If you came of age in the “jeans and a nice top” years - the mid-2010s era of Topshop skinnies, a Zara cami and an optimistic cloud of Impulse or Abercrombie’s Fierce - then you lived through one of the defining uniforms of modern nightlife.
It was simple, effective, endlessly copied. Cute above the waist, practical below, resilient enough for a VK spill and often bizarrely business casual. Somewhere between the smoking area and the Uber home, it became a national dress code.
A decade later, the going out top has returned, but she’s changed. The new generation has inherited the chaos of the indie sleaze years and given it a sharper edge. The party girls of 2025 are not panic-buying polyester from fast fashion giants. They are searching for archival Mugler, vintage Gaultier, or a perfectly draped halter found on eBay at 2am.
There’s also a growing divide between pub and club dressing – two tribes separated by lighting and intention. The pub crowd leans towards soft fabrics, good denim, maybe a hint of lace peeking from a cardigan in vintage Alexa Chung style. It’s about appearing unbothered and casual, even if you’ve changed tops three times.
The club contingent, on the other hand, is built for visibility. Shiny, sculptural, loud and sexy. Metallic mesh, cut-outs, corsetry, anything that catches the light – or a camera flash. Both, in their own way, are masterclasses in contemporary glamour.
TikTok’s obsession with flash photography, eyeliner smudges and grainy club toilets has brought the mythology of the early 2000s back to life. But the aesthetic is no longer accidental. The modern going out top is studied, curated, deliberate. It’s been through a full cycle of irony and revival to emerge as something closer to high fashion.
We still love the ritual of getting ready: the thrill of a mirror selfie, the feeling of stepping into the night. But sartorial enthusiasts are more intentional than ever. What’s in this season, I hear you ask? Noughties-style halter necks, one-shoulder tops, studs, polka dots, hardware and sultry subtlety.
Keep scrolling for a curated edit of going-out tops that’ll put indie sleaze icons (past and present) to shame.
Shop now
Best leather dresses for autumn/winter 2025: Versatile style guide
18 of the best luxe-looking party dresses under £150
Let it reign: The best wet weather outfit ideas for women from coats to boots and bags
Best Black Friday deals on designer fashion: Levi's, Victoria Beckham, Mulberry and more
Early Black Friday deals live now at Harvey Nichols: Stella McCartney, Zimmermann, GANNI and more
Best online clothing sales to shop right now: October deals you don’t want to miss
Maeve Scarf-Neck Printed V-Neck Cami Top
A nostalgic nod to the “jeans and a nice top” golden age — only with a 2025 twist. The scarf-neck detailing adds movement and intrigue, while the polka dot print gives it some trendy edge. Perfect for layering under a leather jacket en route to the pub or letting it shine solo on the dancefloor.
Buy now £68.00, Anthropologie
VAQUERA Bra Short-Sleeves Cotton-Jersey T-Shirt
Something Charli XCX would definitely own. Go full effortless party girl chic by pairing this oversized tee with a tiny mini skirt, sheer tights and stompy boots.
Buy now £95.00, Selfridges
Reformation Juniper Knit Top
Soft, sculpted, and confident. The Juniper knit hugs in all the right places, giving off the exact energy of someone who knows they’ll look good under flash photography. Plus, leopard print never goes out of style.
Buy now £98.00, Reformation
Nobody’s Child Black Flower Embroidered Cardigan
A chic cardigan with nothing but a lacy bralette underneath is the epitome of an it-girl pub uniform. Wear with boyfriend jeans and a kitten heel.
Buy now £69.00, Nobody’s Child
Jaded London No.13 Polka Dot Football Top
Jaded’s reworked football shirt swaps shin pads for stilettos — cheeky, cropped, and made for taking you from the pub to the dancefloor.
Buy now £40.00, Jaded London
M&S Collection Cotton Rich Embellished Slash Neck Vest
Proof that the high street still gets it right. A little shimmer, a flattering neckline, and an easy fit that works from pub garden to afterparty. Pair with leather trousers for a touch of 90s minimalism.
Buy now £16.00, M&S
A&F Bra-Free Mesh Hardware Tube Top
Abercrombie’s bra-free tops are taking the going-out world by storm. This oh-so 90s option features a mesh overlay, removable pads and hardware detailing.
Buy now £35.00, A&F
Free People Dottie Printed Long Sleeve Knit Top
Playful but practical. This retro-printed knit from Free People proves a long sleeve can still turn heads. Throw it on with baggy jeans and silver hoops for low-effort allure.
Buy now £88.00, Free People
Farm Rio Black Long Sleeve Blouse
Bold, romantic and made for the spotlight. Farm Rio’s black blouse is all sweeping sleeves and intricate ruching, with just enough structure to feel elegant rather than bohemian.
Buy now £198.00, Farm Rio
BDG Polly Halterneck Corduroy Top
The Polly halterneck takes a laid-back fabric and turns it into something distinctly going-out ready.
Buy now £39.00, Urban Outfitters
Rixo Karia Satin Top
Simple, sophisticated and sexy, this little black satin number from Rixo practically defines quiet luxury – with its sleek lines and perfectly tailored finish. The lace details and rosette at the neckline add a sprinkling of femininity. Pair with smudged eyeliner and old jeans.
Buy now £145.00, Rixo
Kitri Cate Black Star Lurex Knit Top
Shimmery, sharp and slightly Studio 54, this starry lurex knit is made for nights when you actually RSVP. Dress it down with low-rise jeans or lean into the sparkle with satin trousers and a bold lip.
Buy now £125.00, Kitri
