Hi there! Don’t you love those tops that you can wear to work and on the weekend? Versatility is key to my wardrobe, especially as I’ve gotten older. When you have tops that you can wear anywhere, it’s so much easier to get dressed. These tops should work in many ways, whether your outfit is for a formal work environment, a general casual dress code, or a casual Friday. So, today, I’m going to share a round up of tops that are great options for work or casual wear. Each top is unique from the others!
Four Tops for Work and Casual Wear
Office dress codes can be confusing to navigate, but these tops will help you answer the question, what in the world should I wear to work today! They’re all appropriate for any type of dress code, and they’re not too stuffy to style for casual outfits.
Neutral Mockneck Sweater
This camel turtleneck is work appropriate and chic. It’s the easiest top to wear throughout the fall and winter because it goes with anything or it can be worn by itself. I love how it looks layered under any type of jacket, ranging from a denim jacket to a suit blazer. It’s a close enough fit that your sleeves won’t bunch up or feel too fitted under your jacket. It also has beautiful button details on the neck that add a level of polish to it if you’re wearing it alone, but fit perfectly under a jacket. It comes in black and navy too! I’m wearing my normal size small.
Embroidered Blouse
My embroidered blouse is one of my favorite tops because it looks nice with anything and it instantly elevates your outfit. While I’m wearing it untucked, you can wear it tucked in too. I created a video dedicated to how to style this top for the weekend or for work! Be sure to size down one size! Let’s talk about how to style it. I love it with jeans and flats (or boots) for a casual workplace. But, you can also wear it to an office where you have to dress business formal by pairing it with work trousers – I love this pair (click to see them on me).
Sleeveless Sweater Top
A sleeveless sweater is your best friend if you wear any type of jacket or blazer to work. You can layer a sleeveless top under a suit jacket for work, but you can also wear it under a cotton or denim jacket on the weekend like I am below. An elevated cardigan will also go a long way with this type of sweater if you’re dressing for a professional dress code. You can wear it with a skirt suit or trousers. Oh, and be sure to wear the cardigan and sleeveless sweater with jeans on the weekend!
My exact top is old, but I’ve linked a few below that will work in the same way – most of these come in different colors too. This one has a matching cardigan.
Classic Button Up
A button up is a must have top for your wardrobe if you ask me. You can go for a classic fit or an oversized fit or both – I think you’ll be surprised how often you’ll want to wear both. I’ve included a couple of photos below from different seasons for inspiration for casual looks with this oversized button up (be sure to size down one size).
I don’t have photos of me from the office, but I’ve worn this exact classic fit button up with skirt suits, suit pants, and under a knee length tailored work dress. Button down shirts are perfect for any work environment, and the style options are endless for work or the weekend.
How To Dress Appropriately For Work: Casual Edition
Here are a few tips on dressing appropriately in a casual work environment.
Tip One: Nice Jeans (Avoid Rips)
When I say nice jeans, I definitely do not mean they have to be expensive. You just want to make sure your jeans aren’t ripped! While I love jeans with a raw hem, I’ve never worn those to the office. You may also want to avoid trendier types of denim like barrel jeans, but you should absolutely wear the type of jeans that look the best on you. Trouser jeans are a great option for casual work environments, and so are any jeans that are just a normal blue, dark blue, or black wash.
If you work in a casual dress code and want a few tips on jeans and casual tops, check out this blog post on how to dress up a t-shirt and jeans.
Tip Two: Choosing The Right Shoes
Shoes can go a long way to elevating your outfit or making it look super casual. I’ve worked in tech, so I know sneakers are common in a lot of casual work environments! But, even if you aren’t wearing dress shoes to work, you should still avoid some shoes like flip flops. Mesh ballet flats are a great alternative to keeping your feet cool when it’s really hot outside. You can wear these shoes to work and on the weekend!
I hope you found a top and a few tips that will help you dress for success for your professional environment! Let me know what you think in the comments.
