16 Going Out Tops That Are Made For Over-40 Gals With Belly Pooches Who Wanna Look Very Hot
Time travel to 2001 with us.
Image: Instagram | @ashleygraham
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If you are a Gen X or Millenial lady, you remember the heyday of the going-out top. Twas an exciting era, when getting dressed just meant putting on one … excellent … shirt.
Nowadays, we’re expected to style and layer and find a shoe that doesn’t look dumb with our jeans and clash with our bag, and honestly, we’re exhausted just thinking about it.
And so, we decided it’s time for a comeback. We have tracked down no fewer than 16 perfect going-out tops for women like us, in their 40s and beyond, who bloat and have bellies and don’t have a fashion team to glue them together for 120 minutes every day.
Now, one disclaimer, the models for these tops are not women like us, in their 40s and beyond who bloat and have bellies and don’t have a fashion team to put them together for 120 minutes every day. They’re models. And we, the editors of The Candidly, didn’t stage their photos. But we can assure you that even though many of these tops are being worn by very slim, 20-something women, we swear they are extraordinary on all kinds of curves.
Ok, let’s get to the tops!
If Your Style Is Classic:
Good American Off-Shoulder Tailored Wrap Top
We could go on and on about why stripes magically make everyone look sophisticated and put together. In fact, we did do exactly that HERE. But this top is also special because of its cut, which couldn’t be cuter on thicker waists and arms.
Sizes in plus
Price: $138
2. Quince Washable Stretch Silk Blouse
Quince makes a washable, real silk blouse in every color you could want. And it truly is the classic, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy sort of piece that makes everything we wear suddenly elegant and elevated.
It’s also available in plus HERE*.
Price: $70
J.Crew Ruched top in matte jersey
Ruching around the waist is the singular thing that makes us feel good in tops that are more fitted. This one nips the waist, covers any lumps and bumps, and looks intentional and designed instead of frumpy like so many baggy things we wear. We especially love this fit with skirts.
Sizes to 3X
Price: $44.50
J.Crew Cinched-waist shirt in cotton poplin
Wear this with jeans and black pumps, hair down, necklace peeking out, and 90% chance you’ll be the most timeless, effortlessly chic, person in the room.
Sizes to 24
Price: $128
If Your Style Is Romantic:
We’re wild about a top we don’t have to tuck that still leaves us looking perfectly proportioned and styled. This is the kind of blouse you throw on with your stretchiest jeans on your most bloated of days and oops, you’re Daisy Jones chic. (If you know, you know. If you don’t, go watch that show immediately.)
Sizes in petite and plus
Price: $88
Marcella Cabrini Top
Yes, yes, we realize this one is fitted around the waist, but the dramatic neckline draws the eye upward, and you can wear a full skirt or a loose, high-waist pants and get a stunning, hourglass silhouette.
Sizes to XXXL
Price: $71
Dôen Hardy Top
Dôen makes deeply romantic tops that are essentially pieces of art. This one with its dipping neckline is gorgeous for us apple-shaped ladies, elongating the waist, while giving great coverage on the arms and lower belly.
Sizes to XXL
Price: $298
Nation Aidan Smocked Top
Smocking is like shapewear to those of us with thicker-waists. We know the model is itty bitty, but trust us when we say this sculpts all our curves, and the sleeves keep everything fancy and fun. We pair it with THIS belt, THESE statement boots, and jeans, and it’s a foolproof going-out uniform.
Sizes to XXL
Use the code CANDIDLY15 to get 15% off.
Price: $165
If Your Style Is Modern:
Modern Citizen Allegra Gathered-Neck Sleeveless Blouse
It will get hot out, and when it does, be ready with a sleeveless top you can A) happily wear out to dinner and B) feel great about in terms of fit. This sort of brilliant, drapey blouse comes in several colors we really love, including a dusty pink*, and looks gorgeous both tucked and untucked.
Sizes to 1X
Price: $128
Aritzia Posh Tube Top - Crepette™
Once again, this is not a curvy model, and we’re sorry about that. We don’t choose the models, but we do try to model things ourselves when we can. And we can tell you from personal experience that this top both holds you in and flares out right at the point our belly tends to pop out the most, so it always looks very polished and skimming. Plus, contrary to myth, sleeveless tops can actually be very flattering on wider shoulders and thicker arms. This one comes in other colors, but black and white are staples that we turn to constantly because of how well they match with all our clothes. And as promised, here is one of us wearing ours:
Sizes to 16
Price: $98
Pomander Place
Black Finley Flutter Sleeve Top
This clever, clever cut gives us all the space in the world, while still looking tailored.
Sizes to XXXL
Price: $98
Sézane Abélia Blouse
You could also just ignore everything else we say in this article, get this blouse, maaaaaaybe in two colors, and be done with it.
Sizes to 16
Price: $118
If Your Style Is Original Above All Else:
Modern Citizen Angeli Off-Shoulder Back-Drape Blouse
We get as weak over the chicness as we do about the coverage. Divine!
Sizes to 1X
Price: $135
Rachel Antonoff Fleming Shirt Polka Dots
Fine, it’s a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll, but also somehow a little bit … Parisian? The sleeves and details make this top look wildly expensive and unlike anything else, but the shape is actually incredible on curves. It’s designed to be worn either tucked or untucked, and the sheerness means you can wear it over a black cami or a lacy bra to determine your own personal comfort/ allure level.
Sizes to XXL
Price: $200
Mango Scarf neck top
As women with belly bumps, we neeeeeed more stuff like this designed for us. Looks designer but is actually very affordable!
Sizes to XL
Price: $90
Marcella Letty Tunic
With a flared jean and a comfy boot or heel, people will think you work in fashion. Every angle of this top is astounding. Please just go GLANCE* at the back (major bonus that it covers our butt). We’re currently torn between the black and white. Help!
Sizes to XXXL
Price: $79
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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