How to Find Versatile Tops for Workwear and Casual Outfits – Four Things to Look For

How to Find Tops for Business Casual Workwear and Casual Outfits

One question I hear from a lot of women is how to put together a wardrobe that has both workwear and casual wear.  One of the easiest ways to streamline your wardrobe is to find versatile tops that can be worn in multiple settings.  Today I’m sharing four things I look for to find tops that effortlessly transition from workwear to casual outfits, and I’m excited to partner with LOFT to do it!

LOFT is always the first place I look for tops that are perfectly dressy casual.  They have the prettiest selection of blouses that can be effortlessly styled for work or casual wear, and they have a billion of them!  So, let’s talk through exactly what to look for!

SIZING INFO: I’m 5’6″ and usually 6/8 or S/M.

 

Black Cardigan + White Floral Blouse + Gray Business pants + Maroon Heels White and Black Floral Blouse + Gray Business Casual Pants + Maroon Heels + Maroon Bag Business Casual Outfit: maroon bag + gray pants + Floral blouse + gold pendant White floral blouse + Gray pants + Maroon Heels

1. Material that is not cotton or knit (unless it’s a sweater).  Cotton tops tend to feel more casual, whereas tops like the one I’m wearing above are a step up in dressiness.  The latter pairs effortlessly with slacks for work, but they’re not so fancy that they can’t be dressed down.  Tops like this are the perfect middle ground of dressy casual, which makes them so, so easy to transition between work and casual wear.  There are, of course, exceptions.  Some cotton tops are quite dressy, but in general, looking for tops like this takes out a lot of the guess work and makes life a lot easier.

My top was nearly sold out earlier this week but is back in most sizes.  It runs a *tad* short, but if you’re tucking it, that shouldn’t be a problem.  The sleeves are bracelet length, so they hit about mid-forearm.  You can find it HERE.  I’m wearing my regular size at LOFT, size S.

2. Prints and special details that make a top interesting.  While it may seem like solid blouses would be easier to wear, I actually find printed tops easier to style for workwear.  Prints and special details bring to life workwear basics, like how the adorable printed top in the outfit above brings the grey slacks to life.

BTW, these grey ankle pants are soooo, SO comfy!  The legs are suuuper stretchy, and the color is a perfect medium grey!  I’m not kidding when I say these pants make me wish I had to dress business casual more often.  They are so comfy that I was actually sad when I changed out of them and into jeans.  And you know how much I love my denim, so that’s saying a lot!

They come in two fits: Marisa and Julie.  (You can read the differences between the two HERE, and then click the pink box on the right that says “Find Your Perfect Fit.”)  I typically wear LOFT’s Modern Skinny denim in size 28/6.  In these ankle pants, I’m wearing the Julie fit in size 4.  I’d recommend sizing down since they are so stretchy.  I tried sizes 4 and 6 in the Marisa fit, but size 6 was too big while size 4 didn’t have quite enough room in the hips or rear.  Julie was perfect.  Find these comfy pants HERE!

As we keep talking about what to look for in versatile tops, I’ll show you a casual look with this top next!

Shop for the Look:
Top: LOFT (exact–wearing size S)
Cardigan: (similar)
Pants: LOFT (exact–wearing size 4 Julie Fit)

 

White floral blouse + Skinny Jeans + Mustard Flats Skinny jeans with buttons + White blouse with flowers + Mustard Flats + Utility Jacket Utility Jacket + Blouse + Skinny jeans + Mustard Flats + gray bag White blouse + Skinny jeans + utility jacket + gray bag

3. Can be worn with trousers and with jeans.  When I’m looking for tops that can transition between workwear and casual style, I immediately try to imagine it with business casual pants and jeans.  I already showed you this top with the grey ankle pants for work, and here is a casual outfit with these cuuuuuute buttoned cuff jeans.  I mean, can you even?  They’re too cute!  They come in regular, petite, plus, and tall!

4.  Simple silhouettes.  Sometimes tops are too tailored, too structured, or too uniquely shaped to be dressed down.  Tops with simple silhouettes allow them to be adaptable and therefore incredibly versatile. I was able to tuck this top into the grey ankle pants for a clean look for work, or I could wear it loose and more relaxed with jeans, like in this casual outfit.  I was also able to wear this top under a cardigan to polish off my work look, or I could wear it with a utility jacket to dress it down further.  When the silhouette is relatively simple, the top easily works in a ton of different styles!

Shop for the Look:
Top: LOFT (exact–wearing size S)
Jacket: (similar)
Jeans: LOFT (exact–wearing size 28/6)

 

MORE VERSATILE TOPS FOR WORK AND CASUAL OUTFITS

Finding tops with these characteristics will bring versatility to your wardrobe, streamline it, and make your life SO much easier.  And, like I said, LOFT has tons of them, so I’ve rounded up some of my favorites below!  I especially love THIS navy floral top and THIS puff sleeve sweater (the color is more orangey in person).  I bought both of those as well and love them with slacks and with jeans!  The navy floral top works really well with maroon pants.

Click on any image below to shop the top.  If you’re viewing on Bloglovin and cannot see the widget, click out of Bloglovin’s frame HERE.

Huge thanks to LOFT for partnering on this post!


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