Short Sleeve Tops

Women's short sleeve tops

Short sleeves are the sensible middle of a working wardrobe: covered enough for the office, cool enough for summer and easy to layer when the weather turns. Forcast's short sleeve tops come in sizes 4 to 18 and include short sleeve knits, cotton tees, cuffed shirts, peplum tops, pleated high neck tops and shell tops, so there is something for most dress codes.

Choosing the right one

For a corporate office, a short sleeve knit such as the Catherine Short Sleeve Knit reads as tailored and holds its line under a blazer. The Morgan Short Sleeve Cuff Shirt does the job of a white shirt without the sleeves. For a smart casual workplace, a relaxed cotton tee with high-waisted pants is enough. When you want more shape through the middle, a gathered peplum or a draped pleated style defines the waist.

What to wear them with

Tuck a fitted short sleeve top into a pencil or A-line style from work skirts and add a belt. Wear a pleated high neck top with wide leg pants and let the top do the talking. On the weekend, the same tee goes with jeans and sandals. In winter, a short sleeve knit under a blazer or coat is warmer than it sounds and easier to sit in all day than a heavy jumper.

Fabric and fit

Cotton and jersey run through the tees and relaxed tops, ribbed and cable knits appear in the sweaters, some in wool blends, and the dressier shell and pleated styles are cut in crepe and satin. Knits sit closest to the body, so take your usual size if you plan to tuck. Relaxed tees and draped tops carry more ease already and rarely need sizing up.

How to shop it

Use the size guide to check measurements before ordering. Plain cotton styles continue in t-shirts, the knitted versions sit in knit tops, and anything you want to layer over the top is in jackets and blazers.