SoLow mesh panel leggings | medium, use code TULIP for 10% off at Revolve
T by Alexander Wang top | size medium, a year old
Veja sustainable sneakers | use code GRECHEN15 at Zady for 15% off
I got a request last week for a post on tops to wear with leggings, I’m assuming to sufficiently cover your ass, so here, for your shopping pleasure, are my favorites. Personally, the ones I wear most frequently are this one I’m wearing here, by T by Alexander Wang, my Sundry chambray top (seen here, similar cotton version), and my Madewell white cotton button-down.
This is my second white T by Alexander Wang long sleeve top (I accidentally dried the first one several years ago, and shrunk it, but I still wear it as a layer), and I really love it. Because I have hips, even the medium “sticks” a little around them, and doesn’t always hang perfectly, but that doesn’t bother me most of the time. Generally when I wear this, I’ll layer a long cardigan or jacket over top anyway, in which case it does a very nice job covering my front, as well as my back. The Everlane long sleeve ryan tee is an okay substitute for T by Alexander Wang if you size up, but it does fit differently and is thinner.
There are now myriad options of tunic tops and longer tops to wear with leggings; they always seem to come around in fall. Since I’m trying to find more organic cotton/eco-friendly/ethical options, most of what I featured below are from Rodale’s, one of my new favorite sites for eco-friendly clothing (try using code TAKE15 for 15% off). I love that they carry well-known brands like Eileen Fisher alongside New Zealand brand Kowtow (a new favorite of mine), and everything in between. CP Shades is an EXCELLENT high quality option for tunics and longer shirts, usually in linen, and of course Eileen Fisher has plenty of options.
1 CP Shades brit linen tee | $89 at Rodale’s
2 Kowtow organic cotton chambray top | $190 at Rodale’s
3 Kowtow building Block drape back top | $145 at Rodale’s, organic cotton, in white at The Dreslyn (use code SEPT15 for 15% off) – my FAVORITE. I ordered it 🙂
4 CP Shades Carine silk top | $195 at Rodale’s
5 Blue Canoe organic cotton/bamboo tunic | $78 at Rodale’s
6 CP Shades teton tunic | $175 at Rodale’s
More tunic/long shirts for leggings options, along with my favorite leggings by James Perse…What are your favorite tops to wear with leggings?
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Hi – did you mention at some point that you sold or were selling your everlane sleeveless chunky turtleneck? If you are/ you haven’t and want to, I’d love to buy it from you. I have one in black and I wear it all the time and have been trying to find another.
Thanks! hc
Well. I’m a slob as. I generally just wear an untucked (& usually unironed seeing how I don’t own an iron) button-down type shirt over leggings, with gingham being my go-to first-choice selection. Or I layer a JCrew Perfect-fit tank top under a long-sleeve tee Perfect-fit tee.
I’ve tried wearing legitimate tunics, but tunic tops & me seem to not jive well – unless dowdy & pregnant are the look I’m going for.
this is the perfect casual comfy outfit! i want everything!
I wear the same as Jane… Some sort of drapery tank and long sleeve combo. I do try to balance my leggings with boots though. Knee high Frye boots ( the Melissa button or the discontinued Amelia are my go-to). I do sometimes wear J Crew flannel button downs with leggings, and then the boots so the look doesn’t go grunge. Personally, I think layering over leggings looks and feels put together, even if the pieces aren’t terribly special in themselves. Boots and a scarf are my must haves!!!
I don’t wear leggings, but if I extrapolate to skinny jeans (which I’ve only been wearing a little over a year…) or skinny ponte pants (my favorite for travel and often for work) then I like a tank or tee with a long cardigan. For some reason a button down shirt is just too casual for me (unless I’m at home and I’m wearing my pyjama leggings and old OLD flannel button down shirt – but because I wear that for lounging, I can’t personally see myself leaving the house in it).
I do like the look of the TIbi and the Helmut Lang wrap-ish button down shirts – casual but with a nice detail to kick it up a notch and look intentional.
I can’t wear flannel anything out in public. The last time I did I had an especially curly hair day (that means it looked like I got attacked by a rabid honey badger) and was wearing a flannel shirt. Some random guy came up to me and said something like “you remind me of Kurt”. Uhhhhhh. Worst compliment ever.
The Melissa’s are my fav too!
thanks for this great post grechen! some great options here for sure!
i did sell it to a friend. if/when she decides she’s ready to part with it, I’ll let you know 🙂
thanks. very sweet of you. hc
Every couple of years Chico’s makes an extra long cami–last time they had these, I bought 4 in black. That makes every top leggings-friendly. Of course, I waited till they were on sale! Not sure if they have them this year.
yes! that’s what i like to do too, wear a long tank as a layer, then anything else on top is leggings-friendly. problem is it’s not so easy to find long tanks/camis that i like and fit well.
Dear Grechen,
Just a note to say I’m a very new reader, but really enjoy your site. (I, too, have a bit of a James Perse problem.) Also, THANK YOU for another source for ordering Kowtow in the U.S. It’s really a great brand– I have a couple of dresses and cardigans that are absolute workhorses in my closet.
thank you so much for your comment 🙂
i’m looking forward to adding some kowtow to my closet. going to start with that drape-back top, but absolutely have my eye on a lot! will have to pace myself…which pieces do you have? i keep also looking at this cardigan: http://www.beklina.com/collections/clothing/products/kowtow-building-block-drape-cardigan-grey – but i think i need something a bit heavier/warmer in my closet now, instead of more lighter weight ones…
I have that cardigan in black– it is PERFECT. I bought mine a few years ago, and it’s worn really well. It’s not super lightweight, but a fairly substantial jersey, so it’s too warm for me in humid summer New York weather, but great for layering otherwise. I also really like the various drapey dresses, which have been very versatile and super comfortable.
And, again, so glad to have found this site.
ah! now i must get it 🙂
how do you find the sizing? is it pretty true? or does it generally run oversized? i’m sort of in-between right now, and a little unsure always of what size to order…
sounds like that cardigan might work really well for our mostly-mild late fall/early winters…
thanks for your input!!
Kurt?!? Kurt who? Was he stoned?
Oh, so many gorgeous choices you posted (for me to fall in love with and WANT)! While I love the look of the Tibi and Helmut Lang, I know myself well enough to realize that I would feel too “wrapped-up.” I don’t wear leggings out of the house at this point in my life, but around the house, I wear them with my Wilt tees, an oversized Hartford flannel or a white J Crew vintage v-neck and a long cardigan. I absolutely could wear that out and around town, but I’ve decided that until I’m happy with my weight, I won’t do it. I love American Colors! Glad you featured them, Grechen.
Kurt Cobain. LOL, pretty sure the guy who came up to me & Kurt were both probably stoned more than not! LOL
OMG…Hilarious!
Hey Grechen, long time reader first time poster. I’ve followed your blog for a while and often try out new stores based on your reviews and reader feedback. In that spirit, I just wanted to follow up here about Rodale’s. I made an order about a month ago with them after reading the review here. The quality of the items was for the most part great and I love their stated mission. However, I had a lot of trouble with returning two flawed pieces. The two customer service agents I spoke to (which I believe are the only two available at the time of this post, it’s a small operation over there) were both entirely unhelpful. One was even outright rude. I do a lot of online shopping and I hardly ever encounter this kind of thing… I wonder if they’re either not well trained or Rodales is in financial trouble and therefore not inclined to process returns.. My issue is still unresolved and it looks like I’m out $150 to boot. Unfortunately, I would caution your readers to avoid ordering from this place.
oh my goodness! i hate that that happened. i’ve not returned anything there, or had to deal with customer service at all, so i’ve had nothing but good experiences the two times i ordered. i received my order and everything was fine.