What women’s tops will be comfortable, yet professional for Zoom?
March 10, 2024 12:16 PM Subscribe
I need tops that look professional when thrown on over a sports bra and are comfortable enough to wear all day. Ideally they also wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.
My general style is anything Old Navy sells and about half of what J Crew sells. I’d like tops that are comfortable enough to wear all day while home and remote working (no itchy fabrics, seasonally appropriate since we don’t heat/cool our home like an over-conditioned office building, no button down shirts, etc.) Ideally the tops wouldn’t look ridiculous paired with leggings or jeans. I’m a 6ft tall woman, so I also like shirts that are long enough for me as well. I also tend to do some housechores during the day and go on a midday walk, so a top that can handle all of those is appreciated.
My organization doesn’t get overly dressed up, sweaters are common for winter work calls, t shirts are fine but pushing it a bit. I’ll add in that I often have calls that start right at 7 or 8am, and I find it difficult to get up too much before then so I really am just throwing on clothes to run to the computer, when I am often in meetings until 11 or noon.
Clothes should be available in XL, or XXL depending on the company. I’m not interesting in upping my “professionalism” through make up, jewelry, high styles or accessories, thought I do think they make a difference.
My general style is anything Old Navy sells and about half of what J Crew sells. I’d like tops that are comfortable enough to wear all day while home and remote working (no itchy fabrics, seasonally appropriate since we don’t heat/cool our home like an over-conditioned office building, no button down shirts, etc.) Ideally the tops wouldn’t look ridiculous paired with leggings or jeans. I’m a 6ft tall woman, so I also like shirts that are long enough for me as well. I also tend to do some housechores during the day and go on a midday walk, so a top that can handle all of those is appreciated.
My organization doesn’t get overly dressed up, sweaters are common for winter work calls, t shirts are fine but pushing it a bit. I’ll add in that I often have calls that start right at 7 or 8am, and I find it difficult to get up too much before then so I really am just throwing on clothes to run to the computer, when I am often in meetings until 11 or noon.
Clothes should be available in XL, or XXL depending on the company. I’m not interesting in upping my “professionalism” through make up, jewelry, high styles or accessories, thought I do think they make a difference.
Does accessories include a scarf? I find I can wear most any plain shirt with a scarf and it reads as dressed up a bit. I have a scarf or two I keep at my desk for this specific purpose.
posted by bluedaisy at 2:18 PM on March 10 [6 favorites]
posted by bluedaisy at 2:18 PM on March 10 [6 favorites]
A friend wears dark-colored or jewel-toned t-shirts (similar v-neck, or a boatneck), and cycles through open-placket cardigans (similar styles). The sweater gets an inexpensive (magnet-backed, I think) brooch, and different coworkers notice, then compliment, through Friday.
posted by Iris Gambol at 3:16 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 3:16 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]
The very most easiest solution to this is polo shirts.
posted by DebetEsse at 3:36 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]
posted by DebetEsse at 3:36 PM on March 10 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Everything at Marcella runs long (good for tall folk), and I love their stuff for my in office days, but I’ve been surprised how much use I get out of my Delancy top, it’s super comfortable, but the cut is very flattering. (I wear it with joggers all the time and it makes me look surprisingly put together) the Elena top is another super comfortable and magically flattering top.
I’m tall and a jcrew 14T and wear a L in the jersey tops, and XL in the more structured tops such as the Marcy.
My absolute fave shirt for all your activities is the Athleta ultimate train tee, but it seems to be discontinued. It had the perfect drape to it, but I could go hiking in it too.
posted by larthegreat at 6:10 PM on March 10 [3 favorites]
I’m tall and a jcrew 14T and wear a L in the jersey tops, and XL in the more structured tops such as the Marcy.
My absolute fave shirt for all your activities is the Athleta ultimate train tee, but it seems to be discontinued. It had the perfect drape to it, but I could go hiking in it too.
posted by larthegreat at 6:10 PM on March 10 [3 favorites]
Depending on the cut of the sports bra (I don't like racerbacks, so my sports bras are fitted more like bralettes), a flowy sleeveless tunic top might be good, like this?
posted by spamandkimchi at 7:34 PM on March 10
posted by spamandkimchi at 7:34 PM on March 10
Best answer: Lands End tops/blouses paired with various, generic pj pants are my wfh uniform these days. I agree with the above about bright colors and intentional choices when dressing for zoom. Lands End has great quality, they have tall sizing and they have amazing sales several times a year.
posted by pearlybob at 3:15 AM on March 11
posted by pearlybob at 3:15 AM on March 11
Best answer: Generic t-shirts dressed up slightly with colorful open-front cardigans is my go-to as well. But I also have a handful of comfy slightly dressier tunics from J. Jill, if you want to peruse that site and see if anything calls to you. I agree that an interesting neckline on a t-shirt makes it read more professional and grab those when I see them.
posted by Stacey at 5:09 AM on March 11 [2 favorites]
posted by Stacey at 5:09 AM on March 11 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I would recommend checking out the offerings of Everlane. They sell women’s clothing made out of natural fibers in 202X. As a heads up, you might potentially want to seek out some more “relaxed fit” styles… their fabrics aren’t always blended with human engineered stretch materials, so the only stretch/ give you get comes from the natural fibers. While I can’t speak to your budget, I think Everlane’s pricing is fair considering its inputs.
While I love Everlane’s clothing because its materials feel real, I must confess that sometimes Athleta’s clothing is softer/stretchier because of all the synthetic material. I would recommend Athleta’s stretch blazer.
posted by oceano at 6:55 AM on March 11
While I love Everlane’s clothing because its materials feel real, I must confess that sometimes Athleta’s clothing is softer/stretchier because of all the synthetic material. I would recommend Athleta’s stretch blazer.
posted by oceano at 6:55 AM on March 11
Response by poster: Thanks for all your comments! They were really helpful in considering approaches (choosing a “remarkable” top that shows intentionality) and also in reminding me of some places to check out for some nicer basics (Land’s End, J Jill, etc).
I have some items in the mai, on the way and hopefully at least some will work out.
@larthegreat, an Athleta shirt is actually what inspired this question (the now discontinued “effortless tee.” I was shocked at how much nicer it looked that my other shirts and my only regret is not having bought 10 of them.)
posted by raccoon409 at 8:17 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]
I have some items in the mai, on the way and hopefully at least some will work out.
@larthegreat, an Athleta shirt is actually what inspired this question (the now discontinued “effortless tee.” I was shocked at how much nicer it looked that my other shirts and my only regret is not having bought 10 of them.)
posted by raccoon409 at 8:17 AM on March 12 [1 favorite]
You are not logged in, either login or create an account to post comments
I think a key thing that really helps is intentionality. Bright colors, interesting patterns, or different shaped necklines will go quite a long way to making people say "oh, they are making a choice about what to wear," and that can give your presentation a sense of purpose. If you choose basic pieces, that is of course fine, but you have to look quite polished otherwise in order to look professional in basics. If you're making a style choice, then a lot else can fall by the wayside and you still look good.
My clothes from nooworks, Yevu, and Zuri get a lot of compliments. Those are spendy and definitely not for everyone probably. But plain turtlenecks, plain tees with a flattering color shacket, and square/boat neck tops also read quite well on camera. In my experience at least.
posted by phunniemee at 12:36 PM on March 10 [5 favorites]