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1. Asymmetrical top
This top has an asymmetrical ( not straight) hemline.
Related post : Learn more about asymmetrical hemline here.
2. Bardot top – Off shoulder top
An off-shoulder top has a lower neckline that leaves the top of the shoulder uncovered. It is also called a Bardot top after the Hollywood beauty Brigitte Bardot.
Related post : Learn to sew an offshoulder top; 10 different styles in the Bardot/ offshoulder neckline.
3. Batwing top (Magyar/ Dolman)
A Batwing top has a long sleeve with a deep armhole, tapering towards the wrist. You can also call this top a Magyar top sleeve. It is usually made with a drapey fabric.Dolman is similar style.
Related post : Learn to sew a batwing top
4. Bralette top
Bralette top is a cropped fitting top that looks like a bra with thin straps and bust cups without the hook and eye closures.
Related post : Learn to sew a bralette top
5. Boxy top
This is the opposite of a fitted top – as the name suggests this top has a boxy silhouette and is usually made in thicker fabrics.
Related post : Sew a boxy top
6. Blouson top
A blouson top has a loose shape with a cinched hem or waistline. Elastic or drawstring is used to draw in the extra fullness.
7. Body suit top
This is one-piece form-fitting clothing made of a stretchy fabric, that covers the torso and the crotch and can be worn as a top above skirts and pants.
8. Bustier top
This is a tight fitting figure-hugging top with brassiere cups that give support and shape to the busts. The Bustier top is similar to a corset with the difference in the cups and the fact that bustiers may have straps.
Related post : Sew a bustier top
9. Camisole top
A close-fitting sleeveless top ( usually worn as an undergarment ) with noodle straps.
Related post : Pattern to sew a camisole top
10. Cape top
A top with a short cape attached at the neckline.
Related post : Sew a cape neckline top
11. Cardigans & SweatersÂ
Sweaters are everybody’s favourite clothing for winter. There are many types of sweater tops and all of them are made of knit fabric. A cardigan top refers to a cardigan ( a knitted sweater jacket with a front button opening) worn as a top.
12. Crop top
Wikipedia lists many other names like belly shirt, half shirt, midriff shirt, midriff top, tummy top, short shirt, and cutoff shirt for this short top that barely covers the stomach.
Related post : Learn to sew crop top
13. Choker top
This top has a V neck and a band that looks like a choker just under the neck. It looks like a cut out has been made under the neck band in a Vshape.
14. Corset top
This is a top that looks like a corset – the strapless sleeveless tight-fitting garment in fabric with steel boning to shape your waist. A hook and eye closure or a lace-up closure is used to fasten the corset top
Related post : Learn to sew a corset style top
15. Collar top
Tops with collars. A peter pan collar or polo collar are usually preferred for simple tops
16. Cold-shouldered top
This is a top with a cut out on the top of the sleeves so that skin is bare between strap of the bodice and the sleeve. It is also called open or split shoulder top.
Related post : Sewing tutorial for coldshoulder top
17. Draped blouse
A top with a draped (cowl type) folds along the bodice usually at the neckline or along the hem
18. Empire line top
This type of top has a fitted bodice and a gathered/flared skirt attached to it just under the bust giving the top a high-waisted look.
19. Flashdance top
A top made popular by the 1983 film ‘Flashdance. An off-the-shoulder neckline inclined to one side, unfinished neckline edge, long sleeves, loose shape, and grey colour are the features of this knit top.
20. Halter topÂ
A sleeveless Top with a halter neckline with a narrow band or ties across the neckline keeping the bodice together
21. Henley neck top
This collarless pullover style top has a button placket with 2 to 5 buttons. It can have short or long sleeves and are usually made of cotton fabrics.
22. High Low top
This is top with back bodice cut a lot lower than the front bodice resulting in an asymmetrical look
23. Kaftan top
A kaftan is a loose tunic top with sleeves cut as one with the bodice and flapping sides
24. Keyhole top
This type of top has a small cutout or keyhole shaped opening on the U shaped neckline.
Related post : Different types of Keyhole neckline.
25. Lace up top
A top that has a lace up opening on the front of the bodice or the back or the side seams.
26. Layered top
A top made in a flowy fabric like chiffon with more than one layer of fabric
27. Maxi Top
Tops that reach till the ankles. These tops have long slits starting from the knee or up
28. One shoulder top
This top has an asymmetric neckline starting over one shoulder and extending diagonally to under the other arm, leaving one shoulder totally uncovered.
29. Peasant top
This is a casual loose not too long, usually embroidered top with a wide neck, short and puffed or long and full sleeves, and elastic or smocking at the waist, cuffs, and neckline.
30. Poncho
A poncho is a cloak like top with just a slit at the top for inserting the head – no sleeves or defined bodice. It is worn just slipped over the head.
Learn different ways to make ponchos here.
31. Peplum Top
Peplum top has a tight bodice with a flared skirt attached to it from the waistline. The skirt is usually short, gathered or flared cut in a circular fashion
32. Princess line top
This is a fitted top made by joining long vertical panels – A front bodice of the princess top usually consists of 3 panels. The vertical seams act as darts and give shape to the garment
33. Raglan sleeve top
This type of top has sleeves which extend completely to the collar in one piece
34. Spaghetti strap top
Sleeveless top with spaghetti straps joining the front and back bodices
35. Sweatshirt
A sweatshirt is a loose, long-sleeved, collarless pullover with close-fitting or elastic cuffs (ribbed) at the neckline, sleeve hem and bodice hem.
36. Swing top
A top with a widely flared hem.
37. Shirt
This refers to a blouse that is similar to a man’s tailored shirt with all its features like a high stand collar, yoke, left chest patch pocket, and
button band front opening. Know about the different types of shirts (20 types) here
38. Smock top
This refers to a loose top which has a gathered skirt attached to it that adds to the fullness
39. Shell top
This is a sleeveless top with a simple, basic, slightly loose shape and a crew neckline. It may or maynot have button fastenings at the back.
Related post : How to sew a shell top
40. Tie front tops
This top has sashes or ties at the hem to tie. It could be cropped or waist/hip length
Related post : Sewing tutorial for a top with front ties
41. Tank top
A tank top is a waist length sleeveless pullover top with a scoop neckline. Sometimes they may have a racerback.
Related post : Sew a tank top
42. Tube top
A strapless tight fitting top; It is usually made of a stretchy fabric. Also called a boob top or a bandeau top.
Related post : Sew a tube top
43. Tunic top
Casual fitting hip length tops usually with side seam slits.
Learn to make a similar kurta tunic top here. : Sewing tutorial for a tunic top
44. T-shirt
Tshirt as a top needs no introduction.
Know more about t-shirts and different names for t-shirts hereÂ
45. Wrap top / Surplice top
A top with one side of the bodice wrapped across the other .
Related post : Sewing tutorial for a wrap top
46. X-ray top
This is a see through top – made of thin transparent fabrics and is usually be worn over a slip or camisole top.
47. Yoke top
This top has a shaped pattern piece called yoke along the neck and shoulders. This is usually in a contrasting colour or in a different pattern/print than the other parts of the top. You can learn more about the different types of Yokes in sewing here.
48. Step hem top
This is a top with a short front hem and a slightly longer hem length at the back; the hem resembles steps, hence the name.
49. Tiered bottom top
A top with tiered or layered frills at the hem.
50. Y2k top
This is a tight fitting camisole type crop top, popular during the 2000s
Related post : Different styles of trousers ;Â Name the skirts you have.
I have a question? I was looking for a shirt two tiered that has the rounded bottom. What is that called? Actually, any of the shirts with the rounded bottoms. I think they’re really flattering. Thank you so much for doing this.
Peplum
What are those t-shirts called that (usually but not always) have a v-neck and have the stripes on the sleeves? The sleeves are usually mid elbow to elbow length, there tends to be 2 rings/ stripes on the sleeve of a different color, the shirts tend to be only slightly more fitted than just a regular boxey t-shirt and are cut at waist length but can be high low cut depending on manufacturer, and they tend to look kind of sporty but are not actual sports shirts. Do you know what I mean? What are those called? I LOVE those shirts so much but am never able to search for them by name. Please help! I hoped this list would have it listed but alas, no. Sad face*
Are you talking about Baseball jersey shirts? They have a v neck and stripes along the hem of sleeves
I am so very grateful for finding this site. I just started sewing. I have ideas….. I mean, I have ideas! Lol. I have several projects started but ran into a few snags, literally! Haha. I have read so much useful information. Thank you very much for every bit of information that is available.
Great site! Gosh people are a bit much, maybe they can upload their pictures they’re wanting you to change. Lol dam kids ,lol I’m very pleased and informed with your site and you’ve done very well! I haven’t sewn in decades and I was able to get back in it
Very happy to know that Marisa. Best wishes
we are happy
we have received lot of designs and lot of details usefull in our products.
thanks.
Still looking for name of top that appears to be strapless over a different fabric. See in dresses and tops, mostly long sleeves but the strapless bodice is alway a different fabric and color from shoulder & sleeves….but the whole top in just one piece.
Does It have a specific name?
Hi Barb,
Are you talking about illusion tops – where a sheer layer is above the bodice?
This site is pretty useful for fashion studies…..
Let me see
Awesome List. This will help me with my Internet searches.
Nice to know that Susan
thank you. This has been helpful.
ok tube tops r cute
please replace the images with a more clear and understandable replacement. also, I have a blouse that has cutouts all over it and was wondering what the design was called
: ) I make do with the images I have. About your question, I do not have an idea. Is it cutwork embroidery? or felt/leather patches appliqued?
Super compact info..
Which top is that in which we wear inner but it is not complete net..but in a way ya it is…
See through top
Add some clear images as example..