Please help me find ‘nice tops’!

[BlueEyedBogWitch]

All I want is nice tops to wear with jeans, but I have searched and searched and I hate everything I’ve seen.

This is my list of things I need to avoid and my reasons why:

1. Puff sleeves (broad shoulders)
2. Cropped (long torso, c-section pouch, mum tum)
3. Backless (51)
4. Polyester (just because it’s foul, also sweaty)
5. Cold shoulder (yuk)
6. Sleeveless (51)
7. Tunics (because of my long torso they make my legs look stunted)

I have lots of nice casual T-shirts, but I just want something a little bit fancier to wear with jeans when I go out for dinner etc. I have a couple of silk shirts, but I was hoping for something summery.

Please help!

I like that top easy to dress up or down. Whats the sizing like?

Tbh I don’t even know what material most of my clothes are. But mention viscose on mn and you might as well say you’re giving crack cocaine to toddlers. It’s bonkers.

I like viscose ( I don't wear silk) but i have read that it traps sweat ( armpits for example) the odour and staining .
So it needs careful care .
Sometimes it feels a bit crispy !

Watching this thread with interest as I struggle with nice tops too.

I get that most people don't check the materials in their clothes, but if that's the case, it might be worth holding off on dismissing concerns about viscose. I'm speaking from experience (and a lot of others are too) when I say it doesn't have the best track record for longevity. Just because it sounds dramatic to some doesn’t mean the point isn’t valid.

Probably quite true to size, verging on the slightly small. I’m usually a 12-14 in tops, and I think this is a 14.

I like you in the green top as others have said. The neckline on the white one isn’t right for you. The V neck is better or something lower cut eg scoop neck.

Oh I hear you. I am 44 and in the same predicament with tops. I do still wear sleeveless at the moment. But I have nothing suitable for evening wear.

The only things I have found lately are ftom vinted. Betty Jackson black which was a 3/4 sleeve twin set.

Now the weather is hot I dread trying to style myself. Not a big dress fan but will when it gets sunny.

The clothes on the Wrap website are gorgeous. Right up my street.

If only every reaction to viscose (or any manmade fabric) on mn was as measured as yours @Howmanyroses !

I’m not a fan of cheap and nasty fabrics at all. Of course I’m not. Who is? But viscose has some great qualities like drape that make it very useful. And maybe I’m not a particularly sweaty person but I don’t see it as the devil incarnate as a lot on mn do who haughtily declare “I only ever wear natural fibres” like it’s a moral superiority.

Theh again, s&b is an odd place. A lot of regulars with very set ideas.

Viscose IS a natural fibre….

It can give a nice drape to things, but it depends on the mix. It’s also a bugger for shrinking if not used or washed carefully.

Ha @Namechange87654321 i actually read up on viscose after I’d posted this and found that out! (Though a lot of chemicals used in the production I believe). I just roll my eyes when viscose gets universally eww-ed at here.

in fact, ruminating further on this earlier I was puzzling about how my gym gear - that is designed to be sweated in - is probably 100% man made eww-ness.

Like I say, I’m no fabric expert. I buy what I like.

Have you searched on vinted? You can look at a range quickly with filters on by material / brand easily.

I could have written this post! Why are so many tops cropped or backless or puffy. Will look through suggestions later thank you ladies

Updates!

I bought two Baukjen dolman sleeve v-necks. They’re going back - far too short for me and really showcase my spare tyre.

A linen Jigsaw shirt in red. Too structured, I feel like Teresa May on her holidays. Going back.

Asymmetric top from And Other Stories. The neckline was so high I felt strangled. Going back.

This hasn’t been much of a success so far.

@BlueEyedBogWitch what did you think of the short kimono thing? I wear mine over vests and it just shields the spare tyre and covers my arms and back so useful for work and also casual. There are several companies that make them, lots of designs here at this indie shop: https://www.armedandgorgeous.com/product-category/kimonos-and-gowns/one-hundred-stars-kimonos/

i’m trying to think what I wear, and keep coming back to my short kimono over a black (or coloured) vest- goes with jeans or cotton trousers and so easy. In winter I wear a cardigan or a nice jumper- or a short quilted jacket (‘Nicole’ from Roake Studios).

Have you tried Cider. Lots of unusual shapes on there and I’ve found the quality to be remarkably good.

I’ve had a couple of those, and I found I didn’t wear them much because they were so light I found myself holding my shoulders tense in an effort to stop them blowing off.

I know how picky that sounds, and I annoy myself because they really are gorgeous and would be a perfect solution if I could make them stay on!

I often like the designs I see on the Cider ads, but held off because I wasn’t sure of the quality and sizing. I might have a look now, thanks.

Oh no, OP! Although I'm aure TM has perfectly nice holidays...running through wheat etc 😁

How do you feel about linen shell tops, i.e. sort of boat beck and sleeveless? I saw a nice printed one somewhere the other day and I like that look with wide linen ankle-grazer trousers.

It’s the arms issue. They’re just a bit too pale and beefy. I prefer a cap sleeve, really. Thanks, though.

I ordered some skirts from cider and was surprised how nice they were!

Do you live near a Boundary Mills. The have a large selection of different brands. My local one has Jaeger Whistles Klass M&S and load of other brands and so much variety. You can try on 6 at a time. My friends and I go and have a couple of sessions in the changing rooms trying on anything that takes our fancy

Pmsl at Theresa May on holiday.

I’ve got an All Saints silk mix kimono which is beautiful and heavier than the 100 Stars ones. Not cheap though - I got mine in the sale but it was still more expensive than I’d usually want to spend.

Update!

I’ve had success with the Sezane shirt, it’s gorgeous.

I’ve also ordered a top from Cider. I’ll see it I can find a link. I hope the quality and, moreover, the sizing is ok because I liked quite a few things on there.