The "going out top".... - YouLookFab Forum

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The "going out top"....

Sal

Veteran

In reading the Saturday paper this morning the fashion page talked about the return of the "going out top".

The context was that in the 00s people wore the dressy top and jeans for going out.... as in spangly, sparkly tops with jeans.....

Now I do recall sparkly camisoles and jeans (it never worked for me as if I wanted jeans I needed a warmer top and vice versa) but I have never really stopped wearing a "nice top" and jeans. I have a couple of silk blouses with sleeves, a black floral blouse, and have had various other iterations. Over the last two years off the shoulder or cold shoulder tops have been worn with jeans often. The jeans have varied - skinnies often, sometimes coated denim, low to high waisted, full length to cropped... And in 2008 we might have worn stiletto heels or platform wedges or ballet flats - it might be mules or slides or a block heel now....

Is a going out top and jeans one of your go to looks, and did you ever stop wearing it? I am sure you will all be relieved to know it is "in" again.

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

Bijou

Veteran

Absolutely, I had no idea that it was out of fashion before. I love this combination because it is appropriate for so many dress codes a good elegantly casual look. In cooler weather I just pop on a jacket or blazer. My tops for this look are in finds.

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Anonymous

Never stopped relying on this formula !

Jules

Veteran

Ummm this is pretty much all I wear. And any non-formal/occasion dress I buy needs to work over jeans (or jean-styled ponte) too.

Sal

Veteran

It is a useful scenario here too for the following occasions

- dinner and movies with friends
- work functions - casual
- drinks with friends
- dinners at friends or casual eateries

Whilst I love a dress, sometimes this look is easier for layering, warmer and a notch down which suits my casual environmental norm.

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celia

Veteran

I really never stopped wearing the going out top , just glad I am on trend again

rachylou

Veteran

I guess the thing is... it’s the jeans I stopped wearing...

Brooklyn

Veteran

Yes, it’s great for casual Fridays too. I think of t-shirt and jeans as very casual wear but add a blouse to jeans and then it’s something more special.

Anonymous

I had no idea this was ever out.
I definitely love this look, especially around Christmas, when you want warm legs (although I suppose for you Sal, Christmas is a time to break out the bare legs!).
I love Bijou’s examples of the lace tops.
I have worn gauzy silk tops with a camisole underneath, t-shirts with lace arms, sparkly tops, and boustier-style tops , and silk shirts. Now that I think about it, I wore all those tops pre-kids, so I’m the 00’s, which is coincidentally when they were “in”, haha! Now, mostly I just go to the neighbours or out with work colleagues, and knitwear is my go-to.

I have a big work Christmas party to go to, so maybe this is a good time for jeans and a fancy top.

Sal

Veteran

These are the NZ Herald's suggestions.

I officially decree you are all back in fashion now.

Last photo is Leandra Medine (Manrepeller)

I do like the black long sleeve one with lilac and orange in photo 2- but at $650 I will not be adding it to my closet.

I also like the right orange wrap top in pic 3.

Whilst I love the first pic I am not sure if it is me - maybe a little too maximal.

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LaPed

Veteran

You know, I've never managed to do this in a satisfying way. I can wrap my mind around the concept and it seems like a good idea, but I think it would require different shoes and different jeans. My jeans and boots are all too menswear-inspired or actual menswear. They might work with a cami but I run too cold. And I don't really like flamboyant or feminine blouses, so the whole thing comes off feeling a bit... mundane. I think the jeans work better juxtaposed with a heel or a dainty shoe, or else you need a top that has a lot going on. I lean more towards stompy shoes with a pretty dress.

Sal

Veteran

I think you are right La Pedestrienne. To " elevate" the jeans a bit of refinement helps - shine or shimmer, sleek boots or mules etc..

Funnily enough I can do that but when I wear a dress I am not good with the stompy shoes - I can do a chunky sandal and sneakers at a push, but I feel much better now with my refined oxfords with a dress than I do in sneakers.

I really love that look though and wish I could carry it off.

Joy

Veteran

Yes, the dressy top and jeans is definitely one of my go to looks. In fact, I am sure to include it for holiday dressing. I recently bought silver metallic straight high-waisted jeans to wear for the holidays with my silver jacket and a silver and grey metallic tank. I would include possible dressy jackets in this category...a great blazer, a tweed Chanel-isque jacket, velvet, lace, etc. You can update jean and shoe styles to keep it more current.

unfrumped

Veteran

I run cold so end up relying on the jacket, or the look of the jacket- top combination. I hang on to a couple of slightly sparkly T- style tops for this. Or warm knitwear.
The jeans part got harder for me in past few years as there seemed to be a demise of the “dressy jean”. I seem to need that to make a dressy top work.
More of a crisp darkwash jean. I think there are ways unto make lighter washes, frayed hems work but maybe with special footwear.
So actually I would like shop my closet to see if any combinations work, maybe a juxtaposition I haven’t tried, and how best to update.

Style Fan

Veteran

This is my go-to look for "going out" events. So glad I am back on trend. Footwear is a bit of a challenge for me in the winter but I am trying to come up with something.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I'm like Rachy, almost giving up the jeans part. So my going out tops go with pants, not so often with jeans. The first time I remember this specific look was in 2002 for a work Christmas party when we were in the UK for 6 months and my wardrobe was limited. I said to someone "Well, I'll just be wearing a sparkly top with black pants" and she said she thought that was what "we all will be doing". So maybe it was a thing at that time. But it's so easy I've never stopped doing it. My issue is to realise I don't need as many going out tops as I own!

Anonymous

Another that never stopped wearing the "going out top." They are a wardrobe essential for me.

kkards

Veteran

see my blazer closet challenge post...the 2 velvet blazers are carry over 00s "going out tops" ....

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I do a version of the dressy-top-and-jeans combo, but I would say mine is pretty pared down from the top of the dressy scale. I think of this combination as something to wear on a date, when you want to look sexy or alluring and you don't want to overdress for the occasion. I have always had a hard time achieving that combination. I remember trying to get it down way back in my college days and despairing over not having the pretty tops to pull off the look.

Here are a couple of versions of the dressy top and jeans that are very typical of my take on it. Not so dressy, really, but more of an effort at "pretty" than my usual everyday looks. The first is a voile blouse with a ruffle at the v-neck, and the second is a silk georgette blouse with ruffle at the neck and cuffs.

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Runcarla

Veteran

My jeans and footwear are not sufficiently refined for me to pull off this look. I'm more likely to wear a black trouser and a special top. I do have a sparkly silver t- shirt for going out that I like quite a bit.

Sal

Veteran

Interesting..... thanks all for chiming in.

My take on it is that the Fashion Editor was trying to fit an article around the tops. I suspect when it first came out it was the move to juxtaposition, casualisation of events. But the idea has never really gone away just evolved with different tops, jeans or pants and footwear. If we wore the low waisted True Religion jeans with the sparkly camisole and platform it would feel a bit dated.

The tops are probably more covered now (as per Bijou and Firecracker's examples).....

Let's carry on enjoying it!!

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Helena

Veteran

This is definitely my go to for nights out ... Glad it's 'back'!

Lynn

Veteran

LOL because this definitely never went out of style where I live. It has been my go to for years. I agree with La Pedestrienne and you that the jeans make a big difference. I stick with a medium dark wash with no distressing- I call them my "polished jeans"

LaPed

Veteran

My fingers are crossed for a trouser-jean revival. J Crew has released a bunch of nice washes this season. This might make the look more doable for me, since I have a hard time with skinnies.

Wide-leg trouser jean in classic rinse

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Astrid

Veteran

It’s actually a favourite work formula for me: jeans, shoes like oxfords (no sneakers) and a dressy top. I don’t do heels, so that’s not an option for myself. I don’t wear this for going out though, I prefer to wear skirts and dresses for that. Comfortable when it’s warm inside and easy to cover with a warm coat outside. And I always feel good in a pretty dress or skirt combo. And it’s easier to eat lots of good food when you don’t wear constricting jeans...