What kind of tops could I wear?

[TheCrookedKind]

I'm 40 and generally slim, but with a somewhat protruding belly. All I ever wear is dresses, or T-shirts with jeans/trousers. It would be nice to find something other than T-shirts, perhaps a bit smarter, but I am really clueless about what sort of tops I should be looking for. There are some limitations - I can't tuck tops in as it would emphasise the belly, and it can't be anything too fitted for the same reason. What sort of tops could I try that might work with my shape and with slim or girlfriend type jeans? When I look online, everything is either: fitted, cropped, massive puffed sleeves, oversized and looks like it would go best with skinny jeans, or generally horrible. I feel like I'm missing something / perhaps unaware ofwhole categories of tops. Any ideas appreciated!

I’m your shape and I wear boxy cut T-shirts jumpers and cardis that have a nod to the cropped trend but aren’t actually cropped.
I also wouldn’t rule out oversized shirts and jumpers with wider leg trousers but they have to considered case by case with or without a french tuck.

@Procrastatron

I’m your shape and I wear boxy cut T-shirts jumpers and cardis that have a nod to the cropped trend but aren’t actually cropped. I also wouldn’t rule out oversized shirts and jumpers with wider leg trousers but they have to considered case by case with or without a french tuck.

Thanks, I do have a few jumpers which are probably in this broad category. But I was more looking for slightly less-warm things than jumpers, and slightly smarter than T-shirts. Do you wear anything other than T-shirts which is also lighter than a jumper/cardi?

I suppose the term I would search for is shell top but it’s not all shell tops that work for me.
It took me ages to figure out this is what works for me and these days I just keep an eye out for things in that fit that catch my eye rather than shopping for a purpose. I’m always watching what Uniqlo have in stock as a lot of their stuff is loose and boxy and their T-Shirts can be on the smarter end.

Otherwise I’d say that Levi’s 501s hold my tummy in if I want to tuck something in, and my short kimono coverup from one hundred stars is a useful addition to my wardrobe. I think blazers are having a comeback too which also help.

What about peplum tops, you can get them in the shirt material or more formal styles.

Yes peplum work well for me.
Also tops with a drape wrap - a little trick I sometimes do with a loose top that's swamping me, is use a hair bobble to scrunch it up to the side just beneath the waist to create a drape that skims. I fix the bobble from the inside so it can't be seen.

Shirt-type blouses? Don't tuck them in (they've been covering my stomach for years...).

I've recently discovered Seasalt's Larissa blouses - I think they're a permanent style but they do different fabric patterns every season.

www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/tops/blouses-shirts/larissa-organic-cotton-shirt-torn-tulip-seawater.htm

Full price is around £45 but they're regularly reduced during the sales. The blouses are intended to be crinkled so no or minimal ironing needed.

I can see that a peplum top might fit the criteria but I just don't like them unfortunately.

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-ribbed-boat-neck-jumper-436488.html?dwvar_436488_color=COL25&dwvar_436488_size=SMA001&cgid=IDw-jumpers-cardigans

I have a couple of these, surprisingly cool as they're a loose weave and fit, I find them more comfortable than a t-shirt in hot weather and they hide my tummy well!

@Plumpcious

Shirt-type blouses? Don't tuck them in (they've been covering my stomach for years...).

I've recently discovered Seasalt's Larissa blouses - I think they're a permanent style but they do different fabric patterns every season.

www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/tops/blouses-shirts/larissa-organic-cotton-shirt-torn-tulip-seawater.htm

Full price is around £45 but they're regularly reduced during the sales. The blouses are intended to be crinkled so no or minimal ironing needed.

Thank you, I don't think this is exactly what I was looking for in a general sense, but I think these shirts would be handy for travel, so I may get one.

@EmotionallyEncumbered
They're really nice - very good staple.

I have a menopausal belly and it’s driving me nuts because I’m an hourglass shape and I always had a flatter stomach even as a size 16. I’ve gone from trying to disguise a bigger bum to having to manage this. (#firstworldproblems). I’ve embraced higher cut trousers and jeans which flatter the area under my ribs which is still very slim. I’ve acquired a couple of pairs of pleated “paper bag” trousers which tend to disguise the area and I feel over tucking in T shirts. I’ve also bought some higher waisted wide legged jeans ( cropped) which hold me in very firmly. Mid rise might be enough depending your body type. In relation to tops I have bought a couple of cropped linen shirts from H&M and I already have a couple from Monki and Weekday. They are not cropped so much that my tum is exposed but slightly camouflaged. If the top is longer then I fanny about with a French tuck. Sometimes I go for an oversized cotton shirt worn over slim 7/8ths trousers. I have a really nice linen mix in a silver grey that I wear with a white shirt or an interesting navy one from Kin. ( the back is lower than the front). I just make sure I roll the sleeves up and undo some buttons to reveal some skin so it’s not too blocky. Dresses and jumpsuits can be your friend too… I have looser skimming ones from Arket / Cos / Monki that are not the huge sleeved items you mentioned.