Volunteer Fashion Dilemma

[TechWife]

Help me, Hive! I have checked numerous web sites and can't find a decent blouse or two. I'm adding volunteer hours at the hospital soon, which means I will be there on two different days of the week. Right now I have one blouse that I can wear and I need at least one more. For variety, two more would be great. 

 

The parameters: 

Must have short sleeves (I get really hot walking around)

Must coordinate with hospital issued volunteer vest (like this but dark grey) 

Must coordinate with these black pants that I already own (black is required)

Must coordinate with these work shoes that I already own (rubber soled shoes required) 

Should be business casual to business wear

 

 

It cannot be: 

grey, black or red (those colors are worn by different hospital employees, depending on position)

sleeveless or tank top

t-shirt

denim

transparent

a polo shirt 

 

I prefer: 

not to tuck my blouse with these slacks (hip length blouses are fine as long as my tummy doesn't show when I raise my arms)

not white (so I don't look like I work in the cafeteria - serious business when someone wants their lunch!)

 

Help! 

 

 

Edited March 28, 2016 by TechWife

[Guest]

I can't get the vest link to load properly, but I wonder if this would work: http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-short-sleeve-shirred-blouse/id_297639?sku_0=::MRT

 

Or this: http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-short-sleeve-no-iron-shirt/id_298545?sku_0=::YOG

[Stacia]

http://m.jjill.com/product/product.aspx?item=W6009S&rPFID=155&sk=M&h=M

[wendy not in HI]

I bought a sort of silky top at Target recently that might work for you.  I can't quite find it online, but something like this maybe:

 

http://www.target.com/p/women-s-short-sleeve-v-neck-blouse-bright-purple-eclair/-/A-49167810#prodSlot=_2_4

 

http://www.target.com/p/women-s-short-sleeve-v-neck-blouse-navy-ivory-abstract-eclair/-/A-49167729#prodSlot=_2_5

 

http://www.target.com/p/women-s-short-sleeve-v-neck-blouse-black-pink-chevron-eclair/-/A-49167953#prodSlot=_2_20

[TechWife]

I can't get the vest link to load properly, but I wonder if this would work: http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-short-sleeve-shirred-blouse/id_297639?sku_0=::MRT

 

Or this: http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-short-sleeve-no-iron-shirt/id_298545?sku_0=::YOG

 

I really like the first one! It's 100% polyester - do you think it would be hot to wear? 

[TechWife]

http://m.jjill.com/product/product.aspx?item=W6009S&rPFID=155&sk=M&h=M

 

That looks a little to casual, I think. 

[TechWife]

I bought a sort of silky top at Target recently that might work for you.  I can't quite find it online, but something like this maybe:

 

http://www.target.com/p/women-s-short-sleeve-v-neck-blouse-bright-purple-eclair/-/A-49167810#prodSlot=_2_4

 

http://www.target.com/p/women-s-short-sleeve-v-neck-blouse-navy-ivory-abstract-eclair/-/A-49167729#prodSlot=_2_5

 

http://www.target.com/p/women-s-short-sleeve-v-neck-blouse-black-pink-chevron-eclair/-/A-49167953#prodSlot=_2_20

 

The solid color look like it might work. The prints just aren't my kind of prints, KWIM. 

 

Over the past few years I've had a hard time finding decent cotton clothing - there is so much polyester out there. I worry that I would be really hot in a polyester top. What do you think? 

 

The hospital is very warm and my job requires that I do a lot of walking. 

[wendy not in HI]

The solid color look like it might work. The prints just aren't my kind of prints, KWIM.

 

Over the past few years I've had a hard time finding decent cotton clothing - there is so much polyester out there. I worry that I would be really hot in a polyester top. What do you think?

 

The hospital is very warm and my job requires that I do a lot of walking.

I kind of like polyester. I know it sounds grandma-ish, but I think the newer blends look nice and wear well. They don't wrinkle and they don't make me sweat. I don't think it feels hot - to me a snug t-shirt feels hot, but a flowy shirt feels cool. I am a sweaty person, and cotton will show it, but not poly! A nice, loose fitting blouse will be airy and look more professional than a t-shirt.

 

I agree about the prints! Stick with solid colors!

 

Your volunteer job sounds really nice. Good luck!

[trulycrabby]

Good luck! Hospital staff can seem closed, abrupt, or unfriendly, but can have hearts of gold once they know you and have developed trust in your competence. I am sure you will do a great job!

[Stacia]

Over the past few years I've had a hard time finding decent cotton clothing - there is so much polyester out there. I worry that I would be really hot in a polyester top. What do you think?

 

I agree. Synthetic fabrics make me hot & feel weird & sweaty. I don't like them.

 

If you want the drape & lightness of a synthetic, but natural fabric, try silk or a silk/cotton blend.

[TechWife]

Good luck! Hospital staff can seem closed, abrupt, or unfriendly, but can have hearts of gold once they know you and have developed trust in your competence. I am sure you will do a great job!

 

I've already been volunteering at this hospital for several months, I'm just adding hours and expanding to include an additional role. It's a really great hospital and volunteers are well respected part of the team and are treated professionally.  

[Laura Corin]

I tend to buy no-iron shirts from Lands' End when they go on deep discount.  They are cotton and breathable, and the no-iron finish lasts for years.