Best Women’s Top Choices For The Season

Tops are an integral garment in any woman’s wardrobe. They can easily be mixed and matched with bottoms like trousers, jeans, leggings and skirts—you could wear the same bottoms all week yet achieve a new look each day purely due to a change of top. Tops also offer a great way to adjust outfits according to changes of season. A floral blouse in spring, a white tank top in summer, a burned orange shirt in autumn, and a turtleneck sweater in winter will all look great with a pair of jeans.

Let’s take a look at what women’s tops, fabrics and prints work best for each season in Australia.

Spring tops

Depending on where you are in Australia, spring weather can be a little unpredictable. Days can start cool, warm up in the afternoon, and cool down again at night. There’s also occasional rain, so you need to be prepared for all the elements. Versatile and lightweight tops that allow for simple layering work best.

Best top styles to suit spring:

• Short-sleeve blouses: Lightweight linen and cotton and viscose blouses are perfect for warm spring days. These fabrics are breathable, and the loose fit of the blouse allows for plenty of air flow. You should stay cool, whilst looking pretty.
• Button-up shirts: Shirts are an obvious choice in spring. You can have them buttoned all the way up, or keep a few buttons undone at the collar to allow more air in. You can also roll up the sleeves a little, for a more casual look. These are ideal tops to wear on casual occasions or to work, and they look smart with outer layers like a cardigan or light jacket.
• Tunics: Loose fitting and flowy tunics are a welcome option when spring arrives. You can get short and long sleeve versions, and they pair nicely with pants, leggings and even with skirts. Because of their loose and comfortable fit, you can feel ultra relaxed, whilst knowing you’re modestly covered up, and are looking stylish.

(See tops from our Spring collection here.)

Practical considerations:

• Layering: It’s wise to either wear or carry some outer layers in spring, so you’re prepared for temperature changes. If you care about looking stylish (and most of us do, just a little bit), make a point of trying on your outer layer with your spring top in the morning, just to make sure both items work well together. Spring mornings may start cold, so layering with cardigans or light jackets is essential. Choose tops that pair well with layers and can stand alone later in the day.

Best fabrics for spring:

• Cotton and linen: These are both plant-derived fabrics, which means they are breathable, and moisture wicking (they draw heat away from your body). In addition, cotton and linen tops don’t tend to hold onto odours like synthetic fabrics can, so they wash well.
• Viscose (rayon) or viscose polyester/elastane mixes: Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric, made using cellulose, usually from wood pulp. It is reasonably breathable, lightweight, and drapes nicely, so it works well for a range of tops, and in particular, blouses. Viscose also holds dye well, so you’ll encounter a vast array of gorgeous prints and coloured tops made using viscose. Sometimes a small amount of polyester or elastane might be included in a viscose top to add more stretch.

Best colours & prints:

• Pastels and florals: There aren’t hard and fast rules about colours and prints to wear in spring, but let’s admit that there’s no other time of year when a floral print or a pastel tone works as well as it does in spring. After all, spring is all about renewal, so usually it works to pack away the dark and heavy tops, and opt for the light and fresh looking prints and colours.

Spring styling go-tos:

• Casual: Pair a short-sleeve linen blouse with a casual skirt or jeans. (See our Casual Tops collection for more ideas.)
• Formal: Opt for a flowy blouse with delicate floral prints, paired with sleek pants or a midi skirt.
• Work: Wear a cotton button-up shirt in a pastel or light colour with tailored trousers and a lightweight blazer.

Summer tops

When it’s scorching in Australia, we need tops at the ready that are comfortable, cool and lightweight. Fabrics that are breathable and draw moisture away from our skin are essential. We also want to look stylish, and in many cases, are prepared to show a little more flesh, so short sleeve or no-sleeve tops make an appearance.

Top styles for summer:

• Short sleeve tops: Whether you opt for t-shirts or short or capped-sleeve blouses, short sleeve tops are in during summer, and help ensure maximum airflow to the arms and underarms.
• Tank/singlet tops and sleeveless blouses: These can work well at casual and more formal outings. The fabric of the top will really determine where it’s best suited to be worn. Sleeveless blouses will work well on special occasion outings, whereas cotton or cotton-stretch tank/singlet tops will work well at the beach or for when you’re out on a walk.
• Off-the-shoulder tops: These tops often come as a blouse with elasticised shoulders, so you can choose to wear them on or off the shoulder, or have an asymmetrical on/off shoulder look. Off-the-shoulder tops look instantly stylish and offer the opportunity to flash a bit of shoulder.
• Crop tops: For those willing to bare a little midriff, summer is a time when crop tops don’t look out of place. They are perfect for casual hangouts or trips to the beach. However, these are not so suitable for most workplaces.

(See tops from our Summer collection here.)

Practical considerations:

• Sun protection: Though we tend to show more flesh in summer, it’s still important to consider the sun, and look for tops that will cover us up a little. Blouses, linen shirts and tunics are great options when you are going to be out in the sun. If you’re wearing short sleeves, ensure you apply sunscreen on exposed flesh and wear a hat.
• Breathability: Synthetic fabrics don’t do us a lot of favours in summer as they tend not to be very breathable. So opt for natural fibres when you can, as this will ensure your top isn’t trapping the heat in and retaining perspiration.

Best fabrics for summer:

• Cotton, bamboo and linen: These fabrics provide amazing breathability during summer. They are all moisture wicking, so they absorb sweat and dry quickly so that your body doesn’t feel clammy.
• Viscose: Though not as moisture-wicking as cotton and linen, viscose is preferable to many synthetic fabrics during summer. It’s also ultra lightweight, so it makes for some gorgeously light and feminine blouses and short-sleeved tops.

Best Colours & Prints:

• Bold and bright colours: Turquoise, yellows, citrus orange, and turquoise all give off sunny summer vibes. White is also a classic colour in summer.
• Tropical and nautical prints: Tropical prints hint at exotic, warm summer holidays, and nautical prints make us think of the ocean. These are both great options if you want to really get into the summer spirit.
• Stylish neutrals: Though not bold and bright, neutral beige, cream and white can all look incredibly stylish during summer, particularly in linen fabric.

Styling Tips for Summer:

• Casual: Wear a short sleeved, girly blouse with denim shorts and some wedge sandals.
• Formal: Pair an off-the-shoulder top with a stretchy pencil skirt or with high-waisted trousers. Add some occasion metallic jewellery to make a bold statement.
• Work: Opt for a long sleeve cotton shirt with a few buttons undone at the collar and sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Pair with linen pants and a light, summer blazer.

Autumn

Autumn can be a mixed bag, with residual hot days from summer early in the season, and crisp or chilly days late in the season. So take the time to transition your tops throughout autumn. Layering will be essential. You’ll need tops that will keep you warm, without appearing too bulky.

Top styles for autumn:

• Long-sleeve blouses and shirts: Pack away the short sleeved blouses and shirts and opt instead for longer sleeves. Blouses and shirts with long sleeves not only look polished, but they keep those arms warm in cooler temperatures. And remember, if it’s still warm, you can roll up the sleeves.
• Light sweaters: Choose cotton or cashmere blends for ultimate softness and breathability. Given it’s autumn and you won’t be getting as hot as you were in summer, more affordable options like polyester sweaters will also work. These are often available in fun colours and prints, and are good options for casual outings.

Practical considerations:

• Layer for cool evenings: Consider carrying outerwear in addition to the top you’re wearing. It might be a sweater or jumper you put over a t-shirt or blouse, a cardigan or a jacket. Just make sure you’re prepared for the cold, because in autumn, it’s almost a certainty.

Best fabrics for autumn:

• Blends: It might be a linen and wool blend, or cotton and wool. It might be cotton mixed with viscose, or viscose mixed with elastane. But what you receive with a blend is often the best of both worlds—the breathability of a natural fibre with the stretch of a synthetic. Blends don’t work as well in summer, as they can feel too hot and can retain moisture, but in autumn, when things have cooled down, blends are a great choice.

Best colours & prints:

• Earthy tones: It might seem cliché, but autumnal colours and prints just look grand during autumn! So grab hold of olive greens, deep oranges, and even browns, as these colours will align well with autumn’s earthy colours.
• Cream: When you’re rocking a burned orange skirt, brown trousers, or an olive green jacket, then wearing a cream coloured top can really help balance things out. White can work too, but cream is a little more sumptuous, and looks a little more natural alongside autumn colours.
• Plaid, paisley and stripes: These prints can bring the appearance of texture to your outfit, so keep things interesting and consider tops in these prints.

Styling tips for autumn:

• Casual: A long-sleeve sweater with jeans and ankle boots creates a stylish casual autumn look.
• Formal: Choose a flowy, long-sleeve blouse in an autumnal colour like burnt orange or maroon, paired with a sleek skirt.
• Work: Pair a cream-coloured cotton sweater with tailored trousers or a pencil skirt.

Winter

As the temperatures drop in winter, you’ll need tops that are a lot more insulating (or at least wear layers beneath or on top of your tops. You still want to look stylish though, especially when you head indoors and strip off those bulky outer layers.

Top styles for winter:

• Sweaters and jumpers: Soft, cashmere or polyester sweater style tops, or chunky knit jumpers, are all suitable options during winter. They’ll keep you warm and toasty, and you can either wear them with a camisole beneath, or even with a shirt or blouse underneath.
• Thermal tops: These tops are perfect base layers to wear during winter, especially when you are wearing a blouse or shirt. Opt for thermal tops in neutral tones, and those that won’t poke out and be on display when you’re wearing a shirt or blouse on top.
• Turtlenecks: Keeping your neck warm in winter is super smart, hence, turtlenecks are classics. If you don’t like the feeling of things around your neck, there are styles available with looser or stretchy necks, so you need not feel constricted.
• Long sleeve shirts and blouses: Like in autumn, long sleeve shirts and blouses are a thing in winter, however you might opt for those made in slightly denser fabrics, as these will keep you warmer.

Practical considerations:

• Warmth: Focus on tops that offer insulation and can be layered under coats or jackets. Also entertain the possibility of wearing thermal underlayers beneath your tops, especially if your top is made in a light weight fabric.

Best fabrics for winter:

• Cashmere and wool: The animal-derived fibres are deliciously warm and also, thermoregulating. And winter is when you can really get into those wholesome, chunky knitted jumpers and cardigans!
• Polyester or acrylic: Synthetics might be too hot during summer when they can cause you to perspire, and then trap that perspiration in the fabric. But in winter, it’s cold enough for all that to not be a problem, and synthetics are allowed. Note though, you might still consider an underlayer, like a cotton or bamboo thermal top beneath a synthetic outer top, as when you’re indoors in heating, you can still sweat.
• Fleece: Synthetic fleecy tops can add warmth and comfort during winter, without feeling too heavy.

Best Colours & Prints:

• Dark and neutral colours: Navy blue, forest green, berry red, deep burgundy and charcoal greys are all classic winter colours and tones.
• Minimalist prints: Classic minimalistic prints like small checks and herringbone always look spot on during winter.
• Bold abstract prints: Whether you’re wearing a blouse or a jumper, a bold abstract print can look striking during winter, particularly if the rest of your outfit is muted (think a pair of black jeans with a jumper in a bold and colourful abstract print).

Styling Tips for Winter:

• Casual: A chunky knit sweater with jeans and winter boots.
• Formal: A sleek acrylic wool or cashmere sweater paired with a pencil skirt and heeled boots.
• Work: A fitted turtleneck tucked into high-waisted trousers or layered under a blazer.

Tops all year round at Femme Connection!

Regardless of the season, Femme Connection is here to serve you with all the tops you could ever need. Our range includes cool and breathable tops, bright and colourful printed tops, and thick and warm tops. Our collections cater for all occasions, so be sure to check out tops today!