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Not enough tops

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

So in going through my closet this evening, I've made a crystal clear discovery: I do NOT have enough tops!

I have plenty of blazers and toppers, a few good skirts (although I might want one swishy one) and decent trousers/jeans, although I wouldn't mind one more pair of white jeans.

But I don't have enough tops to go with these things. And I have no clue what I want or what I should be looking for. Anybody have some good suggestions?

Shopping

38 replies

Latest reply was from Mander

rae

(website)

Veteran

Hm, how do you mean? Do you feel like some of your toppers and bottoms are orphans? Or can you not make it to laundry day without a clean shirt? Identifying the point where the machine breaks down may help you form a plan.

Another thing that occurred to me after laundry day, too... are you *sure* you don't have enough? Suz's thread about having/buying too much got me thinking about this, and I saw that your comment was along the same line. Would anyone at work notice if I wore the same tank under a different jacket two days in a row? Would they care? How about every other day? Not really saying this applies to you - kind of just musing.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I guess I'm thinking about that wardrobe idea of where you're supposed to have roughly double the amount of tops to bottoms ratio. I don't have any orphans, which is a good thing. But I only have about 4 tanks and 5-6 blouses to wear with my various bottoms. I'm not counting tee shirts which I live in at home.

And I'm looking at the spring/summer season - I do have enough tops for fall/winter but as I'm starting to put some of my sweaters away, I have less and less for the warmer weather.

It's true that I don't want to be buying like a crazy woman and definitely question when enough is enough (as I said in Suz's thread).

You ask a really valid question Rae - would anyone notice if I wore the same tank under different jackets. I don't know. I work with the same people 5 days a week.

Now I need to look again and do some more thinking...

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm in the same boat. I ALWAYS have a shortage of tops. Let's wait a little while and see what surfaces, Shannon. (I've had my fill of high-low muu-muu tops for now. I am still totally besotted with shirts and unstructured/structured crew neck sweaters).

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I often feel this way - although I have plenty of tops! I just find them trickier to wear than bottoms, and maybe for that reason, often decide I don't like any of them. I do find going through what I have and rediscovering a few less worn ones helps, but I am always looking for the next solution.

Anonymous

That is usually my problem too. I just bought a few shells / sleeveless blouses, for that purpose.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Well, maybe the problem is not that you have too few tops but that you have too many bottoms for that ratio?
Also you have a lot of summer dresses which don't require a top...
How did you manage last summer?

deb

Veteran

I am right there will you, also. i have been looking for weeks now and cannot find anything I like. Everything is patterned and I do not want pattern. I really want some silk tees but cannot find any with decent sleeves. So, my search continues.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I have never heard of that rule! How interesting. You do make a good point about summer, though. Harder to re-wear tops without a wash in the heat. But Sveta also makes a good point about dresses. Hmmm. I will be watching this thread!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

So relieved to hear I'm not the only one who has this issue.

Angie - I love the shirts that you find (for yourself and others) and I wish I could fit shirts more easily. I did pick up a lovely cobalt blue silky polyester-blend equipment shirt at Cleo Petite today at lunch time which will work well with many things (I think).

Shevia - I can completely relate. I love so many different types of tops but they just don't love me back.

Zap - I definitely need to find some sleeveless blouses and shells for when our summer heat hits. We get quite hot here in the summer, but the air conditioning in my office could double as a meat freezer. Layering is key.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Whooops - double posted with Sveta, Deb and Rae!

Sveta - I actually don't have quite as many summer dresses as I did last year. Some of them just finally died after much usage. For summer dresses, I have my floral frock, a new cobalt/black/white striped one from Cleo Petite, my ancient abstract print Jay Manuel and my black sheath.

It's this time of year that's tough - we're out of heavy winter sweaters but not yet into summer sleeveless, you know?

I also find I need more tops in summer that can work with both my casual and my work wardrobes. Because I'm usually off work for a couple of weeks, I like tops that can do double duty.

Maybe I'm also just wanting some better quality tops - some of the ones I wore last spring/summer look pretty "done" this year.

Peri

Veteran

I always want more variety of tops because I think they are more memorable than pants. Maybe because my pants styles are so basic. I often weaker the same pants several times a week and if anyone cares they haven't told me. But I feel like I couldn't get away with that with tops.

Debbie

Veteran

I always feel like I don't have enough tops. In Austin this weekend I hope to find a couple of silk T's. Cobalt is a color I am definitely looking for.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Well, as you know from my earlier top thread I find this a major challenge, too. IMO it is just plain difficult to find figure flattering, modest yet current, practical (i.e. washable and cool), and adaptable summer tops! And, to make matters worse, we have to buy summer tops more often. Or at least I do. Perhaps precisely because I am not wearing sweaters in the summer as an alternative top, or perhaps because I have to launder them more often due to the heat, my summer tops last, essentially, a season. They might last longer if I could find enough to create a longer rotation...but that's just not how things seem to work chez moi. I am lucky if I can find 7 decent tops per season, which is one per day, and in summer I often need more than one per day!!

Oy vey.

Actually, things are a bit better for me this year because I do have a couple that lasted from last summer and I have picked up a few new ones (heheh) BUT, I totally hear what you are saying.

If sweaters are a winter mainstay and crossover item for you (work to weekend) what about looking for a couple of linen sweaters? To wear over a simple tank.

Day Vies

Veteran

I have loads of solid colored tops but nothing in print. Printed tops are difficult because they're usually woven and me and woven tops don't get along too well.

Deborah

Veteran

Shannon this is my ongoing dilemma. For some reason I see very few tops that I like. It is so frustrating. I think working out exactly what you think you want and will work for you will help as you look.

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

I kind of had a similar feeling a little while back where I was buying all these cool bottoms and didn't feel like I had any tops to wear them with!

So my issue was that I had the same top duplicated a million times-- I basically had a bunch of tanks and tees and then one or two blouses. I would recommend that you try and find a good variety of tops-- different colours and silhouettes and materials and patterns and all that kind of good stuff.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I'm the same! Far too many bottoms+toppers and too few tops. I don't think that neutral tops are a problem to repeat often, though. I guess it's more about me getting bored faster with my tops than the rest. It might be because they are the focal point in the outfit, at least from my point of view. Do you feel this way, too?

Molly L-R

I have this exact same problem. For this time of year, between winter and summer, I like to wear either long sleeved/three quarter sleeved T's, short sleeved button up blouses or fitted tops with a good amount of cotton in them. But I'm having real trouble finding things in the colours and fabrications I like. The thing is, I sweat A LOT. Which means that a lot of the time, like Suz, my tops only last a season. Right now I'm at 8 work tops and that's the absolute minimum I can work with. I'd prefer to have 10 or 12, but it's tricky. Right now I'm trawling eBay every day to try and find short sleeved H&M blouses in my colours and size.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I sympathise - I always seem to be short on tops too. I've had to make a really concerted effort to get to a point where I feel okay with them - I am still "upgrading" though.

Astrid

Veteran

I'm also having problems with tops for summer! I'm fairly covered for fall and winter now, but the warm weather we've been getting has been panic inducing. In keeping with my wish for a bit more 'boho' I'm going to try to find some colorful patterned blouses/tees.

nancylee

Veteran

I agree 100%, Shannon. Summer tops are an elusive item for sure. At least it's good to know others have the same trouble.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Sign me up too. I tend to live in dressy tee shirts, which starts to get old, really quickly. Part of my style revolt This year I seem to have found a few short sleeved cotton sweaters which will do for work, and are a step up from tees. I also struggle with woven blouses fitting me well.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Wow - I had no idea that so many of us have this issue! Nice to know I'm not alone.

Suz - I like the idea of a some linen sweaters but haven't seen anything remotely like that in the stores. However, it's early in the season so will keep checking.

Ingunn - I definitely tire of my blouses/tops quicker than any other item, especially if I'm only wearing a few of them over and over.

I think I'll go through my entire closet this weekend and really see what I have and try them all on with various bottoms before running out and buying things in a frenzy. Want to make sure I buy what I need and that those are the right items.

Happy hunting ladies

rachylou

Veteran

I have to cull and replace my own tops soon. I have a lot, but they're getting old and unwearable to anyplace but the bakery.

Is it my imagination, or did you used to wear more dresses in general, Shannon?

Marley

Veteran

I guess that I'm fortunate that I live in a climate where the summers never really get so hot that I can't wear my top more than once without having to launder it between wearings! Also, I have no problem wearing the same neutral, layering basic more than one day in a row, or everyother day - even when the same people are going to see me both days! I've never heard of that ratio of tops to bottoms! Interesting! I'm going to have to think about that! Shannon, I'd say to give it a few weeks (unless you are desperate right now!) and see what new items come out. I bet we get a whole new slew of "purdies" to choose from!

Sunee

(website)

Wow! Lot's of people with this issue, including me. I always want to wear button downs but for some reason, even though I don't have big boobs, I can never get them to close properly. It's very frustrating. I have been given the advice many times to buy them a size up and then have them tailored down with darts. Of course, I am too lazy to do that so like many of you, I live in tanks and t-shirts (long sleeves on winter). The nice thing about them is that I can (and do) buy them in every colour I like and when they wear out, I can replace them easily and cheaply. That is especially true of anything white.

Recently I took a shopping trip to Joe Fresh and I found quite a few nice tops, even a silk button down that actually fit me ($49 USD)! So I'd say check them out.
You might also have a look at http://www.fitvalet.com for things that are available to buy online. For example I love this look... http://fitvalet.com/body-shape.....ting-look/

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Rachy - not your imagination at all. I did wear more dresses in general but wanted to experiment with some trouser silhouettes this past year. I've been missing the dresses lately though.

Marley - yep, gonna wait for a while. I'll work with what I've got for a while. At least until I see something "purdy"

Sunnee - thanks for those links!

qfbrenda

Veteran

Does Ann Taylor ship to Canada? They have an amazing sale going right now. I just ordered 3 summer tops because I'm in the same place as you.

Peri

Veteran

My style problem with summer tops is cap sleeves. I hate them so much! But I must be in the minority because they are about all you see in the stores.

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