The Hunt: The Best Machine-Washable Tops for Work

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Sure, we all know what wardrobe essentials for work professional women are supposed to have in their closets, but if you’re buying one for the first time or replacing one you’ve worn into the ground, it can be a pain to find exactly the right incarnation in stores. Plus, when you’re a working mom, the focus often becomes machine washable clothes and kid-friendly fabrics and prints. In CorporetteMoms’ “The Hunt,” we search the stores for a basic item that every woman should have. A few weeks ago we rounded up modern blouses for under suits over at Corporette, and there were so many great machine washable options, I thought I’d round them up specially over here! What kind of shirts, blouses and tops do you like to wear the most — and do you gravitate towards them because they’re machine washable, easy-care, comfortable, or something else, like nursing- or pumping-friendly access?

• Under $100: most below!
• Plus Sizes:  J.Crew Factory, Vince Camuto, Foxcroft, J.Crew
• Tall Sizes: New York & Co., Ann Taylor, ASOS, J.Jill
• Petite Sizes: New York & Co., Express, 
• Maternity Sizes: Isabella Oliver, Loyal Hana, Loft, ASOS, H&M  (don’t forget to check out our entire guide to maternity workwear!)
• Nursing-Friendly: Loyal Hana, Savi Mom,  (don’t forget to check out posts on nursing clothes for working moms)

This scalloped edge tee is indicative of an entire style that I’ll call “elevated t-shirt” and hands down is my favorite thing to wear to work, whether it be with blazers, cardigans, or more. It’s dressy and appropriate but also suuuuuuper easy. There are no buttons. There’s no ironing. If it’s slightly too tight, just give it a little yank. Admittedly, it’s time to retire the shirt from the workwear rotation when it’s lost its shape, has stains, or otherwise no longer looks crisp — but in my experience that happens many, many wears after the initial purchase. Talbots has a whole line of scalloped items right now that are really nice; this one comes in regular, petite, plus sizes, and plus-size petites and is $27-$35 today; also keep an eye for this style of elevated tee at the usual suspects like Ann Taylor, Loft, J.Crew, and Banana Republic. (If you’re a fan of neutrals check out our recently updated guide to white tops for work, including a ton of elevated tees like this…)  A synthetic popover blouse like this one is another reader favorite for a super easy top to wear to work — it’s usually fine without ironing (unlike similar silk options), but the fact that you don’t have to worry about gaping buttons or fussy collars makes it very versatile. The pictured top is from J.Crew Factory (and comes in multiple colors and prints right now for $19-$35); also check out these options from Hinge and Express. Mixed media blouses can be the best of both worlds — they’re usually a polyester on the front and a jersey knit (like a t-shirt) on the back. They’re stretchier, and they wash well — but in my experience they look a bit worse for wear sooner, possibly because I’m more inclined to put them in the dryer (whereas with synthetic blouses I always just hang them up to air dry). The pictured one is $59 at Loft (and today they have a stacking promotion, where the more items you buy the higher your discount).    If you’re looking for easy-care blouses, don’t automatically discount the super traditional button-front dress shirts because many of them are machine washable and can look great with the right dryer/airdrying combination (15 minutes in the dryer to get the wrinkles out, then hang to dry). In my experience, the ones that are no-iron or have a high component of stretch works the best if you’re trying to iron your clothes less — the pictured one is from J.Crew, but also check out Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor, Foxcroft, and Express. Another idea to consider here, particularly if you just want to layer a collar beneath dresses or sweaters: the dickey or collar. They’re making a comeback, with high and low end options to choose from. Readers, how about you — what are your favorite machine-washable tops to wear to work like blouses, dress shirts, and elevated t-shirts?  Like this feature? Check out other recent installments here on CorporetteMoms, or on our sister site, Corporette! This post contains affiliate links and CorporetteMoms may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support!

Sales of note for 1/16:

(See all of the latest workwear sales at Corporette!)

• Nordstrom – Cashmere on sale; AllSaints, Free People, Nike, Tory Burch, and Vince up to 60%; beauty deals up to 25% off
• AllSaints – now up to 60% off (some of the best leather jackets!)
• Ann Taylor – Up to 40% off your full-price purchase; extra 50% off sale
• Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + extra 20% off
• Boden – 15% off new styles with code — readers love this blazer, these dresses, and their double-layer line of tees
• DeMellier – Sale now on, free shipping and returns — includes select options like Montreal, Vancouver, and Venice
• Eloquii – $29 and up select styles; extra 50% off all clearance, plus ELOQUII X kate spade new york collab just dropped
• Everlane – Sale of the year, up to 70% off — reader favorites include their scoop tee, Dream Pant, ReNew Transit backpack, silk blouses and oversized blazers! New markdowns just added
• Hannah Andersson – Up to 30% off all pajamas;
• J.Crew – Up to 40% off select styles; up to 50% off cashmere
• J.Crew Factory – 40-70% off everything
• L.K. Bennett – Archive sale, almost everything 70% off
• M.M.LaFleur – Tag sale for a limited time — jardigans and dresses $200, pants $150, tops $95, T-shirts $50
• Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
• Talbots – Semi-Annual Red Door Sale – 50% off + extra 20% off, sale on sale, plus free shipping on $150+

And — here are some of our latest threadjacks of interest – working mom questions asked by the commenters!

• The concept of “backup care” is so stupid…
• I need tips on managing employees in BigLaw who have to leave for daycare pickup…
• I’m thinking of leaning out to spend more time with my family – how can I find the perfect job for that?
• I’m now a SAHM and my husband needs to step up…
• How can I change my thinking to better recognize some of my husband’s contributions as important, like organizing the shed?
• What are your tips to having a good weekend with kids, especially with little kids? Do you have a set routine or plan?