13 Chic Tops You Need For Weird, In-Between Seasons, All Under $50
We got really tired of asking, “what shirt do I wear with this?”
by The Candidly Team
Why is it that all our shirts sort of suck? This is a question we ask ourselves way more than we should as women who probably own more shirts than anything else.
Too many tees have been ruined after a few washes. Too many sweaters are slouchy and bad. And somehow, we end up turning to the same 3-4 shirts over and over because they’re the only ones that really fit well and we feel good in.
So we decided to give ourselves a challenge - create a capsule wardrobe but JUST in excellent shirts. The idea honestly worked out so well, we decided to make it a seasonal thing. So here, we proudly present the 13 tops we absolutely need and love for fall.
Oh, and did we mention they’re all under $50. Fun, no?
1. The Cashmere V-Neck
Quince Mongolian Cashmere V-Neck Sweater
Are we patting ourselves on the back for finding a perfect-fitting, softer-than-a-cloud, cashmere pullover within our $50 budget? Of course we are. But the truth is Quince gets all the credit for doing phenom stuff with cashmere at a price point we can fathom. And this kind of sweater is pretty much all we want to wear as a top because it makes us look luxe and put together with any pair of pants or jeans. And the coziness is off the charts.
Price: $50
2. The Chambray Button-Down
J.Crew Factory Chambray Shirt In Signature Fit
A chambray button-down is our laziest hack for looking polished without any effort, because it matches every pant we wear, autumnal colors included. This one is the perfect pale denim hue, but thankfully it’s soft and comes in an excellent size range to boot. Tucked or tied above drapey black trousers and an airy, coccooning scarf - perfection.
Price: $44.50
3. The Especially Flattering Tee
Anthropologie Pilcro Boxy Cropped Tee
The sleeves are so much more flattering than most tees because they cover, rather than cut into, the thickest part of the arm. And then there’s the length which hits jussst at the top of a high-waist pant so your waist looks nipped and your legs look longer.
Price: $48
4. The Tailored Vest
Madewell V-Neck Vest in Wool Blend
A fitted vest is a way of looking elevated with total ease. You can wear it over a white tee or button-down when there’s a nip in the air and wear it on its own when the sun starts blazing. No matter what, you’ll always look a little bit quiet luxury.
Price: $50
5. The Blissfully Oversized Button-Down
Do yourself a favor and buy this button-down in white. Tuck it, tie it, or leave it open over everything, trousers by day, long, silk maxi skirts by night. Nothing will make you look chicer. Nothing.
Price: $60
6. The Going-Out Top You Don’t Have To Think About
Abercrombie Long-Sleeve Off-The-Shoulder Mesh Top
Finding a going-out top is not as easy as it was in 2001, the golden age of the going-out top. SO when we find something fun that fits us beautifully, we tell a friend. Consider yourself that friend. Because it folds over on top, you can wear any comfy bandeau and freely enjoy going sleeveless.
7. The Base Layer Tank
Abercrombie Sheer Jersey Scoopneck Tank
You can actually see the whispery softness of this tank. It tucks beautifully into jeans, and there is no neckline more flattering to arms, shoulders, and chests. Just perfection in tank form.
Price: $25
8. The Luxe, Sheer Button-Down
OK, hear us out. We know it’s another button-down, but this one is whispery enough to be worn when the mornings are chilly and the afternoons warm. The sleeve alone is gorgeous, especially on a thicker arm. That cut along with the soft sheer makes it look far more expensive than it is. Which is our excuse to get it in white and blue, both which can be worn over THIS cozy cami.
Price: $30 - $45
9. The Chic, Striped Vest
Lillusory Striped Sweater Vest
This vest works best all by itself as a chic top that turns whatever we’re wearing into an instant outfit. Stripes hold some kind of wizardry that way.
Price: $43
10. The 3/4 Sleeve Turtle
Abercrombie Half-Sleeve Sheer Jersey Mockneck Top
Another excellent turtleneck but this time with the perfect length sleeve if you want your arms to look their best.
Price: $20
11. The Easy Occasion Top
Abercrombie Mesh Ruched Slash Top
Imagine every “nice” skirt in your closet you don’t wear because you can never find what top to wear with it. Well, my friends, this is the top. Not to mention, wear it with your most flattering black pants, and poof, you have a going-out outfit made very, very easy.
Price: $40
12. The Polo Tee That makes You Look 3x More Sophisticated
Madewell Side Cinch Long Sleeve Polo Top
It’s just a tee, but the neckline is incredibly flattering on chests and makes us look polished and chic. Plus the cinching on the side nips the waist.
Price: $35
13. The Base Layer Long-Sleeve
Free People Caught Your Eye Long Sleeve
Another smoothing, flattering, ribbed tee that give us a gorj silhouette. We want it in every color it comes in, but black and white are a good start.
Price: $50
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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