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!

No, I tried it on and its lovely.

But don't they stick out oddly? Shoulder pads are for tailored clothing usually.

A linen waistcoat? There’s loads about at the moment and they are very flattering a bit more dressy than a T-shirt. With some nice jeans and sandals some simple Jewlery it looks very smart and put together.

I think it’s pinker in real life!

https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc147006001

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/kimchi-blue-robyn-ruffle-blouse?color=072

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-gb/shop/silence-noise-lyn-pea-jacket-blouse?color=030

https://www.desigual.com/enGB/26SWTK313098.html

Very me, but not to everyone's taste 😻
https://www.desigual.com/en_GB/26SWTKXH.html

Not sure why that last link won't work, but it's a cat print t-shirt 🙂

This is my newest "...andanicetop" top. Your first picture(s) reminded me.

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/cleo-lace-polka-dot-top-blue-1001128808.html?

For a more structural top for that budget I’d maybe look at Vinted for Cos tops. Other Storjes have had some good peplum tops this year in a stiffer structured fabric. I wear one when I go out.

Ooh, okay, lots here, thanks! I thought the thread had slipped into the nether world.

Lots of Zara recommendations - unfortunately I live in a part of the country where the nearest one is an hour's train journey away 😭
But I will have a good nosey.

Also lots of River Island- we have got one of those, so I'll plan in a visit!

TK Maxx is a staple here, but I do find that short sleeve tops is where they lack- you can buy a t-shirt, a shirt or a frilly top, but short sleeve interesting tops are thin on the ground. However the trousers section this year has done me proud, so I won't be too cross!

I've just picked up this top/ not from M&S today

https://kurtmuller.com/tops.html I was in here today and they had some nice tops. I'll be going back in before my holiday to get one. They're inexpensive.

I always try them on though. I have a long torso and they can look great on the hanger and look cropped on me.

This is a few yrs old (J Crew) but readily available pre-owned, which is how I bought it ($7!). Its been the BEST go to top! Cotton poplin makes it easy, pattern minimizes ironing need, black makes it evening appropriate but bright floral makes it summery enough amd 3 season. Great w jeans and flops or dressed up w pants and flats and a little wrap for chilly dinners

I’m old and I can link easily. This is my current favourite
https://www.marksandspencer.com/knot-button-detail-puff-sleeve-top/p/clp61230266?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Does that show your underwear, @cramptramp?

I like the knot buttons - the description is wrong, they seem to be down the front rather than the back.

@fiorentina I'm a bit torn with Cos, I've happily bought some stuff from Vinted, and I'm sure I will again, but everything is so oversized. I have a couple of tops from there, where I have a size 8, but they gave me the fit I wanted as a size 14. Now I'm wearing a 10-12, they're way too boxy and drown me, particularly on the bust.
Because I'm a pear shaped figure- and I'm quite happy to flatter my figure, not conceal it- lots of the stuff from Cos just makes me look like a rectangle.
What I have got from there is a jumpsuit I can't wait to wear in the summer.

I do really like and other stories, they do simplicity and clean lines well. I'll have a little scout on Vinted, thanks.

@CharlotteStreetW1 that is very similar, and pretty! The price is rather off putting though- the Nicole Farhi one the same cut was literally half that price in TK Maxx. I'll add it to my favourites and check back for any offers, thank you 😊

Yes, the description is wrong! It does show your bra a little bit but I wear a flesh coloured one with it so barely noticeable.

My young adult daughter has invested in some of these. 67% cotton from Urban. V flattering. They have some nice blouses there.

I've not bought much new this year apart from an impulse buy in Primark. It's a layering top, a lacy t shirt that I wear over a vest top. It cost £6, you'd never guess.

My general go to are ribbed tops or tee s. Fat Face had a little raised frill collar top with covered button detail back and a sort of ribbed texture. Muted navy or pinky red. I can't find a link.

I'm tall and long in the body works for me better than boxy. Sizing up at Uniqulo works but Zara still fails with even short sleeves. If I want a fitted blouse type top, it's more or less unachievable on the high st

Love that top @anon2022anon which you got from M&S. Gorgeous colour blue. Tempted to get that for myself. 🙂

@OvernightBloats it's not overly generous in sizing, so if you don't like a fitted look then size up. I'm probably more of a 10 on the top, and the small is definitely smaller fitting than most other stores (I'm keeping it, as I know a medium would be a loose fit for me)

I am a similar size to you so will order this today. I have just been reading the reviews to find out how tight fitting it is. Thanks for the info.

All the tops you have posted, I have liked and would wear. Love your style! 🙂

https://www.riverisland.com/p/brown-cotton-short-sleeve-lace-asymmetric-top-939887

what colours do you like? Do you know what your season is

@Mandlers they are very cute, but I do find I like a top with a bit of something for jeans and a nice top - if you're just sat in the pub for a few, you're at a table and generally people just see the top third of you, so I like a bit of something going on!

@GimmieABreakOr3 I've never had my colours done, but I'm almost certainly a cool/ light summer- if I wear a jade green I get comments all day, and I love a rich magenta pink! Unfortunately none of the colours are about much this year. I'm wearing a bit of icy and cornflower blue, but I absolute need to stay away from chartreuse, and that's basically what's about so far in colours!
Why is everything so dark or monochrome this year so far? Bring back colour!

There is loads of pale yellow/buttermilk this year, does that suit you?

I did a Lumi consultation and apparently I am a Queen archetype and should wear emerald green, black, brown, cream, navy and avoid pastel shades, and always have a structured jacket as cardigans and soft tops "deplete my power". I mean ok, that might be useful advice in a work context when I need to give authority vibes, but fuck it, it's summer and I love pink, duck egg, yellow, pale blue, sage and all kinds of colours and am certainly not going to spend my life in a blazer and I love a cardi or summer knit!