t-shirts - Corporette.com https://corporette.com/tag/t-shirts/ A work fashion blog offering fashion, lifestyle, and career advice for overachieving chicks Mon, 22 Jan 2024 03:39:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://corporette.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/corporette-favicon-150x150.png t-shirts - Corporette.com https://corporette.com/tag/t-shirts/ 32 32 The Hunt: Work-Appropriate T-Shirts https://corporette.com/the-hunt-work-appropriate-t-shirts/ https://corporette.com/the-hunt-work-appropriate-t-shirts/#comments Mon, 01 Jan 2024 18:45:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=23529

Hunting for a great dressy t-shirt for work or a work-appropriate tee? We've rounded up our favorites.

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woman wears a dressy t-shirt with a blazer; she is reclining in an armchair and reading an ipad

Sure, we all know what basics 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.

We just rounded up stylish blouses for work, but I thought we’d take a look at that other versatile layering piece: work-appropriate T-shirts, aka business casual T-shirts for women, dressy T-shirts for work, or your basic layering tees.

Which are the best tees for layering under blazers, cardigans, and more? What qualities do you look for in a work-appropriate T-shirt, how many do you own, and how long do you expect your tees to stay looking new? In general, what do you think are the most office-appropriate T-shirt styles?

{related: do check out our regularly updated list of wardrobe essentials for work!}

Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!

Why Work-Appropriate T-Shirts are a Wardrobe Essential

Business casual T-shirts are great for days when the temperature is in flux (or the office radiator is on the attack), as well as a way of injecting some color into your wardrobe to mix up the sea of neutral basics.

Try them belted, tucked, untucked, or layered (I especially like a simple tee under a suit), and remember — if you’re wearing them to work, T-shirts should be in impeccable condition.

They’re also generally very easy to care for — typically machine washable, and they generally don’t require ironing. (As a bonus, if you wear a T-shirt as a layering piece underneath a blazer or a sweater, it can help you save on your laundering needs for the piece layered on TOP as well, because the T-shirt will catch most of your body sweat.)

{related: stylish tops for under suits}

What to Look For in a Great Business Casual T-Shirt for Women

In my mind, the perfect work T-shirt:

  • is opaque
  • is thick enough to not show the outline of your bra
  • keeps its shape throughout the day (and after several washes)
  • retains color evenly after numerous washes
  • looks like a perfect basic — not too memorable or trendy

{related: how to elevate a simple T-shirt}

Furthermore, a work T-shirt should be something designed to be seen — you should be able to take your blazer off during the day without worrying that it’s see-through, clinging to your bra, too low cut, tattered or torn, or otherwise too casual.

Which Business Casual T-Shirts Aren’t Dressy Enough?

Personally, I think any pockets will usually make a tee too casual for a conservative office, as does a wider rib trim at the neckline. I love my relaxed slub T-shirts for the weekend, but I think a slub knit or linen blend would make it too casual for work, as would a pattern like a space-dye.

Finally, while a tank top can be great for certain situations, it isn’t always the best for layering for two reasons. First, it won’t necessarily be appropriate to wear by itself at your office (see our last discussion on whether going sleeveless is professional — know your office!), and second, it may necessitate more laundering and dry-cleaning than a T-shirt would because a T-shirt would cover your armpits and protect the top layer from sweat.

(But: If you want a seamless look and just want to add opacity/raise a neckline, a camisole for work, demi-camisole, or tank top is definitely the look for you.)

What Are the Best Shirts to Wear Under Sweaters?

The Best Layering Tees for Women

If you want to wear an easily washed shirt under a sweater so that your sweater needs less laundering, any of the cotton or jersey sweaters below will work great (especially the ones at the top of this post!). I’m particularly fond of options with lower necklines like scoopnecks or squarenecks because they usually don’t interfere with sweater necklines. (But you should always match the two necklines as closely as possible.)

How to Get That Preppy Layered Look with Sweaters

If you want that preppy layered look with a collar, cuffs, or shirttail hanging out beneath a sweater, we would recommend either going for a silky button-front blouse, a twofer sweater, or a fake collar.

Hunting for great fake collars for layered work outfits? As of Jan. 2024, Amazon has a zillion options for fake shirt collars as well as faux turtlenecks; also check out Etsy seller bloominglace as well as others. On the fancy side of things, it’s hard to beat Lele Sadoughi’s faux collars. (Amazon also has a number of twofer sweaters, with that layered look built in!)

Our Latest Favorite Work Appropriate T-Shirts

The Best Dressy T-Shirts for Work in Regular Sizes

Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!

The Best Professional T-Shirts in Plus Sizes

collage of 5 plus-size women wearing tees: 1) white crew with long sleeves, 2) wide V-neck with elbow sleeves, 3) navy boatneck with elbow sleeves, 4) wide V with short sleeves, 4) rounded V with short sleeves
Pictured above, some of the best plus-size tees for work as of 2024: one / two / three / four / five

Easy Sweater Tees for Work Outfits

collage of women wearing work-appropriate short-sleeve sweaters, aka sweater tees
Some of our favorite short-sleeve sweaters for 2024 include Quince ($45!), Ann Taylor, J.Crew,* and this Amazon bestseller. (* plus sizes too!) If you’re hunting for something fancier, check out Kule or The Reset. (Try code CORPORETTE10 for 10% off.) As of 2024, Nordstrom and Anthropologie both have a huge selection of sweater tees.

Where to Find Business Casual T-Shirts for Women in Sophisticated Prints

Looking for T-shirts with fun but professional prints for 2024? Some classic brands to check include Ted Baker, Boden, and The Kit. These may be on the more casual side, but also look at Sanctuary, Caslon, and Tommy Bahama.

The Quest for Silk T-Shirts for Work

As of 2024, some of our favorite silky silk T-shirts include Quince, Cuyana, M.M.LaFleur, Amour Vert, and Brooks Brothers, and Reiss. Silk-blend knits are harder to find; LilySilk and J.Crew both have them.

Interesting & Feminine T-Shirts for Work

These no-button styles are all just a little bit different, interesting, and generally fabulous. Some of our latest favorites are below!

collage of 4 women wearing fancier tees you can wear under suits: 1) has draping details, 2) has a wrap detail at waist, 3) has a twist detail at the shoulder, 4) is a cowlneck
As of 2024, some of our favorite fancier tees for under suits include these: one / two / three / four (also this and this). In general, keep an eye out for brands like Boden, CeCe, and Tuckernuck, as well as the smaller workwear designers like the brands pictured above. (Also: J.Jill has a few long-sleeved ones as of Jan. 2024!) Some great fancier sleeveless tops include options from Loveappella and this high-necked option from Amazon.

The Best Opaque T-Shirts for Work Outfits

Hunting for opaque white T-shirts for work? As of 2024, we’d suggest checking the double-layer lines from Boden, Express, Old Navy, and Hobbs, as well as great sources for basic Pima cotton such as L.L.Bean, Uniqlo, Everlane, and Talbots. (This $268 tee also gets great reviews for opacity, and Elizabeth swears by this tee under $30!)

As of 2023, the best spots to check for nude-for-you undergarments are Gap, Old Navy, or Nubian Skin for tons of options — Victoria’s Secret also has a bunch!

The Best Sleeveless T-Shirts for Work

Sleeveless tops can be tricky for work (and you’ll always have to launder your blazers and sweaters LESS if you wear shirts with sleeves). That said, some of our long-standing sleeveless T-shirts and shells for work include these options.

Work-Appropriate T-Shirts: Reader Favorites for Business Casual T-Shirts for Women

The Best Cotton T-Shirt for Work: Everlane

gray scoopneck tee

Everlane makes great basics for work, and this basic cotton scoopneck tee has a sophisticated look. I especially like the elbow sleeves! The top is $40 full price in six colors in sizes XXS-XL at Everlane.

Some of our other favorite professional T-shirts in cotton include some from Caslon, Theory, and J.Crew.

The Best Long-Sleeved Dressy T-Shirt for Women: Banana Republic

woman wears dressy t-shirt for work; her outfit is all black and she is wearing her blazer over her shoulders styled like a cape or robe

Banana Republic’s line of “refined” T-shirts all look great for work. They have a number of shapes, including a shrunken T-shirt, a crewneck T-shirt, and a scoopneck T-shirt, but we like this long-sleeved version as one of the best dressy T-shirts for women.

The Best Business Casual T-Shirt in Plus Sizes: L.L.Bean

pima tops in light blue, illustrated with a skinnier model and a plus-size model

L.L.Bean has long been a reader favorite for substantial, quality cotton T-shirts in plus sizes. The exact styles change from time to time, but the readers sing the praises of the thick material, easy care, and wide variety of colors.

Also keep an eye out at Universal Standard, Eileen Fisher, Ralph Lauren, Talbots, and Amazon Essentials.

collage of 5 plus-size women wearing tees: 1) white crew with long sleeves, 2) wide V-neck with elbow sleeves, 3) navy boatneck with elbow sleeves, 4) wide V with short sleeves, 4) rounded V with short sleeves
Pictured above, some of the best plus-size tees for work as of 2024: one / two / three / four / five

The Best Silk T-Shirt for Work: Amour Vert

blouse in pretty print from L'Amour Vert, washable silk popover in black with blue abstract blocks on it

We just did a big roundup of the best silk blouses for work (100% natural fibers can be so hard to find!), but one of our long-standing favorite silk T-shirt blouses for work is the pictured one from Amour Vert. It’s washable silk and comes in a bunch of beautiful prints, and there are notch-neck styles as well as crewneck styles. Love!

Some of our other favorite silky silk T-shirts for work include Quince, Reiss, Cuyana, M.M.LaFleur, and Brooks Brothers. Silk-blend knits are harder to find; LilySilk and J.Crew both have them.

The Best Dressy T-Shirts for Work with a Sophisticated Print: Ted Baker

a dressy t-shirt for work in a sophisticated print from ted baker, shirt shown has swirl of colors including teal, purple, burgundy, and coral

Ted Baker has always made absolutely beautiful dressy T-shirts for work in sophisticated prints. If memory serves, in some years the shirt was a mixed media style with a silky back but jersey front — but the most recent iterations are cut from a soft stretch jersey (95% cotton, 5% elastane). The washing instructions say “dry clean,” which of course means you can machine wash on delicate.

You can find them at Nordstrom as well as TedBaker.com.

Other brands to check include Boden and The Kit. These may be on the more casual side, but also look at Sanctuary, Caslon, and Tommy Bahama.

The Best Sweater T-Shirt for Work Outfits: Quince

woman laughs while wearing a light blue, short-sleeved sweater tee in Mongolian cashmere from Quince

Newer budget brand Quince has been around for a few years, and readers really like their stuff — they’re known for affordable cashmere and silk, as well as affordable but luxe loungewear. This Mongolian cashmere T-shirt is under $50.

Other options include Ann Taylor, J.Crew,* and this Amazon bestseller. (* plus sizes too!)

If you’re hunting for something fancier, check out Kule or The Reset. (Try code CORPORETTE10 for 10% off.) As of 2024, Nordstrom and Anthropologie both have a huge selection of sweater tees.

The Best Dressy Tank Top for Work: Banana Republic

woman wears dressy tank for the office; she wears a white sleeveless tee with beige pants and a brownish blackish belt bag

I can’t remember the last time I saw a true cotton tank top that is dressy enough for an office, but Banana Republic’s sleeveless tee looks perfect. There’s a number of colors, but they all have that incredibly smooth, luxe look to them.

The Best Interesting Work-Appropriate T-Shirt: M.M.LaFleur

professional woman leans against wall; she wears a short-sleeved white top from M.M.LaFleur with draping details and dark green pants.

M.M.LaFleur has had a lot of beautiful pull-over styles in a variety of fabrics — the Nejvi top, pictured above, is in a polyester. (Is it more of a short-sleeve blouse? A polyester tee? It’s a fine line… I’m including it in this roundup because at base it really is just a fancy T-shirt — I think of blouses as having buttons, and popover blouses being a bit more drapey (but maybe that’s me?)).

Other favorites in this category include options from Modern Citizen, Amour Vert, Saint & Sofia, and Spanx. Boden, CeCe, and Tuckernuck all have good options occasionally as well. If you’re looking to splurge, definitely check out The Fold.

The Best Opaque White Tee for Work: Boden

professional woman wears opaque, double-layered v-neck top from Boden; she is lounging on an olive couch next to a navy pillow, and wearing beige pants

There are four ways to find opaque white tees for work…

The first way is to go for brands with double-layer lines — the extra lining in the front makes the top that much more opaque. This tends to be the sleekest, most polished look. Look to brands like Boden, Express, Old Navy, and Hobbs, all of whom have great double-layer lines.

Another option is to go for a thick, quality cotton such as basic Pima tees at L.L.Bean, Uniqlo, Everlane, and Talbots.

The third option is to go for white sweater tees instead of simple T-shirts. Because the fabric is naturally heavier, a knit also tends to be more opaque.

The fourth way is to go from word of mouth. Our morning writer, Elizabeth, called this eco-friendly tee at Amazon one of her favorite low-cost clothing basics, and she calls it her “ride or die” tee for when she wants an opaque white tee. You can find it in relaxed, classic, scoop, and crewneck cuts.

(This $268 tee also gets great reviews for opacity.)

The Best T-Shirt Bodysuit for Work Outfits: Soma

woman wears a work-appropriate t-shirt bodysuit for work with a square-neck and short sleeves

There are a lot of great bodysuits for work right now (they look perfect with wide-leg pants!), but in my opinion a square neck is hard to find and looks especially sleek as a layering option. I like this square-necked bodysuit from Soma, but Everlane and Amazon seller MangoPop also have some that look great.

In general, some of our reliable favorites for minimal work-appropriate bodysuits include EverlaneMangoPop, Soma, Commando, SKIMS, Madewell, and Wolford.

I’ve rounded up some of my favorites below — but readers, which are your favorites?

{related: here’s our much older poll on asking readers: how casual of a T-shirt can be worn beneath suits?}

Like this feature? Check out other recent installments!

Stock social media photos via Pexels / SHVETS Productions.

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Best Opaque Women’s White T-Shirts for Work https://corporette.com/opaque-white-t-shirts/ https://corporette.com/opaque-white-t-shirts/#comments Mon, 15 May 2023 17:35:00 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=67173

A white t-shirt is a classic base for all kinds of work outfits... but it can be tricky to find one that's opaque, so we rounded up some new options.

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woman wears an opaque white t-shirt for women; she is typing on a laptop and sitting in front of a window with trees and grass behind her.

One of the questions I often see readers asking and discussing is the hunt for the best opaque white T-shirts — and really, why is it so hard to find a T-shirt that isn’t see-through? I thought I’d round up some of the best suggestions I’ve seen over the years…

{related: how to elevate a simple T-shirt}

First, what to wear with opaque white T-shirts for work: I definitely recommend wearing a nude-for-you T-shirt bra.

If you need to layer a camisole I’d probably go for a shade that best matches your skin tone in a slightly silky fabric so it doesn’t cling to your T-shirt.

Gap also has really solid options for bras and panties for a wide range of skin tones, as well!

Our Latest Favorite Opaque White T-Shirts for Work

Hunting for opaque white T-shirts for work? As of 2024, we’d suggest checking the double-layer lines from Boden, Express, Old Navy, and Hobbs, as well as great sources for basic Pima cotton such as L.L.Bean, Uniqlo, Everlane, and Talbots. (This $268 tee also gets great reviews for opacity, and Elizabeth swears by this tee under $30!)

As of 2023, the best spots to check for nude-for-you undergarments are Gap, Old Navy, or Nubian Skin for tons of options — Victoria’s Secret also has a bunch!

Let’s take a closer look at some of our favorites…

1. Boden’s Double Layer Line

opaque white tee with scoopneck and elbow-length sleeves; styled with yellow high-waisted pleated pants
Boden has many double-layer options…

Boden often has a bunch of great colors in their double layer line of tees, but obviously the extra layers are best with the lightest colors! They’re available in sizes X-L for around $32-$45.

2. Express’s Double Layer Line

opaque white V-neck tee
Express also has a ton of double-layered options!

Express’s double-layer line varies — sometimes they have a lot of styles, sometimes they only have a few. Sizes range from XS to XL, and prices are usually around $34.

3. Hobbs Double Fronted Top

double-layered white top with deep V and elbow-length sleeves
Another great spot with double-fronted options: Hobbs!

The Aimee Double-Fronted Top from Hobbs is a stylish and versatile top that features a unique double-layered design. It is available in sizes 2-18, and the color option is ivory.

The top is made from a soft and comfortable blend of viscose and elastane, with a double-layered front that provides extra coverage and a flattering drape. The top has a round neckline, short sleeves, and a relaxed fit that is perfect for layering.

The top is $75 at Hobbs; you can also find the brand at Bloomingdale’s as well.

4. Fisher’s Finery

opaque white tee from Fishers Finery
Elizabeth swears by this tee under $30 from Fisher’s Finery.

This top comes in a wide range of sizes, from XS to XXL, and is available in a variety of colors, including black, white, navy, pink, and more. The top features a classic fit with a flattering V-neckline and short sleeves, making it a versatile and comfortable option for everyday wear.

Elizabeth recently called this tee her “ride or die white tee” in a recent roundup of favorite low-cost clothing basics:

I don’t remember how I found out about the Fishers Finery brand, but now that it’s in my life, I’m never looking back.

This T-shirt is completely opaque, incredibly soft, and just slouchy enough to be comfortable without looking sloppy. The fabric is a viscose/cotton/spandex blend that washes beautifully and can go right in the dryer. I’ve worn it dozens of times and it still looks as good as it did the day I bought it. The price is usually under $30, but I would pay a lot more.

5. Lafayette New York 148

opaque white tee with scoopneck
This $268 tee from Lafayette 148 New York gets GREAT reviews for opacity!

{related: stylish tops for under suits}

This opaque white tee is on the higher end of the price point, but it’s been around and highly reviewed for years! It’s available in a range of sizes, from XS to XL, and features a flattering scoop neckline and short sleeves. It is made from a soft and breathable cotton material that is comfortable for everyday wear.

The top is available in several different colors, including white, black, and navy. Reviewers on the Nordstrom website praise the top for its high quality, versatility, and flattering fit. One reviewer notes that it is “perfect for layering” and that it “can be dressed up or down.” Another reviewer comments that it is “worth the investment” and that it “looks great with everything.”

The top also comes in plus sizes!

Other Options for Layering Shirts for Work

Short-Sleeve Sweaters: Often More Opaque than Tees

collage of women wearing work-appropriate short-sleeve sweaters, aka sweater tees
Some of our favorite short-sleeve sweaters for 2024 include Quince ($45!), Ann Taylor, J.Crew,* and this Amazon bestseller. (* plus sizes too!) If you’re hunting for something fancier, check out Kule or The Reset. (Try code CORPORETTE10 for 10% off.) As of 2024, Nordstrom and Anthropologie both have a huge selection of sweater tees.

Other Women’s T-Shirts for Work We Love

These T-shirts may be made of comfortable and durable materials and feature appropriate designs or colors that are appropriate for a workplace environment.

Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!

The Best Plus-Size T-Shirts for Work

In terms of opaque white tees, Boden (noted above) is available up to size 22, and the Lafayette 148 New York top does come in plus sizes. The Fisher’s Finery tee is available up to size XXL but they note that it runs large. L.L. Bean is also a good bet for opacity since their supima cotton is known to be excellent.

collage of 5 plus-size women wearing tees: 1) white crew with long sleeves, 2) wide V-neck with elbow sleeves, 3) navy boatneck with elbow sleeves, 4) wide V with short sleeves, 4) rounded V with short sleeves
Pictured above, some of the best plus-size tees for work as of 2024: one / two / three / four / five

Just hunting for a basic weekend tee? These are some of our favorites (there is some overlap, but in general they’re looser and have more casual details such as pockets and shirttail hems…).

The Best Weekend Women’s T-Shirts

As of 2024, some of the best weekend women’s t-shirts include Caslon, Madewell, Amazon Essentials, Fishers Finery, New Day, Rag & Bone, Frame, Three Dots, James Perse, and Velvet.

Readers who like to wear white T-shirts to work: What is your favorite brand? If you layer something underneath them, are you a fan of nude-for-you camisoles or white camisoles? (I’m normally on the team of “Your camisole should match whatever color your shirt is” but for an opaque white T-shirt I might go with nude-for-you.) What are your favorite ways to style a white tee for work? 

Updated social media images via Pexels / Andrea Piacquadio (woman typing on laptop). Social media image credit: Deposit Photos / racorn (woman browsing rack of clothes).

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How to Elevate a Simple T-Shirt https://corporette.com/how-to-elevate-a-simple-t-shirt/ https://corporette.com/how-to-elevate-a-simple-t-shirt/#comments Tue, 11 Aug 2020 17:44:58 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=105205

Here are several ways to elevate a simple T-shirt to feel a little more polished while working from home.

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Since we’re all mostly hanging out in T-shirts these days, I thought it would be interesting to do a roundup of ways to elevate a simple T-shirt if you want to feel a little more polished while still having a very, very easy work-from-home wardrobe.

{related: what to wear to work from home}

Our Latest Favorite Simple T-Shirts for Women

Work-Appropriate T-Shirts to Wear Under Cardigans and Blazers

Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!

Our Latest Favorite Plus-Size Dressy T-Shirts for Women

collage of 5 plus-size women wearing tees: 1) white crew with long sleeves, 2) wide V-neck with elbow sleeves, 3) navy boatneck with elbow sleeves, 4) wide V with short sleeves, 4) rounded V with short sleeves
Pictured above, some of the best plus-size tees for work as of 2024: one / two / three / four / five

Weekend T-Shirts for Women

As of 2024, some of the best weekend women’s t-shirts include Caslon, Madewell, Amazon Essentials, Fishers Finery, New Day, Rag & Bone, Frame, Three Dots, James Perse, and Velvet.

My Favorite Ways to Elevate a Simple T-Shirt

1. Add a necklace. One of my favorite style tips from Pinterest has been this cheatsheet… 

Chart on choosing necklaces for necklines

2. Add a cardigan, crisp button-front (worn open or half-buttoned), or blazer. Some of our favorite cardigans are below…

Some of our favorite classic cardigans for the office as of 2024 include those below — definitely check Talbots and J.Crew Factory if you’re looking for plus sizes, and Quince is always a nice affordable option.

3. Knot your tee to create a twisted look, a bit like this (below). 

4. Add a scarf or use your office pashmina.

collage of women wearing office pashminas or travel wraps in black, green, gray and lavender
Some of our favorite office pashminas as of 2023: black / green / gray (lighter weight) / lavender ($20!!). If you’re looking for more of a ruana jacket, I highly recommend the Brooks Brothers’ ones!

5. Use a brooch to create an asymmetrical neckline (for a T-shirt you don’t mind possibly stretching). (Here are 7 ways to wear a brooch!)

Psst: stay tuned for some of our recent favorite brooches!

6. Layer multiple T-shirts underneath each other (particularly for very thin tees), or use a camisole to change the neckline. (Some of our favorites are below!)

collage of 4 great camisoles for work in a variety of neutral colors

Pictured above, our favorite camisoles for work: one / two / three / four (25+ different color combos in a 4 pack!)– don’t forget about demi-camisoles too, such as this, this or this — or chemisettes!)

7. Tuck it in and add a belt. 

Readers, what are your top tips to elevate a simple t-shirt? 

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Poll Results: T-Shirts and Suits Go Together Like a Horse and Carriage https://corporette.com/poll-results-t-shirts-and-suits-go-together-like-a-horse-and-carriage/ https://corporette.com/poll-results-t-shirts-and-suits-go-together-like-a-horse-and-carriage/#comments Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:59:29 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=3694

Last week, we asked whether t-shirts could be worn under suits — and if so, if they needed to be fancy. {related: stylish tops for under suits} As always, the poll continues, but the initial results are in: – 55% said a simple, classic, and mundane t-shirt was fine to wear under a suit (similar ... Read More about Poll Results: T-Shirts and Suits Go Together Like a Horse and Carriage

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Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!

Last week, we asked whether t-shirts could be worn under suits — and if so, if they needed to be fancy.

{related: stylish tops for under suits}

As always, the poll continues, but the initial results are in:

– 55% said a simple, classic, and mundane t-shirt was fine to wear under a suit (similar to the one pictured)
– 34% said it should be a little fancy — satin detailing, a nice fabric, a rich color, etc.
– 5% said it made no difference what kind of t-shirt as long as the suit buttons up
– 3% said t-shirts weren’t acceptable to wear beneath suits, ever.

Some of our favorite t-shirts for layering at the office include these:

Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!

collage of 5 plus-size women wearing tees: 1) white crew with long sleeves, 2) wide V-neck with elbow sleeves, 3) navy boatneck with elbow sleeves, 4) wide V with short sleeves, 4) rounded V with short sleeves
Pictured above, some of the best plus-size tees for work as of 2024: one / two / three / four / five

{related: how to elevate a simple t-shirt}

Just hunting for a basic weekend tee? These are some of our favorites (there is some overlap, but in general they’re looser and have more casual details such as pockets and shirttail hems…)

As of 2024, some of the best weekend women’s t-shirts include Caslon, Madewell, Amazon Essentials, Fishers Finery, New Day, Rag & Bone, Frame, Three Dots, James Perse, and Velvet.

The post Poll Results: T-Shirts and Suits Go Together Like a Horse and Carriage appeared first on Corporette.com.

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Poll – How Casual A T-shirt Can Be Worn Beneath a Suit? https://corporette.com/poll-how-casual-a-t-shirt-can-be-worn-beneath-a-suit/ https://corporette.com/poll-how-casual-a-t-shirt-can-be-worn-beneath-a-suit/#comments Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:45:34 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=3583

Last week, we were surprised to see comments saying that a t-shirt is not appropriate to be worn beneath a suit, and we thought, a) perhaps we’re talking about different things, or b) perhaps we’re terribly wrong. So we thought we’d explore. For our $.02: Agreed, agreed, you can’t wear a Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert ... Read More about Poll – How Casual A T-shirt Can Be Worn Beneath a Suit?

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tees-beneath-suits

Last week, we were surprised to see comments saying that a t-shirt is not appropriate to be worn beneath a suit, and we thought, a) perhaps we’re talking about different things, or b) perhaps we’re terribly wrong. So we thought we’d explore.

For our $.02: Agreed, agreed, you can’t wear a Yeah Yeah Yeahs concert shirt beneath a suit, nor can you wear the kind of v-neck from the Gap that you would paint a garage in. And of course, a silk or cashmere sweater or button-down shirt is preferable.

{related: stylish tops for under suits}

But, we would say that a “dressy” cotton t-shirt like the ones we linked to that day, or very classic tees in a thick cotton or machine-washable fabric (e.g., a crewneck without a ribbed neckline), are totally acceptable to wear beneath a suit, particularly in a solid color like white.

Psst: These are some of our latest favorites for work-appropriate tees:

Looking for the best work-appropriate T-shirts? As of 2024, some of our favorite dressy T-shirts for work are from Amazon Essentials, Theory, Everlane, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Vince — also check our posts on opaque white tees and the best plus-size tees for work!

collage of 5 plus-size women wearing tees: 1) white crew with long sleeves, 2) wide V-neck with elbow sleeves, 3) navy boatneck with elbow sleeves, 4) wide V with short sleeves, 4) rounded V with short sleeves
Pictured above, some of the best plus-size tees for work as of 2024: one / two / three / four / five

Our reasoning here is that we’ve just never studied another woman’s clothing that closely beneath her suit. Is it too tight? Too sheer? Too old-school rayon shell-like? If it isn’t any of those things and the suit looks good, the top generally fades into the background.

{related: how to elevate a simple t-shirt}

It’s there to provide the woman with an option to take off her jacket if she needs to, but — as we’ve said before — we generally think you should keep the jacket on if you’re roaming the halls or going to meetings.

In addition to being acceptable, there’s a benefit — if it’s machine-washable, it makes a working woman’s life that much easier.

which-tees-can-you-wear-to-workcan-you-wear-tees-to-workwhich-tees-go-best-beneath-suits

But enough of our two cents — what do you guys think?
tee beneath suit

Psst: Check out our guide to the best tops under suits!

Just hunting for a basic weekend tee? These are some of our favorites (there is some overlap, but in general they’re looser and have more casual details such as pockets and shirttail hems…)

As of 2024, some of the best weekend women’s t-shirts include Caslon, Madewell, Amazon Essentials, Fishers Finery, New Day, Rag & Bone, Frame, Three Dots, James Perse, and Velvet.

The post Poll – How Casual A T-shirt Can Be Worn Beneath a Suit? appeared first on Corporette.com.

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What to Wear To… The Corporate Gym https://corporette.com/what-to-wear-to-the-corporate-gym/ https://corporette.com/what-to-wear-to-the-corporate-gym/#comments Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:01:11 +0000 https://corporette.com/?p=460

Wondering what to wear to the corporate gym? In this feature, “What to Wear To…” we tackle attire for office events that are outside the confines of the 9-5 office day. If you’re lucky enough to have a gym in your workplace (or nearby enough that there’s a good chance of running into people at ... Read More about What to Wear To… The Corporate Gym

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Wondering what to wear to the corporate gym? In this feature, “What to Wear To…” we tackle attire for office events that are outside the confines of the 9-5 office day.

If you’re lucky enough to have a gym in your workplace (or nearby enough that there’s a good chance of running into people at your office), you may be wondering what to wear to the gym. Obviously, you’ll want to leave the thong-leotards and short-shorts at home, but what does that really leave you with? Particularly on a hot summer day, the choices can seem limited.

{related: what to wear to workout in front of coworkers}

Update: these are some of our favorite workout pants — they’re opaque, available in a ton of sizes, and often have pockets!

Pictured above: black / purple / black

What to Wear to the Corporate Gym

Choose moisture-wicking fabrics.

These fabrics tend to cost more than your basic cotton or nylon, but they breathe more, wicking moisture away from you. This means you’re drier, lighter, and cooler — which then means that you can wear pants rather than shorts, even on hot days. Look for words like Dri-FIT (Nike’s brand), ClimaLite (by Adidas), and Double Dry (by Champion).

{related: check out all our office-to-gym discussions}

If you must wear shorts, go for modest ones. For example, these Moving Comfort Aero Shorts have the equivalent of a bike pant beneath a loose short — you won’t have to worry about what’s showing when you stretch.

Looking for great workout shorts? See reader favorites and more in our recent roundup of the best shorts for summer

Under Armour / Old Navy / CALIA / Nike Dry Tempo (also check BALEAF for bargains)

Watch your bust.

Not literally, of course — we’re just saying that a good sports bra is essential. (Let’s face it, a good sports bra is ALWAYS essential, but in the corporate gym you’ll be making a scene if you wear a regular bra for a cardio activity.) If you’re busty, we can’t recommend Enell enough — sure, they’re ugly as sin (see the pic) but these things do the job.

Finally, wear a shirt.

This is not the time to show everyone your rock-hard abs (but congratulations if you’ve got ’em!) — cover yourself up. Our reasoning is simple: Do you want to see YOUR supervisors without their shirts on? It isn’t a man issue or a woman issue, it’s just a let’s-not-see-more-of-each-other-than-we-really-have-to issue.

That said, there are tons of ways you can go with the shirt. You can stick with the trend and get a mositure-wicking fabric t-shirt. You could show your team spirit and don a company shirt.

You could go basic and just wear a tank top, like these from Old Navy. Or, you can go our preferred route, and show a bit more personality with your workout attire and go for something from Threadless (reader-submitted hilarious designs, examples pictured below), Busted Tees (think more caustic/funny one-liners), or Glarkware (television-related products).

Pictured above: Cake is Awesome, S’More 101, Word!.

Readers, what are your best tips for what to wear to the corporate gym? We’d love to hear them!

Social media images (added 2018) via Stencil.

This post was originally written in Aug. 2008, but substantially updated in August 2020.

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