Ask Belle: Chic Camisole Options
Nov 17, 2014
Belle –
I love your blog, and it’s really helped improve my work wardrobe. I’ve recently purchased several wrap dresses and silky tops that are semi-low cut. I would like to wear lace trimmed camis/tanks under them, but I can’t find them anywhere! I prefer camis without built in bras, long enough to tuck into pants or skirts, and under $30, if possible.
Thanks for all of the great advice! Rachel C
I like the wider lace-trim on this camisole. Delia’s offers a cotton camisole with lace trim that comes in several neutral colors. Vanity Fair also offers a reversible v-neck camisole that becomes a scoop neck cami.
Not looking for lace? Shimera is my favorite basic camisole brand. They make a cami in spaghetti straps with a shallow v-neck. I also like their scoop neck camisole with wide straps (so you can wear a regular bra without visible straps). Plus-size? Shimera makes camisoles in plus-sizes.
Hanky Panky and Commando also make amazing lace and lace-trimmed camisoles that look great with dresses.
If you want cheap, long lace-trimmed camis that don’t lose their stretch- I’d take a look at the Old Navy options below. They are more limited in color selection but I’ve been wearing them and loving them more than my nordstrom-bought more expensive options for a couple months
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=99087&vid=1&pid=145258002
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=99087&vid=1&pid=385682572
I’ve always liked finding these kinds of items at Forever 21 because they’re so inexpensive. I recently bought a bunch of camis from them for like $1.90 each.
The only problem with the forever 21 camis is they bleed – I bought a bright red one, washed it, and it transfered over onto my white pants (luckily nothing a little bleach couldn’t help).
Meant to say it transferred over onto my white pants while wearing it, I didn’t mix my laundry.
For me, I would feel way too sexy/romantic wearing a lace-trimmed cami with the lace visible at work. It’s almost like visible lingerie. Which I’m guessing is LW’s plan, because why else the request for lace? Anyone with me on this?
Kate, I agree. I honestly just avoid necklines that would call for a visible cami. In college I wore lacy camisoles with a bolero cropped sweater all the time (*shudders*), so maybe I’m just scared of revisiting that.
Jockey makes the BEST camisoles. They are smooth, last for years, and have a clean neckline with no seam. You can find them at Macy’s – totally worth the price.
https://www.jockey.com/catalog/product/modern-tactel-cami