short on shirts

October 4, 2019 7:52 AM

I'm looking for help tracking down some new tops to fill out my work wardrobe. Details inside!

I'm trying to be very conscious about what new clothes I bring into the house, but also stepping up my clothing game at work. This niche was previously filled by Old Navy tank tops, but at this point I think they're a bit too casual (and also slide down and show my bra a bit).

I'm looking for a source for new, somewhat interesting sleeveless tops that I can wear on their own or layered at work.

Requirements:

1. not see through - I've got a couple that are great from the front but you can see my rib tattoos from the side/back

2. machine washable

3. soft and a bit stretchy

4. has some sort of interest detail - the ones I love have things like a black on black mesh overlay, faux leather panel in front, or pleated layers on a basic tank top shape. I feel put together in these on their own but they're also comfortable under my myriad cardigans and shrugs.

Prefer:
long enough - I'm almost 5'10" and chubby, so if I wear pants that fall at my hip I'd like it to be long enough that no one will see the bottom of my stomach. This one is hard to tell online but I'm on trying things on/going to stores.

I'm usually an XL-XXL in women's sizes, so I can do larger straight sizes or smaller plus ones. I tend to stick with black, gray, and jewel tones but I'm pretty flexible since most of my pants are black or denim. Macy's is usually my go to but I struck out looking at their site the other day. Budget is not extravagant but I can afford to spend a bit on these, so feel free to share options.

posted by brilliantine to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (7 answers total)

I'm around the same size/height as you (hi!!) and the shirts I've been loving for work on the drapey popover shirts from JCrew. I only have the short sleeve ones but I'm planning to try the long sleeve ones for winter too. I guess they don't fit your request for sleeveless but I think they're versatile enough to be worth trying, especially since some are on sale. Also the sleeves are not at all bulky and have fit well under my denim jacket and cardigan. Nice colors, you can change the shape by buttoning all the way to the top or not, good length, look great tucked, untucked, or french tucked. I bought these in large and they are not at all form fitting (but they look great because of the drape). (I'm a 38D and these also have no gap at the bust, hallelujah.)

The other place I look for interesting work shirts is Boden--here's a link to their sleeveless shirts. Looks like they're having a great sale right now.
posted by CiaoMela at 8:06 AM on October 4, 2019

Do you have, ah, a generous bust-hip ratio? If so, alas, you may find anything button-down-y in the mass market to be a bit of a struggle.

The Bodens can be nice but also a little boxy, which tends not to look great on larger women. It's case by case. Fortunately their return policy is generous.
posted by praemunire at 8:21 AM on October 4, 2019

Loft is my go-to for work-friendly, comfortable, easy-car, just-interesting-enough tops for layering. They seem to have new stuff all the time and regularly have good sales, so check back from time to time.

I’ve also had luck at Anthropologie, but it takes a bit of searching and waiting for markdowns.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:29 AM on October 4, 2019

I've had good luck getting work tops from Dress Barn (which is going out of business) and Torrid (which is not). They're cheaper than something like J. Crew, especially on sale. And I pretty much live in black dress pants, a top from one of those places in an interesting cut/color/pattern, and a cardigan or blazer. Plus! Torrid's shirts run kind of long on me, and I'm shorter than you, so I bet they'd hit the sweet spot. Make sure you check the fabric blend and washability; I've had a few surprises with things from Torrid needing to be ironed to look their best and I'm extremely lazy.
posted by bowtiesarecool at 9:39 AM on October 4, 2019

Have you already tried Kohl's? I usually forget about them but I find they're great for tops like the ones you're describing. Here's their selection of XXL tanks and it looks like some may fit your criteria: this raspberry knot-front shell, maybe this black velvet tank, or this graphic cinch-waist tank. They usually have lots of sales or promos and ordering online has never been a problem for me!
posted by stellaluna at 9:43 AM on October 4, 2019

I'm pretty much your height and size, and I've been getting a lot of my tops from Eloquii. They have a lot of interesting pieces and a some simpler basics. Everything I've gotten from them seems to be well made with nice non-see-through fabric. I've only had one top be too short, and the return was easy.
posted by little king trashmouth at 10:34 AM on October 4, 2019

Tank style, sleeveless, stretchy, detailed and/or jewel tones:
Pleated-Neck Dot-Print Blouse
Keyhole Top
Jewel-toned pleated v-neck shell
Boat neckline
Twist V-Neck
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:29 AM on October 4, 2019