Has anyone found nice white or light colored blouses for summer that are not too sheer? I’ve been at Ann Taylor and Macy’s and I can see through every blouse I try on! Do people layer with a cami?
Any suggestions for a brand that will not show too much? Looking for a feminine top to wear with skirts, not a button up. I have an old favorite from Eddie Bauer but they don’t seem to carry it any more.
I’m not sure what kind of blouse you are looking for but have you tried Talbots or Banana Republic?
Yes most white blouses i layer with a cami. Interestingly to me is that my kids don’t care if their bra shows thru. And watching tv Ive seen that this seems normal for their generation. It’s not even shown as sexy or provocative. For example on Riverdale the pretty conservative dressing Betty often wear tops where you can see the outline of her very serviceable ( as opposed to decorative) bra. It seems like it’s more about “ yeah I wear a bra…I’m not embarrassed about it” than anything
I wear camis almost daily year round. In the summer, Uniqlo’s Airism is very lightweight, breathable and cool to wear, coming in cami, tank, cap sleeve, long sleeved and built-in bra styles. Some thin cotton brands (Hanro) are comfortable in warmer weather.
“It seems like it’s more about “ yeah I wear a bra…I’m not embarrassed about it” than anything”
Seems like a healthy approach because, you know, women tend to wear bras. 
Interesting that we older women have been trained to believe that showing a cami is fine but a bra is a no-no. Weird social construct when you think about it.
I think that seeing a bra or cami through your white shirt is not OK for working in an office. I too struggle to find white shirts for my daughter to wear to work (in my day a white shirt for a woman like for a man was something you wore for an interview or important business meeting). So I am following this thread for suggestions for my daughter.
I don’t think women wearing white shirts to work is very common or a necessity even for something important. Since there are so many other options that are totally acceptable, I’d just stay clear of that whole sheerness issue in an office setting by skipping white.
Brooks Brothers and Garnet Hill may have some that will work.
Foxcroft is a brand that has high quality button down shirts. I have a few and none are transparent or revealing, white and other solid colors and prints.
Thicker material tends to be more opaque. What about Nordstrom’s and Banana Republic? NRack is where I got my Foxcroft shirts but I read Costco will be carrying them.
If you choose cotton poplin, you shouldn’t have problems with see through
Cotton poplin. Yes. And if you wear a flesh-colored, smooth, no seams, no embellishments bra, it will not show through.
Agree ^^ A smooth flesh colored bra often solves the problem provided the material isn’t sheer in itself, and the size/fit is appropriate to the wearer’s build.
Only if your skin tone matches “flesh”.
That’s why I used the word. Not beige or brown or pink or whatever. Common sense. Not every thread needs to turn into race debate.
Not a “race debate” (
just pointing out that it isn’t an option for many. Beige would actually be more descriptive of the color, though. I’m caucasian and beige/flesh doesn’t disappear at all with my very pale skin. If the fabric is sheer enough to show the bra, it’s sheer enough to highlight the difference.
Plenty of options are available in all colors, dos. Just check Herroom or another lingerie retailer.
If you don’t want your undies to show, match your undies to the color of your skin, not the color of your clothes.
L.L. Bean is another old-fashioned company that makes shirts out of sturdy fabrics.
I have found that fabrics in general have become much more sheer. My daughter and I noticed it after the 2008 economic downturn. Not sure if it was coincidental and a fashion change or if it was a cost-cutting move. Knits, for example, easily get little holes.
Oh and don’t start me on cotton tees. Disposable fashion… sigh.
I have also noticed the poor quality in fabrics. It’s not just the bra showing through either, it also that I am not comfortable with my skin showing through. I do wear white tops (layered over cami/tank) to the office, but it would be nice not to have to do that.