The Best Popover Blouses for Work
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.
Hunting for the best popover blouses for an easy but polished look? These are our favorites.
{related: The Ultimate Guide to Business Casual for Women}
What Is a Popover Blouse?
I have never seen a strict definition of a popover blouse — I think of them as a) a blouse that b) pops over your head. So, regarding a), the blouse can be a crisp cotton, a silk, a linen, or a silky blend — but it usually is not a cotton jersey like a T-shirt or a knit like a sweater. (But not always!)
In order to “pop over” your head, a popover blouse usually either does not have any buttons or only has a few buttons on the placket to make the neckline wider. In order to allow you to put it on over your head, the blouse may either have a loose fit, or it may be made of a stretchy material.
Women like popover blouses for work because they're usually easy care, and there aren't problems with gaping buttons the way there are with other blouses.
I've seen popover blouses with long sleeves, three quarter sleeves, short sleeves, cap sleeves, and no sleeves. Most of the ones that we're featuring here have V-necks and no collars, but a popover blouse can have collars as well as different necklines like boatneck, roundneck, and more.
{related: The Guide to the Best Tops for Under Women's Suits}
TL;DR: Our Latest Favorite Popover Blouses
Looking for a great popover blouse without buttons? Reader favorites include Ann Taylor's mixed media blouse, NYDJ's pintuck blouse, Vince Camuto's rumple blouse, and a number of blouses from Amazon seller Milumia — you can also often find them at Talbots, J.Crew, and J.Crew Factory.
Other Favorite Blouses for Work
The Best Blousy T-Shirts
Blousy T-shirts can be another form of popover, but because they look more like T-shirts (but nicer) we tend to put them in a separate group.
As of 2024, some of our favorite blousy tees for work in general include those from CeCe, Halogen, Vince Camuto, and Amazon seller Milumia. For silk options check Quince and Cuyana.
The Best Blouses with Pretty Prints
Hunting in general for blouses in pretty prints? As of 2024, some of the reader-favorite brands include L'Agence, L'Amour Vert, Equipment, Smythe, and Tucker NYC. On the more affordable side, check out NYDJ,* Halogen*, Loft,* and Kut from the Kloth. For plus sizes, check out Catherine Gee (and the asterisks)!
The Best Plus-Size Blouses
Some of the best plus-size workwear blouses of 2024 include Universal Standard, Lands' End, Foxcroft, NYDJ, Vince Camuto, and Talbots. For a splurge, try Harshman or Catherine Gee.
The Best Silky Button-Front Blouses
Hunting for silk button-front blouses for work? As of 2024, readers love Boden, Everlane, L'Amour Vert, MM.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.)!
The Best Crisp Collared Shirts for Women
Hunting for a crisp, collared button-front blouse? Some of our longtime favorites 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.
The Best Sleeveless Blouses
Sleeveless tops are still a know-your-office situation, but much more accepted than previously. 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.
The Best Blouses If You're Busty
As of 2024, some great dress shirts for women with large breasts include The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens, Lands' End No-Gape shirts, Spanx's No-Gape Button-Front, eShakti's made to measure tops and specialty stores like Exclusively Kristen and PerfectDD.
The Best Popover Blouses for Work
Ann Taylor
Ann Taylor's Mixed Media Pleat blouse has been a reader favorite for years — the brand keeps coming out with new colors and prints, and often has the blouse in versions with different sleeve lengths.
The blouse is $54.50 at full price, but is currently marked 30% off (with some colorways eligible for an extra 15% off), bringing the blouse's price range down to $22-$41.
The blouse is a mix of 100% polyester in the front, and a stretchy blend (95% polyester and 5% spandex) in the back. It's machine washable, and the blouse is avialable mostly in sizes XXS-XXL, as well as XXSP-LP.
J.Crew Factory
Readers have long loved J.Crew Factory's popover blouses. The pictured shadow-striped option was one of the readers' most-bought items last month, but the brand also has a number in prints, solids, and a pretty gauzy clip-dot.
The blouses are $80 at full price, but are currently (and often) on sale for quite a bit less — today it's $24-$54. Most are available in sizes XXS-3X, as well as XXSP-LP.
Milumia
Amazon seller Milumia has a number of affordable popover blouses that readers love, including the pictured sleeveless option with guipure lace details, as well as this round neck basic pleated top.
Both blouses are extremely affordable (under $30) and come in a wide range of colors and sizes like XS-3XL.
NYDJ
NYDJ's pintucked blouse is another reader favorite, and has come in a huge range of colors over the years in both regular and plus sizes. The blouse is 100% polyester and machine washable.
It's $79-$89 full price, but you can find it marked down as low as $35 in some lucky sizes at the moment (but most blouses closer to $53-$59).
(I would have said that Vince Camuto's rumple blouse is another option that readers have loved, but it looks like that blouse is muuuch less available than it once was — so if you love it, take a swing through the available options now.)
Amour Vert
Looking for something a bit more luxe? This washable silk blouse from Amour Vert has also been a reader favorite for years — it currently comes in four colors, sizes XS-XL, for $140.
Another great option in this price range: Everlane's silk popover. Quince has a silk popover for less, with long sleeves and a collar.
(Irrelevant to this post, but: guys, they're showing sheer tights with shorts again. Whoa.)
Kobi Halperin
Another luxe option: this lovely stretch silk blouse from Kobi Halperin.
The top comes in four colors, sizes XS-XXL, for $298. The silk georgette blouse is 95% silk and 5% elastane, with directions to “dry clean,” which means you can give it a go on the delicate cycle if you dare.
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I have a problem with getting rid of things, especially gifts that I don’t like and never use but feel guilty about donating. Help! How do I get past this?
would it be easier for you to tell people to not give you gifts? i had a room mate in my early 20s who always gave me a little gift for holidays (like valentines day, a little trick or treat basket at halloween, a mug at xmas). it was sweet but without exception it was just junk that i didn’t want. i thought not responding would be sufficient but it wasn’t. at some point i said something like “it’s so thoughtful and i appreciate the thought but please stop buying me presents.”
So she gave you things and you ignored the gesture altogether?
i didn’t get her gifts.of course i said thank you.
There is a difference between not wanting clutter and not being rude.
Either set the terms for no gifts before the occasion or mutually switch to something consumable. Not reciprocating and hoping they take the hint is… not kind.
Post it on a local buy nothing group. Their enthusiasm for your unwanted stuff may make you feel less guilty.
In my community, the library sponsors a gift nook. People donate small, giftable items in excellent condition and then the library puts on a free shopping day, where people on a budget can come and “shop” the donated gifts. The shoppers — especially kids — are SO happy. I wonder if your town might have something similar.
Our elementary school also does this, and all the kids are invited to come “shop” for free gifts for their family at the Holiday Bazaar. This is the perfect time of year to look for somewhere to donate stuff you don’t want!
Marie Kondo take: think of the person who gave the item to you…their goal was to show you they care and spread joy, not to burden you with stuff. Thank them, and then help the item fulfill its purpose & spread more joy by passing it along to someone who will appreciate it more.
I actually just figured out yesterday that I can donate all of my unwanted candles to a Holiday Bazaar. My plan this evening is to round them all up and I can leave them on the porch of the person who is organizing it. Hopefully some kid can make their candle appreciating mom happy on Christmas.
I’m a big fan of the Marie Kondo approach here. She recommends at least trying the gift out, so you know for sure whether you like it or not. (She throws in “be adventurous, experience is what teaches you what really brings you joy.” After that, if you still didn’t want it the gift has given you all it can – it conveyed the affection and thoughts of the giver, they got the satisfaction of giving a gift, and you learned you don’t like that thing. Now you can send it on it’s way to someone who can use and enjoy it. A healthy dose of personification helps me – toys are meant to be played with, clothes are meant to be worn, soaps are meant to be used up… And they get sad just sitting in a closet, dusty and ignored.
But also, I tell people to either ask me explicitly what I want or to not get me anything at all. Or donate to a charity in my name or something.
If it’s something sentimental (or ties to the giver that’s keeping you), take a picture and then donate. This way you still you still have it some way but you’re not buried under clutter.
I also try to be strict with what’s coming in. If it doesn’t have a place, then I need to get rid of something else to make room. I also set rules for myself–no “new” face lotion until I’m all the way through what I currently have.
For gifts, try to urge taking the person out for coffee or having lunch instead of exchanging gifts. When I propose that, so many people are so much happier. You can even designate a day after the holidays. Or agree to food or favorite wine or something like that in advance so you aren’t burdening each other. Those who value gift giving can still be happy while you’re not creating clutter.
Set a limit. Set aside a shelf or box or drawer, however much space you choose. This is your finite space for guilty conscience gifts.
Put the gifts there, and if you have more stuff than fits the space, donate the ones that are your very least favorite, Dana K Wight style.
I’ve been decluttering recently. My mantra has been “things are not people.” I have to remind myself several times. My mother would not be disappointed in me for getting rid of a bowl she rarely used. My siblings don’t want it. It can go on to someone else who might like it.
Please help me level-set: is it unusual to bring a gun to a family funeral?
My relative’s spouse is a former police officer; last year he accepted his dream job of becoming an FBI agent. While attending the funeral of his wife’s mother, he wore a handgun on a hip holster under his suit jacket. It was not visible when he was at rest, but rising from a chair or picking up his kids, you could see it. Funeral was in a red state that requires a permit, which I’m assuming he has based on his line of work.
I live in a blue city in a blue state, and I don’t have any perspective on how common this is in other areas. Would you shrug at this? Or would it stand out to you?
I think there are a couple factors here that make it not unusual. I think it is not unusual to see someone carrying in red areas. I also think it is not unusual for current law enforcement to carry when they are off duty. I think some agencies also are much more inclined to tell their agents/officers to carry even if they are off duty. I’d shrug it off as not unusual given any of those circumstances.
+1 I know someone who’s a cop in a major (very blue) city and they “strongly encourage” them to carry outside of work.
I live in a blue yet gun-common state and this would be somewhat unusual (though not unheard of at all) but for the fact that the person is law enforcement.
FBI agents are required to be armed at all times unless otherwise instructed.
https://www.fbi.gov/about/faqs/what-kinds-of-guns-do-fbi-agents-use
I’m as blue state as they come, but if that’s the policy and he’s an FBI agent I would say that’s that.
This. Not weird at all.
This has to mean at all times while on duty. There are so many off-duty activities where being armed is impractical or inadvisable, like swimming, any activity involving alcohol, while playing with one’s young children, napping at home when there are children in the home, etc.
It means off duty when it’s not impractical. A funeral isn’t considered impractical.
This is not unusual (and may be expected) for law enforcement in red and in blue parts of the USA where I’ve lived.
If is concealed it’s supposed to remain concealed, is my understanding. It’s scary that an fbi agent can’t manage that. I feel threatened when people flash weapons like this, especially around children. It’s sloppy assuming best intentions.
You feel threatened when FBI agents, who are required to wear their firearms, wear hip holsters under their suits at family funerals?
I’m fine with law enforcement carrying open or concealed.But ive had former cops flash weapons that were supposed to be concealed and it’s scary. Why do you need to pull up your pant leg or shirt and show me the gun if you don’t mean to threaten? To be fair this sounds different than that and perhaps it’s more akin to a gun in a holster at his side. Still I don’t like the peekaboo gun thing.
OP specified it was in a hip holster under his suit jacket.
So is that a concealed weapon or not? Did the op miss that it was open or is he terrible at keeping it concealed? Or are fbi agents just allowed to show peaks of their weapons in social situations?
I feel the same. I don’t like seeing armed people in general and especially at a personal event.
I grew up in a red area, and it would be a bit surprising to me if someone in my hometown brought a gun to a funeral. That said, the guy is in law enforcement and may have been coming right from work or going to work (e.g., I never thought twice about my state trooper neighbor dropping his family off at my house and coming in to chat in full uniform). At least he’s been trained to use it and unlikely to leave it on a coffee table for the toddlers to find.
This. LEOs are different. Who here is making a fuss?
Me! Hi! I would ask this person to leave if it is my event. If you aren’t required to wear it off duty, I don’t want you wearing it at my event. If you are required, oh well guess you’ll miss the event.
This would be incredibly bizarre and hostile at a funeral.
Sincere question: is that a safety issue or an ideological issue? I don’t have a problem with the latter – it’s your event. That said, I’d more likely to be hit by a car crossing the street to the funeral than harmed by a gun at the funeral. This attitude may be why I can’t get along with my fellow liberals – I grew up in a place where kids had to be reminded not to leave their rifles in their trucks in the school parking lot during deer season. The last person I told that story to looked like she was wondering if I was going to pull out my banjo and pick my teeth with a buck knife any minute.
Related: I do feel bad for people in open carry states who think they need a gun to go to Panera.
You better not ever call the cops for anything.
I live in a red area and am zero percent surprised by this. Some of my friends carry large purses so that their handguns fit in them. Many of my male friends concealed carry at all times.
I’m in a blue state and would actually be shocked to see a gun in person unless I was on a range. I am originally from a rural part of the state and have personally shot shotguns, rifles, and handguns. I have no interest in gun ownership though.
Driving through a less urban area recently, we pulled off the freeway at one of those exits with gas stations and fast food to get a sandwich at a Panera, and there was a guy in regular clothes with a completely unconcealed holstered handgun. A large one, too. I was very surprised to see it, as it would be extremely out of place where I live.
Anyway, not wanting to be part of anyone else’s “good guy with a gun” fantasy that day, we decided to get food elsewhere.
But you probably don’t know how many people are carrying concealed. At least when measured by concealed carry permits, many states have concealed carry rates of about 10%, and it goes up to about 27% in Alabama. Some states have constitutional concealed carry and a permit isn’t required at all; presumably, they have higher concealed carry rates.
Yeah, I live in a blue state and have several family members with a concealed carry permit. They’re liberal people in affluent areas with white collar jobs so you wouldn’t assume that. They’re not galavanting around with a visible gun, they’re subtle. These relatives were initially surprised to learn how many of their acquaintances are firearm owners or have a CC permit once they started mentioning their own guns to others.
NY and CA have less than 1% of the population with a concealed caddy permit. It isn’t normal everywhere.
But doesn’t concealed mean concealed? I live a mile from what is purported to be the largest gun store on the east coast, and even here it is extremely unusual for someone to carry a weapon openly in a public place. Usually when they display the weapon they are deliberately trying to provoke reactions.
Coming from a more rural upbringing in a gun friendly state, wouldn’t be uncommon or unusual at all. For many people who are around guns a lot, they don’t read as threatening, and they give them about as much thought as you do a watch. It’s just a tool that you wear. If they weren’t following gun safety protocols, then that’s noteworthy. And yeah, most of us would be aware of unsafe gun practices and be judgemental towards neighbors/family/acquaintances about it.
That is interesting. I grew up in a “guns are tools” family in the west and was expected to practice gun safety even with my toy Frontierland rifle from Disneyland. After I moved to the south, I noticed that anyone here who admits to owning a gun is also very proud of how unsafely they handle it.
OP here. Thanks, everyone! Really appreciate the wider perspective and the FBI policy requiring their agents to carry at all times.
I would ask him to leave.
As would I. Even if he’s an FBI agent, if he can’t keep the thing hidden he has no idea what he’s doing and is a safety risk. Not to mention how much it would intimidate the mourners and detract from the focus of the service.
My ex BF is former military and a former military/defense contractor firearms instructor. We live in tiny blue dot surrounded by RED. He has a concealed carry permit and he carried everywhere. Every. Where. I had to ask him to not carry into friend’s homes who I know would be really upset about it.
Anyhow, for someone who is current or former LEO/military/agency, this would not register as unusual to me at all.
The only unusual part is his incompetence at keeping it concealed. Generally if you know what you’re looking for, it’s not that hard to tell, but it shouldn’t be visible.
If I knew someone was an FBI agent I would expect that they’re carrying a gun unless I had reason to think otherwise.
+1 – We had a family friend growing up who was an FBI agent, and he always was armed. And this was in the 80s in Pennsylvania.
If PTO and sick days don’t roll over and expire 12/31, do you let your employees use a few unused sick days as PTO around Christmas? Assuming they are otherwise caught up on work and good performers.