The quest for skirt tops continues - YouLookFab Forum

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Dressing

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

The quest for skirt tops continues

Maya

Veteran

I know I have asked this before, but I still have such a hard time determining what is and isn't a tshirt. I see a lot of tops at AT and ATL that claim to be tees but seem to have a nice fit and interesting details like shirring or banded sleeves. I'm also lost as to what "tshirt material" is. I know a tshirt is basically an ultra fine gauge knit top, but that's still vague to me.

Here's a good example. This shirt is a soft scoop neck tee.

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Petite

And it's nearly identical to the other one I posted, which is a soft scoop neck TOP.

http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Petite

What is the difference? The only difference I can see is that one has banded sleeves and one has cap sleeves.

Same with this:

http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

Dressing

36 replies

Latest reply was from Patience

Nicole

Veteran

In those particular 3 shirts....I don't think there is much difference. AT just chose not to call shirt #2 a Tee Shirt. It's fabric is "jersey" which is Tee Shirt material. I beleive "jersey" is the actual knit process which tee shirts are made.

I understand why you have difficulty accepting so many different styles of tops being called tee shirts, yet so many similar styles of tops can be called either tee shirts or tops. It's quite ridiculous if you ask me. To me, those three tops that you linked, are not really Tee shirts. They may be made out of Tee Shirt Jersey fabric, but they are far more stylized than a true T-shirt. Are you reluctant to buy them because they are considered Tees? Do you like them and would they look good on you and with clothes you own? Are you contemplating getting a shirt like this?

Tanya

Veteran

They are all very similar. I don't think that the website people used the words tee/top correctly in those. I'll personally say that they all are very nice detailed tees. Maybe this is wrong but most of the time to me cotton blends say 'tee', while rayon/tencel/viscose/modal etc say 'top' assuming the cut is nice enough.

So these would be 'tops' for me:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Misses
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Misses

I could be wrong tough. And I am seriously considering getting that second one.

Nicole

Veteran

And speaking of Tee Shirts...I got this shirt shirt from Esprit a few months ago.
http://www.espritshop.com/Shop.....ve%20tees#

It is categorized as a long sleeve tee. That is just wrong. It's more of blouse than anything. It's like caling an evening gown a dress.

Tanya

Veteran

I agree with you on the Esprit top Nicole. Btw, I just saw this top and, to me, it had your name written all over it:
http://www.anntaylor.com/catal.....ory=Misses

Nicole

Veteran

Tanya, I love that top, esp. the color. But that gosh darn empire seam would cut right thru my boobs at their fullest part. I'm actually tempted to buy an empire seam top in a plus size, and see if my mother can alter it so it fits in the torso and shoulder and arms. I think that would be the only way I could realistically wear an empire seam. And it's too bad, because I think a properly seated empire seam would look great on me.

Maya

Veteran

I'm just wondering if there's a difference in the fit. I thought my Boden shirt was a "nice" knit top, but it really seems to be a tee despite the thicker weight and silk trim detail. There are so many reasons why that might be the case though. I think the sleeves and the fact that Boden runs large also have to do with it. And perhaps the top is just meant to be relaxed. But it's hard to tell.

I have been hesitant to order anything yet because I don't know how fitted it will be. The one I wanted to buy seems a little relaxed, so I was planning to order it one size smaller than usual but I don't know if that's a bad idea. This is why I would rather buy a top from a store that I can try on rather than online, but unfortunately these tops are not available in stores.

I love that cowl neck top Tanya. They don't have it in my size in the coral color though and it's not available in stores either. I wonder what they DO keep in stores, since none of the tops I want are in stock!

Maya

Veteran

This one is $15 (and they're having a buy one get one half off promo) and seems very flattering and comes in a variety of colors. But it is a 100% cotton tee, which Angie does not approve of.

http://www.nyandcompany.com/ny.....=cat350012

I am definitely tempted though. The style looks perfect for me. What say you gals? I feel like I cannot buy anything anymore without the YLF seal of approval.

Tanya

Veteran

Nicole, I agree that the proper empire seam would look excellent on you. Maybe your mom can help with that.
Maya, I totally hear you on store stock in AT/ATL stores. Whenever I see something cute online and want to check out in the store, they never have it. Plus, ATL stuff runs so ridiculously big that I actually need XXS in their tops, and that's the size that's only available online for whatever silly reason only they know. I'm waiting for some kind of promotion- free shipping otr%off before I order it. This shade of coral looks to have enough pink in it so I might just be able to pull it of.

Tanya

Veteran

Maya, I like the cut of that NYCo top a lot but I'm afraid that, because of the material, it will stretch out horribly, especially after washing. I'd try to find something similar that has at least a bit of stretch in it.

Nicole

Veteran

I dunno...for $15, it might be worth a try. Treat it well, wash on gentle in cool water and air dry. The color is most excellent.

I just ordered that faux wrap sleeveless top from NY and Co. I wanted to benefit from the buy one get one 1/2 off, so I just threw on a light green floral tank top (to wear as a layering piece or over a bathing suit top). Then I googled for a coupon code, found one for 30% off, and ended up with both tops for $27!

Maya

Veteran

That's what I thought too Nicole. I could look for similar tops with stretch, but they'll be at least twice the price. 2 tops for $22 is hard to resist. It also looks a lot like the material of the tunic top Ana and Tanya got. It has a sheen to it.

Even if it lasts just one season I think I can get over it. I'll see if they have it in store first.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Maya, I bought 3 tops from Anne Taylor Outlet that are 100% cotton, in a similar price range to the NY&Co, and they made it through the wash okay, but they shrank, even though I air dried them. They didn't shrink anywhere except vertically about an inch or so, it was really weird. But anyway, now I have 3 great tops to go with skirts, but can't really wear them with pants or shorts anymore. And they probably will only last me this summer, but I only paid $45 for all three, so it's not so sad.

Just FYI for the NY&Co top.

Nicole

Veteran

Did you find the coupon code? It might be worth it to buy online to get taht 30% off. I just searched for it...it was 4895. Good til May 18th. They also have a $25 off $50 purchase (50% off!!) That was 4179. I didn't use the second one so I don't know if it works. But the first one worked for me last night.

BTW Maya, did you see in a different thread, I mentioned a dress that went on sale at Esprit. I don't know if you're still looking for a dress to wear over skinnies. The only thing is it's only available in black. Oh and it's only available in size 2, which I beleive is your size?
http://www.espritshop.com/Shop.....ry=casual#

Maya

Veteran

Well since I plan to wear it with skirts, it would actually be good if it shrank. I have a few 100% cotton tops that haven't given me trouble yet.

Nicole, I actually ended up getting this shirtdress:

http://www.espritshop.com/Shop.....50_001.jpg

I saw the one you linked to but it has a very low belt and would look really bad on me if the belt went around my hips. I also sometimes go up to a 4 at Esprit. I just used the coupon code for NY&Co and it brought it down to $15 for 2 shirts! Thanks a bunch Nicole. Now I know it's worth it to buy it.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

This is great, Maya. Let us know how they work out.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

My 2 cents worth: I had a client a few weeks ago who had 12 beautiful skirts with zero tops to wear with them. We found most of her tops at BR, and this style in particular mopped it all up. We bought 4 in a slew of colours.

http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....=564966122

The top is available in petites and it's short. Don’t judge the look of the top on the site too harshly yet. Go and try it on with a skirt and pop over a skinny belt. You look great with skinny belts and can wear a grown-on sleeve. It’s on sale (are you smiling?)

Maya

Veteran

The top is lovely Angie and I love the colors. Do you think the neckline might be too high for me?

Ack, it's only on sale in regular sizes and in one color What a shame.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Maya, I was at BR yesterday, and I think I saw that they are all on sale at the actual store. The regular length might be okay for you, because when I held it up, it seemed awfully short to me. I didn't try it on, but my husband is heading to a poker game tonight and I will be left to my own devices (mwah-ha-ha). I will head over there and check it out and report back.

Maya

Veteran

Monday is supposed to be warm, so I'll wear my skirt with the black top (the only one I can wear right now) and head over to BR. It's a pretty top. Could even layer it with that cropped cardigan I wanted to get in case it's chilly!

Ana, where did you get that ladybug belt from that you wore in that outfit you posted? I loved that.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I got it from J. Crew (where else? Hee hee). Don't faint, it's $45.00, but a lot of their belts go on sale. They weren't exactly flying off the shelves at my J. Crew. I justified it by saying that it made more things in my closet wearable, and it would go with just about any ensemble that had black in it (it would look super with your Esprit dress you just ordered). And since it's black on black or black on print (like what you mostly wear), it wouldn't ruin your vertical line.

Also, did you know that JC offers students 10% off regularly price merchandise all the time? It's not a lot, but all you need is a student ID. I've sometimes even managed to get them to use it in combination with sale discounts (depends on the salesperson), which is why I got that rhubarb dress there for $33.00 last week. Just something to keep in mind.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

It IS on sale in petites. I saw it on slae myself yestrday with another petite clinet. The top IS on sale in petites in stores. I saw it on sale myself yesterday when I was with another petite client. The neckline is high, but it’s sort of scooped and boat-ish. Could work. Draw the eye up and down with a longer necklace perhaps? Experiment!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

One more thing I thought of about the ladybug belt: I bought a small with the express purpose of wearing it as a waist belt. I have to wear it on the second smallest setting for it to fit comfortably around my waist and not shift around. If I wore higher waisted skirts or pants and tucked in my shirt, it could possibly work as a regular belt as well. Since your waist isn't as indented as mine is, you may be able to double it as a waist belt and a regular pants belt with higher waist jeans or skirts with belt loops pretty easily. Just a thought.

Julia

I love that BR top! I'd never thought that it would go great with skirts but it made a lot of senses once Angie pointed it out.

I actually went to BR today but didn't remember seeing this, I wish that I had seen this thread so I would have paid more attention.

Nicole

Veteran

Hey Angie...is it on sale?

Maya

Veteran

Ha, Nicole, I figured Angie just REALLY wants me to have that top

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Lol, I just got what you guys are talking about. You guys make me laugh.

Tanya

Veteran

That's a cool BR top. I did not see it at my local store.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

At my store it's folded into a little square on a table, so it could be easily missed.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm not good at multi tasking. I had supper on the stove whilst commenting on this thread. I need a full time editor. And by the way everyone, if it wasn’t clear. This top is on sale *chuckle*

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