My Quest for the Going Out Top

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Oct 2, 2008 in Fashion

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So, when I started going to parties in college (okay, so I was a late bloomer), I thought my plain tank tops could serve double duty as daytime summer shirts and nighttime party tops...and they can, but I naively thought that tank tops were really my only option.

And then I went to my first party, and there I was, surrounded by girls in satin, sparkles, lace, corsets, and halters. Needless to say, I felt pretty plain. I had yet to discover the "going out top." The next day, I hit the mall and came back to my dorm room with no less than 10 new going out tops.

Throughout college, and even today, there are four stores I go to when in need of a new going out top:

Forever 21

PARTY: You get a lot of bang for your buck here, and for high school and college girls living on a really tight budget, Forever 21 is a great option. Their stores are packed with a huge variety of party shirts to fit anyone's style--from glam to goth.

FOUL: Unfortunately, some of the shirts are so cheaply made that they don't make it after one or two washes (straps break, beads fall, etc.).

Victoria's Secret Catalog

PARTY: Although you wouldn't think Victoria's Secret is affordable, you should check out their catalog of clothes. They are constantly marking off their going out shirts. VS's shirts have some of the most unique cuts and styles of any going out shirts I've seen and owned. You're definitely sure to stand out in a crowd in one of these.

FOUL: VS likes to fill your mailbox with catalog after catalog (sometimes 4 in one week!), which gets annoying. Also, a lot of items tend to be on backorder, so if you're looking to get a top in time for a specific party, I wouldn't count on VS.

Express

PARTY: Express just knows how to make a shirt that fits right. My friends of all shapes and sizes go here because they know they'll find gorgeous shirts that fit (unlike Bebe).

FOUL: Sadly, prices are starting to creep up into the Bebe range (close to $100/shirt).

Guess

PARTY: Sometimes you just want to look hot, and guaranteed Guess will do that for you. From their leopard-print bustier tops to their backless cherry-red shirts, everything is exceptionally well-made.

FOUL: The clothes are pretty unforgiving. If you're feeling even slightly bloated, chances are, you won't want to squeeze (and I mean SQUEEZE) into one of these numbers.

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Comments (9)

Wow, awesome tops! And an awesome blog post and store reviews to go with them. Thanks! Oh, you're pretty dead on, too. Report Spam Posted by lamerchick at 8:58 AM on 10/02/08
Looove the blue top. :( I'm sad to hear about express. I used to adore that store. Right on! Report Spam Posted by sarahsed at 9:46 AM on 10/02/08
very cute!! Report Spam Posted by marliw at 10:08 AM on 10/02/08
I like the cut of the tops! Report Spam Posted by zillachick80 at 2:45 PM on 10/14/08
Great critique! I agree...love that ivory top... Report Spam Posted by kurlyy1 at 7:10 PM on 10/15/08
good Report Spam Posted by aaaccc at 7:52 AM on 10/17/08
It looks sexy but you will need to have a nice figure to fit in it. Report Spam Posted by mike9092008 at 3:04 PM on 10/24/08
I love the black top the most!!! Report Spam Posted by chanelpink at 10:13 PM on 10/31/08
Love the tops... specially the blue one! Oooh, and thanks for the info ;) Report Spam Posted by gabyee at 9:44 PM on 01/03/09