I don’t often single out specific items, but I’m impressed with every inch of this ruffle tank from J. Crew and I highly recommend that you give it a try if the style is to your taste. It might not look very different to the average run of the mill knitted top at first glance, but fabrication and construction make it a cut above the rest.

The top is 100% cotton and machine washable, which is ideal in sweltering heat. It’s made of super soft, better-end knitted slub yarn that has body and drapes to perfection. The lawn ruffles that run down the front of the bodice and around the neckline are made of woven cotton. This is clever. It gets you double the textural interest and a crisper looking garment after laundering (woven ruffles generally hold their shape better than knitted ruffles).

The silhouette is flattering too. It’s not overly tight at all. Mine hangs looser than it does on the model, which is another plus in the heat and ideal for hiding those little extras around the mid riff. No clinging. But it’s tailored in all the right places so that you look and feel pulled together in a perfectly casual way. The neckline is high enough that you won’t need to wear a camisole, but low enough to work for bustier gals too.

Fab on its own, or as a layering piece under a waistcoat, jacket or cardigan. Unfortunately the style doesn’t come in petites and at $35 a pop it’s by no means cheap. But I’m tough to please when it comes to knits and this item passes my grade with flying colours. I’m duplicating.