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Anyone who went to college in the early 2000s is familiar with the “going-out top.” Not quite as fancy as a dress but more elevated than your run-of-the-mill sweater or everyday tee, the going-out top struck the perfect balance between being dressed up and dressed down. On the one hand, it had that little extra sumthin’ sumthin’ that would make people take note, but not so much that it looked overdone. Maybe it was due to the sexy sheer fabric ($265). Maybe it was the extra-long, asymmetric hem ($18). Maybe it was an oversized bow or an off-the-shoulder neckline. Whatever it was, its defining detail made it the *exact* shirt you wanted for cocktails with the girls, a first date or a group dinner. (And in 2005, it probably came from Express, or, if, we’re being honest, Charlotte Russe).
And then…they disappeared. Seemingly overnight, the going-out top was replaced by a slew of crotch-riding bodysuits, cropped hoodies or shapeless, oversized tees (thank you, Billie Eilish 🙄)—all of which I could have happily lived without, truth be told. Frankly? I missed the going-out top. Sans for Akira, which faithfully continued to provide *the* most batsh*t clothing known to man, COVID-19 be damned (Chicago girls know), the going-out top landscape got bleak out there for a ruffle-loving gal for many a year.
Little by little, however, I’ve been seeing traces of it creep back into our collective wardrobes. It seems as though we’ve turned a corner, where we’re finally, *finally* getting dressed again in more than lounge sets and sweatshirts, sparking its inevitable comeback. Want proof? Check out the 12 gorgeous stunners above and below.
What Kind of Tops Are Trending?
In my search for the perfect going-out tops, three trends stuck out to me: sheer fabrics, off-the-shoulder necklines and rosette embellishments.
The first two are hardly a surprise. Sheer = sexy (duh) and an off-the-shoulder neckline, made famous by “it” girl Brigitte Bardot, lends some instant intrigue to even the most basic of tops (which is probably why it’s been on repeat in our closets since at least 2016).
The rosette thing, however, is brand new, yet all-encompassing, adorning not only tops, but dresses, chokers, shoes, the whole nine.
What Bottoms to Wear With Going-Out Tops?
The answer to this question really depends on the top. If your piece is shorter, you’ll want to go for something high-waisted to cover up your mid-section (a good idea if you’ve got a lot going on with the upper half of your outfit).
For those of you who loathe high-waisted jeans like me (trust me, girls: They’re doing your ass zero favors), you can try a high-waisted midi skirt or a pair of paperbag pants that will get the job done just the same.
If you’re working with something slightly longer (hallelujah!), your favorite pair of jeans, pleather pants or even shorts should work just fine. Steer clear of any wide-leg styles or wild patterns that are going to take the focus off your fab new shirt—the emphasis, after all, is on your gorgeous top.
What’s your favorite going-out top to wear? Shoot me a link below! Xo, Nicole
