What tops are 10s for you? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

What tops are 10s for you?

Nicola

I was inspired by Angie's draped top post today and her comment that she wears three styles of tops. I loved it how she saw one of 'her styles' in the new shape and then tweaked it to make it work just right for her.

That's what I need! I need a bit more top direction. I need to nail down what sort of top silhouettes look great on me and then be able to see the possibilities (or the 'don't go theres') in new tops.

Suz said it perfectly yesterday, "But on the whole, I want a closet of 10s. Clothes that don't make me feel that I have compromised. Clothes that don't just look "okay." Clothes that look like a million bucks! " http://suz.lookfab.com/post/kd.....nd#replies

So - does anyone else have a list of top styles they choose from?

I find winter easy enough - I wear a lot of merino which hugs me from waist to hip nicely whilst still grazing over the wobbly bits. It also fits over my bust and anything with a scoop neck or, even better, a crossover looks great. Summer is much harder with lighter fabrics. I hunt with religious fervour for things with some shape, that aren't too tight, that drape but aren't tent-like, and after a while it becomes too too hard!

I'd love to know what works for you.

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Molly L-R

Thistle

Veteran

I love wrap tops.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I like tops with interesting detail and a easy to mix pattern

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I agree with Angie on the button front shirts and with Thistle on the wrap tops. I also wear silk t shirt style blouses with boat necks - a lot of scoop neck tops are too low cut for me.

rachylou

Veteran

I'm into silky blouses, on the longer side. I don't tuck.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I still love a deep V-neck slouchy tee, but I've been gravitating towards more button downs in linen/cotton blends for summer and tanks with more coverage on the upper chest and shoulders near the neck. I bought two substantial weight summer tanks from BR last year that have been workhorses. I also learned to snatch up lightweight jackets and blazers in slub knits, slightly heavier cotton knits and most recently a linen and then a chambray (very soft but a bit heavier than linen). I find that the toppers make a LOT of my tanks work that would not work on their own (for me) as I like more coverage and more structure most of the time despite the high heat we have here in Texas. (like 2 months of 100+ degree days sometimes). Layers make it easy to go in the AC too and with 2 very light weight pieces I don't get overheated and in fact stay shaded from the intense heat of the sun.

cheryl

Veteran

I love knit tops. I prefer a roomy fit and a square, scoop or vneck looks best on me.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I meant to add that I also have re-discovered boat neck or ballet neck styles to be flattering for me in some cases and have purchased a couple super light weight versions with elbow length sleeves that I can easily roll or scrunch if I want.

If you look at the necklines of the things in your closet that you really like to wear and give you a high happiness factor, you probably will see a trend. That's what I did a while back after reading tips here on YLF.

Anonymous

I usually prefer woven tops, especially on their own without layering. I need a neckline that comes close to my neck, so buttondowns, woven crew necks, mandarin collars, and slash necks. For layering, turtlenecks...tailored woven ones if I can find them. However, you will see me in high scoop necks for summer, even though they aren't the most flattering, just to stay cooler

kkards

Veteran

knits -- long sleeve knits, short sleeve knits, sleeveless knits. i have shirts cut close to the body for layering, (i wear a lot of blazers and sweaters, in all weather). and lots of knits that are cut to hang looser and flow away from the body. i tend to wear crew necks, although i have some v necks -i find boat neck don't lay right, and i spend all day fidgeting. i also own some tank top style shape wear that i slip on for days that i am wearing a more fitted knit and want to smooth out the muffin top.

Anonymous

My current faves are silk button front blouses. They give me good coverage at the neck I love the way they billow out. They're easy to layer over too because the fabric is thin and they easily collapse under a blazer or sweater sleeve. I also love fine gauge pullovers. I've given up on T-shirts and knit tops because they don't last and they show every lump and bump, but the fine sweaters are really nice. I have sleeveless ones in silk and rayon blends for summer and long sleeved ones that are thin enough to layer over (and under) making them pretty season-less. I like a high scoop neck (@Joy, those are unflattering?) that just shows my collar bones.

Anonymous

Claire, I meant they are rather unflattering on me, although the higher necks aren't bad. I use necklaces or scarves a lot as "fillers"

always trying

Veteran

3/4, or elbow sleeve T's with not too low scoop necks for warmer weather, and long sleeve crew neck T's for cooler weather, for casual dressing with jeans, capris, etc. For dresser one of my favs is a loose print silk blouse. Also for winter I have two crew neck sort of sweat shirt style sweaters that I love, and a dressier white scoop neck sweater for dressier. Also a fav cotton white 3/4 sleeve shirt and a roll up sleeve chambray that I wear all year round either layered or not.

DonnaF

Veteran

I just discovered the slimming magic of ruched Ts. I used to think that gathers added weight, but just the opposite is true:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ca.....ts-_-1_8_C

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/mi.....ts-_-1_9_C

I run cold, and where I live it rarely gets hot so I don't need easy breezy tops. For those days, I have three woven linen tops: a 3/4 sleeve scoop neck blouse, a roll sleeve long blouse with a drawstring waist, and a long sleeved collared shirt. These all tend to be cooler than my woven and knit cottons.

catgirl

Veteran

Absolutely no top is a guaranteed win for me, other than the right shape of Indian kurti.

Anonymous

@Joy: whew! There is a sweet spot isn't there? For me if they are too high or a slash neck, I don't like them with a jacket on top. And everything I own has to be layer-friendly. Too low and my bony upper chest make me look like I'm wasting away. I'm not, of course--everything is just sliding south, lol!

Jjsloane

Veteran

Hmm, I'm not sure I have a 10 top criteria. I guess it is seasonal. I love tunics that are slightly drapey but not too long in interesting prints for summer. I love the look of button downs, but the gape tortures me so never quite a 10 no matter what. At this point whatever doesn't accentuate the muffin top (and a little extra weight), looks current and doesn't require special cleaning is a 8-9 at least.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I favor drapier tees lately with lower necklines but honestly like many types of tops, except for the woven button down. I am VERY picky there. I think my limiting wardrobe category is bottoms. I do only a very few silhouettes there.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Anything that is non clingy around my mid-section, where the shoulders fit (completely dropped is fine or even preferred), with no sleeves or elbow length to long (with some exceptions), and with no pulling at my bust or waist. Easier said than done (and not even so easy to say).

saramir

I'm struggling with this precise issue right now, as I'm desperately in need of work tops. I have figured out, with the help of Angie's blog and Pinterest, that I LOVE the tailored look: button-downs and structured jackets. But. I HATE wearing button-downs and jackets. I feel too restricted and I'm constantly fidgeting with things staying tucked in. Ugh.

So, I prefer knits that look professional...I'm still trying to figure out what that means. Slightly fitted elbow-length sleeves are flattering on me because they don't cut off my already-short arms and they visually slim the upper arms. And, for me, they are the sweet spot for warmth/cool. And, the midsection has to be either loose or disguised so I can feel comfortable (e.g., a wrap or ruching).

I really like the idea of Eileen Fisher silk knit tees but she doesn't make patterns and I need the patterns to hide the inevitable stains! I'm in love with DVF wrap dresses and am hoping to snag a silk jersey wrap blouse on ebay to see if it will be my perfect match.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Everything Joy said. (And said so well).

I think a lot of our preferences have to do with our figure flattery needs, and some have to do with the weather that we confront.

Checking Angie's "dressing for your body type" posts can be really helpful as a starting guideline. With tops, the issues are shoulder shape/ size; bust; neck length/ hair length. Also, for some, muffin top, and short or long - waistedness can affect the fit.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

What Suz said. With short hair, small bust and long-ish neck I cannot wear deeper necklines. Collars are my friend as well as turtle necks, boatnecks and crew necks. Anything lower usually not a good match.
I also prefer woven shirt and blouses to knit tops or t-shirts: I can never feel fab in those.

Nicola

Oh I just lost my answer. I'll try again....

Thanks for all your thoughts and advice. I will be giving this a bit of thought and watching the WIWs to borrow some ideas off you all. Joy, Claire, Suz & Sveta - I will be choosing the opposite to you I need wide open necklines. DonnaF - thanks for the links.

Saramir - I have the same problem with button downs. I love them but am always adjusting them. They ride up or untuck or the sleeves need tweaking. Very frustrating. I wore one under a jersey yesterday and lasted an hour. I have more luck with short sleeved or rolled sleeved summer versions, but am determined to persevere with finding my version of a button down.

Anonymous

I like body skimming with scoop, 'V' or square necks. I don't wear button downs and the fabric has to have a bit of give.
Length wise they have to be no longer then low hip.

Molly L-R

I favour button up blouses and something with a little structure. In the summer I like sleeveless tops and dresses as I run hot, but do wear some plain Ts for work. My favourite style of pullover is rollneck.