5 Questions to Consider When Stocking Up On Summer Tops
I do a lot of seasonal shopping for my clients. While Texas definitely doesn’t have four seasons, we do have varying degrees of heat that begin to roll in around March, continue to turn up through August and simmer in October.
When you look at the spread of just how long you’ll be soaking up the sun and all the SPF 75 within reach, the right clothes become essential.
Biker shorts are my choice of bottoms this summer. You can read more about that here. What goes on top is arguably even more important to keeping your style, and pit situation, in check.
Here are five things to consider when stocking up on summer tops for 2021.
What’s it made of?
It seems like there are a billion different types of fabrics these days, and the number of synthetics are growing each year.
The first way you can stay cool during summer is with natural fabrics. Cotton breathes. Linen breathes. But with those two alone, you can limit your choices of tops.
Synthetics often get a bad rap, but the right ones can actual make you feel just as cool as that cotton t-shirt or linen blouse. To find the right synthetic top, ideally you should try on in store and in person. With Covid-19, you may feel less comfortable shopping in store, though, so the cut is key to determining the comfort level. Let the next question lead you to more top options in a variety of fabrics.
cotton peasant top: https://rstyle.me/+SnS9g4t--wgYWXzIq-glVw
cotton graphic tank: https://rstyle.me/+YTqrrHuBJwnSEQodI1Bnwg
cotton tee: https://rstyle.me/+0gfjOP2ygPmeWjRCRtjz7Q
Does it look breezy?
While some hot-weather tops can be form-fitting (stretch is key!) or oversized like a jersey t-shirt, breeziness is a great quality to be on the look out for in your summer top.
One thing I love to do in styling these tops is playing with proportion. If you’re wearing shorts, pairing a long or three-quarter length sleeve breezy top can allow your eye to dance to different elements of the outfit.
v-neck blouse: https://rstyle.me/+13CFTU3Rqr7cqXyls47Sjw
a-line t-shirt: https://rstyle.me/+KEORzWDNHOTPbYcV2EkD2Q
button-up blouse: https://rstyle.me/+mTRIU5IjLwLPjH1crMlUhQ
Does it have sleeves or is it sleeveless?
A lot of my clients come to me with fears of being sleeveless, but honestly, no matter your size, your shape, or your age, sleeveless is worth embracing. Your arms may not look exactly how you want them too, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from throwing on a top that will actually keep you more comfortable.
If you’re still doubting your ability to dip into sleeveless, think about this: While you may judge your own arms, how many times have you looked around a room and said, “Ooooooh no, she should not be going sleeveless!” Never. You’ve never thought that. You are your own worst critic, and you should be kind to yourself just like you are to your best friends.
Sleeveless is a great way to go, and once you dive in, you’ll see the water is quite warm and divine. :)
apron tank: https://rstyle.me/+7wx0DAMc6ALn28TRSI09xA
flutter sleeve top: https://rstyle.me/+GKbG5fWANoR6VJQKHBYp8w
spaghetti strap top: https://rstyle.me/+P_VU73qg80e2ipY4E9CXvA
What color are you going to choose?
This one is pretty simple. Some colors show sweat more than others. Grey is the worst culprit, while light neutrals like white or bone show little sweat. Patterns also do well to cover underarm sweat, while a high saturation color like hot pink or kelly green may make sweat a bit more obvious.
If you’re nervous about showing sweat, but love bright colors, try your favorite colors in sleeveless tops, rather than the sleeved ones. A little longer armpit hole in the shirt will also help you avoid having sweat pool up on your shirt.
tie dye button-down: https://rstyle.me/+Uk0Y9-JrMqp0fZlYr8786g
v-neck sleeveless tank: https://rstyle.me/+yBGeqJLtmfK4tabQ9TFFLQ
cream graphic tee: https://rstyle.me/+D8kVQmeGv5MZW_CNsqn6Vg
What neckline is your favorite?
For summer tops, scoop neck, v-neck, off-the-shoulder, and boat neck will provide you some relief. While high-neck tops are elegant and chic for cooler days, a top that doesn’t cling to you will likely make you feel way more comfortable during one hundred degree days.
If you’re not sure what neckline to try based on your body type, go with v-neck. This is the most flattering cut on almost everyone.
If you’re an apple body type, boat neck is a classic cut that suits you well. If you’re a pear, hourglass, or rectangle, try scoop neck for a cut that’s similarly flattering to v-neck, but has a softer look to it.
ringer v-neck tee: https://rstyle.me/+yzh9Q24TU9ZQzq8GfDK8DQ
off-the-shoulder blouse: https://rstyle.me/+7wkolV06ldPY4xqvCIOFag
scoop neck tee: https://rstyle.me/+LaiHgGm968oABw4akNKd1A
