Can we talk about tops?

[anon2022anon]

I'm trying to update my wardrobe at the moment, but really struggling to find tops I would wear out, for a meal/ drinks/ to look smarter. I've bought a couple of pairs of wide leg silky look trousers, so I need someting to go with them, but everything seems to be oversized or have giant puff sleeves which do nothing for me. I'm late 30s, size 12/14 pear shape, with a csection tum and small boobs. I like a streamlined look, but a quirky pattern. I'm trying to buy nicer materials, so avoiding boohoo level of shops but not at the outnet level either!

Have you bought any nice tops lately? What did you wear last time you went out for drinks? Who do you follow on Instagram who I might like?

Thanks!

Marking because I have the same problem and am also a 12 with small boobs. It's very hard. Everything is poufy or oversized. I did buy a couple of tops from Esprit. Some pretty blouses with not too many puffy sleeves.

Yes I have struggled with this too, soo hard to find something that isn't either enormous, pouffey and blousey with really long sleeves.
The only things I have kept this year are t-shirts and a denim shirt from m&s which is still a bit puffy, but at least it doesn't drown me.

Also everything is ditsy or with smocking. Ugh. Nothing for grown women.

Wide leg trousers won’t look good with a puffy top half. You need a more fitted top, for balance. If you are pear shaped you probably have good arms and a slim top half,and a chest small enough to wear a vest top. COS have got some nice ones in at the moment, and Reiss are usually OK for that sort of thing too.

(I’m a size 12 boyish type and I live in sleeveless tops in summer and on nights out)

I have just ordered this from Thought. It's not cutting edge but I like the colour. Precious litte out there for small boobed apples. www.wearethought.com/products/allis-tencel%E2%84%A2-satin-gathered-neck-detail-top-1/

@Iamthewombat that's the problem- everything is poufy at the moment! It seems to be you either have a t-shirt, which doesnt feel dressy enough sometimes, or a poufy sleeve crop top.

@JanisMoplin the colour is lovely on that, and I normally really like the material from thought too.

Trouble is I don't think these tops are flattering on anyone. If you have bigger boobs like me, you just look doubly enormous! I really, really, want a classic fitted t-shirt. Something slimming, not square, with no ruffs, or puffs, ruches or embellishments. I have found some nice dresses in plain jersey, why can't they do the same in tops??

This is the third time I've tried to post this...apologies if you're bored of me putting the same link on!

Wolf&Badger have some nice things - fitted rather than flouncy...

www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/lille-knitted-wrap-top-in-royal-blue/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6pOTBhCTARIsAHF23fKCbx_pEgLhbPbhJmDaZmxsqxF5lkhXPFpg2iFtf02rkpGfkimiC_caAqLwEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

@ABlindAssassin that's a gorgeous colour

If you Google " womens Italian cotton tops" you get a lot of 100% cotton linen type tops. ( mostly on EBay )

You have to wade through a lot of questionable patterns, but block colours are easy to find and they are so cool and comfortable. They also come in cropped medium and tunic lengths.

I tried "womens Italian cotton tops" and the results are just lots of oversized lagenlook type stuff.

How about a bodysuit, perhaps something like this: www.sezane.com/en/product/thea-bodysuit/raspberry

Or a ribbed knit jumper like this www.reiss.com/style/ST996216/T45046 (Try Googling Khaite knit top dupe)

Love the Reiss one @ToManderleyAgain