The Best Blouse

Buying Guide

Dress codes have gotten more casual over the years. At one time, people dressed up to go to the movies or dinner. But over the decades, less casual wear became associated with work and special occasions. Soon, even businesses began relaxing their dress codes until top executives were showing up for work in jeans and t-shirts.

But the biggest shift to dress codes happened during the pandemic. With many workers telecommuting, companies began to relax requirements, and workers grew accustomed to working in clothes once reserved for days off. But with some workers returning to the office, the workout pants and knit tops of the pandemic era will no longer do. Even if you’re still working from home, those videoconferences call for a professional look—for the part of your body that appears on screen, anyway.

The good news is, manufacturers have perfected the art of making comfortable clothing look good. Polyester has made it easier to create attractive, dressy blouses that are stretchy and breathable so that you can fit in at the office while feeling like you’re at home. You can find various styles, as well. If your environment calls for button-down dressy blouses, look for those in comfortable material. If you can wear shirts without collars as long as they aren’t too casual, look for patterns and cuts that take a t-shirt into the blouse category.

If you aren’t allowed to wear jeans to work, you’ll need to look for blouses that go well with the type of pants you wear. Some lightweight blouses are made with vacation wear in mind, making denim or shorts a better option. Some lightweight blouses are also sheer, so you’ll need to make sure you wear something under it if that fits the one you choose.

• Many blouses are sold in Small, Medium, Large and X-Large sizing. But you can also find plenty that offer ranges from X-Small to 3X- or 4X-Large.
• Pay close attention to the care instructions with any blouse you’re considering. Many can be laundered, but you’ll likely have to wash on cold and hang to dry. You’ll extend the life of your blouse if you take these extra steps. Some blouses will need to be dry cleaned, which can be expensive and require an extra errand.
• Wrinkling can be a problem with some material. Polyester has become popular in recent years merely for its wrinkle-resistant properties. Cotton can tend to require ironing after washing and still capture wrinkles throughout the day.
• A little spandex can take a blouse to a higher comfort level. This will give your blouse just a little stretch, moving with you as you go throughout your day.
• Pay close attention to whether the material of a blouse is sheer before you buy. Some can look deceptively solid in pictures, only for you to find when you get it home that it’s see-through.
• With many blouses, you can choose between wearing them untucked or tucking them in. You may even opt to wear your blouse tucked in for work, saving the untucked look for your off times. Some button-down tops can even be knotted at the bottom for a more form-fitting look. With the right blouse, you can get three different looks out of one clothing item.
• In the summer, you’ll want a blouse that’s lightweight and breathable. But if you tend to work in a warmer office in the winter months, that same blouse could become a year-round part of your wardrobe.
• Many blouses come in multiple colors and patterns. Once you find a fit and material you like, you may want to buy several different looks from the same top.