https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:48:45 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964523 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 20:47:52 +0000 cindysmith 1964523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>TAt least you can figure put why you're not reaching for garments. I can't figure out why I don't like a certain garment half the time. Good work! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964379 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 13:02:11 +0000 Janet 1964379@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elizabeth, yes, I already let go of that top -- it got slightly snug through the boobs and didn't fall right anymore. It was a shame because I loved that print!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964372 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 12:48:28 +0000 Elizabeth P 1964372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>That first top is amazing with all those jackets, I think you should keep it.</div><div>I also think you should take that silk top on your trip.&nbsp; Silk in the heat will be awesome.&nbsp; Is it really tricky to launder?&nbsp; I would think you could hand wash it in a sink and hang to dry.&nbsp; And if it doesn't survive the trip, well, you were thinking of passing it on anyway..</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't see the white/cobalt top with birds on it, the one I also have.&nbsp; Did you pass that on already?<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964285 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 03:14:45 +0000 Jaime 1964285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would be tempted to keep the Mara Hoffman top but that is just my problem. Definitely would get rid of the backless one, just because it is so fussy. The first one looks great under toppers and on its own. So basically what you said! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964283 Fri, 12 Oct 2018 03:06:51 +0000 Jules 1964283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really like #4/5. For the 3rd top, I don’t know your destination or activities in Africa, but if you’re going to be roughing it at all I think it’s a good choice - something pretty and different, which you like but are perhaps almost over, so it doesn’t matter if it gets a bit beat up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964155 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 19:45:28 +0000 Anonymous 1964155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes keep the first one! And there is no such thing as too many sleeveless tops, as theyre needed May-October. Armholes are definitely wonky often though. For some reason they're always too big or too tight. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964142 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 19:14:21 +0000 Colette 1964142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great edit, I'm learning so much from everyone. I share your armhole problem and I'm going to steal your trick to keep tops from showing bra straps, brilliant! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964079 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 15:35:52 +0000 Janet 1964079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, preparing to pack for our trip dovetails well with some closet editing! Thanks for the validation, everyone! I know this was long and navel-gaze-y, so it’s good to know it was helpful for others. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964077 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 15:34:18 +0000 Angie 1964077@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For someone who didn't have time to edit - you are doing EXTRA well. WOOHOOO.</p> <p>Great insights on the dressy vs. casual sleeveless tops, and the fit details. Now you know!</p> <p>EDIT and be ruthless.&nbsp;</p> <p>The sleeveless black knit top is a wardrobe essential for your style - in case you were wondering </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964064 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 15:07:13 +0000 LaPed 1964064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Trip sounds amazing! Have fun!!</p> <p>I have the same issue with sleeveless tops being too long in the straps/deep in the armholes. And it just seems such a pain to have to alter tank tops -- why I don't have many sleeveless tops I guess. :)</p> <p>&nbsp;Love that Mara Hoffman top and hope it gets a few more outings. Also, I'm amazed at how good that Karen Millen top looks under every single one of those jackets!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964061 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:56:56 +0000 Anonymous 1964061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This post and your thoughts were very helpful. I also have quite a few sleeveless tops that go well under jackets. Why am I not wearing them this way? Maybe it is because I am done with summer. They do get worn under jackets more in the spring. Something to ponder. Maybe this will become a personal challenge, to wear sleeveless tops with jackets now before it gets any colder. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964060 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:50:42 +0000 Kari 1964060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great insights. I love that first top, and if it’s comfortable, it looks stunning under those jackets. I vote pass on the other two tops. For a month long trip, if this one is fussy to launder and care for, it seems like it doesn’t belong in a travel capsule that really has to perform in a lot of different occasions and in a hot climate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964059 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:49:23 +0000 Christina F. 1964059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Oh, Janet, that's wonderful! I went to Zambia (briefly, for Victoria Falls) and did a safari in Botswana. It's the trip of a lifetime. Dying to go to Cape Town someday.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I did a camping safari, though it was the kind where the tour company had folks who set up and broke camp in each place. Bucket showers - water was at a premium. I was never so happy in my life to get to Livingstone and stay in a hotel room with a real shower!<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964058 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:47:40 +0000 Anonymous 1964058@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I nodded along to all of your "what I learned" thoughts. &nbsp;I have a very similar collection of sleeveless tops, and now realize that many of them are too long on my body, or were just bought to wear under jackets, and aren't really all that great. &nbsp;I have tons of them and wear only a few. I'm paying a lot more attention to the length of a top now . &nbsp;I like the first top in the series, and if you're really wedded to the idea of keeping it, can get some good use out of it. The other two &nbsp;I think you can let go. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964056 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:44:10 +0000 Janet 1964056@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Zambia (safari!) and South Africa (Cape Town and environs). Can’t wait! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964052 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:36:31 +0000 Christina F. 1964052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>I think it's okay to keep a fair number of these. They're good for layering, and your number of tops like these that are worn in warm weather will eventually be reduced by attrition anyway. I have a lot of them too, and am trying not to buy many more and let reduction happen over time.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I agree with Sarah's assessment of the tops you're on the fence about.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You're going to Africa? AWESOME. What parts?<br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964051 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:35:49 +0000 JAileen 1964051@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow - you’re really doing a thorough job of editing. I’m really impressed, especially given the size of your wardrobe. </p> <p>The first top looks amazing under every jacket. I’m glad it works for you again. I love the high neckline on the second one. If you don’t like it though, you still have plenty of others to choose from. The third one is nice, but doesn’t seem like you. Maybe it’s the muted colors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964050 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:31:48 +0000 Kathie 1964050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I completely agree with your assessments. 1-5 looks great with the jackets, and I think it's nice to have a sleeker piece for layering. 6-8 is great from the front, but the back does look fussy, and 9 does seem a bit too cropped. If it works with the shorts, I could see taking it on a trip, but then pass along. You have so many other great tops that it doesn't seem worth it to keep long term. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964047 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:23:35 +0000 SarahD8 1964047@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>GREAT insights into what works for you and why! So helpful to read these thoughts.</p> <p>Of the tops you are on the fence about, I really like the first one, it looks fab with all the jackets. The other two don’t wow me so much. Although it occurs to me that one argument for taking the Mara Hoffman on your trip is that if it gets ruined somehow — oh well. No big deal, a swan song for an item that was probably on the way out anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/closet-edit-sleeveless-tops#post-1964044 Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:12:29 +0000 Janet 1964044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I figured the end of summer was a good time to go through my sleeveless tops and see what isn’t working for me.<br /> This summer was odd — I spent a fair amount of time traveling, and I tend to take knit/tee tops rather than these fussier silk or polyester woven tops. So a few of these languished this summer. </p> <p>My tee/knit tops all got worn this summer, and are in good shape for next year, except for one that needs alteration (the sleeves are too deep and show too much armpit/bra) or maybe just should be donated. That’s in my holding zone box to see if I want to take up the shoulder or let it go after I mull on it for a few days. </p> <p>Many of my sleeveless silk/woven tops are really most wearable as pieces to layer a jacket over in the fall. I still like them but need to rethink their role in my wardrobe. I need to try wearing them this way in the next couple of weeks, with the more temperate weather coming, and whatever isn’t working at that point needs to go. </p> <p>Two of those tops need little loops with snaps sewn into the shoulders because they slip off and show my bra strap. They’re in the sewing pile. </p> <p>Then there are these tops that are difficult for various reasons:</p> <p>1-5 I love this Karen Millen top I got years ago. It got too tight when I gained weight back, BUT I carefully laundered and stretched it (the back is jersey knit and the front is silk) and it now fits again. It’s quite fitted but passable, maybe just a touch more fitted than I prefer for this style. I like it best under jackets (pics 2-5). Again, I’m adding this to the portion of my closet for “under-jacket” wear to see if I can get use out of it that way.</p> <p>6-8 I love the print of this Haute Hippie top, but it’s a bit long on me, and the dramatic back is hard to work with (I’m wearing a cami under it in this photo). It probably looks amazing on a cute young thing with a toned back, but that’s not me. And the back also makes it really awkward under a jacket. So I think it’s time to let go. </p> <p>9 I got a lot of wear out of this Mara Hoffman silk top a few years ago, but this year it went unworn. It’s so lightweight and comfortable I’m inclined to keep it and maybe take it to Africa with me (it will work with the olive casual shorts I’m taking with me?). But then I think I only want to take easy-launder, sure-thing items on a month-long trip, so perhaps this top is not the best choice. The colors are a little outside of my usual, but I still like the pattern. It probably looks better with shorts than these jeans because it’s a bit cropped in length. I’m thinking holding zone. </p> <p>10 All my sleeveless woven tops<br /> 11 All my sleeveless knit tops<br /> Yes, I know that’s a lot, considering this is only the *sleeveless* part of my closet! I’m on a sleeveless moratorium now. in fairness, I have very few short-sleeves wovens — they’re hard to find, even though my preference is to cover a little bit of arm these days. I do have a collection of short-sleeve tees I’ve already gone through, but I’m going to take another pass at them. </p> <p>I’ve learned: no more sleeveless woven tops that skew dressy or are not easy care for summer. I get more wear out of knit/tee shirts because they’re more casual and easy to style for me. </p> <p>I’ve learned: I rarely go wrong with solid color tops, but especially black ones. I reach for those black tops over and over, even in summer.</p> <p>I’ve learned: pay closer attention to under arm fit and top length. Many tops are long on me and the armholes are too deep. That’s not a hard fix for most sleeveless tops, but the alteration is something I need to factor into the price of a top and the hassle factor. </p>