I never believed in the concept of a “going-out top” until about a month ago. In college, I remember changing no less than 100 dramatic times before going out—my go-to was always a combination of big tees, sweaters, and a blazer, which (shockingly) didn’t feel right on a weekend evening.
Just a few weeks ago, though—during what we may later describe as the all-time peak of NOT going out—something made me a believer: this top on Instagram. I wanted to nudge my 21-year-old self: This is it! This is a going-out top! It has a square-ish neck, dives deep into the armpits, shows some décolleté, and yet is still a knit (ribbed!). Bonus: It’s cozy enough for cold autumn evenings.
If I were going out anywhere, this would be my going-out top. At present, it will be my most fashionable staying-IN top, a phenomenon I am determined to make happen.
Do you remember when Khaite walked this neckline down the runway in both spring and fall 2020 runways shows? If you don’t, I’m here to let you know they did! (Here’s a similar version of it, with an investment-level price tag.) Now, I’ve started noticing this neckline everywhere, and I’d like to suggest this as the starting point for a deep dive into going-out/staying-in tops. One thing I’ll note is that the top I found is “one size fits all,” which I acknowledge does not truly mean one size fits all. Therefore, I’ve provided some great options below in a range of sizes so you can emulate the lewk!
Have you ever tried to wear a cute top with… a pair of sweatpants? If you haven’t, I have good news! It’s an instant mood booster. Wearing a really good top is like putting on mascara: It doesn’t hurt, and it *can* manage to make you feel a bit more pulled together—but it takes a bit of mental work, which is what I’m here to help with. This is the most perfect, most mood-boosting top around. Conveniently, it doubles as a perfect top for fall.
What will I wear it with? The aforementioned sweatpants, of course. That’s what I thought of immediately when I saw the top, though I also considered wearing it with some wide-leg trousers to my sister’s wedding. Or imagine how great it would be with some skinny pants or leggings, and an oversized denim shirt (unbuttoned, of course)? Perfection.
That’s how I would dress it up (or down). What would you wear with the best staying-in-going-out top of the season? No constraints: Wear it at home or out (socially distanced, please).
