STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kitty · Hermes

Tube tops

littlebean · Kate Spade

They're so hit and miss. On me: no way. But some girls with the right figures can really pull them off in a cute way that doesn't look trashy.

NCshopper · Hermes

I think they tend to look better on girls with smaller chests. But in general, I kinda feel like they're "over" right now--or it could be that I'm feeling too old to wear them.

atlgirl · Gucci

I personally can't wear them - I'm a 36C and the girls need more support than a tube top offers. And I refuse to wear strapless bras anymore! :)

For others, I agree with NC - I think nothing larger than a B cup looks good in them. I don't think they're over, but usually I like them better under things (like a sheer blouse, or a cute blazer / shrug covering. I think they're kind of meh by themselves.

HeatherLynn · Gucci

I agree that you need to be fairly small to wear them.

Things like this:

are a no all around to me. They tend to look dated.

Something like this:

that is flowy is better imo.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Another issue with TT is how much do you want to stand out? Unless you are at a club on SouthBeach on a Saturday night in July, then people are really going to notice you.

Occasionally, a student will wear one to class. Everybody looks at her (in good ways and bad), even if she looks good. I notice TT's on girls a lot, but I think I'm just put-off by the bareness in an inappropriate setting.

Obviously, choosing appropriate venues and times to wear a TT should be part of one's decision as to whether they want to wear one or not.

Kelly · Hermes

I have a couple, and first of all they do not look good on me. I agree about it being something only smaller chests can pull off - even with a good, supportive strapless bra, I look all kinds of a mess (which I finally admitted only after I took the tags off of two I recently bought) and honestly even when I tried to put one on a couple times to go to a bar, I just felt too bare and put a cardi on top (so then I looked like a librarian instead). I don't know if it's just me being self-conscious, but it seems like an awful lot of skin even for a bar.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

If you have a nice body, they look great for clubbing but otherwise NO. And I agree they're sort of 80s and done.. there are so many options for cute tops, lets forego the tube top.

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

I'm surprised about the negative comments about tube tops. I personally like them, to me they're just like any other basic: tank top, halter top, etc. I like that they're very easy to layer and you don't have to wear them alone. You can wear them with a collar shirt under it, or a printed cardi or jacket over it or under a low cut top or alone with a chunky, layered necklace and on and on....The possibilities are endless. I have a 34C chest and never had problems with coverage, or he top pulling down, but I always buy the ones that have a built in shelf bra in it.

Kitty · Hermes

I personally hate all of them and think they look like crap on most people...but I had a friend last night trying to convince me otherwise. Hence the thread :)

Suasoria · Chanel

I bought one last summer, just for the sake of trying one. I...I...I don't really like it, I confess, but, I have worn it under a jacket and a deep V top because of the cut.

Most TTs are cut straight across, whereas often camis/tanks are lower-cut, so the TT ends up being a more "modest" option as an underlayer.

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

I have nothing constructive to say. I just wanted to note that I think it is hilarious that they call them "boob tubes" in England. Hee-hee.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

the right top on the right person with the right figure and in the right setting might be ok. But yeah, in general no.

as an underlayer is fine, but I don't really get the point since a cami would look the same and probably be more comfortable.

Teresa · Kate Spade

i think they are very unflattering. i gave mine to my 14 year old sister who has no chest.

erin · Chanel

they are pretty gross to me, but i have some for under low-cut dresses.