https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 06:27:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654643 Wed, 04 May 2016 00:50:38 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1654643@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, my gosh--I love it when Inge goes shopping for us. Look at those amazing finds! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654598 Tue, 03 May 2016 22:50:36 +0000 Chris987 1654598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Firecracker</b>...I do like Nic &amp; Zoe and have a few items but am finding that the lighter weight tops are often flimsy and don't hold their shape well, and are pricey given those issues. But I have not given up on them and you are right the prints can be quite nice. Their corp headquarters<br />are here in MA just across the street from one of the malls I frequent &nbsp;</p> <p><b>Inge</b> thank you so much for taking the time to post all those ideas!!!<br />&nbsp;Massimo Dutti is a brand I've not heard of but I'm familiar with all the others and will definitely check out the items you have posted. </p> <p><b>kiwigal/sally</b> - peplums generally create an awkward horizontal line<br />on my body so I don't go there but of course you can never tell<br />until you try things on I think you may be right that they are also<br />waning a bit in popularity.</p> <p><b>JJ....</b>love hearing about your massive order/return quantities. i did something quite similar with shoes in the last month. I do shop at Loft an like Halogen. I've tried a few Pleione tops but when they fit in the shoulder area the sleeves can bea little long and the dimensions around the hip are too small...but I'm not totally&nbsp; ready to give up. <br />On your NYDJ top - I have a similar fit area with the Lucky Brand<br />one I posted above. I'm halfway through basting the hem to shorten it 3" <br />at the front and back and less than 1" at the sides for the very reasons <br />you describe. It will change the shape of the shirttails a bit but I think<br />it's the way to go. And thanks for the madewell example.</p> <p><b>kkards </b>will look at uniglo...another brand I've heard of but not looked at too closely.</p> <p></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654587 Tue, 03 May 2016 22:24:23 +0000 kkards 1654587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Try uniqlo---good quality at reasonable prices so that you can experiment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654584 Tue, 03 May 2016 22:14:21 +0000 J.J. 1654584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>By the way, here's the one t-shirt (besides $85 Alexander Wang t-shirts... which were great, but I can't justify that much money) that worked for my short-waisted-ness. &nbsp;It's not too long, it has a V-neck that's flattering without being too low. &nbsp;It's not what you're looking for, but it's a good basic and I just went through the hell of trying on soooo many shirts to try to get basic ones that could be layered under toppers (for work, mostly). &nbsp;</p> <p>Madewell Whisper V-neck tee- (but NOTE: the crew neck one wasn't flattering (crew necks almost never are for me).</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654582 Tue, 03 May 2016 22:10:14 +0000 J.J. 1654582@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris- I'm very short-waisted, but not petite, so I can relate to the struggle of never tucking things in. &nbsp;I live in a hot climate, so I can't wear toppers for a big portion of the year, so I NEED interesting blouses, like the kind you're describing. &nbsp;They're not as easy to find as I would have thought.</p> <p>Confession: I recently ordered (online) 43 blouses. &nbsp;Four were potential keepers, but I only kept three. &nbsp;Thank god for free returns!</p> <p>Suggestions:<br />-LOFT - tons of clothes come in petite, they have printed tops that are interesting by themselves, and they have the right mix of flowing-but-fitted that are flattering. &nbsp;The near-constant sales are great, too.<br />-Pleione tops never work for me- I need the Petite for armhole placement and length, but then the shoulders are too narrow. &nbsp;I recently ordered 8 or so from Nordstrom, and none worked. At all.<br />-Halogen (also Nordstrom) frequently has some decent possibilities. &nbsp;<br />-NYDJ - I have the same problem with their rises, so I can't wear any of those pants. &nbsp;I do have one petite top, but it is just too long for me. &nbsp;I was thinking of either tailoring it myself or taking it to a tailor. &nbsp;(It's a shirttail hem, so I don't exactly know how to take it up... the sides can't go up much without showing my waist when I raise my arms, but the front/back parts need to go up a couple of inches.)</p> <p>Good luck!<br />-JJ </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654561 Tue, 03 May 2016 21:33:21 +0000 Sal 1654561@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you are on the right track. &nbsp;You want to create interest up top, and wear quality lovely pieces. &nbsp;</p> <p>I find tops easier to shop for than bottoms. &nbsp;I like soft blouses or tee shaped tops in woven fabric. &nbsp;I prefer an open neck.</p> <p>I wonder what a peplum would look like as another alternative? &nbsp;I don't have one currently - I don't think they are as trendy as they were a couple of years back - I am half looking for one now but struggling to find one I like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654545 Tue, 03 May 2016 21:07:29 +0000 Inge 1654545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Part III. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654537 Tue, 03 May 2016 20:49:22 +0000 Inge 1654537@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Part II. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654533 Tue, 03 May 2016 20:23:28 +0000 Inge 1654533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Here are some more ideas, Chris </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654515 Tue, 03 May 2016 19:50:11 +0000 JAileen 1654515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A week away from home, and I came to the realization that my summer tops are not up to snuff. I don't have any suggestions - I was hoping to find better tops for me! I like the ones pictured. I have been scouring Nordstrom, Eddie Bauer, Lands End, Macy's, and others' websites, looking for tops that are better than tees. Because it's so hot here in summer, and in Texas where I've had to go recently, I only want breathable fabric. Too many cute ones at Nordstrom were polyester. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654509 Tue, 03 May 2016 19:41:28 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1654509@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You might seek out some options from <a href="https://www.nicandzoe.com/" rel="nofollow">Nic and Zoe</a>, since you have a jacket from that brand that worked for you. The styles tend toward a kind of elegant boho look, which I think is in line with the two picks you've made so far. They always feature some interesting prints in somewhat subdued hues.</p> <p>Oh, and I often see them in petite sizes, which should work for a short waist. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654440 Tue, 03 May 2016 17:45:59 +0000 Anonymous 1654440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris987, I have a short waist but a long rise, so I have to buy regular NYDJ pants and have them hemmed up. I wear the petite tops, though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654435 Tue, 03 May 2016 17:42:54 +0000 Chris987 1654435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>danskogirl</b> yes I've tried a few Pleiones but so far have not found one that fit well...but I'll keep trying</p> <p><b>columbine</b> I have looked at Boden but never tried any pieces......thanks for the suggestion I'll look again. I do like what I see..</p> <p><b>BC</b> I'll give NYDJ a look too. Their jeans (even petites) always have too long&nbsp;a rise for me so I tend to discount the brand...but have never really looked at the tops. Glad to hear they carry petite tops.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654420 Tue, 03 May 2016 17:10:01 +0000 Anonymous 1654420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love my NYDJ petite tops. I don't think they're worth full price, but I've been able to catch some good sales. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654413 Tue, 03 May 2016 16:58:41 +0000 columbine(erin) 1654413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you looked at Boden? I wonder if any of their tops would appeal to you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654409 Tue, 03 May 2016 16:56:35 +0000 danskogirl 1654409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've had pretty good luck with Pleione blouses and tunics. I find them to be quite versatile. They go well with work trousers and skirts, jeans, jeggings, shorts, etc., and are suitable for a variety of occasions:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/pleione">http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/pleione</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/seeking-advice-on-expanding-collection-of-casual-tops#post-1654393 Tue, 03 May 2016 16:23:30 +0000 Chris987 1654393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm looking at my casual spring tops, and finding I have very few that I really like. I'm having some trouble figuring out how to expand the collection, and would like your guidance and suggestions. I want to find <br />some tops that are more stylish and interesting and also some better&nbsp;  quality as I have a tendency to go for really inexpensive items. &nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />My bottoms are jeans in mid-to dark blue, grey, white...plus chino style pants in olive and one pair of slim black slacks. <br />My neutrals are black ,white, grey, blue....</p> <p>#1 and #2 are items I found recently that I really like . The other pics are items I own and do like but they are more plain/basic/casual&nbsp;than where I'd like to go with this. The red polka dots one&nbsp;is actually more orange&nbsp;than it looks.&nbsp;</p> <p>Here are&nbsp;some descriptions I'm trying to work with.......<br /><b>Look for</b>: blouses in knits or woven fabrics w/o traditional collars, mid-size and larger prints, brighter/saturated/contrasting colors,&nbsp;&nbsp;(I don't like super bright colors), sweaters in linen, split/open/vneck/scoopneck necklines</p> <p><b>Stay away from</b>: tshirts, button downs with collars (even if knit fabric), small prints, light neutrals,&nbsp;cable knits, crewneck styles</p> <p>Also, I am extremely short waisted so I do not even partially tuck tops in...they need to hit below the waist but not much below the crotch point.&nbsp;</p> <p>I really appreciate your help, Thanks in advance for any suggestions! </p> <p></p>