Tops

Women's tops

Tops are where a working wardrobe gets its variety. One pair of pants can look different every day of the week depending on what goes on top, which is why this is the largest part of the Forcast range. It covers shirts and blouses, knit tops, t-shirts, camis, shell tops and vests, in sizes 4 to 18, for women who need to look put together at a desk and still feel like themselves at dinner.

Shirt, blouse or top

A shirt has a collar, a button front and cuffs, and it is cut to sit close to the body; the Samara 2 Cotton Striped Shirt is the classic version. A blouse is softer: looser through the body, often without buttons, and finished with a pleat, a cowl or a draped neckline, like the Zafina Pleated Draped Top and the Freya Satin Cowl Top. Everything else, from a satin cami to a cotton tee, is simply a top, and it does the quiet work of filling out the week.

What to wear them with

For the office, tuck a collared shirt into tailored work pants or a pencil skirt and add a blazer. A satin blouse under the same blazer takes the outfit from a meeting to dinner without a change. A relaxed cotton knit top with straight leg pants is the easy Friday answer, and on weekends the same cami or tee works with jeans and flats.

Fabric and fit

You will find satin for sheen, cotton and linen for warm days, crepe and poplin for a crisp finish, and cotton knits for comfort. Fits run from relaxed to fitted, so consider whether you want a top to tuck cleanly or sit over the waistband. Sleeve length is the other decision worth making early, since it sets how much a top can do across the seasons.

How to shop it

Sizes run 4 to 18; the size guide is the quickest way to settle on a fit before you order. Narrow the range by sleeve with long sleeve tops, short sleeve tops or sleeveless tops, or by type with knit tops and shirts and blouses. New arrivals land regularly, so it is worth checking the newest tops if you shop often.