‘I have enough clothes’, said no woman ever. Don’t we all just love hoarding pretty clothes? No matter how many tops and tees we might have, it just never seems enough. Some we buy just to have something in the bank (what if the crush decides to finally ask us out?), and some for one special party or a date that never gets worn again (like we can afford to repeat our outfit, duh!). For fashionistas like us, we have the solution. Two words – Off-shoulder top.
Table of Contents
What To Wear Under An Off Shoulder Top
What Does An Off-Shoulder Mean?
An off-shoulder piece of clothing is off the shoulder which is to say, it does not cover the shoulders. Your complete neck area right above the chest is bared to flaunt your shoulders and neckline. Speaking of which, it has a flat neckline that goes over your arms and is super glamorous to wear anywhere. The off-shoulder style can be found in tops, shirts, dresses, jumpsuits, playsuits, blouses, kurtas, kurtis and even bikinis.
Of the lot, the most versatile is an off-shoulder top. Whatever bottoms you pick from jeans to skirts to palazzos, there is an off-shoulder top for you. Wear them to college, casual outings, special dates and parties for a fancy look-and-feel all day.
What Do You Wear Under An Off-Shoulder Top?
Since your shoulders are not covered, you cannot wear your regular bra with it, as the straps will ruin the whole look of the top. If you are thinking transparent straps, remember that they are transparent, not invisible. This is the only disadvantage with the off-shoulder style – it eliminates many of your bra options. But there are not one but many solutions to this. Here are the best bras to wear with an off-shoulder top:
1. Strapless Bra
Strapless bras, along with being convenient, are also very comfortable. As the name suggests, it is a bra without any straps. When you are shopping for one, ask about details such as internal gel strips, wire or plastic-reinforced side panels and wide backs and sides that make sure your bra stays up.
2. Multiway Bra
Out of all the different types of bras, the multiway or the convertible bra is the most useful. It is four bras in one! A must-buy for its versatility, this bra has modifiable straps that can be changed into a halter, racer-back, one-shoulder or strapless. Talk about being the ultimate, all-in-one quick fix! Buy it in a neutral colour, preferably nude, to increase its utility.
3. Bandeau Bra
A bandeau bra is a strapless, stretchy piece of fabric with a thick elasticated band on the top and bottom. The elastic is meant to hold everything in place, and the soft fabric allows for comfortable all-day wear. Since the material is thin and (mostly) non-padded or with removal paddings, bandeau is the go-to bra for most women.
4. Stick-on Bra
I know they sound very icky and uncomfortable but the first time I wore a stick-on bra under my off-shoulder top, I was proven wrong. A stick-on bra is completely backless and focuses only on covering the front or the cups. The adhesive is completely skin-friendly, not irritable and stays on for long without any discomfort. Save the top adjusting action for never.
5. Pasties
You can also consider pasties or nipple stickers to wear under an off-shoulder top. They cover only your nippular area, keeping the rest of your boobs free.
6. Silicone Bra
You have probably seen Instagram videos of women trying on a silicone push-up bra. When you want a drop-dead cleavage, give your boobs a boost with this tie-up bra that can be adjusted according to your top’s neckline.
How To Keep An Off-Shoulder Top In Place?
Now that you know what to wear under an off the shoulder top, I am sure your next question is how to keep it in place.
Here’s what you need:
4 safety pins
2 hair elastics or rubber bands
All you have to do is:
Step 1: String two safety pins together using a rubber band. The two safety pins should be opposite each other. Repeat this with the other set of safety pins and rubber band so you have two sets – one for each shoulder.
Step 2: Put one safety pin in the front where the shoulder starts and on the back. Make sure the safety pins are at the same level.
Step 3: Repeat the same on the other shoulder.
And you are set. Wear your off-shoulder top without the worry of it riding up the shoulders. The safety pins will keep the top in place and the rubber band will allow you to move your arms effortlessly. Watch this video to see how it is done.
What Kind Of Off-Shoulder Top Should I Wear?
Just like any other top, an off-shoulder top comes in different lengths (such as regular, crop, longline) and styles. See which silhouette works best for your body type and choose an off-shoulder top accordingly. Anyone can wear an off-shoulder top- it is the most gorgeous way to attract attention to your shoulders, collar bone and neckline.
20 Off-Shoulder Top Designs
The secret to happiness is variety. It is the very spice of life that gives it its flavour. So here are some off-shoulder varieties for your closet! Check out 20 different off-shoulder top designs that will add the right flavour to your OOTD:
1. Off-Shoulder Top With Straps
If you have second thoughts about how you are going to keep the top in place, an off-shoulder top with straps will be your best bet. The top design comes with attached spaghetti straps for extra support. This red printed one works two ways – you can tie-up the straps as shown in the picture or let them be for a completely bared shoulder look.
How To Wear It: Pair it with dark blue bottoms, think jeans or a button-down denim skirt.
POPxo Recommends: Rust Red Lightweight Printed Off-Shoulder Blouson Top (Rs 449) by Rare
2. Off-Shoulder Shirt With Collar
If you are thinking you can achieve this look with any button-down shirt, well, you can’t. An off-shoulder shirt with a collar is a super chic top design that combines formal and casual stylishly in one.
How To Wear It: For a casual look, pair it with blue jeans and white sneakers. For a fancy look, go with cropped white trousers and block heels.
POPxo Recommends: Button Front Collar Neck Striped Top (Rs 1,266) by Shein
3. Cold-Shoulder Top
A cold-shoulder top design doesn’t completely show the shoulders. Think of it as a tank top with attached sleeves. Only the shoulder part is bared, like cut-outs, while the neckline and arms are covered. What an elegant way to sport the off-shoulder trend if you are new at it! Even if you aren’t, the cold-shoulder top design is a statement-making style.
How To Wear It: This cold-shoulder top can be teamed with gold-toned palazzos or shararas for a desi look.
POPxo Recommends: Navy Blue Printed Crop Top (Rs 770) by Indya
4. Bardot Top
This off-shoulder top design is slightly different from the regular one. In this style, the sleeves and the body of the top are separate as against the singular elastic band that goes around the entire shoulder area.
How To Wear It: This solid maroon top with an asymmetrical hemline will be just perfect for a date when styled with skinny bottoms.
POPxo Recommends: Maroon Solid Bardot Top (Rs 580) by Berrylush
5. One-Shoulder Top
As the name suggests, instead of baring both the shoulders, this top design has one shoulder covered. An extremely sophisticated style, the one-shoulder top can make you look party-ready instantly.
How To Wear It: Thanks to its black and white monochrome look, pick trousers in a colour of your choice and the streets are yours to rule.
POPxo Recommends: Striped One-Sided Off-Shoulder Top (Rs 659) by Besiva
6. Cropped Off-Shoulder Top
This cropped off-shoulder top in a washed multicoloured hue is casual at its best. Ditch the bralette for this cropped number and make your ‘blue jeans and white shirt’ days glorious.
How To Wear It: You can’t go wrong with a pair of high-waisted jeans and sneakers… ever!
POPxo Recommends: Multicoloured Solid Bardot Crop Top (Rs 664) by Forever 21
7. Striped Off-Shoulder Top
Now here’s an off-shoulder top design to make ‘Casual Fridays’ at work look stylish, all thanks to the striped pattern! If your office is as cool as mine, this is what you need to go from the boardroom to the bar.
How To Wear It: A white pencil skirt would look hot with this striped off-shoulder top. With stilettos, of course.
POPxo Recommends: White & Blue Striped Bardot Top (Rs 2,268) by Mango
8. Floral Off-Shoulder Top
Whether it is a top, a dress or a skirt, the floral print makes you look instantly bright and lively. Get that on an off-shoulder top and you have yourself a new favourite in 2019.
How To Wear It: Style this off-shoulder top with a tie-up hem with a solid maxi skirt for ultra-feminine feels.
POPxo Recommends: Green Printed Top (Rs 499) by Globus
9. Checked Off-Shoulder Top
Check effortless style off your list with his gingham checked off-shoulder top. We especially love the tie-up sleeve design. It’s just so unique, don’t you think? The empire waistline is an added bonus.
How To Wear It: Go for bright red trousers or go home.
POPxo Recommends: Pink & White Checked Bardot Top (Rs 786) by Besiva
10. Denim Off-Shoulder Top
Why restrict denim to jeans when you can have an upbeat off-shoulder top like this? Nail the denim-on-denim trend like a pro with this cool top with ruched design.
How To Wear It: With skinny jeans. I suggest to go for a clean-look pair and avoid any rips for this look.
POPxo Recommends: Denim Off-Shoulder Top with Bishop Sleeves (Rs 920) by Ajio
11. Animal Print Off-Shoulder Top
The newest print that all celebrities from Bollywood to Hollywood can’t stop parading is the animal print. Wear this top to add a little oomph to your day and your OOTD.
How To Wear It: This trendy cheetah printed off-shoulder top will go with your black jeggings.
POPxo Recommends: Off-The-Shoulder Top (Rs 799) by H&M
12. Cut-Out Style Off-Shoulder Top
This black crop top with a Bardot neckline is special for two reasons – one, it is black (of course!), and two, because of the sexy cut-out detail in the front. Little black dress who?
How To Wear It: Take cues from the model in the picture and incorporate the animal print trend with a wild pair of trousers.
POPxo Recommends: Bardot Cutout Crop Top (Rs 774) by Lola May
13. Slogan Off-Shoulder Top
Bored with your old slogan T-shirts? No problem. This slogan off-shoulder top in a lean and clean style will be killin’ it this season. You’ll see!
How To Wear It: Style it with your black jeans or jeggings and ace the all-black-everything look in a jiffy.
POPxo Recommends: Black Printed Top (Rs 449) by Campus Sutra
14. Lace-up Style Off-Shoulder Top
Feeling blue? This pow(d)er blue top with tantalising tie-up detail is all you need to brood your mood. Its self-ribbed design will give you a structured look and won’t fail to impress you whatever it is paired with.
How To Wear It: Pair it with printed or patterned bottoms and sling a chic bag around.
POPxo Recommends: Lace-Up Ribbed Knit Solid Tee (Rs 1,050) by Shein
15. Peplum Hem Off-Shoulder Top
A peplum a day keeps the bad vibes away! And this dusty pink off-shoulder top in a peplum design is proof. Plus, how cute is that little bow detail in the front? So simple, yet so chic!
How To Wear It: Whatever bottoms you pick, don’t forget to glam up the top with some lit earrings.
POPxo Recommends: Peplum Hem Off-Shoulder Top (Rs 1,399) by Iris
16. Balloon Sleeve Blouse
If you thought black couldn’t get any better, we present to you the off-shoulder top design of the year. This solid black top with dramatic AF balloon sleeves will be the talk of the town at the next party you attend.
How To Wear It: Team it with solid rouge trousers and paint the town red.
POPxo Recommends: Off Shoulder Balloon Sleeve Blouse (Rs 999) by Noble Faith
17. Long Top
If long tops are your thing, how about you give it a go in an off-shoulder style this time? This checked off-shoulder top design in a button-down style will look super when paired with black trousers and mules.
How To Wear It: A sexy alternate would be to ditch the tights and style your long top with black stockings. Am I right or am I right?
POPxo Recommends: Off-White & Black Checked Off-Shoulder Longline Top (Rs 999) by Vero Moda
18. Tiered Off-Shoulder Top
We like our tops as we like our cakes, tasteful and tiered. This milk chocolatey brown top will be perfect for the day when ordinary just won’t cut it. This top is all you need to add some glam to your game.
How To Wear It: Distressed jeans for the win!
POPxo Recommends: Brown Tiered Top (Rs 547) by Deal Jeans
19. Tube Top
A tube top is a tight-fitting strapless top with no sleeves (or strings) attached. This one in rust with an adjustable drawstring fastening is what your white trousers need.
How To Wear It: Don’t forget to accessorise the look with oxidised silver jewellery, ladies.
POPxo Recommends: Rust Self-Design Tube Top (Rs 636) by Forever 21
20. Plisse Off-Shoulder Top
Do you know what is the one thing that can change your outlook about all-black-everything forever? Always, always, go for blacks of different textures. And this plisse that is a crinkled-effect off-shoulder top is the way to go.
How To Wear It: Give the paperbag waistline a try, won’t you?
This story was updated in February 2019.
POPxo Recommends: Plisse Off-Shoulder Top (Rs 1,099) by Iris
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