My capsule wardrobe is as minimalist as can be. Most of the time, I go with some version of a tank top or T-shirt and trendy denim, but don't mistake my summer outfits as basic. After several years working in fashion, I've learned a few tricks to zhuzh up my simple looks. My best-kept hack? Opting for basic tops with elevated necklines.
Allow me to explain—there's a time and place for your average crewneck tee, but I've found that a top with an unexpected neckline can take your outfit from simple to rich-looking. Whether it's a boatneck Breton striped shirt for the office or an off-the-shoulder corset for a night out, a slightly out-of-the-box neckline can make a world of difference. What's more, it's a low-cost way to create easy, stylish summer outfits, thanks to the under-$100 selection at H&M and Zara.
Whenever I feel the itch for something new, stylish, and (most importantly) budget-friendly, H&M and Zara are two of the first retailers I shop. They're also the first sites I checked when I was searching for fresh new tops—and my search proved plenty fruitful. Ahead, I'm sharing the elevated neckline tops that caught my eye at H&M and Zara so you, too, can create polished summer looks with ease.
A one-shoulder top like this is an easy way to elevate your going-out outfits.
With its sweetheart neckline and ruching, this find is nothing short of sweet.
A tube top appears in many of the most iconic Sex and the City outfits on my fashion legend, Carrie Bradshaw, so naturally, this top is in my cart.
Show a peek of skin without going overboard with this top in your rotation.
Use this striped find to take on the fisherman aesthetic with ease.
Try a strapless top in the cherry red color trend to shade to steal attention.
I would live out my ballerina fantasies with this top in my summer outfit rotation.
Olive green is a favorite shade among the fashion crowd right now.
I’d wear this drapey top with baggy jeans and strappy heels for an easy going-out look.
This butter yellow top will add a punch to your summer office outfits.
I have multiple white T-shirts in my closet, but none are as elevated as this one.
I love a classic white tube top, but I may have to grab it in baby pink and green, too.
The next time you’re tempted to wear a simple black tank, reach for this halterneck instead and see what a difference it makes.
This squareneck tee may seem basic, but it's a surefire way to add polish to your look.
"Obsessed" is an understatement when it comes to this buttery yellow find.
You can wear this tank in multiple ways by switching up how you wear the twisted straps.
Bright blue is a spring color trend I see carrying over well into summer.
A cool bodysuit like this was amp up the simplest of outfits, even flip-flops and jeans.
Zara styled this T-shirt with linen pants and it's a look I plan on recreating immediately.
