Cropped not your thing? Here are 10 longer tops to keep you cool & covered
Cropped and shorter, boxy tops have been a dominant trend for the last few seasons. They’re intended to pair with and balance fuller bottoms, such as wide leg pants and pleated or tiered skirts. But many of you have mentioned that they don’t work either for your style or proportions. So per your requests, I’ve rounded up some cute longer tops for women.
I have to admit that at 5’1″, the trend toward shorter tops has been a boon for me. It’s nice to not have to have every freaking tee hemmed. (Though some cropped styles are TOO cropped, even for me.)
But if you’re taller, or longer-waisted, or prefer a more fitted or long-over-lean silhouette, it can be frustrating to flip through page after page of boxy, short tops and blouses. So I’ve rounded up a few options for layering basics, and a couple of throw-on-and-go outfit-makers. For versatility, most of these longer tops can be worn either tucked or un-tucked.
Longer tops for women
Tees
For this group, I looked for tees that are at least 25″ in length in Misses sizes; most are longer. Some are also offered in Tall sizes. I’ve shown mostly colors here, but almost all styles are available in white and black, some gray and navy.
Chico’s always does good basic tees in a variety of styles, and most are 26″-27″ long. Two features you’ve often asked for are v-necks and longer short sleeves; this tee has both. On my monitor, this “Strawberry Margarita” color looks like it would work for those on the cooler end of Spring, maybe for some Summers too. Sizes 0(0/2) to 4(20/22).
Other color suggestions: “Mango Ice” & “Banana Leaf” probably best for Springs, vivid Autumn. “Tropical Jade” probably best for Springs & brighter Autumns. “Poolside Blue” probably best for Winters.
You could layer this top or wear alone, thanks to the slight gathers at the shoulder and ruched 3/4 sleeves. Sizes 0(0/2) to 4(20/22). This is the “Tropical Jade” color which looks a close match to Peacock in the Autumn palette. (Winters, check out “Purple Prism” and “Botanic Berry.”)
Here’s another tee with enough visual oomph to carry an outfit. This colorway would be best for Winters, I think. Sizes 0(0/2) to 4(20/22).
Talbot’s tees also tend to run longer, and are offered in a good range of colors. This scoop-neck style is available in Misses, Petites, Plus and Plus Petites.
This “Coastal Coral” color should be good for most Springs and Autumns. “Blue Aqua,” “Paradise Green,” “Strawberry Pink,” and “Daisy” all read as Spring on my monitor. Summers, take a look at “Crystal Blue.” Winters, “Violet Rose” is yours. I’m not sure about the “Spring Crocus;” it’s definitely cool, so either Summer or Winter depending on how saturated it is IRL.
Here’s a lightweight and budget-friendly option. Several colors, sizes XX-Small to XX-Large (some combinations not available).
Need something even longer? This slub-cotton top is available in Tall, which has a 29″ center-back length. (Also in Misses to size 4X and Petites.)
The colors are a little muddy in many of the images and hard to gauge, but this “Cyan” blue is definitely in the Winter palette, as is the purplish “Blueberry.” Summers, there’s a “French Blue” for you.
Shirts
Oversized shirts are more on-trend and longer styles are pretty easy to find. So I picked a few examples of longer shirts that aren’t too voluminous but aren’t too fitted either.
It’s hard to tell from the online styling, but this cute printed shirt is 29″ long in the Misses size, and 31″ in Tall. Autumns, especially Soft Autumns, would look great in these colors.
I keep showing you this 3/4 sleeve linen shirt because I think it’s just so good. Nice color options, easy to wear, and fabulous for staying cool & covered in the heat. I think the soft pink stripe here is good for most Summers.
This fun mosaic-print tunic shirt keeps showing up in my feed and I always stop to take a look. Since we’re talking longer tops for women, what better time to share? It’s cotton, and while it works here as a tunic, I think it would also look great unbuttoned as a lightweight topper over a tank or tee. Misses / Petite / Plus sizes available.
This color combo would be good for Springs, especially Blue Springs.
This cotton gauze shirt is a nice marriage of relaxed and structured. Sizes 00-22. These soft blue and white stripes are lovely for Summers, and there are several bright solid color options as well.
Do you have an optimal length for tops and tees?
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Thank you for this roundup. I am having a tough time finding the “right” tee. Last summer, I bought two (name brand) boxy linen tee shirts, perfect for hot, humid summers, as the shape provided some natural air conditioning. I loved them … until I laundered them. I hung them to dry but still the linen material shrank in the length, and I’m left with two belly-button-baring tees that I will only wear for pajama tops. Insert sad face!
I’m 5’ 7” (almost) but long torso, short legs (tall sitting down). A long top just emphasizes my awkward proportions. An ideal length for me is 22”. Good thing I’m friends with needle and thread. It takes all kinds to fill up the freeways
Lands End also has some nice rib-knit tees in a longer length. They are available in long or short sleeves.
Susan,
I your blog and appreciate that your posts are carefully writing w/o a bunch of crazy links to stuff no one needs or wants.
I hope you will post on shirts for working out soon.
I’m mid-60s. Size 12 and for years (it seems), I’ve been searching for:
– elbow-length sleeves
– hip coverage
– not a low neck (I’m a DDD)
– moisture-wicking fabric
– solid colors are preferred, but at this point, I guess I’d buy a print because I’m desperate
Why is this so challenging? If you or your fabulous community of women have any suggestions, I’d appreciate hearing where to shop.
Jeggy – for working out…search for ‘tunics’ at Old Navy…on line…they have LOTS of choices and the price point is usually. Even the above linked shirt from Chicos – though not wicking fabric – the price is right, and I usually wear a wild legging/pant and a solid top…these days to keep it simple, I stick to black or navy. Just a thought! Good luck!!
Thank you so much for the tip, Tea!
I love your recommendations for colors based on seasons and variety of items in various price ranges.
Thank you, and keeping your husband in my prayers.
Susan – some of the links above (Talbots and below that) are not working on either my Safari browser or Google Chrome…is this the best place to let you know? Thanks for this excellent research, as always!
Thanks for letting me know. They seem to be working on my browsers. Are you in the US? Some links may not work outside the US. (Unfortunately that’s an issue with the retailer I’m unable to fix.)
Thank you, thank you! One of the reasons I love your blog is your willingness to feature items for various proportions and styles. Yours is one of the most useful fashion reports I read and one of the first things I look for in my inbox. 🙂
Thank you for these options with the inches listed and also the colors that coordinate with various season types. I prefer the high hip length, scoop neck style with 3/4 length sleeves, so you did a great job with a lot of variety.
As one of the whiners about cropped tops, I appreciate this post! I second your rec of the Nic + Zoe crinkled cotton top, which is even better in person than shown online. There are some quality details you can’t really see, which include triangle-shaped gussets below the waist, front and back, that create a really nice fit and shape. The fabric is super lightweight cotton, and, yes, it makes a great topper over tanks. There are multiple variations if you don’t like this particular print — I have one that is navy with bright colors that I esp love.
Good concept, but low on colours for summers, I noticed only two blues, no others. What is keeping me from refreshing my t-shirts is the few that are cotton. Everyone seems to have gone viscose… My long experience with that shows it is relatively hotter than cotton. Even rayon which Johnny Was loves ends up wrinkly and nonabsorbent. Could you please adress this issue?
I love the mosaic tunic.
Greetje
I like the Isaac Mizrahi Pima cotton tees from QVC. Many colors and sleeve lengths to choose from. Length starts at 25 +” and gets longer as sizes go up. They are actually a little too long on me so I often do a front tuck.