The Ultimate Guide to Tops: Every Style Explained & What Suits Your Body Shape (UK & USA)

Tops are one of the most versatile and heavily worn pieces in your wardrobe—whether it’s a crisp white shirt, casual tee, romantic blouse or a structured statement piece. The right top can elevate your look, balance your proportions, and flatter your body shape effortlessly. But with so many cuts, fabrics, and neckline variations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

This ultimate guide explores every key top style, how to wear it based on your body shape, and the best UK and US brands—both high street and designer. Plus, discover how tellar.co.uk can help you find your exact size in every brand, with personalised fit advice based on your real measurements.

 Every Major Top Style Explained

1. T-Shirt

Classic short-sleeved cotton top with a crew or V-neckline.

• Best for: All shapes when the fit is right.

• Style Tip: Choose fitted tees to highlight curves or boxy styles to balance proportions.

• Body Shape Match: Pear and hourglass benefit from shoulder details to balance hips.

2. Blouse

Flowy, typically woven fabric with feminine detailing (like ruffles, pleats or lace).

• Best for: Rectangle, pear, and apple shapes—it adds softness and volume where needed.

• Style Tip: Tuck into high-waisted bottoms to define the waist.

3. Peplum Top

Cinched at the waist with a flared hem.

• Best for: Apple and rectangle body types—creates an illusion of a waist.

• Avoid if: You already have a fuller lower half and want less volume.

4. Wrap Top

A diagonally wrapped style often with a tie waist.

• Best for: Hourglass and fuller busts.

• Style Tip: Perfect for elongating the torso and highlighting your waist.

5. Button-Down Shirt

Structured top with buttons, typically cotton or poplin.

• Best for: Rectangle and hourglass shapes. Choose stretch fabrics for fuller busts.

• Style Tip: Size up for a relaxed fit; wear open over a tank for a casual look.

6. Crop Top

Shorter length, ending above or just at the waistline.

• Best for: Hourglass, rectangle and petite frames.

• Style Tip: Pair with high-waisted trousers or skirts to create proportion.

7. Tunic Top

Longer length, often flowy, sometimes with slits.

• Best for: Apple and pear shapes, especially over leggings.

• Avoid if: You’re petite and want to avoid looking shorter.

8. Halter & One-Shoulder Tops

Neckline draws attention to the shoulders and collarbones.

• Best for: Athletic or hourglass shapes.

• Style Tip: Pair with wide-leg trousers or skirts for evening looks.

9. Corset or Bustier Top

Fitted top that shapes and defines the bust and waist.

• Best for: Hourglass and pear shapes.

• Style Tip: Opt for boning or stretch panels for comfort and support.

🧍 Which Tops Suit Each Body Shape?

🔗 Read: The Ultimate Clothing Sizing Guide

🔗 Read: Finding Your Clothes Size: The Ultimate GuideInstruction on Posts

 Best High Street Brands for Stylish Tops (UK & USA)

🇬🇧 UK High Street:

• Reiss – Tailored tops, wrap blouses, and halter knits

  🔗 Reiss Size Guide

• Whistles – Feminine blouses, silk tops, and square neck pieces

  🔗 Whistles Sizing & Fit

• M&S Collection & Autograph – Great for structured button-downs and classic tees

• Next – Reliable casualwear, work tops, and plus-size pieces

  🔗 Next Sizing Guide

• Hush – Relaxed tees and printed tops ideal for layering

🇺🇸 USA High Street & Mid-Range:

• Anthropologie – Trend-led blouses and cropped co-ords

• J.Crew & Madewell – Button-downs, cotton basics, and linen blends

• Universal Standard – Plus-inclusive with clean, tailored tops in stretch fabrics

• Eloquii – Dramatic blouses and corset tops for sizes 14+

🧵 Best Designer Brands for Investment Tops

• Theory – Known for minimal, beautifully tailored work tops

• Stella McCartney – Modern sustainable silhouettes

• Diane von Furstenberg – Iconic wrap styles

• Ganni – Bold prints, puff sleeves, and square neck blouses

• ME+EM – Elevated workwear and clean-line evening tops

  🔗 ME+EM Fit Guide

🧠 Styling Tips by Occasion

🌞 Daytime Casual:

• Relaxed V-neck tee + mom jeans

• Ribbed tank top + oversized shirt + cycling shorts

• Tunic blouse + leggings + flat sandals

👩‍💻 Workwear:

• Peplum blouse + cigarette trousers

• High-neck silk top + blazer + midi skirt

• Button-down shirt + wide-leg trousers

🌙 Evening:

• Corset top + satin skirt

• One-shoulder blouse + culottes

• Sweetheart neckline top + tailored shorts

🔗 Explore: The Ultimate Guide to Women’s Tuxedo Suits

🔗 Explore: Smart Casual Blazers for Body TypesInstruction on Posts

🔍 Why Fit is Crucial for Tops

Ill-fitting tops—whether gaping at the bust, riding up, or drowning your frame—can throw off your whole outfit. Tops are especially sensitive to shoulder width, bust volume, and torso length.

That’s why getting your exact size—not just a ballpark guess—is critical. This is where tellar.co.uk becomes your ultimate fit companion.

✅ What is Tellar.co.uk?

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading free sizing tool that matches your body measurements (chest, waist, hips) to sizing in 1,500+ UK and global brands.

Whether you're shopping Reiss, J.Crew, Ganni, or Next—Tellar shows you your exact size based on you, not just a chart.

🔧 How It Works:

1. Go to Create Profile

2. Enter your bust, waist and hip measurements—or use a brand you already fit well

3. Use the Store Size Lookup to check your real-time size in any brand

4. Get tailored advice like “Runs small in bust” or “Choose size 10 for fitted waist”

All of this is 100% free, no apps or downloads required.

🔗 UK vs USA vs European Clothing Sizes: The Ultimate GuideInstruction on Posts

📚 Access the Free Tellar Fashion Hub

Tellar isn’t just a tool—it’s a full fashion resource hub, offering thousands of free style posts:

• Best tops by body shape

• Brand-specific fit advice

• Layering guides for UK weather

• Sizing breakdowns by garment type

• Independent reviews of fashion collections

Browse the Fashion Hub:

🔗 /Instruction on Posts

📲 Follow Tellar for Style & Fit Expertise

• Instagram: @Tellarsizing

• Twitter/X: @TellarSizing

• Facebook: Tellar Sizing

• Pinterest: TellarSizingInstruction on Posts

🏁 Final Word

Tops aren’t one-size-fits-all—what flatters one body shape may overwhelm or minimise another. Understanding your shape and choosing cuts that complement your figure is the key to building a versatile and flattering wardrobe.

With Tellar.co.uk, you’ll never second guess your size again. Whether shopping for UK high street staples or US designer pieces, you’ll get your perfect fit every time.

Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.

Start your journey at tellar.co.uk and explore fashion built to fit you.