Looking for the types of tops? Here is the top article for you!
When it comes to style, tops are the top clothing that determines how you look. People are gonna notice every detail of your top. So, why not explore and choose your favorite tops with more care and attention?
The top is an umbrella term that refers to any cloth that a person wears on the upper part of the body (we discussed that in muslin tops).
Women’s tops are even more diverse than men’s. So it seems a hard list to make at first. We left no stone unturned to find interesting and attractive designs of tops.
We, the Muslin Dhaka team, tried to discover all types of tops for women. Went through more than 37 renowned brands and their product lists. We thoroughly checked every product’s design, making, and additional features. We also explored specific purposes of those designs.
After all that hard work, here is our clear and true list of top types.
True types of Tops for Women
We brainstormed for a whole month. Then, finally made the ultimate and complete list of 50 types of tops for women. There are a few more options you can find online. But most of them are the subcategories of the types we listed.
Here is the list of 50 types of tops :
- Camisole
- Tank Top
- Crop Top
- Kaftan
- Blouse Top
- Bralette Top
- High Low Top
- Tube Top
- Ethnic Top
- Off-Shoulder Top
- Tie Front Top
- Cape Top
- Choker Neck Top
- Peplum Top
- Ruffle Top
- Cold Shoulder Top
- Wrap Top
- Tunic Top
- Halter Top
- Sequin Top
- One shoulder top
- Sheer Top
- Asymmetric Top
- Flutter Sleeve Top
- Cardigan
- Bow Back Top
- Cowl Neck Top
- Draped top
- Pin Tuck Top
- Smocked Top
- Cossack Blouse
- Poncho
- Bodysuit
- Boho Top
- Lace Top
- Turtleneck Top
- Pleat Top
- Apron Top
- Jumper Top
- Shift Top
- Peasant Top
- Princess Line Dress
- Boxy Top
- Drop Shoulder Top
- Button Down Shirt
- Tee shirt
- Polo Shirt
- Henley Shirt
- Maxi Top
- Romper
Now, let’s discuss various types of top for women. When you know the classification in detail, you can understand and find the best top to buy. Most types of tops are made of pure muslin, cotton, or any other cotton blends.
Camisole
- Design:
Plain construction with two spaghetti straps. The fabric starts from just over the bust area. And finishes over or below the belly. There’s no sleeve. It’s either loose or tight fit.
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Best suited for summer. One can wear it under a shirt or sweater in winter or spring.
- Best Suited for:
Indoor environments. But one can wear it outside the house for a bold and flattering look. May not be the best for attending parties and social gatherings.
- Details:
Cami tops or camisoles are pretty comfortable. They keep your shoulders, arms, and neck exposed. It is a bold option to wear outside without any covers.
You can feel free and relaxed wearing this type while doing household chores. You can also wear them instead of bra as an inner wear. But camis won’t support your breasts while you move.
Tank Top
- Design:
Almost like any other sleeveless t-shirt.
Thick straps with a narrowed neck hole.
It can be slim fit or regular fit with length below the belly area.
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
Mainly for summer. But it goes well under a jacket during winter
- Best Suited for:
Gym, morning walk, work areas, and indoor.
- Details:
Tank tops are made for both men and women. It was first considered an ideal bathing suit during the 1920’s when first invented. Tanks were also a type of bodysuit back then.
Nowadays, people wear them to move their arms and muscles flexibly during workouts or duties. Tank tops are a cool option with jeans and sports pants. Those who have curves and muscles to show off prefer this option, most.
Crop Top
- Design:
Round-neck tops only cover the busts. Can have either short sleeves or long sleeves. Comes with different fitting options.
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
Casual wear, party wear, good for both indoors and outdoors.
- Details:
The history and rise of the crop top trend are quite interesting. We will discuss the topic later. For now, crop tops were invented in the 19th century. This clothing was to pair with high-waist skirts.
Later on, it became a choice for women to look appealing exposing belly button and waist. Today, crop tops are one of the comfy options you can pair with anything. It is a good choice for young and curvy women.
Kaftan
- Design:
Extremely loose fit with large sleeves. Length can be on or over the waistline.
- Age Preference:
Teens and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring
- Best Suited for:
Mostly all-purpose clothing.
- Details:
Kaftan came from mainly the ancient Muslim culture. Muslim men and women from Mesopotamia (Currently Iraq), Persia (Iran), and Turkey.
The motive behind wearing cotton kaftans was to cover up most parts of the upper body following Islamic rules. Currently, you can wear them for optimal breathability, protection from sunlight, heavy wind blow, and fashion. This is the best muslin top for plus-size women.
Blouse Top
- Design:
Loose fit with sleeves. Not too long. Can also have buttons and collars.
- Age Preference:
Teens and Adults
- Seasons to Wear:
Spring and Winter
- Best Suited for:
Format events, parties, and travel.
- Details:
You can consider blouse tops as the gray line between shirts and fancy tops. Women, who don’t wish to be revealing but still want to be attractive, prefer blouse tops.
Blouses are neither too loose nor too tight. You can wear formal pants and midis, or long skirts with a blouse top. This type is mainly during occasions and meetings.
Bralette Top
- Design:
Thin straps with no sleeve. Almost like a bra with a tight fit. But no support material is insulated.
- Age Preference:
Teens and Adults
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer
- Best Suited for:
Inner wear and replacement of cupped or padded bras for petite and slim women.
- Details:
Bralette is for less-curvier petite women. It is comfier than bras as it doesn’t have any padding and string.
Bralettes won’t make your bust area sweat during summer. These aren’t actually inner wear. It can be a good outerwear for confident woman. You may like to wear a jacket or shirt over the thin bralette top to cover some skin.
High Low Top
Image courtesy: Follow Me FS – Etsy platform.
- Design:
Loose fit with several sleeve length options. Extra fabric area at the bottom of the back.
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring
- Best Suited for:
Casual indoor wear. And for shopping, traveling, attending office and college, etc.
- Details:
High low tops or hi-lows are like usual tank tops or blouses. The difference is they have a larger back area crossing the hip line.
High low dresses have a century-old history. Cotton muslin high lows are good for breathability and softness due to plain construction. This option offers style with a very simple design.
Tube Top
- Design:
Strapless and sleeveless design. Tight or snug fit. And length not crossing the belly button too much.
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Mainly summer and spring. But an extra outer layer is required during winter
- Best Suited for:
Indoor use, casual outings in summer, and frequent substitute of tube bras.
- Details:
The invention of tube tops was actually a production error. Yet, the errored products were shown in a fashion show in the late 20th century. After that, it became popular among commoners and celebrities.
Women still love tube tops as they are tight enough to support the bust area. Meaning that some tubes are worth it without wearing a bra.
Ethnic Top
- Design:
Multiple sleeve length and fitting options. One or two layers of fabric. Longer than Western tops.
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons but a few brand items can be specified
- Best Suited for:
All-purpose use for both festival and regular days.
- Details:
Ethnic tops are mainly inspired by the traditional muslin dressing of the South Asian region. Nowadays, women across the country wear cotton ethnic clothes.
There are ethnic tops for both men and women. Women’s ethnic tops can have floral prints with fleeces and laces to look gorgeous. Some plain ethnic kurtas are also good indoor styling options for comfort.
Off Shoulder
- Design:
Regular or slim fit with no strap. Elastic or tight stitching to grab the area over breasts. Short sleeves or full sleeves.
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
Inside the house, social events, causal outings, and traveling.
- Details:
Off shoulder tops have many names like Bardot tops, cold shoulder tops, etc. This dress was first introduced in 1950-1960 by Brigitte Bardot from the US.
The Bargot cold shoulder style is a good choice to reveal shoulders without looking bad. The design starts just over the chest. But women who have wider and muscular shoulders might not prefer this type of clothing.
Tie Front
- Design:
Adjustable fitting with tying options in the middle of the front. Can have buttons with multiple sleeve lengths.
- Age Preference:
Teens and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring
- Best Suited for:
Casual outing
- Details:
Tie front tops are to look exotic and appealing without exposing too much skin like tube tops or camisoles. From a distance, tie fronts can look like normal button-down shirts being tied above the waistline.
Tie front tops cover your upper arms, shoulders, and armpits. But they can reveal some part of your cleavage along with the naval and belly for attraction. Young women still prefer tie-front tops to hang out or enjoy special occasions.
Cape Top
- Design:
Two layers of fabric with a regular or slim fit. Several sleeve options are available. No straps.
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Mainly winter
- Best Suited for:
Formal occasions and places, and casual purposes during the cold.
- Details:
Cape tops are the complete opposite of tank tops or tube tops. They cover the bust area with an additional layer.
Double-layered tops keep a person warm and protect from cold breeze. This styling option has no straps. It is easy to wear. Some capes can reveal the belly button and belly depending on the length.
Choker Top
- Design:
Added neckband with slim or snug construction. Length and sleeve styles have multiple options.
- Age Preference:
Teens and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring
- Best Suited for:
Parties and festivals
- Details:
Although the choker neck top’s trend started almost a century ago, the craze has dimmed a bit.
Most of the time, the neck strap of this top holds the cloth in place. There are choker neck tops that expose the upper chest area including cleavage. Choker tops are good for both slim and plus women.
Peplum Top
- Design:
Multiple fitting options with tighter waistline. Can have sleeves. Length covers lower abdomen.
- Age Preference:
Teen and above
- Seasons to Wear:
Mostly summer and spring. Can be worn with other clothes in winter
- Best Suited for:
All purposes.
- Details:
This is another decent top option. It goes fine anywhere anytime. Women with any shape and size can style using peplum tops.
The clothing helps to attain an hourglass-like figure. The wide and pleated design at the bottom makes people think the top is over a mini skirt. One can pair slim pants or jeans with peplum tops.
Ruffle Top
- Design:
Ruffles and extra fabric layers on a regular or slim fit. Sleeve size can vary. Length covers the lower abdomen.
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Spring and winter
- Best Suited for:
Special occasions and social gatherings.
- Details:
The use of ruffles on men’s and women’s shirts and tops was influenced by the British Empire during the Industrial Revolution. The trend is now global.
Ruffles around the collars and sleeves enhance the beauty of a plain top. This design goes perfectly with midis and pencil skirts. Still now, wearing gorgeous ruffle tops is considered as a symbol of elegance.
Cold Shoulder Top
- Design:
Cut on the shoulder edges to drop the sleeves and reveal some skin. Multips fitting options and sleeve types.
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
Indoor use and casual outings for different purposes.
- Details:
Cold shoulder tops are slightly flattering clothing that you may like to look a bit different. It will seek some attention to your shoulders. The cuts make the sleeves look like dropping from the main body. And the shoulders look like straps.
Cold shoulders go well with both pants and skirts. Although they are casual wear, one can wear them anywhere.
Wrap Tops
- Design:
Large cut in front and the fabric is overlapping. Has sleeves. Can have laces or ties on the waist.
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
Fancy occasions and invitations
- Details:
The use of cotton, muslin, etc. in wrap tops makes the styling option catchier. Wrap tops also have a history of more than 100 years old. Many say that it was inspired by the traditions of Asian countries like Japan, China, and Korea.
Wrap tops can also be called the mini version of robes. Any type of ornaments and scarfs can be combined with wrap tops to style. The design matches any type of personality.
Tunic Top
- Design:
Loose fit one-piece cloth with sleeves mostly. The length can reach the thighs or knees.
- Age Preference:
Teens and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring
- Best Suited for:
All purposes except formal events
- Details:
Muslin tunic or other tunic tops represent ancient Roman culture. Back then, tunics used to be larger. Like a gown or maxi. But now, the length has become shorter to match with pants and skirts.
Tunic tops are easy to wear. They come with different types of prints or patterns. Usually, decent pants or pajamas would be great with a tunic. But larger tunics can be worn without wearing anything below. Those are called tunic dresses.
Halter
- Design:
Single strap around the neck with no sleeve. Snug fit over the bust and upper waist area with length variety.
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring
- Best Suited for:
Both indoors and outdoors, except corporate places.
- Details:
The German-origin word “halter” means something that holds a whole object. During the late 19th century, the halterneck gown was invented. After a few decades, halter neck design was mainly used for bathing suits. Now, it has become a great type of top for women with broad shoulders and large breast areas.
Halter tops are the flattering type. You will love this if you like light clothes and comfortable exposing shoulder and arm.
Sequin Top
- Design:
Any type of other tops made from sequin fabric.
- Age Preference:
Teens and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
Holidays, special occasions, and events.
- Details:
Original sequin material that contains rich metal or plastic shapes over the cotton muslin fabric is a luxurious item. Sequin tops are to gather all the attention at a party or gathering through the unique design and eye-catching glaze of the styling.
Even if you wear a simple skirt or pant with the sequin cloth, the whole getup makes sense. Although one can use sequin dresses anytime, the price makes them good for special occasions only.
One Shoulder
- Design:
Straps on one side of the dress with one sleeve, sometimes. Mostly snug fit. Top length is around the belly button.
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring normally. But good with scarfs and shawls during winter
- Best Suited for:
Indoors, causal outings, colleges, and traveling.
- Details:
Modern one-shoulder tops are inspired by several historical eras. Women of the Indian subcontinent used to wear clothing wrapped around one shoulder of the body when the blouse wasn’t invented. The Great Roman Empire also had a dress code, where men and women would wear clothes hung on one shoulder.
Now, the one-shoulder dress is only for women to style. It can have either sleeves or none. But the stylish dress can be hard to proper for some girls.
Sheer Top
- Design:
Loose fit construction with different length options. Can have straps or sleeves.
- Age Preference:
Adults only
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons but require additional clothing, sometimes
- Best Suited for:
Casual events and outings.
- Details:
It takes some courage and a bold attitude to wear sheer tops outside the house. Although sheer tops were supposed to be worn over other dresses a few decades back. But now, sheer tops and gowns have become a separate fashion option for both men and women.
We all know how good muslin fabrics can be in the matter of sheer or see-through. Muslin sheer tops not only offer the translucence look. But also gives comfort to the wearer. Women need to be careful while picking the right type of bra to wear under a sheer dress. Or can use it with a camisole.
Asymmetric Top
Image Courtesy: AaKaSha store from Etsy
Design:
Angled cut at the bottom that might show part of the belly and naval area. Both slim fit and classic fit with different sleeve lengths
- Age Preference:
Teens and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
Casual, semi-formal, both indoor and outdoor.
- Details:
The concept of asymmetric dress for men and women came from both Greek and Christian cultures. It is said that women used to wear dresses or tops with uneven cuts to represent elegance and aesthetics.
Not too long ago, asymmetric tops became a good choice for women from all classes. A good thing about this styling is any top build can have uneven cuts at the bottom to make the simplest dresses look gorgeous. The design is best suited for slimmer body shapes.
Flutter Sleeve Top
- Design:
Loose sleeves with several folds. Multiple fit options. Length doesn’t cross the hip area
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Mainly for summer. But one can wear it during spring if needed.
- Best Suited for:
Tours, travel, shopping, and other casual outings.
- Details:
Nearly a century ago, housewives and working women used to wear tops and maxis with wider sleeves and pleating. At that time, the sleeves used to have different fabrics than the body areas. Now, flatter tops feature a single fabric type.
Flutter sleeve tops or flutter tops have been one of the trending summer fashions for many years. Loose and wide sleeves falling on the upper arm with several folds make the dressing catchy and unique.
Cardigan
- Design:
Regular fit sweaters with a full closure in front. No collar and different sleeve lengths
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Winter only
- Best Suited for:
All purposes except corporate events.
- Details:
The Cardigan was inspired by the dress of the British army more than 80 years ago. It was an easy-to-wear sweater type for men. Later, famous French designer Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, aka Coco Chanel customized and created cardigan specially for women.
Although cardigans don’t have cotton muslin, the thick and knitted or woven fabric makes it ideal for insulating body heat. Modern cardigans might have cuts without any buttons in front, to match with jacket style too.
Bow Back Top
Image courtesy: Patterns for Less Shop from Etsy
- Design:
Extended body fabric going back to create a large bow over the exposed back. Can have sleeves with the top length being short
- Age Preference:
Teens and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer mainly. But an occasional option in Spring.
- Best Suited for:
Vacations, travels, and other indoor uses.
- Details:
Bow-back tops are among the latest types of bold blouses that expose most of the back. Although there are bow backs that come with full back layers, the original ones only offer extra fabrics in front. A wearer can stretch to the back to create the bow knot.
This bow knot locks the top and keeps it in place. It is common to wear bow-back tops and blouses at the beach. But bow-back tops are very flattering and good for walking in the city. One can change the fit by changing the bow knot according to her comfort.
Cowl Neck Top
- Design:
Thin straps hanging extra fabric on the breast and neck area to make a large V-neck. Mainly slim fit, covering not more than the naval area.
- Age Preference:
Teens and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring. But can be worn in winter with a shawl or cardigan.
- Best Suited for:
Both indoors and outdoors for informal occasions.
- Details:
The famous cowl neckline was created by a French fashion designer in the early 20th century. Cowl neck tops can be both flattering and elegant.
The sleeveless styling has very thin straps to expose shoulders and arms. Some even show the upper bust area and cleavage. This dressing option is mainly for less curvy women.
Draped Top
- Design:
One fabric design going around the neck working as straps. Loose or regular fit. Several sleeve options with longer length
- Age Preference:
Teens and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
Springs. Also for cooler summer days.
- Best Suited for:
Any informal events and occasions
- Details:
Draped tops are almost like cowl necks. But women with bigger chest sizes can also wear draped tops. Draped tops are less flattering too.
Thin muslin is the ideal fabric for a draped look due to its smoothness. One can pair a slim pant with a draped top. The styling option can make you look attractive without exposing too much skin or curves.
Pin Tuck Top
- Design:
Pleats around the button line with full or short sleeves. Mostly regular fit reaching the lower abdomen
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
Fancy dressing and formal events
- Details:
Pintuck patterns have been used in diffrent fashion wear since the late 19th century. Dresses with pleated patterns below the necklines are also called pin-tuck shirts.
From the beginning, pin tuck tops come with plain cotton or muslin cotton fabrics. The styling option is good for all body shapes. It is also a good choice to wear as a guest.
Smocked Top
- Design:
Smockings used over the waist of slim fit construction. Various sleeve and length options
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and months around
- Best Suited for:
Indoors, casual outings, and social events
- Details:
In the past, smocking lines were used on the waist area of gowns and maxi tops to make the figure curvier. Now, you can see the upper waistline smoked to make the bottom of the top look like a mini skirt.
Pants and pajamas look good with smoked tops. Skirts may not be a good option. The dressing is good in any environment.
Cossack Blouse
- Design:
O-neck with patterns or prints. Loose fit and full sleeve. Lace on the waist to knot
- Age Preference:
Adults
- Seasons to Wear:
Spring and winter.
- Best Suited for:
Casual and cultural occasions.
- Details:
Cossack blouses came from the semi-nomad people who lived around Russia. This styling is famous in areas where the temperature stays low.
Although it’s loose, one can show some curves by tying the laces on the waist tightly. Some Cossack tops can even have buttons and pleats on the bust area.
Poncho Top
- Design:
It is a rectangular fabric with a hole in the middle as a neckline. Can have stitches around to make armholes instead of sleeves
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Spring and winter
- Best Suited for:
Indoors and causal outings
- Details:
The Latin dressing style does well both as a body wrap and a sole top. Ponchos contain thicker fabric to keep the wearer warm.
Wearing ponchos on special or formal occasions isn’t a good idea. You can wear it for random strolls or shopping.
Bodysuit
- Design:
Strap for the crotch area. Slim fit. Multiple sleeve options
- Age Preference:
Teens and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons.
- Best Suited for:
All purposes as inner wear or underwear
- Details:
Back in the late 19th century, bodysuits became popular for women involved in hard labor or sports. But now, it has become an ideal seamless design for ease and support.
Instead of wearing bras or panties, a girl can wear a bodysuit under the dress. Some bodysuits come with added support for breasts. Bodysuits as outerwear is a very bold option. It reveals the complete shape of your body. If you don’t prefer boldness, you must wear another top or shirt over the suit.
Boho Tops
- Design:
Several add-ons. Loose fit. Half or full sleeve. And length crossing the waistline.
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Spring
- Best Suited for:
Indoors and all casual purposes
- Details:
Also known as Bohemian tops, the clothing style wasn’t introduced too long ago. It became a worldwide choice among the kids of the 90s and 00s. The loose fit top looks nice on both petite and chubby women.
The main attraction of boho tops is the cultural prints. Additions of laces give extra length and beauty to the cloth. The Nomadic or Gypsy style top with denim can present your persona well.
Lace Top
- Design:
Complete lace construction with a slim or loose fit. Short or long sleeves. Length not crossing the lower abdomen
- Age Preference:
Adults only
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer. But good in spring and winter with other tops and jackets
- Best Suited for:
Special informal occasions.
- Details:
Lace tops can be either casual or luxury items. Handmade lace tops are one of the costliest clothes due to luxury lace fabric. Because lace is a symbol of wealth and rich taste. Lace tops contain only cotton lace fabric that is almost see-through.
If one has no issue with revealing a major part of her skin, this option would be great. However, some lace tops come with an extra layer inside that looks like a tube top. It helps to cover up breasts and belly for decency.
Turtleneck Top
- Design:
Plain, round, and long collar. Length, sleeve type, and fitting have different options.
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Spring and winter.
- Best Suited for:
Casual and semi-formal places, academic institutions, etc.
- Details:
Mainly, European knights wore heavy turtleneck clothes for protection. In the 20th century, it turtleneck style became a trend for both men and women for sweaters. The key revolution came when turtlenecks became a part of women’s tops during the post-World War era.
Turtle neck tops are always snug fit. They are good as solo outerwear to show appealing curves and shapes of your body. But when you wear them under a formal blazer or jacket, the look becomes completely elegant.
Pleat Top
Image Courtesy: Birdnana Apparel from Etsy
- Design:
Pleats across the body. Can have collars. Mostly regular fit with several sleeve types
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
General casual wear
- Details:
Pleat tops are almost the same as pin-tuck tops. The key difference is you can see the pleated pattern on any part of the cloth. Unlike pin tuck tops where the pleats are near and parallel to the button line.
Pleats in the dress can be a good way to cover a plus-size body. This type of clothing can make healthy women look slimmer.
Apron Top
- Design:
Slim or spaghetti straps with no sleeves. Cuts on the sideways and the back. Can have customizable fitting.
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Only summer
- Best Suited for:
Indoors, causal outings, etc.
- Details:
This is a very flattering top styling. (Except for the kids options) Apron tops are small aprons that one can use as upper wear. Making the wearer show the waist, belly, and breasts from side views.
The back also stays mostly revealed. Wearing bras with apron tops can be tricky. So, most of the apron top admirers are petite women who don’t need bust support always.
Jumper Top
- Design:
Snug or slim fit with O neck. Full sleeves. Length is around belly button
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Winter
- Best Suited for:
All casual purposes
- Details:
Many say jumper is a synonym for sweater. In reality, jumpers are made of heavy insulative cotton. Whereas sweaters contain wool or any other yarn instead of cotton blend fabrics.
Jumper tops are very simple. They don’t make you look attractive like cardigans. But short jumpers can give some sneak peek of the naval that would draw some attention towards the wearer. However, jumpers fit well over any type of plain bra or t-shirt. Women can wear jumpers directly over the skin. Even without wearing bras.
Shift Top
- Design:
Loose fit. Length is just over the knees. Can have sleeves
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer
- Best Suited for:
Casual outings, traveling, and shopping.
- Details:
Earlier, we mentioned Coco Chanel. This is another Coco creation from the previous century. Rather than fashion, it was made for comfort. Soft cotton muslin or pure muslin fabric allows air to pass over the skin.
Shift tops are very plain. They can have prints for design. You can freely move arms and legs wearing shifts. The styling also doesn’t require pants or pajamas beneath. Instead, one can wear boots or high heels to show off fine legs. All types of bras also stay well under this top type.
Peasant Top
- Design:
Wide neckline. Loose fit. Larger sleeves short or full. Multiple length options
- Age Preference:
Teens and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring.
- Best Suited for:
Indoors, social events, colleges, and traveling.
- Details:
A type of top that common European women used to wear. Most of them are now known as peasant tops. Modern peasant blouses have thinner fabric with wider necklines to reveal the shoulders.
Wearing peasant tops gives a slight idea about the wearer’s curves and shape. Because the use of premium thin fabrics makes the cloth transparent under direct light. But it is not a bold option to try. One can try all types of skirts and pajamas with peasant tops.
Princess Line Dress
- Design:
O-neck or V-neck with curved seaming. Short or full sleeve. Slim fit
- Age Preference:
Teens and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring. Can be worn with additional cloth in winter.
- Best Suited for:
Attending parties.
- Details:
Inspired by the classical dressing of the Western elite ladies, the princess line dress is a very gorgeous top. It doesn’t even reveal too much skin.
The unique princess line seems to give curves to the top. So that the shape of the bust, waist, and butt is perfectly shown. Some princess tops even offer additional support to breasts. It creates a clear cleavage to make the appearance a little bold.
Boxy Top
- Design:
Loose fit O-neck top. Length over belly button. Half or full sleeves
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
Both indoors and outdoors for casual.
- Details:
Boxy tops are also comfy to wear. It is for all types of body shapes. But curvy women can wear short, boxy tops to reveal the naval with.
The loose construction keeps a gap after passing through the breasts. That’s why there are sneak peeks of bralette or upper body skins occasionally. It easily catches the attention of people. Yet, wearing high waist pants or skirts with boxy can cover your body completely.
Drop Shoulder Top
- Design:
Wider O-neckline. Oversized
- Age Preference:
Kids, teens, and young women
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer only
- Best Suited for:
Casual places and indoors
- Details:
There is a thin lining between drop-shoulder and off-shoulder tops. Drop shoulders don’t reveal upper arms and shoulders at all. Instead, it seems like the sleeves are placed way lower than they should be.
It is a funky styling option. You can also hide your true figure by wearing an oversized drop-shoulder top. A good way to wear a drop shoulder is by pulling one side of the dress. And making a shoulder completely visible along with the bra strap.
6 More Clothes That We Also Call Tops
These are the six more types of tops. These styling options have become so popular that fashion brands and production houses separate them from tops.
Shirts, polos, and tees are now in their own leagues. But they still have connections with the word top.
Button Down Shirt
- Design:
Full sleeves with collars and cuffs. Regular, slim, or loose fit with button closure. Length touches the hip area
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
All purposes
- Details:
Before discussing shirts, let’s make a few things clear. Currently, “tops” is a generalized word for women’s upper wear. And “shirts” is a generalized word for men’s upper wear. Both online and offline. Yet, tops or shirts can be used interchangeably for boys, girls, and unisex clothes.
Button-down or button-up shirts have been a universal fashion choice for a long time. One can pair anything with a shirt. Also, there is no place where wearing shirts isn’t appreciated. Girls can even wear shirts for cultural events.
T-Shirt
- Design:
Round neck with mostly half sleeves. Various fitting options.
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons, but sweaters or jackets are required during winter.
- Best Suited for:
Indoor uses, casual outings, job sites, and corporate places surely with a blazer.
- Details:
T-shirts are the comfiest options available. In the United States, T-shirts were made for laborers. Gradually, they became an ideal inner wear for people of all classes. Now, you can wear T-shirts any way you want.
Tees fit well on most body types. Whether you’re petite or curvy, T-shirts suit fine. Women can wear shirts, blouses, or jackets over the t-shirt for a more elegant look.
Polo Shirt
- Design:
Soft collar with half sleeves. Either slim fit or regular fit with few buttons. Matches normal shirt lengths
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring
- Best Suited for:
Casual outings and workplaces
- Details:
There’s a trend among us that anything with a collar goes well in any formal or semi-formal place. From that concept, polo shirts were created to be comfier like tshirts but decent like shirts.
Women can tuck a polo under a maxi skirt, pajama, or midi to go outside. Polo shirts are mostly plain with soft fabrics like cotton or cotton muslin. They require minimal care, unlike casual shirts.
Henley
- Design:
Round neck with full sleeves. Regular or snug fit and small button line.
- Age Preference:
Teens and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
All seasons
- Best Suited for:
Casual purposes and social events
- Details:
It is said that henley shirts came from a place called Henley-on-Thames of Great Britain. It was men’s undergarments or sportswear during the Industrial Revolution. But now, it has become a unisex option and comfy outerwear.
Henleys are appreciated for their classic looks. Soft henley shirts are also a good choice for women who like to show their shape a bit without exposing the skin.
Maxi Top
- Design:
General top construction with additional fabric length below reaching thighs or knees. One or two cuts around the extended area for leg movement
- Age Preference:
Teens and adults
- Seasons to Wear:
Spring and winter
- Best Suited for:
Social and cultural events, special occasions, and semi-formal places.
- Details:
It is a maxi skirt and cotton top in one piece of clothing. Because of the extended length, fashion enthusiasts separate the maxi top from normal tops.
It is a nice fashion hack when one has no decent pajamas or pants to wear with the shirt or top. Women can wear any slim pants under the maxi top. The added fabric does the job of styling your whole body.
Romper
- Design:
Slim or regular fit top with legs attached. Can have short sleeves for design.
- Age Preference:
Everyone
- Seasons to Wear:
Summer and spring
- Best Suited for:
Indoors, play times, and casual outings.
- Details:
Rompers are generally for kids. But nowadays, many ladies wear muslin or cotton blend rompers for summer fashion. The lightweight one-cloth construction is comfy wear for all body types and shapes.
At first, rompers were considered as children’s wear. Then, the Victorian era in Britain considered rompers as men’s casual wear for work or home. Now, it is a good womens top type that you can wear without adding any top underneath.
FAQ
What are Y2K tops?
Small tube tops, spaghetti lace tops, and oversized tees are mostly known as Y2K tops. Y2K refers to the period of the 2000s. Celebs that were on trend at that time wore some unique and exotic clothes that are now popular. These dressing styles are called Y2K fashion.
What types of tops to wear after mastectomy?
Tops that are plain and soft are fine after breast removal surgery. You can try a muslin camisole that weighs less and has a minimal amount of cloth. You can also try tops with higher necklines. Most importantly, anything that’s simple, loose, and thin is the right choice.
My big tummy looks like I’m pregnant, don’t know what types of tops to wear?
The best trick to hide belly fat is to wear loose fit tops like tunics, blouses, and casual shirts. You can also pair your top with high-waist pants or skirts to camouflage the waist shape. Strictly avoid mini tops and snug fit upper wear.
What are the fashion trends for Gen Z in 2023?
Gen Z people like to wear baggy-fit clothes. Oversized tops with denim pants are their priority. Besides, unisex attires with messages hidden are the most favored types for Gen Z peeps. The wish to look different is often seen among these kids.
Does drop shoulder suit everyone?
Drop shoulder suits almost everyone. Drop shoulder tops perform the same way on all body shapes. The main matter is whether you like the drop shoulder design or not. If you want something more revealing, then go for one shoulder, cold shoulder, or off shoulder tops.
What types of tops can you wear a lacy bra under that won’t show?
Tops that have thick straps or small neck holes will never reveal bra straps. Remember that dark-colored tops won’t expose bra color. Try to match the color of the bra and the top to make it completely invisible.
Which types of tops suit joggers?
You can wear a plain blouse, high low top, button down shirt, or drape top with a jogger. Although, joggers go well with most common types of women’s tops. The shape and height of the wearer matter too.
What are the types of top necklines?
There are different types of necklines for ladies’ tops. Some of them are collar, halterneck, cowl neck, turtleneck, scoop neck, boat neck, U neckline, V neckline, etc.
Types of Tops: Summary
Congratulations! You made it to the end of this long article.
Now, take a deep breath and rest for a while. We know how much brainstorming you had to do to understand all those things we said in just one discussion.
Appreciating your patience, we think there’s nothing left about women’s top types or designs. You are now completely ready to identify and judge any tops you find on the market. Buy the best tops from Amazon and ETSY!
Shariful Alam Pavel, A fashion lover, passionate marketer. Love to share wisdom based on real life experience to enrich knowledge.
Founder of Muslin Dhaka, a brand, speaks the truth about royal muslin and fashion. Explore the digital fashion universe with organic cotton muslin and much more!
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