https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 03:45:16 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2030361 Sun, 26 May 2019 16:58:57 +0000 SarahD8 2030361@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great point that often it’s all in the undertone, Brooklyn. I’ll look out for and consider workable olive-ish shades.</p> <p>And oh my goodness, I was just looking over some links to possible summer tops that I gathered a few weeks ago and wow they were way off the mark! Lots of longer length, solid color tops...not the combination of features that I need. So glad I thought things through further with y’all’s help before purchasing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2030139 Sat, 25 May 2019 03:52:13 +0000 Brooklyn 2030139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SarahD8, have you tried olive green with a grey undertone? A long time ago it was pointed out to me here that olive green can skew either grey or brown. I prefer the browner versions but people who prefer cooler colours usually like grey versions. A sage (silvery) green could also work if you prefer cool tones near your face. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2030106 Fri, 24 May 2019 22:52:02 +0000 SarahD8 2030106@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like white and pale blue too, Bonnie, though I'm not such a fan of white jeans for myself (pls don't kick me off the forum).</p> <p>Taking stock of the discussion here I think my plan is:<br /> -1 additional pair of cropped pants. Not sure what I want so may not happen right away. Hey, maybe my slim boyfriend crops will fit again by the time I figure it out!<br /> -chambray shorts<br /> -colored shorts - pink or peach?<br /> -3-4 printed longer length (25-26") tanks for wearing with solid crops and shorts. I prefer a boho lite print with the gray kick crops so make sure to end up w a couple of those.<br /> - at least 3 shorter (21-23") solid tanks that coordinate with printed skirts<br /> - white and/or chambray midi skirt (will be generally useful, and de-orphan beloved embroidered top)</p> <p>Voila!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2030021 Fri, 24 May 2019 15:39:54 +0000 Bonnie 2030021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with adding white bottoms. I have knee shorts, crop flares, and boyfriend jeans that are used a lot in summer. I also like pale blue for summer.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029985 Fri, 24 May 2019 13:51:03 +0000 SarahD8 2029985@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, Brooklyn! I’m so glad everyone’s feedback is pointing in a similar direction. (It’s where my thoughts were going too but it’s so helpful to have that external validation since I have been a bit befuddled by this area of my wardrobe.)</p> <p>Olive isn’t a great color for me next to my face, but I do think another shade of green could work....</p> <p>I ordered two of those Madewell tie-waist tanks (white and rose). Cautiously hopeful— I’ve tried a couple of similar styles, fingers crossed that the fit will be right on these. And I have my eye on a light green tank elsewhere. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029906 Fri, 24 May 2019 03:51:21 +0000 Brooklyn 2029906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m on team more neutral or solid coloured (non-patterned) tops that are sleeveless or short sleeved. I think olive green would work with at least 2 of your patterned skirts and with all of your solid bottoms. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029832 Thu, 23 May 2019 23:58:00 +0000 SarahD8 2029832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sterling</b> yepppp! Your diagnosis is correct. It was so obvious once I arranged things in these clusters! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029789 Thu, 23 May 2019 21:57:49 +0000 Anonymous 2029789@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Without reading anyone else's response, what jumps out at me is that you need tops to coordinate with your skirt in number 4. &nbsp;</p> <p>Now off to read what others wrote. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029788 Thu, 23 May 2019 21:56:18 +0000 SarahD8 2029788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good thoughts, <b>Joy</b>. I know white bottoms are popular around here but for some reason they just don't hold much appeal for me. I hear what you are saying about lightening up on the bottom, though. I think <u>maybe chambray is my light neutral for summer bottoms</u>?</p> <p><b>suntiger</b>, that's an excellent and focused shopping list, thank you!</p> <p>oh haha, yes, <b>Sal</b> and <b>torontogirl</b>, I always forget that tucking tops is a thing! It doesn't work for me so I think that's why I'm so focused on length.</p> <p><b>Sal</b>, Good point about jeans. Our summers are fairly mild but jeans wouldn't work for the hottest parts of the season. You know, I keep being drawn to printed culottes/cropped palazzo pants. I think proportion wise they are basically like a midi skirt -- would work best with shorter tops.</p> <p>And I'm intrigued by the blush pink that <b>Sal</b> mentions and the peach that <b>torontogirl</b> mentions as a neutral/nearly neutral.</p> <p><u>Pattern mixing update</u>: I love the rose-print sweater with the pink skirt, actually! See photo. So there's a dressy look sorted! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029741 Thu, 23 May 2019 20:10:23 +0000 Helena 2029741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah I see your point Sarah ... Unless you can tuck into the skirts? In that case, yes, solid tops for the skirts first. So many colours in the patterns to choose from. And perhaps that peachy color is one of your light neutrals as blush/light pink is one of mine? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029740 Thu, 23 May 2019 20:07:48 +0000 Sal 2029740@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do think some tops don’t work with skirts and pants - but they do if you tuck?</p> <p>I see crops/ culottes as a gap and tops for skirts. Blush pink would be great.</p> <p>It depends on how you feel and your climate - jeans for me are a spring winter autumn item - only rarely in summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029739 Thu, 23 May 2019 20:03:58 +0000 Anonymous 2029739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ditto Torontogirl! Light neutral bottom and skirt length sleeveless top and maybe navy sleeveless skirt length top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029734 Thu, 23 May 2019 19:58:50 +0000 Anonymous 2029734@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>White jeans or crops. I also wear the h—k out of my blush jeans. They seem to go with everything, including your footwear.<br /> Maybe..A white or light neutral twill or denim pencil or A-line skirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029727 Thu, 23 May 2019 19:44:04 +0000 SarahD8 2029727@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Angie</b>, thanks! Great point about pink/peach to match with my summer footwear. I've seen a nice peachy coral and rose-pink around in stores, maybe I should milk them both while they're available.</p> <p>Don't worry about the dresses! They are all hanging nicely in the closet (and even, today, on my body) ready to help me stay acceptably covered while I sort out my separates situation. :-)</p> <p>And yes, dressier is another kettle of fish. On the back burner at the moment, but I haven't forgotten about it entirely... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029718 Thu, 23 May 2019 19:29:53 +0000 Angie 2029718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How neat and tidy, <b>SarahD8</b> :)</p> <p>My 2 cents: <ul> <li>solids to go with the pattered skirts</li> <li>pink/peach to go with the sneakers you like to wear in Summer</li> <li>Where are the dresses!!!!</li> <li>Something dressier?&nbsp;</li> </ul> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029713 Thu, 23 May 2019 19:24:47 +0000 SarahD8 2029713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>torontogirl</b>, that's a great rubric! So helpful when building these smaller capsules especially -- I don't need a ton of summer clothes, so I have to pay even closer attention to make sure I have the right balance of color/value.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think your advice is very sensible, except that I don't think the same solid tees/tanks would pair with skirts and pants. Right? Especially because I don't wear high-waisted pants. I've gotten multiple comments from forum members that tops that are too short for me to wear with pants are "too long" when I've shown them with skirts. I say that not to indicate that I'm going to stop wearing them with skirts (people will just have to deal, lol!) but to bolster my case that I need different tops for pants and skirts. (I think shorts can kind of swing either way, though I don't like to feel too bare on top if I'm wearing shorts iykwim.)</p> <p><b>nemosmom</b> sorry I missed your comment!</p> <p><b>anchie</b>, that's right. Virtually no tops that go with the patterned skirts. In that last picture with shorter tops, I can wear the Breton tank with any skirt. The rose-printed top only goes with the black skirts (though...now I'm of a mind to try it with the pink floral and the orange printed skirt too. Not sure if would work but I'm down for pretty extreme pattern mixing so worth a try). I ADORE the citron embroidered top but I have nothing to wear it with! Actually I wore it yesterday with a black skirt and I didn't get arrested by the fashion police or anything, but it wasn't a great outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029696 Thu, 23 May 2019 18:18:08 +0000 anchie 2029696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I haven’t read other comments but what is jumping at me is imbalance between solids and patterns. Do you have tops for the patterned skirts? Tops that look like will go color wise don’t look like good shape for skirts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029695 Thu, 23 May 2019 18:13:32 +0000 nemosmom 2029695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029692 Thu, 23 May 2019 18:02:21 +0000 Helena 2029692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I might be repeating a bit, but in any case, if it was me, I'd consider some of the following:</p> <p>- in the shorts collection - shorts/crops in your favorite light neutral (white?), shorts/crops with a print, shorts/crops in a solid colour<br />- then, in the tops collection, I would add some solid tees and tanks in light neutrals (as you seem to have a few dark neutral ones)</p> <p>The solid tops should solve your skirt issue, since those are mostly printed, as well as mix with the printed bottoms ... which will add some interest to your bottoms so you don't feel like you're just changing your shirt every day. Your printed tops would pop nicely against white/light neutral bottoms.&nbsp;</p> <p>Fwiw, my new trick is having roughly a dark neutral, light neutral, solid colour and neutral print for each clothing 'type' - it seems to work well to create a mixable bunch of separates, so that's sort of what I tried to apply here.</p> <p>Have fun with it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029684 Thu, 23 May 2019 17:37:45 +0000 SarahD8 2029684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>kellygirl</b>, thanks so much. I agree, plain tanks with interest is a good direction to go in. I'm happy to hear your recommendation of Madewell's texture and thread tops. I noticed <b>UmmLila</b> posted about the one below in Finds and was intrigued. It's on sale, maybe I should give it a go...</p> <p><b>BarbaraDiane</b>, solids but not black or white -- that sounds very sensible. Trying to think about what would pair with all of the print skirts. Pink, maybe? Also probably light green.</p> <p>Re: footwear and accessories, I'm not sure those collections are perfect but they are in much better shape. At least they don't give me the angst that separates do!</p> <p><b>Lesley</b> oh yes, I rely a lot on printed sundresses and cropped cardis for summer. I'm always on the lookout for more, but the situation there is significantly less...dire. Will update original post to make that clearer.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029680 Thu, 23 May 2019 17:11:32 +0000 Lesley 2029680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know you even put it in the title that you're thinking about separates, but it's hard for me to think summer capsule without dresses (and apparently, now jumpsuits...) is that another story?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029679 Thu, 23 May 2019 16:58:17 +0000 Barbara Diane 2029679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was also thinking of non black non white solid tops to go with your print skirts.<br />Are your shoes/sandals bags accessories sorted? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029674 Thu, 23 May 2019 16:14:22 +0000 kellygirl 2029674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Gorgeous capsule. I'd opt for some plain tanks with interesting details like ties or wraps to coordinate with the printed skirt and will work with the solids as well. I do like the new tops for the plain skirts and the jeans/shorts combos. It looks like you're off to a great to start!&nbsp; </p> <p>ETA: photos for ideas. I don't own any of these but I have plans to check them out. The Madewell texture and thread top I do have in the long sleeve and like it a lot.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops%e2%80%a6and-the-bottoms-that-go-with-them#post-2029673 Thu, 23 May 2019 16:07:48 +0000 SarahD8 2029673@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have enjoyed the discussion about summer tops/tees this week. It’s great getting a peek at how other forum members handle hot and sticky weather.</p> <p>I thought I would take this opportunity to take stock of my summer tops. Since summer is not my dominant season my approach to shopping for it has historically not been very effective. In the past, I had a LOT of summer clothes — things I thrifted for cheap (since summer is not Seattle’s dominant season, it was easy to find lots of stuff in good condition), but without an overall plan. Then, a few years ago I realized summer was not my dominant season and pared way back. The result I think is under-investment in this capsule. (ETA: I also rely a lot on sundresses and cropped cardis in the summer, but that collection is in much better shape. It's separates where I'm having trouble cracking the code.)</p> <p>Since I’m in a wardrobe-building phase this year, now is my chance to fix that! <b>I’d love it if you all would take a look at the photos below and let me know what jumps out at you in terms of missing pieces. What should I add to make this summer (ETA: separates) capsule more functional? </b>Feel free to make suggestions for additional bottoms, too.</p> <p>(Note: I’m not so much asking for specific product recommendations as more abstract suggestions — “a plain navy top that can be worn with skirts” for example. Not that I mind product recommendations but I don’t want people to feel obligated to go digging for options especially since I haven't given much detail about my preferences!)</p> <p>The below are high-summer tops only — I have some other tops for milder weather that I haven’t included here.&nbsp;</p> <p><u><b>Photo 1</b></u>: Pants/shorts. Gray kick-crop jeans, medium-wash cropped jeans, black shorts, navy shorts. Thinking about adding some lighter/more colorful shorts.</p> <p><b><u>Photo 2</u></b>: Knit tops to wear with pants/shorts. Black tee and blue floral tee are showing wear. Will probably also pass on the red/multicolored floral, something about the print and/or cut is “off” and i have just never felt right in it.&nbsp;</p> <p><b><u>Photo 3</u></b>: Lightweight popovers. I like these with shorts on hot days. I think the linen button-up on far right could also be worn with the black tube skirt in photo 4, and open as a topper over sundresses.</p> <p><b><u>Photo 4</u></b>: Skirts. Will probably pass on/demote to gear the Breton striped skirt. The shorter black skirt can be dressed up or down (I think it will be suitable for my fairly casual work-related needs) and the longer one is more casual.</p> <p><u><b>Photo 5</b></u>: Tops to wear with skirts. Hm. You see the problem here, no? (Also, yes, those are two different Breton tanks. I bought the petite length to wear with skirts and the regular length to wear with pants/shorts. Still returnable so feel free to tell me I’m out of my gourd here.)</p> <p>Thanks for looking and for problem-solving with me!</p> </p>