As a digital editor, I basically shop online for a living. This means that I can sift through literally thousands of products and edit them down to what's really worth buying. I take pride in my ability to quickly evaluate one piece from the next, but still, nothing will ever top a good old fashioned trip to the mall to try on everything IRL. With that in mind, I set out on a recent shopping trip where I made it my mission to find the very best statement tops.
You know the kind of tops I'm talking about—throw them on with jeans and suddenly you have yourself an outfit. In other words, they do all the sartorial work for you. And with holiday party season coming up, my closet could definitely use a few more of these standout tops.
I went out to H&M, Reformation, and Nordstrom in search of The One—well, ones—and after hauling armfuls of options into my dressing rooms and snapping the pics to prove it, I landed on nine statement tops that were so good I'd buy them ASAP.
Scroll down to see the dressing room shots of the best tops I tried on, read about what makes each one special, and then shop your favorite one (or two or three) from my edit.
First off, this turtleneck comes in two trendy prints (see the zebra version below), is super soft and stretchy, and only puts you out $10, so it has a lot going for it.Here it is in the zebra. I had a really hard time choosing a favorite among the two because they both oddly go well with a lot of neutrals despite their bold prints.Once I put this on I did not want to take it off. The billowy sleeves, silky material, and lovely high collar made me feel regal. I'm telling you if I'd seen this out of context, I'd assume it cost upward of $300—but nope, a mere $50 is all you need. (Don't be deterred by how sheer it looks here, I made the mistake of wearing a brightly-colored bra when I tried it on, so I"m confident that anything nude won't show from underneath.)Was this selfie aimed at showing off the collar and cuffs or was it a thinly veiled excuse to further document my love affair with the top? Either way, details FTW.Here's a very similar style but in snakeskin print. The collar is a bit less intense on this one, but the buttons are just as unique. I went up two sizes in this top to create the oversize look I was going for. I left the bottom buttons undone to mirror a styling trick I've seen on all the insiders. I liked that the material was light and swishy—it seemed like the kind of breathable shirt that's perfect to wear to the office and then to drinks after work. Also wearing H&M Faux Leather Pants ($35) here.Right as the store associate let me into the dressing room she told me that this top was her all-time favorite, so that may have set me up for success with this one. As soon as I put it on, I could tell why. The smocking is very forgiving, the silk photographs impeccably well, and the delicate silk tie straps are a pure delight.This top is a stunner. The sleeves are just puffy enough to give it a cool silhouette but not too voluminous to where they look costume-y (something that often deters me from a puff-sleeve piece), and the neckline is just beautiful. I also tried it on in velvet but found the underwire to be too clunky. The satin, on the other hand, is definitely the way to go.I guess I was gravitating toward all the silk pieces at Ref without even knowing it. I liked the abstract spot print on this one and the thicker tie straps.I'm not sure if you can tell here, but this wrap top is made from a ribbed knit material that makes it a glorified sweater, and I'm so down for that cozy yet sexy vibe—can you say cuffing season?
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