The World of Women's Tops

When it comes to fashion, no one has it better than women. The types of clothes that typically make a man look good are very narrow in variety if you know what I mean. There's just not much to work with when it comes to mens fashion. With women however, the sky's the limit. One of the most popular areas of women's apparel revolves around tops! There are endless styles of women’s tops unlike men.

Blouses, tunics, empires, sweaters, t-shirts, and camisoles are common types of it. The differences are found in sleeve length, collar type, neckline and cut. Let’s talk about it now.

Sleeve Length: Sleeves of blouses, sweaters and t-shirts can be long, three-quarter length, short, or capped. Long sleeves stop at the wrist. Three-quarter length tops end midway between the elbow and the wrist. Short-sleeves stop at the bicep. Cap sleeves never fall beyond the armpit. As the name suggests, a sleeveless top, such as a camisole or a halter top, has no sleeves. Straps are most often used instead. Tube tops, however, are sleeveless and strapless and kept in place with the help of elastic sewn in at the top of the garment.

Collar Types: Collars placed on a woman's top either stand up or lay flat. Straight collars are considered to be more formal than rounded collars, which hint at playfulness.

Necklines: Tops without collars are grouped according to necklines. The most common necklines include crew necks, v-necks and scoop necks. V-necks and scoop necks typically create the illusion of a longer silhouette.

Cuts: Cut refers to the top's shape. Some tops are boxy and loose-fitting and have straight seams running from the armpit to the hem. Form-fitting tops have princess seams. Trapeze-shaped cuts, which are seen in many empire tops, are loose-fitting and flare out at the bottom.

Since it is still summer right now. I want to discuss three of the most in demand women’s tops for summer. Here they are.

Tank Top - The tank top is the number one most popular type of top for women. It is essentially a sleeveless shirt with two straps running over the shoulders. It is also immensely popular with both sexes. In fact, they are more popular among men in certain Asian countries. They wear it underneath their work clothes and it is also worn at home. The South East Asian term for mens tank top" is the "Singlet".

One Shoulder Tops - These are tops that leave a single shoulder exposed. The securing strap may be thin, wide or completely cover the securing shoulder. Considered much sexier than most other tops save for Halter necks, these garments are a tease to onlookers as it gives them just a glimpse of exposed skin. They are edgy, sophisticated but should never be worn too often. Save them for special occasions.

Halterneck Tops - The epitome of elegance and beauty, the Halterneck has long been the favorite of Hollywood stars and recording artists alike. The halterneck is a top that has a single strap that is secured behind the neck of the wearer. While they are absolutely lovely to use for a variety of functions that are casual or formal, this style is most commonly seen in women's swimsuits.

Body type dictates what style of top is best for you. Always consider cut and fabric. Tops with a straight cut flatter most body types. Princess seams create the illusion of an hour-glass silhouette. Clingy fabrics reveal imperfections. Whatever women’s tops you wish to shop for, confidence is still the key for looking your best.