This formula is for Team Untucked Top because the long tank, or sleeveless blouse, looks best when it’s worn over bottoms. The long tank can be a useful Summer addition to your wardrobe, because it’s fluidly breezy, forgiving on the midsection, very comfy, dressier than a T-shirt, and layers well under cardigans and jackets. In its most basic and quiet form, it makes a good wardrobe essential. It provides an effective blank canvas for neck and arm candy too.

Long tanks can be knitted or woven, simple or more styled, and come in all sorts of patterns and colours. Lengths vary.

Here’s a good assortment:

Ann Taylor

Paisley Ruffle Peplum Shell

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Top Pick

5

Old Navy

Luxe High-Neck Swing Tank for Women

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Top Pick

5

Old Navy

Luxe High-Neck Swing Tank for Women

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Top Pick

3

Old Navy

Luxe High-Neck Swing Tank for Women

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Top Pick

3

Ann Taylor

Ruffle Peplum Shell

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Top Pick

2

Nordstrom

Vince Camuto Flecks Drape Tank

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Top Pick

8

Bloomingdale's

NIC And ZOE Riviera Rain Tank

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Top Pick

6

Bloomingdale's

NIC And ZOE Promenade Layered Top

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Top Pick

3

Lane Bryant

Double V-Neck Layered Max Swing Tank

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Top Pick

2

Bloomingdale's

Karen Kane Double-Layer Tank Top

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Top Pick

7

Lane Bryant

V-Neck Swing Tank

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Top Pick

1

Lane Bryant

Lace-Trim Swing Tank

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Top Pick

1

Lane Bryant

Tie Dye Tank With Crochet Yoke

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Top Pick

3

Lane Bryant

Double V-Neck Layered Max Swing Tank

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Top Pick

3

Lane Bryant

Lane Essentials High-Low Halter Tank

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Top Pick

2

Bloomingdale's

Karen Kane High/Low Tank

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Top Pick

6

Bloomingdale's

NIC And ZOE All Flutter Sleeveless Top

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Top Pick

5

Bloomingdale's

KOBI HALPERIN Mila Stretch Silk Top

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Top Pick

6

Lane Bryant

LIVI Cutout-Back Swing Tank

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Top Pick

3

Lane Bryant

LIVI Cutout-Back Swing Tank

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Top Pick

2

Lane Bryant

Max Swing Tunic Tank

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Top Pick

4

Lane Bryant

Lace-Trim Swing Tank

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Top Pick

1

Nordstrom

Eileen Fisher Crewneck Long Tank

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Top Pick

6

Lane Bryant

Double V-Neck Twist-Front Subtle Swing Tank

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Top Pick

2

Nordstrom

Eileen Fisher Silk Crepe Bateau Neck Shell

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Top Pick

5

Nordstrom

Eileen Fisher Silk Crepe Bateau Neck Shell

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Top Pick

4

Nordstrom

Eileen Fisher Crewneck Long Tank

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Top Pick

3

Lane Bryant

Embroidered-Mesh Peplum Tank

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Top Pick

3

You can pair long tanks with most bottoms. They look good with pencil skirts, although that’s not shown in the outfits below.

1. Two-Piece Jumpsuit

Combine a long tank with a pair of pants in the same colour, or a very low-contrast colour, to create the effect of a jumpsuit. I love the silhouette and movement of the wider pants, but choose a narrower silhouette if that’s more to your taste. Finish off the look with warm-weather shoes. The trendy classic white sneakers here look great too. A denim jacket is a nice way to top off the look if you need a little insulation.

2. White Bottoms

This is the more familiar long-over-lean look, which continues to be popular because people tend to feel streamlined in these proportions. Combine a long tank with a pair of narrow white bottoms, and finish off the outfit with metallic sandals and jewellery to match. You can create a low or high contrast with the top, and throw in a pattern if you like. The hem on this long tank is straight, which might create too much of a horizontal line. If that’s the case, choose a long tank with an asymmetrical hemline.

3. Long Shorts

Here’s an A-line version of a long tank with an asymmetrical hem, which adds a good bit of outfit interest because of the magical diagonal lines. For those who like to wear the long-over-lean look, it looks fab over a pair of slim long shorts or clamdiggers. Add slides, mules, Birkies, or sandals, and jazz things up with some bling.

4. Wide Crops

Combine a long flared tank with a pair of wide crops. The tank is a little shorter than the rest, which elongates the leg line a bit. Add Summery footwear, and a pretty bag to match. The pattern mixing is not essential. The top would look great with solid white bottoms. The black sandals bookend the model’s hair, which works well. I can see pink flats that match the bag work well too. Add jewellery, watch and eyewear as desired.

Coincidentally, these looks have been styled with sneakers and flat footwear. Throw in heels, platforms, flatforms, and wedges if that’s more your vibe.

Writer, director, and producer Justine Bateman has a new book out, Face: One Square Foot of Skin, that delves into why she, and other women, must grapple with the “imagined reality that older women’s faces” are often thought of as being “unattractive, undesirable, and something to be ‘fixed.'”

In This Guardian article women share why they stopped dyeing their hair during the pandemic, and what it means to them.

Noon, a new multimedia platform, is all about empowering women in midlife, and has enlisted fashion expert Stacey Duguid to regularly share her two cents about style: “Stacey believes in fashion at midlife being a positive part of our daily experience– not about trends, do’s and don’ts but about clothes that enhance our lives and make us feel amazing.”

Fab Links from Our Members

Minaminu loves Bjork and her quirkiness. This article tells the story of her famous dress sense, including the famous swan dress.

“Really Though, What Jeans Are in Style Now?” Shevia found this funny and accurate.

Nuancedream directs us to this fascinating blog post on the YKK zipper. She says: “I had no idea about the history of the YKK, but now understand why it is the gold standard for zippers.”

Marlene enjoyed seeing which must-haves stylist Kate Young has at the ready in her fashion tool kit.

“Why Is No One Talking About 1930s Shoes?” Vildy recommends watching this YouTube video, and adds: “Have a look at those curved
arched outsoles on the heels.”

Runcarla finds the topic of ‘revenge shopping‘ — buying a bunch of new clothing to celebrate the waning of the pandemic — quite interesting. She wonders how this will square with a desire for ethical and sustainable acquisition of fashion items?

Forum member Star recently posted about an interesting wardrobe editing question that she found on the blog, Full Life Reflections. When you’re unsure whether to keep or pass on a wardrobe item, ask yourself this question: “would I buy it now?”

If the answer is no, ask yourself why? If you’ve come up with compelling reasons that are no longer aligned with short and long-term style goals, pass it on, or pop it into a holding zone away from your other wardrobe items just in case you change your mind. If the answer is yes, hold onto the item a little longer. Like forum member Star, you might find this closet editing question more logical and easier to answer than, “does it spark joy?”

Personally, I find it useful to ask myself whether an item sparks joy when it’s on the closet editing chopping block. I usually have a definitive feeling one way or the other, and follow my emotions. I also really like “would I buy it now?” because it prompts reflection that is less emotional, and more logical. This will give you more information for wardrobe planning and lay the groundwork for further reflections about the evolution of your style.

You do need to be careful when asking this question if you are prone to over-editing your wardrobe, or if you are a particularly moody dresser. For example, an item you wouldn’t buy right now might fall back into favour relatively soon and gain a new lease of life. You don’t want to wish you had a great red jacket, only to realize that you passed on a fabulous one a few seasons ago because you weren’t in the mood for red.

I recently passed on two old Smythe blazers because I hadn’t worn them for years. One was twelve years old, and the other seven. Both were a shade of grey, very structured, and no longer sparked joy. I had held onto them because equestrian looks are close to my heart.

Custom Find

by Angie

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Custom Find

by Angie

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Asking “would I buy them now” just reinforced my decision. They were grey, which I don’t enjoy wearing. Their stiff, structured silhouettes aren’t a great fit for my active lifestyle. Instead, I was reaching for much more comfortable, playful and colourful Boden and Hobbs blazers.

A simple question can surface thoughts and emotions that make it easier to decide whether to keep an item or not. These two questions are complementary. “Does it spark joy?” for the heart, and “would I buy it now?” for the head. 

Over to you. What do you ask yourself when you’re evaluating an item in your wardrobe?

Washington DC-based Alicia Tenise Chew is a fashion, lifestyle and travel blogger who documents her outfits on her website, and on Instagram. She is a confident dresser with a relaxed and very polished boho-lite style. Alicia is a dress gal at heart who loves hats and colour, and wears patterns with pizzazz.

This boho white midi dress has relaxed Summer vibes written all over it. The tiered A-line silhouette and loose fit are breezy for hot days. The gathered bodice and tiers create visual interest while the elbow-length puffed sleeves bring volume and drama. Alicia adds subtle pattern to the look with her casual espadrille wedge sandals in a cheetah print. Her oversized sunnies with tortoiseshell rim give the effect of a second animal print pattern. Our blogger’s wavy locks fit the beachy Summer feel perfectly.

Alicia loves a good conversational print, and this colourful safari one would make me smile if I saw her walking down the street. It graces an above-the-knee A-line popover dress with empire waist that creates structure. Her dainty strappy sandals have pyramid stud accents in silver metallic that add dressy bling to the look. Our blogger mixes metals with oversized gold-toned hoop earrings and an on-trend initial necklace. A mini straw handbag and red lipstick complete the look.

Sporting a dress unbuttoned as a topper is a clever way to get more wear out of your clothes. Here, Alicia is wearing a short-sleeved maxi dress as a duster layered over a fun graphic tee and cropped kick flare jeans. Tucking the tee lengthens the leg line from the hips up. The graphic print has some yellow in it which is a great match with the orange-yellow leopard print topper. White leather sneakers add crispness, and match the white tee, while Alicia’s small black bag echoes the leopard spots. Bright lippy and our blogger’s trademark radiant smile are the fab finishing touches.

Alicia is a vision in this bright multi-hued Summer maxi frock. The fitted smocked bodice provides structure, while the tiered A-line skirt adds breezy maximal flair. Our blogger’s studded flat sandals peeking out from under the colour-blocked dress bring subtle shine to the look. Her oversized tortoiseshell sunglasses and sleek long locks add lots of visual and textural interest. A small straw bag with top handle is the perfect accompaniment to this vivacious Summer outfit.

This is a fab example of Angie’s Dresses with Tall Boots outfit formula. Alicia is sporting a fit-and-flare mini dress in gorgeous shades of pink and red. The fitted waist creates structure, while the billowing sleeves add playful drama. Tall tan boots add buckletloads of ’70s glam to this early Fall boho look. The shorter hemline is great for Team Legs and showcases the boots, making them as much of a focal point as the dress. Alicia finishes off the look with raspberry lipstick and a Panama hat in stone that bookends her suede boots.

The clever design of this sweater dress with its horizontal ribbing up top and vertical ribbing for the bottom part makes it look like a two-piece dress. This creates vertical integrity by drawing the eye up and down. The knit fabric casualizes the look and gives it a boho feel while the gorgeously eye-catching bright yellow makes it a veritable showstopper. The taupe suede pointy-toe booties with sturdy block heel, and Alicia’s wavy ombré locks continue that boho vibe. A cheerful floral face mask perfectly matches the outfit.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of Alicia’s fun boho-lite style. Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out the rest of her fab outfits on her website and Instagram account.