Here’s How to Beat the Heat in Style

August 4, 2020

With temps rising, we’re all looking for ways to cool down. You can reach for a gel moisturizer or soothing cucumber skin care products. Or you can simply top off your cutoffs and miniskirts with a stylish top sans sleeves. The best sleeveless tops offer ventilation as well as sartorial cred. And a promise that they’ll remain in fashion for many summers to come. Sleeveless shirts proved popular back in the mid-90s to early 2000s. We’re using Rachel Green and Monica Geller as our inspo. The über popular show saw the friends showing off their arms on a regular basis. Be it in breezy button-downs or seasonally-appropriate knits. The outfits were often minimal and fabulous. Fast-forward to 2020 and the best sleeveless tops have a bit more flair. From ruffles to embroidery to draped details, it’s easy to go to extremes. But there are also still plenty of stripped-down versions to satisfy your “retro” cravings. Scroll through the slideshow above for the best sleeveless tops of the season, whether you consider yourself a Monica or a Rachel.

Best Sleeveless Tops

Zara

Embroidered Rustic Blouse, $49.90 at Zara
Nanushka

Corsica Laced Satin Top in Wax Yellow, $170 at Nanushka
Staud

Gia Top in Bright Blue, $94.50 at Staud
Mango

Contrasting Knit Top, $22.99 at Mango
Covert

Tisha Sleeveless Top in Stripe Blue, $166 at The Frankie Shop
J.Crew

Sleeveless V-Neck Blouse in Neon Fuchsia, $34.99 at J.Crew
& Other Stories

Cropped Lyocell Tank Top, $49 at & Other Stories
Violeta by Mango

Floral Print Top, $29.99 at Mango
Ganni

Cotton Poplin Sleeveless Shirt, $135 at Ganni
Altuzarra

Bourse Bandana-Print Sleeveless Top, $199 at Matches Fashion
Boden

Petronella Top in Light Surf, $68.60 at Boden
COS

Draped Knotted Top, $89 at COS
Reformation

Chianti Top, $98 at Reformation
Victoria Victoria Beckham

Sleeveless Stretch Top, $207 at mytheresa.com
Edit

White Sleeveless Ruch Front T-Shirt, $125 at SSENSE
Seren

Toni Tie-Neck Floral-Print Organic Cotton-Voile Top, $135 at Net-a-Porter
Cloth & Stone

Tie-Front Chambray Buttondown in Sky, $49.95 at Anthropologie
& Other Stories

Sleeveless Frilled Blouse, $49 at & Other Stories
ModCloth

Start With the Basics Mock Neck Top in Coral, $19.99 at ModCloth
Mango

Ruffle Pleated Top in Mustard, $14.99 at Mango

As passionate about feminism as she is about fashion, Morgan C. Schimminger spends much of her time writing and editing pieces on everything from celebrity style to the fight to keep funding for Planned Parenthood. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California at Berkeley and a master’s degree in publishing from Rosemont College. Morgan has contributed to a variety of publications, including StyleBakery, Uptown, metro.pop and Sister 2 Sister. Every week for theFashionSpot, she profiles the Top 10 Best Dressed Celebs and provides a daily dose of stylish stars via Look of the Day.