Who do you have to kill to find decent summer tops with sleeves? I’m only half joking, really, but, seriously, finding Waldo is easier. I was helping a client look for some casual summer tops and when she told me she only wears tops with sleeves in the summer she might as well have asked me to find her a top made of pure gold for under 50 bucks.
I’m really not sure what the logic is behind there being such a scant amount of sleeved summer shirts out there. The demand is high, but the supply is low. My one theory is that fashion has gotten so cheap and, setting a sleeve into a garment being the trickier part of the construction process, perhaps it is just easier to mass produce tops sans sleeves. Of course, there is also the heat factor. Everyone wants to stay cool in the summer but, I ask you, is it too much to ask for even just a little cap sleeve that will keep you from overheating while covering you at the same time? You could just take my, “eh, screw it” approach to the conundrum and wear sleeveless despite the fact that your arms look more like flappy wings, or you can take on the mission yourself.
To help you out, here are some summer tops with sleeves I found styled in a variety of ways for the heatwave that is sure to come your way this season.
Stylish Summer Tops with Sleeves You’ll Want to Wear
Outfit #1
Check out the Boden website. They have a decent amount of summer tops with sleeves that go beyond the basic t-shirt or classic button down. This style, for example, lets you in on the fun of summer while also covering your arms. Here, I styled it with a pair of Lucky Brand jean shorts, a pair of Tory Burch thong sandals, white bag from Nine West and stud earrings from Alexis Bittar.
Outfit #2
A flutter sleeve can keep you cool while also offering some coverage. This style from Rebecca Taylor is easy and breezy and looks great styled with a pair of skinny cargos from J. Crew, flat gold sandals MICHAEL Michael Kors, casual crossbody bag from Kate Spade, Banana Republic bangle and wire hoop earrings from Lord & Taylor.
Outfit #3
If you find it impossible to find summer tops with sleeves, look for styles that you can wear a variety of ways and that can be dressed up and down. Here, for example, this Reiss top can be dressed down with a pair of jeans and also dressed up like I did here with this polka dot skirt from Ivanka Trump. To add some punch, I styled the outfit with this red flats from Sam Edelman and finished the look with a navy bag from Vince Camuto and navy stud earrings from Stella & Dot.
Outfit #4
There is a good reason we featured eShakti as a Fab Find last Friday. They let you customize their designs to your liking and even add things like sleeves to tops. Heck, if you can’t find it, design it. Plus, their clothing is totally affordable. Take this green eShakti top, for example, that looks great with these white jeans from White House|Black Market, yellow heeled sandals from Modcloth, printed tote from Sakroots and gold necklace to fill in the neckline.
Outfit #5
This top from Modcloth is great because it has sheerness while also offering coverage. Here it looks great with a pair of cropped pants from Theory, strappy heels from Anthropologie, bracelet from Bauble Bar, black stud earrings from Max & Chloe and fun black and white handbag from Nine West.
Shop for summer tops with sleeves
Even though it might feel like it, don’t worry, these aren’t the only sleeved summer tops out there. Check out these other styles from your favorite retailers.
The top in #5 is sold out and I think #1 too, because the link goes to a different (but also cute) top. I’ve noticed the lack of sleeves in kid’s clothes also. Went to buy my daughter a dress, it was almost impossible to find something with sleeves!