Yet more K/R - Some light tops

One of my shopping goals for this year's warm weather is to add some updated tops. I particularly want white. The tees from my last post are a good part, but I'd also like at least one blouse as well. Non-negotiables for summer tops:

* No underlayer required. (Not common in white, but with a nude bra things are acceptable.)
* Not densely woven polyester. (I have an awesome Modcloth blouse that can't be worn outside for more than a few minutes. It breathes like a trash bag.)
* Short sleeves only.

And I would prefer ironing not necessary. I don't mind ironing, but the majority of my current summer tops need ironing, and I do fall down on it eventually. I'd rather not deliberately add to that issue.

All of these tops are from Kohl's. I also got really tired and hungry, so I made the "easy" decision and bought all the ones I liked. Usually I consider things a bit more first.

Three of the tops are the same design. Mixed media, with semisheer tucked front, over a light jersey lining. The back is the same light jersey. I got the white, which was acceptably non-sheer, the light blue, and the red. I'd rather not have three of the same blouse. I like it a lot and it's different from what I have, but I don't love it enough to keep three! Of these three, I'm leaning most toward the red. It's actually a pink red in person, like watermelon - a color I don't have at all. I always love light blue, and I don't have anything quite in this shade; but light blue seems to be a common color this season. I'd also like to try some more white blouses before settling on this one.

I do want to keep the printed blouse, because it's beautiful and has all the colors I love. I think it's poly, but semisheer so it breathes. Finds aren't working for Kohl's right now, but the link is here.

I'm considering trying out a few things from Zara and maybe ASOS. Are the returns really free, i.e. no cost shipping both ways? There's not a Zara within 500 miles so returning in store is not an option.

There's also this blue shirt with paper airplanes on it. I LOVE things with airplanes.

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Kohl's

Women's LC Lauren Conrad Mixed-Media Top

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Top Pick

Zara

Poplin Shirt With Fine Pleat Detail

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ModCloth

Up, Up, and Amaze Top in Paper Planes

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Top Pick

8 years ago

Anonymous

I love the floral top. The colours and pattern are great, and it look fabulous with the skirts.
The other tops are great too, and I really can't pick a favourite among those three.

JAileen

Veteran

I think they look cute on you, and seem to fit your style, from what I've seen. I can see the details on the white one best. I like it well enough that I'm considering going to Kohl's to look for it. I like your requirements for a summer top. Mine would be short sleeved or sleeveless, and cotton or linen.

Joy

All these tops look great on you and cute with your skirts. The top that is the same looks different in the various colors. My favorite is the white one, but that shade of red is very pretty on you. The paper airplane top is wonderful and more dressy. The high neckline will be warmer too if the tie is not removable. Just a thought.

cjh

(website)

"Breathes like a trash bag" HAHA. Good reason not to wear anything!

I love these tops - they are perfect on you. If I had them, my only concern would be risk of splitting the wears. But if you leave the tags on, you may be able to figure out very shortly which one(s) you want to wear and which would be languishing in the closet.

Alassë

My favourites are the white & red tops from Kohls. They look much prettier on you than the model, too.

Maneera

I love them all!!! But I think the printed blouse is a must-keep. Also love the red one!

rachylou

I like them all. Can't go wrong with any.

Beth Ann

Of course! Lauren Conrad makes perfect sense for your style. I agree with not duplicating the solids -- you might find another one with a little different neckline, etc. I adore the floral -- that's a slam dunk!

There are some cute tops at Loft at the moment, and they're 30% off today. I don't have it in my Finds, but there's a great flutter sleeve with bow top that's right up your alley!

Ginger

I admit, I'm really surprised! Usually the YLF consensus has been that same-style duplicates usually end up splitting wears, or leaving one unworn entirely. I was halfway expecting to be chastised for risking that.

But what I'm hearing is that the colors and effects are significantly different. I can see now that the sheer effect of the sleeves is visible in the white, but looks opaque in both blue and red.

CJH, splitting wears is a really important consideration. White is in a different wardrobe category, since it helps me wear statement skirts. The red and blue I'm likely to use steadily with different skirts and shoes. But I think I will play around some more and see how many options I really have with each.

Joy, you make a particularly good point about the high neck of the airplane blouse. That would make it an office top instead of an out-and-about top. Not a bad idea, since I do like nice work tops.

AviaMariah

I personally love the white one. I have a soft spot for white summer shirts and I especially like it in that style and fabric. But you know which you'll get the most wear out of. All the colors are great.

Beth Ann, is this the Loft blouse? It's so pretty! I love that blue/aqua/turquoise. I can check that out today... and ooh, I just got some tiny silver and turquoise earrings as a birthday gift.

I like the LC blouse/tee quite a bit, but I'm still concerned about getting tired of it in three colors. (Usually when I duplicate, I go 1 too far. If I get 3, 1 turns out to be unused, etc.) I could totally talk myself into keeping all of them; the difficulty is to keep the tags on long enough to decide. I do love variety and new things!

Loft

Tie Neck Flutter Top

rabbit

I think the flowered blouse looks great. The red, white and pale blue all work well with your style too. In terms of the duplicates, usually I don't end up wearing different colored duplicates equally, and if some problem shows up in one of them (like pilling) it's a bummer, so I usually just take the tags off the 'for sure' one first.

I'd be inclined to think about what would get the most wardrobe use, and secondly, which ones are part of a color palette you already are using or intend to use -- especially great if you can make a column of color with matching bottoms or have accessories or shoes that work with it if needed.

For the pale blue you could think in terms of a chambray material blouse if you wanted more variety.

I haven't done Zara myself yet but Asos returns are free and it's relatively simple (no cost shipping if you order above $40). Zara's website says free shipping over $50 and free returns.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I like them all too. You have LOTS of skirts, so you need LOTS of tops to wear with them. Thumbs up. Like the white and floral best.

Do try the turquoise Loft top too. Looks yummy.

Lovely tops! I like the red and print ones best.

Jenn

I like the white top a lot... better than the white t-shirts you posted the other day. Also like the floral. The red is cute too, but I think that particular shade of blue feels a little "sweet." More girly than your more grown-up version of retro. The more saturated aqua in the Loft top might work better.

Runs With Scissors

I love the floral one the best, but I also love the light blue on you. It seems to really suit your coloring. But as others have said, all are winners. I love the airplane print too.

Brooklyn

I like the white one best too, followed by the red and then the blue. Personally I find comfortable summer tops hard to find so I would be tempted to duplicate if you love it. Also they get thrashed by constant washing. I love the floral on you too.

You have a lovely , unique and personal style - and I'm just getting familiar with it now . I won't even attempt to pick and choose colours and styles here because this is way out of my wheelhouse but do really like the solid dotted - Swiss look tops on you . Paired with that skirt silhouette =terrifically flattering .

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