So many pretty little doily tops out there these days, no!? My first thought for many of these tops (as pessimistic as it is sadly) is: how am I washing that? Europe is already sitting under an oppressive heatwave and we haven’t even hit June. It’s fair to expect that we will be sweating through our clothes this summer and washability will be key. Hand, machine, whatever! But we need to be able to apply water and get the cherry dip stain out. Because have you ever had a cherry dip cone without ruining your outfit!? Me neither.
My first instinct come high sun is usually to reach for a t-shirt and pair it up with a cute skirt. HOWEVER, as the temperature rises, for daytime at least, I find myself more inclined to track shorts, cotton pants, utility or khaki fabrics or sport details. As I said before…washable!!! Durable. Tag should read: can handle countless dripping ice cream cones.
And a t-shirt with track shorts just doesn’t quite hit the same style note as t-shirt with a flirty, silky Prada skirt…you know? So what to do?! This season it was clear: mine the pretty top market that seems to be BOOMING for those in cotton or linen that can provide some juxtaposition, without the preciousness of something that is better reserved for a 74 degree day.
I found three contenders – which could be easily swapped or mixed into any of the five outfit ideas here today, for an easy breezy summer. The winners shared a natural fiber base and a lack of any sort of elasticated neckline or waist. Simplicity always wins in the end….
If last summer was the year of the Posse cropped linen top (still great for work, just a different look!), this summer is the season of the flirty, dainty (in theory) Victorian underthing top. I like this idea of a little bit of prettiness to offset the durability of said top. I washed and dried (on hot!) all three models I tried here today and the washing made them look even better, if I do say so myself.
Initially, I was drawn to this guy from Doen, which, don’t get me wrong, I love and is so fun. But for messy, salty weekends I need to not worry about my layers. And this one would need a specific bra, maybe a camisole? It is definitely NOT washable. But we must give gratitude to this top because what it DID do, was give us our guiding principles for what we DO want.
**Editors note: Somehow the XS and S of this Buck Mason top sold out in the past two days of me receiving and shooting this top – send them a friendly note if you are interested. We demand a restock! 🙂 🙂 🙂
The best girly yet durable summer tops are those that avoid synthetics altogether. No elasticized necklines or straps. No synthetic lace – just straight natural fibers with some cutout (broderie anglaise) or embroidery detail. It’s what makes this last top from Buck Mason so great. No weird elasticated peplum. No pleating or pintucking.
Also, it really shouldn’t break the bank. The point of these are to trash them a bit…really wear them all summer without hesitating to consider preciousness. So permission to go big box here and not overthink it. Since you have our guidelines in terms of shape and material down – go for the lowest common denominator that still makes you feel, well…pretty!!!!!!!!!!!
Yours TRULY,
Becky
PS: Thank you to all our new subscribers last week! We raised $673 for Everytown, proud parent company of Moms Demand Action. I rounded up to $800 for good measure. Thank you for making my birthday so special! xoBecky
