Summer top crisis (AKA I need a closet edit!) - YouLookFab Forum

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Summer top crisis (AKA I need a closet edit!)

Janet

(website)

Veteran

So we now have summer seemingly overnight. Two nights ago it was in the 40s and today we hit the 90s. Yay. /sarcasm

And in scrambling in my closet for an outfit for today (giving a presentation tonight), I’m discovering a lot of my summer tops are several years old and no longer reflect where I want to be, stylewise. Sigh. And here I was fretting about bottoms when I think tops are the bigger problem. I have some rather plain tees. And I have tops that dress up more (ie patterned silk tanks) . And then there’s not much in between. I think I need some interesting short sleeve summer tops.

Just when I think my closet is in good shape, summer arrives and sets me back. It never ends!

Dressing

53 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Toban

Veteran

I’m also in DC and the change in weather has made my top crises into a catastrophe. I’ve been rebuilding my wardrobe but tops have been the hardest. I’m really struggling with tops this season. Too many ruffle or flutter sleeves. I’d really like some cap sleeves (rather than short sleeve). I have no advice but I am looking forward to the advice you get.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes, Toban! You’ve hit on a reason why I haven’t been drawn to any summer tops yet — too much of the romantic girlie style and too many pastel colors that are not me.

Heh, I bought one mint green V-neck tee at Marshall’s last week. $12. Maybe not hugely stylish but useful at least.

Anonymous

I was in Anthro today , and found quite a few cute tops. I tried the one on below , and would have bought it, but Angie's " Lisa stop buying black" note is in my head.... I can't say if there were many short sleeved tops ( I wasn't looking for them) , but lots of cute sleeveless .

Btw - those Anthro Pilcro slim boyfriends are a joke on me. So low in the rise.

Anonymous

I just wanted to sympathize with "it never ends."

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Sterling.

Lisa, did you mean to attach a link or find? I cruised through Anthro briefly but didn’t see any promising tops. I should look online. Sorry the jeans didn’t work for you! See, the rise is perfect on my comically-short torso. Now you know why high rises are so horrible for me.

Colette

Veteran

And in the blink of an eye it’s summer. I was still wearing cashmere on Saturday!

So, I started editing and switching my closet today. It’s weird though because I’m not mentally ready to wear my summer clothes even though it’s warm enough.

And at the rate I’m editing I’ll probably be looking to add summer tops as well.

Anonymous

I have a long rise though - which is the difference. This is the top I tried on - much nicer in person than this photo suggests.

Meadow Rue | Anthropologie Harriet Embroidered Tank

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Style Fan

Veteran

Winter to summer in one day. I only have plain T-shirts for tops. I would like a couple of nice tops for music concerts, dinner dates, etc. but I never find them.

Aquamarine

Veteran

Ugh, yes, today’s sudden 90 was a catastrophe for my top selections too. It’s an ongoing hole in my closet. I’m good with layers, but when it’s suddenly too warm for those, I’m sunk. Luckily, today is triple points at Nordstrom so I placed a panic order

jussie

Veteran

Ooh I like that Anthro top and have been eyeing it online. I also sympathize- it never ends! I just realized I need new hosiery....

Suz

(website)

Veteran

"You’ve hit on a reason why I haven’t been drawn to any summer tops yet — too much of the romantic girlie style and too many pastel colors that are not me."

NO KIDDING!! Same problem for me.

Style Fan

Veteran

Yes! I don't do romantic girlie pastels. Or florals.

Anonymous

I can sympathize with all of you because that is where I was at last year. Summer was so lean for tops than I wore dresses into the ground and my capris sat.
For some reason I could find nothing- then in September- October I stumbled on sales of basic summer tops.
I was like- where the heck were these a few months ago? I have learned when God sends a row boat in a flood - get in. So I bought several tops and put them directly “away” with summer stuff. Boy am I glad I did because I did the whole romantic period in the late 60s early 70s and have moved on.
But I still find it curious that solid basics never seem to be in stores until after the season has ended. It’s like they jam trends down our throats . then just when you have given up and spent your budget on pieces you were not crazy about- miraculously the stuff you want appears when you can no longer use it straight away. That’s why I will no longer jump on trends unless it is a trend that will be a “classic”. And I keep my eyes on season end sales for basics/ neutrals.

cindysmith

Veteran

It really doesn't end. Good luck in your hunt!

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

Your “it never ends” made me smile! Truly, we are all works in progress, which is lovely but also frustrating. Sometimes it feels like a break is necessary to catch one’s breath.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I have found a few nice tops for spring, but mostly I don't like anything in my closet. I think I need to do some work on outfit creation and take stock. In my spare time ------

Lynn

Veteran

I am with you Janet and Style Fan on the floral romantic girlie tops. Definitively not my thing.
Short or cap sleeves seem really hard to find. Everything seems long sleeve or sleeveless.
Yup, it never ends :((

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Angie if you're listening we need a blog post about Summer tops that are not tees and not ALL ruffles and frills (I like SOME ruffles).

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don’t mind tees, but if I add more, they need to have some interest and not be more basic scoop/v solid tees... unless it’s a perfect color for me! I have a couple (blue, teal) that are starting to show their age.

And why are tops (including the ones in my closet) all so loooooong? Everything feels schlumpy and baggy. Or super-cropped. How about some gently fitted normal length tops?

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Wow reading these replies in your post I'm not the only one. It's good to know. I'm in is in between stage where I'm caught in between having like these graphic t-shirts that are all Star Wars. Which I'm not mad at but I find inappropriate to just go to most places throw money at good for at home but not going out again. Or have these really dressy tops that I would normally probably wear to church. I need to resolve this quickly

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I hear you, Ladonna! Someone slap my hand if I attempt to buy another graphic or concert tee.

elpgal

Veteran

LisaP, that's a lovely top. Fits true to size?

Janet, I hear you about gently fitted regular length tops. Have you checked out Boden.

Joy

Veteran

Thank goodness striped tops always seem to be available. Last summer they were my go-to. Maybe they will be again.

Jane

Veteran

I’m nodding along. I was so pleased that I didn’t put my summer Boden blouse in the charity bag in the winter. I’d forgotten that I’d got it and feel super pleased to have it back in my wardrobe after switching winter to summer pieces. V Irritating though that I can’t find a replacement.

Greyscale

Veteran

Agreed! I went on a tee buying spree this year because my standbys were worn out. But now I have a drawer full of boring tees, a closet of dressy interview tops, and not enough in between. You're so right on the length thing. Jeans waists are higher but my tops are lagging behind.

There are so many cute ruffled / gathered / cropped short sleeve cotton tops this year, that aren't my style in the least. But it looks like a great shopping season for someone with a different style! Madewell is particularly full of great tops that aren't for me, if anyone with different tastes is looking.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I agree, Greyscale. I just cruised through the Zara site and a couple of others, and very few of the tops appeal to me. There were a couple of cute things on Anthro, some a little out of my usual color palette but perhaps worth a try. Lisa, that floral top is really pretty! I like that too.

Elpgal, I took a look at Boden, but their stuff doesn’t float my boat, by and large. Too many primary colors? Or too classic? I saw one or two things that appealed, but not enough to order them.

Anonymous

elpgal - yes, true to size. Or even slightly generous. I had on a M, which is my usual size at Anthro.

LaPed

Veteran

I added two short-sleeve summer tops from Tradlands late last summer. Tradlands does modern-tomboy styles, so completely ruffle-free. They make skew a bit too classic/prep for your taste, but they are such great summer shirts -- really lightweight, but not too gauzy. Perfect t-shirt alternatives. What about something like the Madewell Courier or Everlane Square or Notch Collar shirts? Too much volume?

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The Linen Notch Short-Sleeve Shirt

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Embroidered Cactus Courier Shirt

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

If you want a few inexpensive summer tops Loft has a pretty nice selection of solids right now. Lou & Grey sweatshirt tees seem to be good quality (though they will be too hot for summer temps, they will be okay up to 80 for me). They also have florals of course and those aren't for me either.

ETA: The striped cold shoulder top looks like a good potential too. Well, except maybe the bra strap issue, which I only just thought about.

And the blue and gold yellow looks like it would be great with dark hair!

Lou & Grey V-Neck Sweatshirt Tee

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Vintage Soft Tee

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Striped Cold Shoulder Tee

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Ikat Tie Back Tee

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