Women’s tops are a key wardrobe item. Whether for work, a special evening out, or a casual weekend catch up with friends, simply throwing on a top with a pair of pants or a skirt is probably the easiest outfit you can put together. So most of us keep a variety of tops for different needs, and each season, we’re on the lookout for additional tops to enhance our wardrobe and work in with current trends.
When it comes to choosing the right fabric for your tops, a range of factors come into it. For starters, every fabric or fabric blend has its own feel, and it’s important that you enjoy that feel. Then there’s how the fabric drapes against your body, and whether you like a loose, light and floaty fabric and top design, or prefer more structured top designs that employ more rigid fabrics. Then obviously, the season comes into the picture, with heavier and denser fabrics working well in cooler temperatures, and light, more breathable fabrics being best for the warmer months. Finally, choosing a sustainably-made fabric might be important to you.
Let’s look at the different women’s top fabrics you might opt for, with the above factors in mind.
Best feeling women’s top fabrics
Women’s tops made using plant-derived fabrics will usually come up trumps when it comes to fabric feel. This is because some synthetic fabrics (polyester, elastane, nylon) can cause a prickly sensation for sensitive people, whereas linen, pure cotton, bamboo and viscose tend not to irritate. These fabrics are more breathable. They also have moisture-wicking properties, meaning they draw moisture away from the body and allow it to evaporate, rather than leaving you wet with perspiration. (Linen tops are particularly moisture wicking.)
Note that some plant-derived fabrics can lack flexibility, so are often blended with nylon or elastane to give them added stretch. This results in a top that is more breathable than a straight out synthetic top.
Let’s add silk to the list of women’s top fabrics with a soft feel that’s gentle on the skin. It doesn’t fit the plant-derived category, but it has those qualities or breathability, moisture-wicking and softness.
Best fabric drape
Viscose, silk and polyester all drape really nicely, so if you like your womens tops feminine and floaty, these are the fabrics to go for. These fabrics are also comfortable to wear. So for women's tops for work, weekend brunches or evening excursions, you can’t go wrong with a top in one of these fabrics.
For autumn and winter, stretchy knits are more feasible than in the hot months, and though they don’t offer a soft drape, they can accentuate your silhouette nicely.
Best women's tops for cosy comfort
If you’re looking for a top that really makes you feel warm and cosy, then of course a women's top in a knit fabric is the answer. You can find knit jumpers that are a little stretchy, and hug your waist and hips, making for a streamlined silhouette, or more loose, baggy knit jumpers.
Whilst traditionally knits were made with wool, nowadays it’s more common to find knits that blend fibres, such as acrylic, nylon, polyester, viscose and wool. The bonus with synthetic fabric tops is they’re less prone to shrinking than wool is, so it’s less likely you’ll destroy your favourite jumper in the wash.
Obviously, knit jumpers are most appropriate in the cold weather, however they make for good layering options over cotton or linen tops on cooler spring and summer days.
Best fabrics for evening tops
Evenings out can demand something a little ‘extra’ when it comes to top fabrics. The night light is different to daylight, so fabrics that are a little softer work better, and of course a touch of glam can look appropriate, depending on the occasion.
Sheer fabrics look particularly ethereal and stunning on evening tops. It might be sheer sleeves on a blouse, or a sheer layer on a double layer top, but you will look instantly feminine with floaty, sheer features on your top.
Tops in fabrics that are a little glamorous, such as sequin fabrics, glitter fabrics and fabrics with metallic details in the weave (lurex), all catch the light and look fabulous.
Oftentimes, elegant and glamorous women's evening tops are made using synthetic fabrics, however some may mix together fibres like silk and viscose.
Best womens tops fabrics with sustainability in mind
Most would agree that fabrics derived from cotton and linen are some of the most sustainable fabric options. Fabrics like man-made viscose and rayon, though derived from plants, do use chemicals in the processing of the fibre, so aren’t as sustainable as other plant-derived fibres, however are considered more sustainable than synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester.
Choosing sustainable fabrics is complex territory, as there are so many areas to consider when it comes to the sustainability of a fabric, including how plant-derived fibres are obtained and how the plant is grown, how they are treated when formed into a usable fibre (are chemicals used?), what chemicals are used and how they’re disposed of, how the fibre will likely impact the environment once the top is discarded, and so on. It’s complicated to work it all out, and each person will have unique considerations that matter to them. The best advice is to research your fabrics so you understand the full picture.
Best top fabrics according to the season
Spring/Summer
In warm temperatures, you really need tops in breathable and lightweight fabrics, like linen, cotton, viscose, bamboo and silk. These fabrics are particularly comfortable to wear in the heat, as their moisture-wicking properties mean that when you perspire, the fabric draws the moisture away from you and the top dries out quickly, (which isn’t always the case with synthetic fabrics). You also don’t want to feel too weighed down in hot weather, so tops in light fabrics are ideal—you can easily move around in them and they don’t feel constrictive.
Any of the abovementioned top fabrics can be suitable for work, as long as the top design is workplace appropriate. You’ll commonly find women’s shirts made out of linen and cotton, and lovely women’s blouses made with viscose and silk. Both shirts and blouses can work well with tailored trousers or a pencil skirt.
For off-the-clock outings, casual tops like t-shirts and shirts and blouses can pair well with denim pants, leggings, joggers, harem pants and skirts.
Then for spring and summer evenings, it can be so hot that those sparkling evening tops (usually containing significant synthetic content), are simply out of the question. Instead, if styled the right way, a loose-fitting and flattering viscose or silk blouse, solid-coloured cotton t-shirt, or crisp linen shirt can look sufficiently fabulous on a hot night out.
Autumn/Winter
Autumn and winter obviously call for women’s tops in warmer fabrics. Knit sweaters are an obvious choice, and work well on their own, or when layered over a tank or t-shirt. Whether they’re made from wool or cashmere, or a synthetic knit, they have the ability to keep you feeling snug.
Overall, synthetic fibres are more commonly worn in autumn and winter, as breathability in cold weather is not such an important factor.
Women’s Tops at Femme Connection
Each season calls for different fabrics to keep you comfortable and stylish. Lightweight linens and cottons are perfect for summer, while warm knits and layered options shine in winter. Choose fabrics that suit the weather and your personal style for year-round wardrobe perfection! Search our Women’s Tops collection today.