Zoom style

January 6, 2022 9:45 AM

Only my head and shoulders are visible on my videos at (tele)work. I hike on a stair master through the work day, so typically wear shorts and running shoes. have bold statement jewelry down - but need help with professional looking garments for a somewhat dressier workplace ideally look polished/substantial but are easy to wear with workout attire (and not too HOT- my telework location is very hot). I was imagining modern shrugs, stoles, boleros, “structured” scarves. I’m struggling to find good options that aren’t vintage-y or looked deliberately styled “old lady”. Hope me?

I normally wear brands like Ann Taylor, Talbots, etc. I prefer classic, somewhat conservative, bold styling - I frequently call my style Laura Bush meets Michelle Obama. I like machine washable and easy wear garments and strongly dislike finicky garments that need lots of care/prep (wrinkles, dry cleaning, etc.)

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

Dark solid color cotton tops. On a zoom call they look perfectly put together, especially if you have jewelry on. You could also get some wraps to layer over your top that can easily be draped over your chair - I realized a coworker of mine was doing this recently and was sad it didn't occur to me to do it earlier.
posted by amycup at 10:13 AM on January 6, 2022 [2 favorites]

How about a nicely tailored button up blouse/shirt that you can pull on over a workout top during meetings? I'm thinking about a version of the Zoom shirt that was discussed early in the pandemic (here's a non-paywalled article).

I'd get something solid, washable, slightly oversized so you can pull it over your head easily instead of fussing with all the buttons, and probably in a dark color to make sure it's opaque. This isn't the time for a very well-fitted, body-skimming top, but something with a bit of drape, which will also make it cooler. You could get short sleeves too.

Here are a few options (though I don't know about ironing so please read descriptions and reviews):
Bleusalt classic shirt (I don't have this but am coveting it)
Everlane washable silk relaxed shirt
Ann Taylor seamed splitneck popover
Lots of these short sleeved Ann Taylor tops could work too, depending your style preferences

In this case, you'd get one or two and try them out, and it would be okay to have multiple wears in a week because you aren't wearing them for that long, and you're wearing them over another shirt, so they'll get less dirty.
posted by bluedaisy at 10:38 AM on January 6, 2022

One of my board members is all about the Zuri jacket and a scarf. Another goes with structured white blouses - not sure where she gets them. Think balloon 3/4 length sleeves.

In my board meetings I stick with a solid colored shirt or sweater. Everlane is a good option at a good price point (although, man, I bought a silk blouse from them and immediately got a grease spot on it, I am super talented). I also like Curator, they have an open jacket that's great for this stuff, much more respectable than my usual hoodie.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 11:16 AM on January 6, 2022 [1 favorite]

I find that tops that have some kind of feature read well on zoom. This is an Ann Taylor (washable) option. Cap sleeve tops are also great for professional and not too hot, although hard to find until spring comes around. I am hoarding my pleated Calvin Klein shells because they wash great and I can throw them on and look polished in a second. Unfortunately I only see a few at Macys right now but this blouse on their site looks promising

For more structured/traditional appearances, the MM La Fleur Jardigans are frequently recommended for this problem (one example here). Not cheap, but multiple types of collars and blazer-like styles made of knit flexible fabric - if you had on a neutral workout top, it would look great with a necklace and the jardigan on top.
posted by BlueBlueElectricBlue at 11:48 AM on January 6, 2022 [1 favorite]

Smash + Tess is a Canadian brand known for super-comfy ladies' rompers (I love mine - super soft and very comfortable), but you might like the Elevate Wrap Blazer. Their stuff is pricey but might feel like a deal if you're shopping from the US. Being able to throw this on over a workout tank with a bold necklace and tie it closed might be an option.

They have other tops/cardigans, which might be a bit too casual but it's still worth a look. Their sizes go up to 4X. Good luck!
posted by melissa at 12:20 PM on January 6, 2022

Solid high necked t-shirt or tank top, short sleeved or sleeveless cotton cardigan with a collar or details. I have a white cap sleeve cardigan that I wear with a black tank top, and it reads dressier than a blazer. I hate collared button downs because the collar needs ironing, and who has time for that?
posted by Valancy Rachel at 2:20 PM on January 6, 2022 [1 favorite]

Fake collars fake collars fake collars. (I hope this google search shows up like on my IP address. I don't use Amazon, but you should be able to get some.)

Signed, someone who wears fake collars for work meetings. I tend to put my t-shirt over so it looks like the start of a t-shirt dress or a summer cardigan.
posted by cendawanita at 1:09 AM on January 7, 2022 [2 favorites]