Wardrobe Basic - White & Cream Tops

Today, I'm wearing (again) what is really the cornerstone of my wardrobe - a white or cream top with skinny blue jeans. If you look back on my outfit shots on Instagram, you'll see how much both of these items feature because they are the starting point for so many different outfits. A simple change of footwear or jacket, or the addition of a great necklace, totally transforms the look day to day.

It's the basis on which I've streamlined my wardrobe in recent months and while it might not make for radically different outfit shots on the blog, it does make the business of getting dressed a whole lot easier these mornings.

I'll cover the skinny jeans next week but on this post, I'm going to share my pick of some great white and cream tops in the shops right now. In terms of which colour to wear, the general rule is that warmer complexions suit cream and cooler complexions suit white but I'm not good with rules and enjoy wearing both. I know I suit cream better though so when I wear white ones, I always slap on a bit of fake tan and it seems to help make it work on my warmer/autumn colouring.

Starting with my current favourite white top - from Heatons:

I picked it because I liked the mesh detail on the shoulder and although it's polyester, it doesn't feel like it is. My favourite part is that it's a proper white white...bright and clean looking and it washes really well (important for white tops!). Not many left online but you might be luckier in-store.

Another one of my purchases, this Hush Jessica Top, is my favourite cream top. I love the scuba type material front mixed with the grey jersey back. This has also washed really well and has the bonus of being completely opaque.

Jessica Top - Hush
Moving on to some tops that are on my wish-list, New Look have a few gems at the moment. They really have their tops sussed at the moment. I almost always buy one when I call in-store.

White Aztec Top - New Look

White Crochet Panel Top - New Look

White Crepe Dip Hem Top
Over to Next and this broderie top gets amazing reviews and is only £14 - sold out in size 10 and 14 but all other sizes available

Embroidered Tee - Next
and Next is my current port of call for basic cotton short sleeved tops - these ones are £4.50 and come in a ton of colours and on a multi buy of 2 for £8 or 3 for £12.

Slash Neck Cotton T-Shirt - Next

Finally, Tesco have some great cream & white tops and I nipped in quickly today to try some on. There's a double-up on club card vouchers until the 28th June so it's a great time to buy. Starting with this sleeveless boho top that looked good on the hanger but was even better tried on. I'm wearing a size 12 and it's a good fit up around the shoulders with lots of room around the middle - great for hiding a mum tum :)

Tassel Detail Crinkle Boho Cream Top - Tesco

Next I tried this lovely plain top with a tie back detail. Nice fit in a 12 and lovely delicate sleeve detail. I'm not a fan of open back tops though so it wasn't for me.

Tie Back Flutter Sleeve Cream Top - Tesco

Love the pom-pom detail on this next top which has gorgeous detail for the price. It was a bit neat in the size 10 which I brought into the fitting room as the 12 looked very long. Good if you're looking for a longer line top for over leggings etc.

Lace Trim Woven White Top - Tesco

Finally, the only one I couldn't find online - this cream lace top is beautiful. I'm wearing the size 12 and the only reason I didn't buy it is because the back of it is a light jersey material that seemed to cling a bit and didn't look very flattering from behind. Fab from the front though! 

The dangers of going for 'just a try-on' as I have added yet another cream top to my collection (the sleeveless boho one) and I have to fess up to buying the jeans too. I only brought them in with me to try on with the tops. I've avoided ripped knee jeans up to now but I actually liked these and they were in the sale :) the no-spend month is going *really* well...

Do let me know where you get your best white and cream tops as I'm always being asked about this! Hope you're having a lovely Wednesday - I'm booked in for an amazing treatment this morning that I can't wait to tell you all about. It and a cut & colour on Friday are my last pamper opportunities before the school holidays start on Tuesday and I'm going to enjoy them so much.

Have a great day!

Ax