A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Between Zoom, Google Hangouts and Microsoft Teams, we're all taking more video calls than ever before. Here's what you need to rock a professional look online.
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Working from home is a trend that’s here to stay, and we’re collectively having more virtual meetings than ever before. But just because you’re home, it doesn’t mean you can wear any old thing. Work rules are still in effect—at least from the waist up. One of the quickest ways to look polished and put together is to make sure you’re wearing one of the best work tops for women. But what, exactly, does that entail?
“The best shirts for video calls accentuate our faces and aren’t the focus of our screen,” explains style expert Sadie Cherney, who owns several Clothes Mentor consignment boutiques in South Carolina. “Shirts that are shiny or have loud prints or a lot of embellishments detract from our faces, as do shirts that are low cut or revealing.”
The bottom line: You want to keep it professional while still showing your sense of style and personality. As for the rest of your ensemble, pair these new work essentials with jeans, loungewear, your best leggings or joggers—whatever you want to be comfy, including slippers. We did the hard work of rounding up the best work tops for women that suit every style, so you can focus on perfecting your ideal backdrop instead.
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Blend your love of high-quality materials with bright, eye-popping color to keep the on-screen version of you visually exciting. “Think about your background,” advises Cherney. “Whether it’s your home or a green screen, you’ll want to make sure that your top stands in contrast to it. If there’s a neutral wall in your house you’re going to use as the backdrop, opt for a top in a vibrant shade or bold jewel tone to stand out best.” That’s a top personal stylist tip—and something you’ll swear by from here on out. This Quince cashmere tee is luxurious, easily worn through several seasons and comes in bold colors as well as neutrals. Plus, it’s incredibly affordable.
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When it comes to warm-weather tops, sleeveless is OK…but strapless is not. “Strapless tops should be avoided for Zoom calls,” says Cherney. “They’re too casual to be professional and can create the illusion that you are not wearing a top at all.” She suggests sticking to work-appropriate sleeveless blouses that have higher necklines to balance the look. This Carve Designs Dylan top is easy to dress up or down, offers just enough charm to keep things interesting and looks just as polished with black pants or a skirt at the office as it does with denim and a cute pair of sandals. It also comes in two playful chambray tones to suit every mood and personal style.
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This fun, updated take on a classic print is one of the best work tops for women that you’ll be happy to wear again and again. The timeless gingham print on this Southern Tide popover comes in nine colors, and the shirt offers UV protection, breathability and quick-dry fabric. Tuck it into a pencil skirt for workdays, or pair it with a cute summer hat and sunglasses on the weekend—the options are endless.
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The modern Z Supply Zena button-down will quickly become your new favorite thanks to its breezy rayon challis material. It features a relaxed fit with upscale details like dropped shoulders, flutter sleeves and a chic collar. Wear it like your favorite loungewear set with linen bottoms, or as a workplace-appropriate look. It also comes in two neutral must-have colors and sizes XS through XL. Try these casual work dresses if you only want an easy outfit.
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This Mongolian cashmere v-neck sweater from Quince offers the timeless sophistication of solid colors including black, white, several shades of blue and green and exciting citrus. With a v-neck silhouette made of rich Mongolian cashmere, this staple is both flattering and fun. It’s one of the best work tops for women seeking a truly versatile wardrobe piece because it transitions seamlessly from day to night—and it’s a budget-friendly luxury essential you’ll wonder how you ever lived without. Need proof? This similar Quince sweater sells out every year.
“Most body types look good in a v-neck neck style, as it can soften a hard jawline, make round faces look longer and elongate the neck,” says Cherney, adding that it’s important to keep v-necks relatively modest for work calls. This Quince top fits the bill. Find it in sizes XS through XL and 11 trendy shades.
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Say hello to your new favorite henley from LOFT. The soft pointelle is comfortable enough to wear layered with loungewear yet polished enough to pair with a skirt or pants. It comes in a variety of neutral colors that coordinate well with all your wardrobe staples, as well as both regular and petite sizes spanning XXS through XXL. With neckline detailing and chic front buttons, it will see you through your next video conference call—and then right out to dinner. Pair it with one of the best earrings for sensitive ears.
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Not only is this simple yet elegant executive top from JJ Winks perfect for working from home, it features a built-in bra so you can go braless (talk about optimal comfort!). The entire line of comfort-driven, stylish tees and tanks from JJ Winks will woo you with their built-in bras that require no additional fuss to look great. The bras can accommodate cup sizes AA through C with ease, and they offer a major upgrade from those ye olden times shelf-bra tanks of yesteryear. The soft Tencel material is a dream to wear. While we’re on the subject, these are the best bras you need in your wardrobe for all your other shirts.
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You’ll love how easy, breezy and fun this J. Crew garden top is. As one of the best work tops for women, it’s a timeless, lightweight cotton essential when the weather is warm and layers perfectly under your favorite jean jackets when the weather turns crisp. It’s so comfortable that if you take your next video call in this shirt and put on a pair of warm socks, you may feel like you’re in pajamas. Bonus: Because of its built-in gauzy crinkle texture, you don’t have to worry about ironing. It also comes in a variety of colors and sizes from XXS through 3X.
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OK, this isn’t technically a top, but it is a wardrobe essential you’ll definitely want. A neutral-colored blazer in black, camel or navy is one of the style staples you can layer over just about everything for a more sophisticated look. Consider pairing this Madewell oversized blazer with your plain fitted tees, a chic black turtleneck or even a tucked-in summer tank for a work-appropriate look that requires little extra investment. It will instantly elongate and slim your figure, and add charm to any look you already own.
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This effortless M.M. LaFleur long-sleeved top tucks in for work calls, untucks for more casual-yet-polished daytime looks and creates an elongating effect on the body thanks to subtle details on the shoulder seams that draw eyes toward your face. That’s the whole point of a Zoom call top, isn’t it? The fabric is also treated with Polygiene, a special finish that repels odors, so you can wear the piece multiple times without needing to toss it in the laundry. (And yes, it’s machine washable!)
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If you just don’t have it in you for much more than a tee, that’s OK, because this CeCe mixed media shirt offers T-shirt comfort with the bonus of flattering puff sleeves. It’s made of an easy-to-wash fabric blend with just a bit of added spandex to keep the tailored-looking fit intact for dozens of washes. Plus, it covers work-important modesty spots like the shoulders and necklines. One more box it checks off? It’s available in fun, bright colors, which Cherney says keeps things interesting on camera. But don’t worry—it comes in classic black, too.
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This sophisticated sleeveless blouse from Ming Wang is the perfect professional wardrobe staple year-round. Wear it alone in spring and summer and under blazers or cardigans in fall and winter to add polish to any look. The stand-up smocked neck gives it a feminine edge, and the elegant drape flatters all body types. Comes in XS to XL.
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Upgrade your existing denim shirt collection by adding this versatile button down. It’s ideal for video calls thanks to a low-profile collar that’s comfortable and breathable, while relaxed roll-tab sleeves balance belly and waistline areas in addition to being incredibly on-trend. The best part? The elongated back covers key areas and pairs effortlessly with your most comfortable Dragon Fit leggings.
“A button-style top never really goes wrong, and it easily transitions from work to casual,” says Cherney. Plus, this top features 100% Tencel fabric that only gets softer over time. And it keeps its gorgeous blue denim color for the long haul.
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This affordable Anthropologie puff-sleeve top boasts a flattering round neckline that exposes a modest amount of collarbone. It also features trendy puffed shoulders, 3/4 sleeves and thoughtful smocked detailing that adds depth in all the right places while allowing billowy comfort in the upper arms and rib cage. It comes in several rich hues that add preppy charm. Wear it with jeans and add a classic handbag to complete the look.
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This earthy split neck Bobeau top offers a timeless, slightly oversized style that’s comfortable for all-day wear at home. It wears more like your favorite pajamas than a work outfit, but with the added bonus of figure-flattering soft vertical stripes. Cherney suggests tucking in relaxed-fit shirts for a business-ready look—and untucking them for a more casual weekend vibe.
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Add some luxury to your blouse collection with this LilySilk basic military top. Flowing, soft genuine silk boasts a semi-fitted silhouette that makes it one of the best work tops for women who are looking for feminine details and 9-to-5 ease. It comes in a variety of eye-catching colors and is available in sizes medium through XXL. “Best quality silk I’ve ever seen,” writes one delighted five-star reviewer. “And the price is fantastic!”
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Take a walk on the wild side with this flirty NYDJ pintuck blouse. The mandarin collar and inverted back pleat offer polished, elegant wearing that feels like a comfortable weekend piece. It’s available in several happiness-inducing colors and prints, and comes in sizes XXS through XL to fit a variety of body types and sizes.
“I have ordered several sleeveless and long-sleeved ones in different patterns—they’re so versatile,” shares one five-star reviewer. But an important sizing note: Reviewers say this top is roomy, so if you want a more form-fitting look, order a smaller size.
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This Grey State top feels just like a worn-in T-shirt, but the ruffles give it a decidedly more elevated appearance. Plus, small details like a ribbed neckline, encased elastic sleeve cuffs and intricate cuts at the shoulders give you a fresh, youthful look whenever you wear this shirt.
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The best work tops for women are the ones you can wear year-round. The supple Splendid Yuma cashmere-blend sweater tank will quickly become your new favorite solo piece and layering base for cooler seasons. It offers the rich texture of the best fall sweaters with the lightweight appeal of a four-season wardrobe staple. It comes in two neutral shades, boasts trim detailing near the arms and the tailored bodice offers a slimming effect.
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This cozy, breathable and wrinkle-free LilySilk blouse is made of 96% Mulberry silk and 4% stretchable Spandex to keep you moving comfortably. It’s a chic upgrade from the typical silk button-down thanks to a stand collar you can actually open, smocked cuffs and versatile wearing through all seasons. Silk and soft-sheen fabrics instantly “upgrade” the quality of any outfit, according to Cherney, and this one offers a single-step approach to doing just that. While dry cleaning is suggested, the brand says this wardrobe staple is OK to hand-wash as well.
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Trust us, you definitely want to scoop up this smart-looking Athleta poplin tank in both colors before it sells out. It offers casual comfort, a cinched waist that complements every body type and a size range that’s so impressive it almost had us falling out of our seats. Seriously, it comes in XXS through 3X. Better yet, it’s made of a lightweight and airy material that’s mildly water-repellent. Meaning, you won’t have to worry about an outfit change if you happen to spill some coffee on it.
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This cheerful silhouette is exactly what you need to get the Zoom party started, and it offers the perfect amount of contrast against simple or dull backdrops. The Nordstrom gathered mock neck top is a lightweight feminine piece that you’ll love because of its on-trend prints, high neckline and cute back detailing. “It’s very pretty and the fit is spot on,” writes one happy reviewer. Before you check out, take a look at these Nordstrom sandals and shoes for a perfectly put-together look.
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Stay cool (literally) with the Everlane crochet knit polo. It’s an endlessly chic work top you absolutely need to be on top of current trends. It comes in four colors and a variety of sizes that work for all body types. Layer it over slip dresses, camisoles and tanks for an elevated look.
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The soft, airy lightspun cotton gauze material on this Madewell Renwood shirt is a midsummer’s dream with polished elegance. Yet another one of the best work tops for women, it features whimsical buttons down the back. It’s as comfortable as a tee, sophisticated enough to wear to work or dinner out and comes in both regular and plus sizes. “This is one of my favorite tops in my closet,” shares one enthusiastic reviewer. “The color is beautiful, the detailing is attractive and the fit is perfect.”
