Please find me some 'jeans and a nice top' tops

[anon2022anon]

I went to the pub for a couple of hours the other afternoon, the sun was shining but the wind was chilly, and wanted to wear the old faithful- jeans and a nice top. I've realised, as I do every year, that I don't have nice tops. I have t-shirts, I have sleeveless and long sleeve tops, but I don't have going out for dinner, meeting friends short sleeve tops.

Can anyone find me some ideas?
I would like short sleeves, I'm a size 10- small 12 on top, small bust, long body so nothing particularly short as it will be a crop top on me. I prefer more fitted, as I'm pear shaped so prefer to flatter my waist. I don't particularly want floaty/ pretty/ girly/ broderie anglaise type white tops- I like something a bit structural, a bold colour or a bit of pattern is fine. I do well in teals/ magentas/ black/ navy/ red rather than pastels. Budget is high street prices, hopefully around the £30 mark as I don't go out that often.

I've attached a couple of tops that have worked well for me (the satin one unfortunately doesn't fit any more), and I'm tempted by this M&S top, but I'd have quite likes a bit of colour for a change.

Thanks!

Zara have numerous nice summery tops. I like broderie anglais shirts. I’ve also had some beautiful all cotton shirts with lovely prints or in lovely block colours from H&M.

@EvelynBeatrice thanks, I'll take a look 😊 anything in particular caught your eye there?

I am old so can’t link easily! Most recently I bought a short sleeved grey and white blouse from Zara in a stiff cotton with taupe embroidery pattern on front and a little gold thread through the embroidery - beautifully cut tapered to waist and out again and goes with lots of things.

I also bought a pale powdery blue very fine lawn/ cotton long sleeved collar less shirt from H&M in their first summer drop. Haven’t seen it since but they now have similar in pink colourways.

In previous years I have acquired long balloon sleeved collar-less cotton cheesecloth shirts from H&M in white and straw. They feel lovely to wear and look great with jeans. They often bring out similar things and they can be worn under a cotton or wool sleeveless jumper / tabard thing - don’t know how to describe the collarless short sleeveless tunic thingies that are everywhere at the moment and useful for extra warmth.

I have this is green and love it, it just sits really well and accentuates your figure
https://www.riverisland.com/p/green-short-sleeve-drape-tunic-top-937333

I think Dorothy Perkins have some nice tops at the moment

some examples of ones you may like

https://www.dorothyperkins.com/product/dorothy-perkins-ruffle-neck-angel-sleeve-top_bqq22962?colour=orange

Or this

https://www.dorothyperkins.com/product/dorothy-perkins-long-sleeve-swirl-chain-detail-blouse_bqq20792?colour=red

I like the M&S top you linked.

This red cotton top has a tie-detail waist - you said structural but is this too much so? I think it would be good with both midi skirts & wide trousers. And simple jewellery.

https://www.stories.com/en-gb/product/drawstring-top-red-1323787001/?slug=drawstring-top-red-1323787001

This is pretty, & a linen mix. Over budget though - sales or Vinted/eBay?

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/willa-puff-sleeve-tie-front-top-red-1001136652.html

Pic attached.

Does denim count as colour?! I like this - good with a white midi skirt, or khaki wide-legs etc.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1330567001.html

OP this blouse was recommended on another thread and I thought it and had it shipped to Australia. I am so glad I did! It’s beautiful. I wear it with jeans with a vest top underneath from Uniqlo.

www.riverisland.com/p/cream-long-sleeve-scallop-trim-shirt-934838

This company make to order. I find the standard length of their tops doesn’t account for boobs, but you can request the specific length you want. I like the Box Tee and have been eyeing up the ‘Bella’ and ‘Naomi’ tops, although they’re long sleeved.

Have a browse on Vinted, as well. You can filter for colour, fabric, all sorts of things and sometimes you get a decent bargain.

Take a trip to TkMaxx, they have lots of 'nice tops'. I bought 3 in one trip.last week.

Hi OP - first can I just say I have exactly the same body type. I went shopping in Zara yesterday and they have some really beautiful and flattering tops. I think I came away with 6 new tops 🙌

But I just wanted to suggest something different - you mentioned you like a structured top but I’ve recently started to wear more fitted tops with shoulder cuts that draw the eye up more.
Asymmetrical Bardot tops like this one tucked in to jeans are very flattering I’ve found and help balance out my bigger hips.

I’m exactly the same

https://www.riverisland.com/p/black-floral-short-sleeve-top-936689

Got this recently (next also stock it) which is very flattering on.

love & roses on nexts website are also perfect and I find their fits are also always flattering

Both the red tops here are nice. Unsure about cropped one unless I lose weight.

I’d personally invest in a couple of nicer ones. Rest on vinted eBay.

I have this from Zara, it looks really good with jeans.

www.zara.com/uk/en/linen-blend-cropped-shirt-p02615771.html?v1=515032494&v2=2420362

That's really nice. I can't see it in any other colours (light pink washes me out) otherwise I'd snap it up!

cheekily following as I’m also looking for top suggestions!
I love shirts and am always drawn to them but I don’t iron so hardly ever rewear them.
And I like some kind of sleeve.
the shirt that @FiveMetresUp had shipped to Australia is calling me but I know I won’t iron it 😭
My cleaner takes in ironing but I’ve heard on the grapevine that she burns things often 🫣🤣

I bought three lovely tops from next today. Great selection and reasonably priced.

I really like this one
https://www.zara.com/uk/en/textured-v-neck-top-p05067284.html?v1=526345263&v2=2419940

Zara have so many nice tops in at the moment

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DR29CPWP?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FSKK72BN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/satin-blouse-with-ruffles-and-shoulder-pads-p02138842.html?v1=524768027 Ive been lusting over this one. They have a similar plainer one if ruffles bring you out in a cold sweat.

It's not the ruffles - it's the shoulder pads that would bring me out in a sweat! Rip them out ...!

The form of the shoulder pads will be completely visible & will cheapen a pretty top - & they're a very odd thing to add to a thin silky top like this ... I get that they're making a reappearance - but if so, they should be used appropriately!