The Eternal Quest For The Perfect Summer Top That Goes With Everything

It’s simple but sassy, fitted and flattering, it will see you through multiple summers – and it exists, I promise. Here are eight of the best.

Published on26 08 2017

Every couple of years, I go on an odyssey in search of the perfect summer top. The PST. You know how in summer you need that basic (but not, crucially, #basic) top? It’s more special than a t-shirt, more now than an ancient vest top, but still simple and understated enough to go with all your flouncy skirts, statement midis and whatever mad directional pantaloons you’ve inevitably ended up buying in the sale after a couple of Aperols. You want it fitted, so it sleekly balances out all the volume on your bottom half without having to be re-tucked every 20 minutes. Fitted, but still casual and forgiving – not, like, a corset or anything.

It’s probably black, although navy, grey and khaki can all sub in. It’s flattering enough that you feel slightly like Sophia Loren eating spaghetti at a pavement trattoria...but not so boobtastic that it goes too Sofia Vergara for like, family lunches or the office. It’s made of decent fabric, not tissue paper, and it isn’t going to end up going all baggy and bobbly after one wash. In fact, it’s endlessly washable, because it’s going to end up covered in those mysterious ‘summer stains’ that could be deodorant, sun cream, Mr Whippy, guacamole or somebody you unwittingly rubbed against on the tube.

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It goes with jeans. It goes with shorts. It goes with short skirts and long skirts without making you look like a toddler or a nun. It goes under a jacket, and if you’re really lucky, over a bra. It’s the master key to unlock your wardrobe’s true potential. And it’s really shitting hard to find.

In theory, it should be easy. There should be perfect summer tops quite literally all over the shop! I just described the recipe right there in those last three paragraphs high street designers, and by the way, you’re welcome.

In reality though, it’s a great white whale in a sea of shapeless smocks and boxy shell tops. The holy grail of your summer wardrobe – along with the perfect cool lightweight jackety cover-up thing (doesn’t exist, it’s a myth) and the perfect ‘just throw it on!’ dress (genuinely I have wasted so many hours of my life I’ll never get back wrestling in and out of potential ‘just throw it on!’ dresses). But the PST is real, and I know because this summer, I found one.

I’ve already said too much, because now you’re excited, and I have to break your heart by telling you it’s already sold out. I know, I’m sorry. I’m a big ol’ top tease.

It was from Uterqüe, the sexy Spanish brand that’s like Zara for people who have vowed never to go to Zara again. It’s black, fitted, simple but with a sassy scoop neckline and a cross-back that is mercifully still high enough to wear a bra with. It’s made of thick stretchy fabric and endlessly washable. It goes with jeans, and with culottes, and with all my most voluminous frou-frou summer skirts. It’s the summer top of all summer tops. It’s mine, and you can’t have it, soz.

But comfort yourself with the knowledge that these elusive unicorns are out there, if you’re pure of heart and prepared to hunt for them. In fact I’ve been lucky enough to know a few PSTs in my life – there was 2013’s black cold-shoulder tee from ASOS which I wore until it developed holes in the armpits, and years before that was a button-down black denim bustier (hahaha, bustier), which was the perfect foil for every full skirt in a twee print that 2009 Primark had to offer. Business up top, party on the bottom. Before that, I think there was a black leotard, which I barely remember but I know my crotch does.

Those tops saw me through some tough times, wardrobe-wise. On the days when I wanted to give up and just wear a swimsuit with a sofa throw tied round my waist, they held my hand, made soothing noises and got me out of the door in a proper outfit.

So in memory of them, and tribute to my new conquest, here are the best potential PSTs out there this year. Good luck, and may the tops be ever in your favour*.

*size.