https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:40:10 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876686 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 23:18:56 +0000 Style Fan 1876686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am looking to add some dressy tops for summer that are not T-shirts.&nbsp; As Angie wrote in her blog post recently we all have fit issues.&nbsp; I have worn T-shirts because they are so easy to fit but I want to bump it up a notch. &nbsp; I like La P's wovens and I have also found a few raw silk tops.&nbsp; Of course, these things are always spendy.&nbsp; The ones I have been looking at are from Only Child.&nbsp; I am still looking for other possibilities. &nbsp;</p> <p>I do have some T-shirts that are "dressy" looking.&nbsp; They are plain but the fabric is a nice cotton and they are nicely made.&nbsp; I have about 4 of them.&nbsp; The pic is my Olive Green one. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876680 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 22:49:48 +0000 Chris987 1876680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Windchime</b> great idea, and I do remember seeing that EB top in the finds list. Maybe there will be an equivalent top this year. </p> <p><b>Texstyle</b> thanks for posting yours, and that's a great reminder that a longer sleeved top can be equally good in hot weather if it's the right fabric. Some would say even better than sleeveless. Thanks for the rayon suggestion. </p> <p><b>La P</b> good suggestion on wovens. Yours are both very nice</p> <p>. <br /><b>Always trying</b>, I agree that tshirts are often extremely casual, although sometimes when paired with the right bottoms they are a little less so. Rayon and viscose are good ideas.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876599 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 18:42:19 +0000 rachylou 1876599@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>La Pedestrienne, ha! I can see You in 1 totally. Your overall style would block check that sweetness and give it a bit of edge, IMO... hehe </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876572 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 17:19:08 +0000 texstyle 1876572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, yes I forgot that Rayon also works for me in summer, but it does tend to shrink a little in my experience - maybe partly because in summer our cold water is actually warm. And the only rayon I have is a Rails short sleeved shirt which was quite $$$ for a summer top (for me). I don't have a find but it's a cobalt type blue and white plaid and I wore it quite a lot last summer and hope to wear it just as much this summer to justify the cost. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876558 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 16:36:38 +0000 always trying 1876558@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>finding dressier tops for hot weather is a big problem for me as I am too old for sleeveless.&nbsp; cotton t's are easy, but none ever look like they should be worn with anything but shorts or jeans.&nbsp; Silk and linen of course, but I can almost never find the right styles. I have a couple that were inexpensive and made of rayon and viscose. These are man made but not like polyester.&nbsp; they are loose fitting woven and have been comfortable in 90+ degree weather.&nbsp; Two things I definately avoid in hot weather &nbsp;are polyester and spandex.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876545 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 16:08:33 +0000 Aurore 1876545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Chris987</b> Sorry, I should have mentioned the brands in my answer! I will edit it in case someone else wonders. The scalloped one is from Ted Baker (the name of the style is Elliah), the cream one is from French&nbsp;brand&nbsp;1.2.3.</p> <p>I agree with you that Ted Baker has several nice, classy tees. I have never tried their poly-blend ones but I like the fabric of the viscose ones I have. Certainly worth a look! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876539 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 15:59:49 +0000 LaPed 1876539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, now, I actually like the first one -- the contrast between a more traditional straight-cut t-shirt and the old-school femme floral makes it somewhat unexpected, to my eye. But it doesn't seem like it would be as conventionally flattering as the other two. #3 seems a bit too long to me -- I would find it hard to wear.</p> <p>Like others have mentioned, I'm moving towards woven and away from knit for the summer. I'm slowly swapping out t-shirts as they wear out and subbing in short sleeved (I would consider sleeveless too) cotton and linen shirts. The Finds below are both from Tradlands, purchased during Labor Day clearance. Wore them a lot in unseasonably warm September. They are breezy, but opaque enough to wear any bra that's not black. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876538 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 15:51:14 +0000 texstyle 1876538@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with some others that the pattern and fabric can play a big role in how dressy an item feels or looks to you. Most of my "dressier" summer tops are some blend of viscose, silk, linen and cotton. Details like the eyelets (holes) all through the navy button down (I wear a navy or black bra with it and it's not otherwise sheer), the embroidered pattern on the navy tank, or the silk look of the teal popover all give a more "dressed" look to my eye. The two lucky tanks with the woodblock style prints are def. more "boho" but they work for me in summer because they are so cool and light, yet if I wear the right color bra, they don't read "too sheer". I have to semi tuck or tuck them as they are quite flowy if I don't.</p> <p>I have a few others that feel dressier - some very light weight gauze like button downs that I roll/scrunch the sleeves. To me they are nearly as comfortable in the heat as the sleeveless options. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876529 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 15:10:01 +0000 Windchime 1876529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have any new wisdom to add to all the good insight here, but I'm reading--and pondering--with interest. In a way, summer tops are my easiest item to find and to fit, and I have to watch that I don't buy more of them than I should. </p> <p>This simple cotton top from Eddie Bauer was an Angie pick a couple years ago. I bought it in more than one color and have worn the heck out of them in hot weather. They can be dressed up with a lightweight topper, necklace, or scarf, or be dressed down to wear with jeans and shorts. The cotton fabric is cool and soft, and the boatneck neckline works with my long neck. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876524 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 14:44:05 +0000 Chris987 1876524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Ann,</b> good comment about "stylishness". <br /><b>Liz</b> I agree on the curved hem and cap sleeves being more flattering on a curvy/pear body type. And you make an interesting point about prints being more or less "skilled". I take your meaning of "skilled" to be "something that looks like an artist created it". <br /><b>Emily K</b> you are right, it is a dressy T, but maybe not so dressy after all compared to some. Your comment about "cottage-y" prints rings true with me. And yes the fit on Brooklyn's top is great on the model, so the goal is to find something that works equally well on me. <br /><b>jill58</b> interesting that you call #1 a "sweet" print. It's a more literal floral, rather than the abstract prints on the other two. Good point. Lucky has that boho vibe, which I think is more likely to include sweet/cottage-y prints than abstract ones now that I think about this. <br /><b>Delurked,</b> thanks for the clarification! And thanks for taking the time to post so many suggestions with detailed explanations of each. I will definitely look at them. I have never shopped at Kohl's but maybe I'll take a look there. And I'm with you on not wanting to add a tank under anything in summer...too hot. <br /><b>Isabel</b> excellent comment on woven vs. knit. Silk would be a great choice. <br /><b>Style fan</b> YES! <br /><b>brooklyn</b> great comments. I think you are right that I need to focus on getting &nbsp;a couple of tops that I might call "Blouses"...woven, silk, cotton, linen, with details/shape that flatters. <br /><b>SarahD8 </b>glad to hear your opposing viewpoint and it definitely helps! I DO like some cottage-y prints but I want to have some vareity and I also like the abstract ones. <br /><b>Zaeobi</b> yes neckline matters too. I have a very short neck and sloping shoulders so most of the boatneck styles just do not work on me but I agree they are more versatile for necklaces. <br /><b>Rachylou </b>- great point about too much white background. That might look great with white jeans but an all-white look is just not my thing. HAH love your comment about the hospital gown look. That's a style I wear only when actually at a doctor appt or in a hospital. &nbsp;<br /><b>Aurore</b> great comment about fabric. Thanks for posting those finds, what brands are they? </p> <p>One other thing that came to mind - Ted Baker does some beautiful "dressy" tshirts with artistic prints. Some are poly blend and some are viscose...still worth a look I think. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876497 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 11:59:05 +0000 Chris987 1876497@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, thanks so much for all the responses! Will be back in a while with more detailed comments. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876477 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 08:56:36 +0000 Aurore 1876477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div><b>Chris987</b>,&nbsp;I can definitely relate to your issue and I'm asking myself the same question...</p> <p>Like previous commenters, I think&nbsp;that #2 looks the dressiest. IMO because of the cap sleeves, standard neckline and overall sleek cut. <br />I tend to think that the quality of the fabric is a primary factor for a dressy top, and, as <b>Zaeobi </b>pointed out, the neckline.&nbsp;I also find draped tops classy as well&nbsp;(e.g. wrap or cowl neck), but&nbsp;it's not always easy to find the proper cut/fabric combination that fits well.&nbsp;</p> <p>There are many examples I like in the finds other commenters added, especially <b>Delurked</b>'s&nbsp;burgundy boatneck lace top. I love lace.</p> <p>I created finds for the two tops I usually go for when I have to wear dressier clothing for work in summer :<br />1st one (from Ted Baker)&nbsp;has a very simple cut, but the fabric is great and it has pretty scalloped&nbsp; details at the shoulders. I find it dressy because of its simplicity and the elegant&nbsp;way the (viscose)&nbsp;fabric drapes (I chose a size bigger than my usual).<br />It's hard to tell on the photo, but the 2nd one (from 1.2.3. Paris)&nbsp;has a metallic floral print. It looks quite boxy on the photo but is not in real life (I had to go for a size smaller than my usual though), and I find it dressy because of the delicacy of the floral print and the not-to-deep V-neck.</p> <p></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876466 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 07:00:53 +0000 rachylou 1876466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think 2 and 3 are probably more flattering because of the cap sleeves and curved hem. That they’re a little more elegant because of this shaping and show structure, as Angie uses the term.</p> <p>1, I find boxy and feel there’s an awful lot of white background. And the floral comes off very sweet for a grown woman in these modern times. I think it would be easy to slip into ‘hospital gown’ territory with it, making it hard to style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876453 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 05:08:29 +0000 Zaeobi 1876453@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't know if anyone else has mentioned this already but the necklines make a big difference too - #2 has a crew neck &amp; #1 is somewhere between a crew &amp; scoop neck (it shows more skin downwards (towards the chest), if that makes sense ), whereas #3 is like a smaller boatneck (because it extends more outwards instead). The crew neck, to my eye, limits what jewellery you could wear with it. My explanations aren't very technical but I hope they make sense, lol! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876450 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 04:57:21 +0000 SarahD8 1876450@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will be the outlier here and say that I SUPER love your tee. It is by far my favorite of the bunch because I am really not drawn to abstract florals. Maybe you are the opposite?</p> <p>I do think the tee you own is more casual than the other two finds, mostly because I am under the impression that it is knit while the other two are woven.</p> <p>I would wear it (assuming the length worked) untucked with a midi length linen skirt and canvas slip ons or cork wedges, and consider that plenty dressy for my day to day. The other two tops would seem too formal for usual wear for me but ymmv.</p> <p>Just offering a data point in case it helps you figure out what works/doesn’t work for *you*. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876441 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 04:01:47 +0000 delurked 1876441@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just gathered a few finds for discussion. I haven’t tried any on, and the only one I’ve seen IRL is a bit different style, but the same print on the Lucky top (it’s on the Lucky site, but no find for it). These would be some of the ones I’m drawn to as a quick look. Some are dressier than others, but if they are tees, I personally like some color/interest/texture etc. some come in other colors too.</p> <p>The linen blouse is out of my price range, but an example of what I might look for. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876436 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 03:20:02 +0000 Brooklyn 1876436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ooh, interesting. Here are my thoughts:</p> <p>I don’t think a curved hem makes a top more dressy but it can make it more interesting or flattering. An asymmetric hem can do that same.</p> <p>I don’t think cap sleeves are dressier than short sleeves. I think it’s the fabric and overall shape of no 1 that’s giving it more of a “tee” vibe and less of a “blouse” vibe. </p> <p>I agree that woven fabrics tend to look dressier than knits. Especially those with a little sheen (silk, viscose).</p> <p>I think the length of my top is better suited to wearing (out) with a skirt than DL’s top. But the length of DL’s top is better suited to wearing with pants or jeans. But I don’t think length affects dressiness. </p> <p>Your top (which is very cute!) looks like what I would describe as a dressy tee. I would wear happily wear it with jeans and a jacket on a casual Friday. But I think the other tops are better suited to a more formal pairing with pants or a skirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876412 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 01:36:32 +0000 Style Fan 1876412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting to read what others have written about the Ts.&nbsp; I find Brooklyn's find the most dressy for the reasons that Liz, Jill and Emily pointed out.&nbsp; The print is the most skilled and the cut of the T is the most flattering.&nbsp; I notice it is silk.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876406 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 00:57:19 +0000 delurked 1876406@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Isabel - I agree a woven inherently looks more dressy than a knit. I personally try very hard to minimize anything needing a tank in the summer. Not sure how hot you get, but my personal goal when looking for summer tops is to find enough that can be worn from 100-115 degrees. There are several tops that max out for me below 100, and I really don’t need any more of those. Those tees are my winter tees. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876405 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 00:47:48 +0000 Anonymous 1876405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The simplest starting point to more dressed for me is woven rather than knit. I had three patterned silk tops from Theory that I wore when I needed to look "nicer", and they were so comfortable, even in the heat, that I wore one of them casually as well.</p> <p>Summer is tough because there's not much layering and it can be hard for me to find a top I think is interesting enough and suited to many wears. I especially liked that because of a low keyhole neckline on these tops, it was necessary to wear a tank and I coordinated several colors of Eileen Fisher silk tanks under them for variety.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876404 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 00:44:32 +0000 delurked 1876404@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi there - top 3 actually is a best of year for me. I like the color and pattern. I did talk about fabrics and some don’t last very well. I’m not opposed to synthetics, but have to be careful to make sure they don’t pill easily. Sometimes if I like something enough and it is low cost, I will buy it knowing it’s a one season (granted a long season for me) purchase. </p> <p>There are two tops in particular I really liked last summer. One was a thin polyester top in a camo print. It has a nice drape, but won’t last too much longer. The other is a royal blue Tommy Bahama knit linen tee. It also hangs well, but has a slub look that doesn’t seem like it will hold up too long either. It’s a bummer cause both of these tops are light, cool, but still don’t feel unflatteringly thin. If I could, I’d buy them again. That said, I try to focus on tops that will hold up better. That’s why I’m going to see if there’s a woven linen top that finds its way to me this year. I think that could last longer. However, most of what I see on the woven linens are button downs, which are about my most difficult fit. </p> <p>I’m with Jill in that I like a lot of Lucky brand prints, and they seem like they ought to work, but they rarely do. Sometimes though I find a gem in that brand.</p> <p>I rely a lot on print and color with my summer tops. I got a few tees at Kohls last year. While they aren’t too exciting, they do work for some of the hottest days for me. I love the Anthro blouse I got a couple years, and would get more of that style if I can find them. That one is more of what I would be looking for as a dressy summer top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876400 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 00:33:46 +0000 jill58 1876400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would find the traditional floral print (#1) difficult to wear--too sweet (Emily's word was "cottage-y"), although the colors are nice. I like the abstract pattern in #2 (Brooklyn's find) the best. It could be easily dressed up or down and I do think the cut has more potential to be flattering. I have tried on various Lucky Brand tees and they always look boxy on me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876391 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 00:11:49 +0000 Emily K 1876391@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you are right about your purchase--my first impression is that it is a dressy tee. &nbsp;Diffuse, open patterns can read a little more cottage-y to me as well. &nbsp;I'm not sure that this true of this pattern, but Brooklyn's find has the most sophisticated print IMO. &nbsp;I think that Brooklyn's find might be the most flattering shirt--it looks more fitted on the model, the cap sleeves look a tiny bit longer (which would be more flattering on me), and it is quite a bit shorter than Delurked's find. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876390 Mon, 08 Jan 2018 00:11:26 +0000 Liz 1876390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like Anne's introduction of the word <i>stylish</i>.<br />&nbsp;For <i>me</i>, the sleeves in 2 and 3 would be more flattering, so I'd feel better in them than in the short t-shirt sleeves in #1. Because I have wide hips, I'd also look better in the curved hems in 2 and 3 than in the straight-cut hem in 1. And to my eye, the print in 1 is less skilled than the design of the prints in 2 and 3. All of that would combine to make me feel better (and more stylish) in 2 and 3 than in 1.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876384 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 23:56:20 +0000 anne 1876384@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>2 and 3 do look very slightly dressier pattern wise. I think the cap sleeves and curved hem don't affect the dressiness but might affect (upwards) the stylishness. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/summer-tops-how-to-choose-casual-vs-dressy#post-1876382 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 23:52:36 +0000 Chris987 1876382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Dianna’s </b>recent posting on how to build a good summer wardrobe reminded me that I wanted to throw a question out to the forum on summer tops. One of my least successful wardrobe areas last year was/were summer tops. I ended up with mostly very casual and boring ones. My summer is only 2-3 months long abut can be very hot and humid for some of that time, and I have a casual lifestyle where I’m not in air conditioning very much. I don’ mind having a collection of t-shirts but I’d like to also have some nicer looking tops. I HAVE learned a lesson about avoiding&nbsp;synthetic tops,&nbsp;since they are usually not at all comfortable in the heat, so I’m going to look at cotton, silk, linen for this year </p> <p>I thought I’d put together three finds of similar tops, and try to analyze the differences, and ask for your options. These are tops with white/blue/black prints in similar colors. You can’t necessarily analyze the fabric&nbsp;by looking at the finds, but you can analyze shape, print, etc. </p> <p>1. A linen/cotton knit tshirt I bought last year but didn’t wear much, not sure why. I don’t do tucks or semi tucks but would instead wear it untucked. I thought it was a bit dressy but didn't feel that way about it once i tried wearing it<br />2. A custom find <b>Brooklyn</b> shared in a recent 30x30 posting. <br />3. A find <b>Delurked</b> posted in a recent posting on best/worst buys of 2017 (I think it was in her worst list due to something about the fabric)</p> <p>I think what makes #2 and 3 somewhat dressier is the cap sleeves and the curved hem. For #1 the t-shirt style (sleeves and hem) is definitely more casual. I wonder if the prints themselves are also part of what makes it casual vs. dressy…maybe #1 is a traditional floral print where #2 is a more modern abstract print?. </p> <p>Of course the choice of bottoms etc matters too...dressier bottoms make for a dressier look overall. </p> <p>What say you? Would love to hear all opinions...</p>