I have always felt too self-conscious to wear a tube top regularly. Having a small bust it always feels as if my tube top is about to slide down leaving me with a wardrobe malfunction.
A tube top is a tube of fabric that is worn as a top. It has neither sleeves nor shoulder straps to keep it up. Most tube tops have an elasticated top edge to hold them in place across the chest and back, under the arms. Some tube tops are form-fitting so that they stay up by clinging to your body.
Let’s look at when you should wear your tube top and how to style it well.
What Are The Significant Features of A Tube Top?
Tube tops differ from any other women’s garment mainly because of the lack of straps or sleeves and the characteristic elastic bands at the top and/or bottom preventing the clothing from falling. Because of the lack of straps, they are generally tight around the chest area with varying lengths ranging from belly-baring or full length.
There is an array of materials that can be used for tube tops production. Jersey-type fabrics are considered ideal due to their stretchy nature. However, other materials can also be used such as spandex blend, knit, or even silky fabrics as long as elastics are attached by shirring or smocking.
What Are The Origins Of The Tube Top?
Before the rise of the early tube top precursor as a popular 1950s beachwear, bandeaus (a variation of the tube top) were already worn way back in ancient Greece. In a story worthy of legends, it has been said that the tube top was birthed by mistake. Accordingly, in 1971, a factory-made a manufacturing error which resulted in heaps of fabric bands, all missing sleeves.
A garment trader named Murray Kleid sold them for $2 each. The whole stock was then bought and resold by designer Elie Tahari for $4 each. Along with image instructions on how to wear them, the designer set up shop in a trade show.
By the end of the day, thousands of orders were logged, and by 1973, he had orders coming in from around the world. The style evolved until the 1990s and well into the 2020s with the reemergence of smocked tube top coordinates. Just browse through any reputable online clothing store and you won’t get past page five of women’s tops without seeing one.
What Figure or Body Shape Is Best Suited To A Tube Top?
In this day and age, there is no definite body type that is considered to be ideal for any kind of clothing. Sure, hourglass body shapes with a low waist to hip ratio is seen as the most attractive, but this does not necessarily mean that only women with this kind of figure have the right to don these cute tops.
All body types can and will look good in crop tops, the key is to figure out which crop top type is best for yours.
Etiquette: When Can You Wear Or Not Wear Your Tube Top?
Recently, women have found creative and bold takes on the style of the tube top. With these new developments, the tube top will not look out of place in a wide range of settings, from parties to runways, summer luaus to the streets of major cities.
However, there are still places and situations where these tops are considered inappropriate such as religious places, locations where culture dictates so, and of course when it’s below freezing outside.
What Shoes or Bag Works Best With A Tube Top?
This clothing piece is stylish, effortless, and most of all, versatile. Strappy black heels and flared pants topped with a sling bag make a white tube top casually dressy because of the fit and flared silhouette. The ensemble is a perfect OOTD for that quick Instagram snap.
Chunky white sneakers paired with a lady camera bag lend a sporty vibe to the tube top and jogger combination. A bracelet bag worn around the wrist compliments a long tube top, especially when pointy-toed sky-high heels are present. Favor a quilted sling crossbody handbag paired with vibrant pumps or sparkly wedges if you’re going for that elegant and formal look.
If you are looking to shop for a tube top, start with Amazon where they have this one for example.
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