The Fashion Journal team shares their favourite going-out tops
IMAGE VIA @YEMAGZ/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
Dancefloor approved.
There’s a reason the classic ‘jeans and a nice top’ combo has stood the test of time. High-quality denim is timeless, and the right going-out top can really elevate your wardrobe. For some (like Fashion Journal’s Editor Cait), it might be a colourful long-sleeve mesh top paired with a comfy bralette. Or an old band T-shirt, perfectly worn-in and slightly sheer. It’s the top you want to dance, drink and mingle in, the one that makes you feel confident and hot.
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For me, it’s an off-the-shoulder top from Melbourne brand Oats. The dusty blue colour is easy to pair with everything and the silhouette flatters without being too exposing (I’m not a midriff queen, as much as I wish I was). On the hunt for my next nighttime staple, I asked the Fashion Journal teams to share their favourite going-out tops.
Deana Stepanian, Fashion Journal intern
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I’ve had this beautiful Diaspora top for a few years now. I bought it at a Terminal Six pop-up store in Sydney. I’m usually an all-black girlie, who occasionally mixes it up with some earthy tones, so this is weirdly the opposite of my usual style. But that’s why I love it. It’s fun and has so many different elements and textures.
The red plaid is just so cute in combination with the green. When I was younger, I religiously wore pink and was way more into vibrant tones. So, I think this top feels nostalgic for me, but also wearing it allows me to connect with a more playful side on a night out. In this picture, I matched it with a simple black blazer, and I find it’s really easy to incorporate my usual dress style with items that are a little bit more out there, like this top. It’s also kind of messy and strange, so it instantly turns any fit into something a little more interesting.
Ella Taverner, Fashion Journal’s Partnerships and Campaign Manager
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I purchased this one-shoulder Suku Home number in early 2022 as an easy throw-on for a beach trip I was about to head on. Orange is my favourite colour and I love anything asymmetrical, so it was an easy buy for me. I’ve been so surprised by how much wear I’ve squeezed out of this little piece of cotton. It looks great layered over T-shirts and denim and is a perfect match layered over an orange long-sleeve crew neck I nabbed from Facebook Marketplace, particularly when I’m wanting to inject more colour into my winter wardrobe.
Ruby Staley, Fashion Journal contributor
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My forever go-to pieces when getting ready for an event of any kind are usually from one of my favourite Melbourne brands, Sleeping with Jacques (SWJ). This off-the-shoulder Brontë midi top from SWJ has come out on the town with me many a time. It’s the perfect balance between structured and soft, and is made from the most luxurious silk velvet – I always feel like a 10/10 when I’m wearing it. Here I’m styling it as a dress with the matching velvet skirt, but I also love wearing it with jeans or pants to casual-ify it a little. The ribbons can also be tied in a multitude of ways, further adding to the sheer versatility of the piece. J’adore!
Genevieve Phelan, Fashion Journal’s Lifestyle and Careers Columnist
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This Incu mesh long-sleeve has had many a workout since I purchased it probably over a year ago. The ROI is ridiculous and I’m practically making money. The ultimate trans-seasonal going-out piece, you can chuck a blazer on top in winter and strip down for dancing (when required), or get away with it and not work up too much of a sweat in spring/even a bit of summer. Truly, I’m a sucker for a bit of mesh. Chuck a lacy bralette from Dora Larsen underneath, some pants and you’re ready.
Maggie Zhou, Fashion Journal’s Branded Content and Features Editor
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A dependable going-out top has to tick two things: it has to make you feel good and it has to be comfortable. There’s no point wearing a super hot top if you spend the night worrying about its clasps, itchiness or whether one whole breast will pop out at any moment.
It’s why I really gravitate to my Liv-ie top. It’s a zero-waste, made-to-order garment that’s reversible and made from wool and cotton. I love wearing it with its black, one-shoulder side as the hero. I find it super flattering, easy to wear braless and it also pairs nicely with my existing wardrobe.
Georgi Woolcock, Fashion Journal’s Partnerships and Campaign Coordinator
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About 95 per cent of the time you can find me in a monochromatic black outfit, and on a night out it’s usually no different. Every now and then – when I decide to step slightly out of my comfort zone for a colour a little more risqué – I tend to opt for a fun pattern in a comfortable silhouette. Miaou always does long-sleeved tees justice, and I’ve been obsessed with this one from a few collections back. It’s fun but neutral enough to pair with the rest of my wardrobe.
For more of the best going-out tops, head here.
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