18 Types Of Tops That Are Staples For Your Wardrobe

Made hugely popular in the Victorian era, corset tops have evolved from stifling symbols of status to form-fitting, easy-to-wear structured pieces. These dressy tops can be paired with loose pants or skirts, making them perfect for a night out dancing, having fun, or even enjoying an elegant sit-down dinner.

Length: Short Corset (8.25), Regular Corset (11.5), and Long Corset (13)

Fit: The fit of the corset is form-fitting, great for dressier options.

How To Style: Style your corset with a relaxed fit style of pants or a skirt, to create a balance of proportions, and take it to any night outs, or parties. 

When To Wear: You can take your corsets to fancy dinners, parties, or clubs. 

Pro Tip: Decoding the evolution of corsets. 

Tank tops are comfortable, versatile, and available in a variety of styles. Our favourite is the racer-back design, which feels airy on the back—perfect for summer. They’re ideal for achieving the athleisure look and pair well with loose pants or denim for a day out.

Length: Should just fall below the waist of your trousers.

Fit: Depending on your preferences, you can opt for a relaxed fit or a loose fit. But we definitely recommend something fitting, for an effortlessly chic look.

How To Style: For a casual everyday look, you can style your tank top, with wide-leg jeans, and even layer it up with an oversized shirt.

When To Wear: Tank tops are great for every day, and you can style them for work, day outings, brunches.

From the belly dancers who popularised them to pop icon Madonna donning them in her 'Lucky Star' video, crop tops have remained one of the most sought-after styles for women. These tops end at the midriff and can be paired with a light jacket and a bucket hat. If you'd like to cover your midriff while wearing them, consider pairing them with high-waisted pants.

Length: Should end just at the midriff.

Fit: Crop tops have a form-fitting fit mostly, but you can also opt for a more relaxed one.

How To Style: Style your crop top with high-waisted bottoms, preferably on the wide-leg jeans end, and you can complete the look with an oversized flannel or jacket for the fall season. 

When To Wear: Great for every day, you can take it to your shopping sprees and brunches. 

The loose silhouette and flared sleeves give cape tops their distinctive cape-like structure. They're perfect for drawing attention to your bottoms while providing a roomier fit on top. Pair them with a pencil skirt or skinny jeans to complete the look.

Fit: The fit is loose, and slightly voluminous.

How To Style: Style your cape tops with a slightly fitted pair of pants, and carry a sleek sling to complete your look.

When To Wear: You can take your cape top to formal occasions, or day events. 

Off-shoulder tops are an excellent choice if you want to highlight your collarbones or showcase a statement necklace. They can be effortlessly styled for any body type. Pair them with a strapless bra or adhesive tape for a secure fit. If you prefer more comfort, you can opt for a version with elastic that can be easily pulled up over your shoulders.

Length: Should be slightly longer than your waistline

Fit: Choose a crop top with a baggy fit and highlight your collar bones.

How To Style: You can pair your crop tops with a fitted pair of jeans, or a skirt, and focus of creating a balance on proportions.

When To Wear: Your off-shoulder tops are perfect to take to brunches with your gal pals. 

The dramatic and stylish neckline of halter neck tops makes them a fantastic choice for summer and warm days when you want to avoid sleeves. Pair them with a strapless bra or a top with interchangeable straps for the perfect fit.

Fit: They mostly have a regular fit, and we recommend going with the one below your waistline for a more flattering look.

How To Style: Pair your halter tops with regular fit pants, that are not too fitting, but not very relaxed, and accessories with a sleek sling and some wedges. 

When To Wear: You can wear your halter tops to brunches, dinners, and formal events. 

Peplum tops are perfect if you love the frills and ruffles of a dress but aren’t in the mood to wear one. With a similar silhouette, peplum tops flatter various body types, offering the ideal balance between fitted and roomy. Pair one with a slicked-back ponytail for a chic, polished look.

Length: For the most flattering look, make sure it falls near the midriff.

Fit: The fit of peplum tops is loose and baggy, creating a more of voluminous silhouette.

How To Style: Pair your peplum top with a fitted bottom, and complete the look with a slick back hairstyle and a cute sling.

When To Wear: Great for work, formal events, and coffee catch-ups.

Looking for a comfy fit for a long flight or drive? Choose a maxi top that layers easily and pairs beautifully with denim or leggings. Opt for a stretchy fabric for those long-haul flights. Printed maxi tops are perfect for casual dinners; just pair them with palazzos and chunky earrings to complete the look.

Length: Maxi tops are much longer in length and go beyond the knees. 

Fit: Because of its length, we recommend going with a regular fit which is not too fitted.

How To Style: Style your maxi top with palazzo pants or culottes, and keep your hairstyle at the sleeker end, to get a more polished look.

When To Wear: Take this look to your college or to your shopping sprees and move all ay with utmost comfort. 

A modern take on the classic wrap dress created in the 1930s by Charles James, wrap silhouettes are designed for easy wear—so simple you could throw one on in the back of a cab. Their flexible structure makes them size-inclusive, and you can layer them with a cami top for warmth in slightly chilly weather. Whether worn loose or fitted, they look great either way.

Length: Should be touching your midriff.

Fit: Since it wraps around you, the fit should be loose and baggy.

How To Style: Pair your wrap-around top with regular fit culottes and complete the look with a chic pair of ballet flats.

When To Wear: We recommend taking this look to work, brunches, and even formal dinners. 

Worn by the royalty of the erstwhile Ottoman Empire, kaftans are among the most forgiving silhouettes available. They’re perfect for days when you feel bloated or simply want a roomy fit. Fitted at the waist and looser at the arms, kaftans pair beautifully with leggings or denim. Choose one with a dressy collar, and you can even wear it to fancy soirées.

Length: Falls below the waistline

Fit: The fit is baggy, and over-sized.

How To Style: A pair of regular-sized cotton culottes go very well with Kaftans and balance the proportions of the look perfectly.

When To Wear: They are great for an easy day out, just lounging around your friend's place or a casual hangout. 

Tube tops (also called strapless bandeaus) earned their name because they resemble a swimming tube. Popularly worn with swimwear in the forties and fifties, tube tops lack shoulder straps, covering only your chest and back. Like cami tops, you can layer them or wear them alone. Their stretchy fabric makes them super comfortable, and you can wear a strapless bra or pasties underneath, depending on the support you need. 

Length: Slightly below the bust area.

Fit: The fit is form-fitting.

How To Style: For an effortlessly chic ensemble, pair your tube tops with a baggy pair of pants, and a great pair of sneakers.

When To Wear: Crop tops are perfect for your college, casual hang-out plans with friends, or lunch/brunch plans with your gal-pals.

Pro Tip: Our review of the Instagram famous Butt Chique boob tape! 

Cami tops were a common sight in ancient Rome when women layered up to protect themselves from the cold. The relaxed fit of this top, combined with easy spaghetti straps or sleeveless styles, makes them a perfect choice for almost any ensemble. Just as the Romans did, you can add a jacket or a light shirt on top to layer up; the soft fabric is great for flights.

Length: They usually go a little below the waistline.

Fit: Their fit is regular-sized and accentuates your collar bones.

How To Style: Cami tops are very versatile. You can rock them with shorts, skirts, fitted jeans, slightly relaxed pants, and more. We recommend going with regular-fit cotton trousers that balance the proportions and look great. 

When To Wear: A shopping day is perfect to wear your cami tops.

One of the most feminine tops out there, blouse tops are a classic thanks to their wide boat necks and sleeves. Popularised in the 1890s as informal wear, blouses are versatile and pair well with a variety of bottoms, including skirts, slacks, and even Indo-western styles—perfect for Sangeet functions. Opt for a dressy fabric like silk or satin for evening dates. 

Length: They usually come with lengths up to the midriff.

Fit: The fit is on the more relaxed side, with a flow to it.

How To Style: Blouse tops are total statement pieces, and we recommend pairing them with a classic pair of trousers or denim, and accessories the look with minimal dainty jewellery. 

When To Wear: We recommend taking this look to dates, brunches, formal work events.

Did you know that ruffles were first spotted on Spanish soldiers in the 16th century? Ruffle tops are both feminine and stylish. Depending on the fabric and size of the ruffles, you can pair them with tailored pants and heels for work. You can easily switch your work tote for a clutch to transform your look into a party-ready outfit. Either way, ruffle tops are smart and versatile for various settings.

Length: Should reach your waistband for a classic look. 

Fit: With more ruffles and volume to the silhouette, the ruffle top fit is more relaxed and a statement.

How To Style: Pair your ruffles tops with a well-tailored pair of pants and finish off the look with a cool sturdy tote. 

When To Wear: Take this look to your day outings and events. 

Tunic tops, like tunic dresses, are perfect if you prefer a loose fit. They are fitted at the chest and flare out, providing a super roomy feel. Choose a cotton tunic and pair it with your favourite skinny jeans for the perfect summer casual outfit. Depending on the length and slit of the top, you could even wear your tunic as a dress!

Length: The length may vary according to your preference

Fit: The fit is more relaxed, loose, and complimenting a different array of body types.

How To Style: Style your tunics with flowy cotton pants, and get the Indo-western fit of your dreams.

When To Wear: Its great for college, everyday work, and casual day outings.

Tracing its roots back to ancient Greece and Rome, the one-shoulder top has become a favourite among both Gen Z and millennials. These tops look elegant and edgy, making a statement that instantly elevates your look. Plus, they're incredibly easy to style!

Length: The length should fall right onto your waistline

Fit: They look the most flattering when they are body-hugging and help create a clean look with the one-shoulder statement.

How To Style: You can style your one-shoulder top with a well-tailored pair of trousers or denim and complete the look with a statement sleek bag.

When To Wear: You can take this look to parties, formal events, and dates.

Waistcoats have emerged as the biggest trend of 2024, and they’ve become one of our favourite types of tops. Perfect for summer, this semi-formal option adds an elevated, sophisticated, and chic touch, making it ideal for both work and casual hangouts.

Length: The length of the waistcoats is meant to reach below your midriff.

Fit: Available in regular size fits, we don't recommend going for an oversized waistcoat look. 

How To Style: Pair your waistcoat with baggy Korean pants, or white leg pants, to create the most effortlessly chic look. 

When To Wear: You can take this look to parties, formal events, and office.

Bardot tops first became popular in the Regency Era and got their name from Brigitte Bardot, who wore one at the Cannes Film Festival in 1953. This style features a blend of tube and off-shoulder necklines, creating a whimsical look when styled well. They pair beautifully with trending fairy skirts, adding a delightful boho-chic vibe to any outfit.

Length: The length of a Bardot top should fall at your waistline.

Fit: Available in regular size fits, we recommend not going on too form-fitting side, or too relaxed.

How To Style: You can style your Bardot tops with long skirts, well-tailored pants, or wide-leg jeans, all creating proportional symmetry to the overall fit.

When To Wear: Take this look to clubs, parties, or cosy brunches.