I’m continuing with the week of requests because last week was a short one, and there are still some fun queries to answer (and if you haven’t answered this question yet, please do so in the comments). A reader named Marisa wrote in to say that she’d like to see a post on “Work-appropriate tops to wear under blazers—preferably things that add a little color and personality without getting too Madonna “Express Yourself” (although I love that look—just not for work.)” I like the boldness and ease of this red choice.
This is a tiny bit more Little House on the Prairie than I typically go, but I think all those pretty colors would look great peeking out from under a jacket.
A very feminine—yet still nicely streamlined—option.
This smocked top has a lower neckline than other tops like it, which is a bit more flattering.
Such a very pretty blue.
A black and white floral would be a nice, graphic touch.
This has an eensy star print, which I love.
Another pretty floral, and one that would be especially good with a navy blazer, I’m thinking.
This reminds me of a Maria Cornejo top I wear endlessly (and that I paid a lot more for).
The notion of a brown floral sounds kind of unappealing, and yet this could not be a whole lot cuter.
This, at first glance, might seem too casual and hippie girl for work, but it’s made of silk, which polishes things up a bit.
True, this is on the pricey side, but I love the idea of the stripes peeking out at the cuff.
A lace top that isn’t too fussy is a good thing.
Yet again another floral, this one bright and poppy as can be.
Don’t dismiss this cami as too bare—it’ll be under a jacket and nobody will be the wiser (if you still can’t quite imagine that, here’s a similar tee).
Just a vivid, gorgeous green—an underrated color, if you ask me.
I like the way collarless shirts look with blazers, and this is just so good.
And finally: you can’t beat a good blue stripe.
Love that first red blouse. Really feeling classic, blue-undertoned ruby reds (the orange-y doesn’t work for my coloring) these days.
Any suggestions for those of us with big biceps? Often a blazer will fit me except in the arms.
I want the green pants shown with the Isabel Marant blouses. I’m assuming the pants are also hers, but cruised her web site and didn’t see them.
I LOVED reading what people spent money on––so much to inspire! What a great group of women you have brought together, Kim.
Hey, hey– the pants are right here: https://shop.nordstrom.com/s/isabel-marant-etoile-weaver-pants/4789933?origin=productBrandLink
Thank you, Carolyn! You are a much better researcher than moi!
I am sure that you have covered this before, but I am looking for a pair of jeans that are dressy enough to wear to a party (with a party in a top, of course..), but not more than $150 (which is $200 Canadian!). My most ass-flattering pair of jeans are boot cut, and looking very dated…
I just can’t imagine wearing anything sleeveless right now! Even with a jacket over it.
I love love love that Joie top. And totally agree green is an underrated color.
I think the only thing about many of these tops that don’t work is that the full/ruffled/adorned sleeves won’t fit easily into a blazer jacket?
I really can’t picture a lot of these being flattering under a blazer, especially the ones that are very full at the bottom (those with gathered plackets), unless the blazer is also rather oversized?
Agreed. Lots of pretty tops, but how do I get a belled/ruffled/floaty sleeve to sit comfortably in a blazer arm? I think some of the ruffled cuffs would look cute peeking out, though – like on the lace one.
I was thinking the same thing. Flowy voluminous tops do not work well under blazers, in my experience. They hang weirdly and bunch up.
Same here. I won’t buy those flowy tops anyway, because they make big busts look huge, but how the heck do they fit under a blazer?
Was thinking same … would not stuff many under a blazer. Some are boob tents ⛺️ which add too much volume styled with a slim fitting blazer. Better on their own. I like sleeveless under a blazer or if long sleeved a more fluid fabric…not cotton.
Yes.