and J.Crew Factory has always carried schoolboy blazers in both cotton and a sweater knit. On the pricier side, this classic blazer from Smythe has a very fitted look, and L'Agence often has blazers and sweater blazers with a shrunken fit. This asymmetric blazer from Smythe is also great!
I work in an office with no dress code, and I still can’t imagine every wearing 1 uncovered!
I’m a junior associate and during the (brief London) summer I basically live in sleeveless dresses like these:
http://www.marksandspencer.com/Petite-Square-Sleeveless-Panelled-Dress/dp/B0058076TK
http://www.marksandspencer.com/Square-Neck-Waterfall-Front-Dress/dp/B00565BI8M
I think they’re very professional and office-appropriate – the shoulders are thick so there’s no possibility of bra strap visibility, and they’re very well structured and not too flirty/spangly like top #2.
As professionals it is always good to remember that the more skin you show the less authority you have.
As a lawyer I dress accordingly – ALL the time. That means jacket on unless in my office. And, no, I’d never wear any of the four tops shown unless going to an event or personal dinner after work – and under the jacket, likely with a scarf filling in the neckline area. (And that’s regardless of temperature inside!!) Usually though, I bring the cami, higher heels, small clutch bag and jewelry to the office and “primp up” just before leaving. For a true casual Friday or weekend – when I’m pretty sure I can stay in my own office, I have a couple of “jacket sweater” cardigans or sweater sets. (And I always keep a “go to court suit” in my office.) Casual clothes are for personal time. Other lawyers and clients don’t need to be subjected to my personal style preferences. Not
suitable or appropriate for a law office environment.
I have no issue with people disagreeing on the appropriateness of sleeveless shirts but have to respond to this comment that “clients don’t need to be subjected to my personal style preferances.” Corporettes, we are not drones! There is nothing wrong with having style and being an individual.
I prefer sleeved shirts but can never find any that aren’t button downs, which have the gaping problem and also tend to hug my post-2-babies belly squidge, which I prefer to hide with a little blousiness. Also, it is murderously hot and humid on the gulf coast for most of the year. Ergo, I go bare armed a lot in my office ( ESP sheath dresses, though also tanks and suit pants sometimes). I always cover with a jacket or cardi of I’m going out my office door, though. And my law office is on the casual end.