Nothing makes getting dressed easier than a great top. A great top can take all the guesswork out of putting together an outfit. All you need is jeans, trousers, or a skirt, and you're done. A pretty statement top does all the heavy lifting for you. That's why I recently went on a mission to find the best of the bunch to jazz up my summer wardrobe and make my life a little easier for the months ahead.
We've already established that there's nothing better than a pretty top. But a top that's also affordable? That's double the fun. From cool-girl ruffles that amp up every bottom imaginable to the $36 Zara top everyone in the Who What Wear office loves, I present the 29 best dramatic and affordable summer tops (aka unicorns) I've come across. Happy shopping!
While the front of this top serves '90s minimalism, the back is a different story.
An aquamarine dream.
Just when you thought crochet couldn't get any more spectacular.
Imagine this top with a long maxi skirt and simple black sandals. In my opinion, it would be the ideal vacation outfit.
Who said white tanks had to be boring?
This is an incredible sale find.
I know ruffled sleeves aren't everyone's cup of tea, but during the summer it's almost too good to say no.
If you haven't jumped aboard the lurex trend, this top makes it easy to pull off.
Chainmail will always have my heart.
Snag this before the Barbie film hits theaters.
Consider this a PSA that rosettes are not stopping this summer!
The Seinfeld blouse returns! But of course more chic than ever.
Style this with straight-leg jeans and heeled wedges for a winning look.
Yellow is a great color to start with if colorful ensembles are out of your comfort zone.
This entire outfit will be seared into my memory, it's that good.
Tunics are trending heavily this season.
Give me all the chiffon ruffles, please.
A cool thing about this top is that it can double as a cover-up.
Consider me in love.
Conner Ives is a name to know.
There's something very gloriously '00s about this.
'Tis the season for more crochet.
Corset details and statement sleeves? Where do I sign up?
Pretty in pink.
If I were a top, I'd be this one.
It's a want, not a need.
Ethereal.
Realisation Par just always gets it right.
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