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.
Collared women’s shirts are a classic for a reason — and whether you’re on the hunt for them as Zoom tops or for basic work outfits, we haven’t done a roundup in far too long.
Readers, what are your thoughts — yea or nay on collared shirts? If you’re going into the office, are they part of your work outfit rotation? Are you them out for the occasional Zoom call?
In the past we’ve talked about important issues such as whether the collar goes out or in, what color camisole to wear beneath a white blouse, how to keep white blouses white, some DIY options for gaping blouses, when to tuck your blouse, and 10 things to know about wearing button-front blouses.
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Some of the Hall of Famers we’ve mentioned in the past include these lovely collared shirts:
Pictured above, the best women’s collared blouses as of 2023: one / two* / three* / four / five (* = available in plus sizes; see more in our roundup of the best plus-size workwear blouses — also check out our DIY options for gaping blouses)
- Hall of Famers: Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Foxcroft, Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor, Universal Standard, Equipment, Tucker, Everlane
- Under $50: Amazon Essentials (2,400 good reviews), Clovery (1,600 good reviews!)
- Under $100: J.Crew, Brooks Brothers (frequent sales), Ann Taylor, Hawes & Curtis, Everlane
- Brands with interesting blouses for a splurge: Rebecca Taylor, L’Agence, Tuckernuck, Anne Fontaine, Tucker
- Iron-free: Brooks Brothers, Foxcroft, Talbots
- Organic: Eileen Fisher
- Crisp collared blouses: Hugo Boss, J.Crew, Foxcroft, Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor
- Silky collared blouses (spots to check): Equipment, Halogen, Everlane, M.M. LaFleur, Banana Republic Factory, Mango, Vince, Uniqlo, The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens, Loft, Tucker
- Jersey collared blouses (definitely more casual!): Boden, James Perse, Eileen Fisher, also check Eddie Bauer
- Bodysuits: J.Crew, Express, Amazon, Tuxe, Express, Venus (but see our whole post on the best bodysuits for work outfits!)
- For busty women: The Shirt by Rochelle Behrens, Bravissimo, Exclusively Kristen, Foxcroft
- Bespoke (custom tailored): Sumissura
- Petite options: Hotouch (bad name but #1 bestseller!), Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor
- Tall options: Ann Taylor, Lands’ End
- Maternity: Lands’ End, H&M, Gap, ASOS (also check Target!)
- Plus sizes: Universal Standard, Foxcroft, NYDJ, Ralph Lauren, Lands’ End
Some of our favorite brands for silky collared blouses for women are below:
Pictured above, some of our favorite brands for silk button-front blouses as of 2022: 1) Quince ($59!) 2) Boden 3) Everlane* 4) MM.LaFleur* and 5) Club Monaco. For more affordable options check Grana and Lilysilk; for fancier options check L’Agence, Equipment, and Vince.
If you’re hunting for some of the best collared shirts for women in plus sizes, many of our favorites meet the bill!
Pictured, some of the best plus-size workwear blouses as of 2022: one / two / three / four / five
Of course, gaping can be a problem with button-front shirts. If your bust is the problem, definitely check out some of the best blouses for busty women — we’ve rounded up some above, but here are some pictures:
As of 2022, some great dress shirts for women with large breasts: mustard / white / blue / white (also check out this indie brand)
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!
Readers, if you’re a fan of collared shirts, which are your favorites?
Curious about older iterations of this roundup? Here they were in 2019 (modern blouses for suits), 2017 (best women’s dress shirts ) 2014 (silk button-front blouses), and 2013 (crisp button-down shirts).
Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!
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Elizabeth
Chaps has some great-quality shirts as well.
Aminat Danmole
Does Foxcroft know something about plus-size women’s aversion to full-length sleeves that I don’t?
Cicely
Has anyone tried Grayson button-down shirts? I just saw an ad for them in my FB feed and was intrigued — they claim to have the perfect silhouette for all chest sizes, no gaping.