Sunny summer tops
Definitively spring/summer with subtle details, and not too short on the arm: tops for those of us not thrilled to wear cap sleeve or sleeveless. 
"Don't show off your Bingo Wings!" as my friend Clarissa says.
Blouses that sing
Henley cotton pleated shirt with flounces, €55, Eric Bompard, available in cork beige (shown), navy, white. I'd take every colour!
Below, Simonas embellished blouse by Malene Birger, $230 from Net-a-porter.
Don't hate me because the some sizes are already s/o, just look for something similar: beading, pleating, 3/4 sleeve and a colour that pops against any neutral.
Diane
van Furstenberg Key Print Blouse is also from Net-a-Porter but available elsewhere too. A wink to Hermès, at about a tenth the price, $200. The "key" to wearing this witty piece is the simplest bottom: linen jean, simple pencil skirt, or even denim.
Armed to the tees
Elbow-Sleeved Print Tee, Orvis, $39.
I don't usually wear the Orvis' kindly- birdwatcher esthetic, but this anemone print in black and white appeals. It's hard to find a pleasingly-printed tee and elbow-length sleeves.
Pima Cot
ton 3/4 sleeve boatneck from LL Bean, $24.95. Many of us know and love the 3/4 boatneck, a style that forgives without looking boxy. Bean offer an array of summery colours.
A fitted, 3/4 sleeve top that has several features to set
it apart: a subtle shimmer fabric (50% cotton and 50% nylon), with doubled
fabric on the front to give enough coverage. Fits sizes Small to Medium, $56 from Michael Stars.
L.A.M.B.
Baby Elephant 3/4 sleeve top, $75, wittily presents pachyderms and Eastern motifs. Hand-washable, slightly sheer. Fresh under a jacket, cool with jeans. From Nordstrom.
Velvet's Aster Twist top has a romantic gathered
neckline with a center pleat. The deep V is summery and flattering This appealing intersection of blouse and tee is the kind of tee you can wear out to dinner. Shown in coral; $76 from Garnet Hill.
"Don't show off your Bingo Wings!" as my friend Clarissa says.Blouses that sing
Henley cotton pleated shirt with flounces, €55, Eric Bompard, available in cork beige (shown), navy, white. I'd take every colour!
Below, Simonas embellished blouse by Malene Birger, $230 from Net-a-porter.
Don't hate me because the some sizes are already s/o, just look for something similar: beading, pleating, 3/4 sleeve and a colour that pops against any neutral.
Diane
van Furstenberg Key Print Blouse is also from Net-a-Porter but available elsewhere too. A wink to Hermès, at about a tenth the price, $200. The "key" to wearing this witty piece is the simplest bottom: linen jean, simple pencil skirt, or even denim.Armed to the tees
Elbow-Sleeved Print Tee, Orvis, $39.I don't usually wear the Orvis' kindly- birdwatcher esthetic, but this anemone print in black and white appeals. It's hard to find a pleasingly-printed tee and elbow-length sleeves.
Pima Cot
ton 3/4 sleeve boatneck from LL Bean, $24.95. Many of us know and love the 3/4 boatneck, a style that forgives without looking boxy. Bean offer an array of summery colours.A fitted, 3/4 sleeve top that has several features to set
it apart: a subtle shimmer fabric (50% cotton and 50% nylon), with doubledfabric on the front to give enough coverage. Fits sizes Small to Medium, $56 from Michael Stars.
L.A.M.B.
Baby Elephant 3/4 sleeve top, $75, wittily presents pachyderms and Eastern motifs. Hand-washable, slightly sheer. Fresh under a jacket, cool with jeans. From Nordstrom.Velvet's Aster Twist top has a romantic gathered
neckline with a center pleat. The deep V is summery and flattering This appealing intersection of blouse and tee is the kind of tee you can wear out to dinner. Shown in coral; $76 from Garnet Hill.
Comments
Beautiful shirts. I like it when someone does the shopping for me.
fashionafterforty.blogspot.com
I find it funny that, as you note, DVF offers a witty take on Hermes, because she is very aggressive in suing Forever 21 for knockoffs of her stuff. (Of course, they made an exact copy, only in a cheap fabric).
Tunics supposedly skim over the troublesome middle-aged flab at the midsection--but most do not.
I'd love it if you stylistas for 50plus could find tops that work--and please NO CHICO'S or EILEEN FISHER.
I'll end by saying that I'm still on the thin side--and I have this problem.
Pseu: L.A.M.B. is usually too young for me but every once in awhile they do a great item. Otherwise, my closet is suffed with Suva (www.suvawear.com) on which I have already posted; I'm wearing the Espresso 3/4 sleeve top today.
Several other nice examples of sleeved tops to hide my "bingo wings" - thank you!
Thanks for the directions -
Jjjj
Soft certified organic cotton/Lycra® tops are a flattering addition to every wardrobe. The classic ballet-neck tee celebrates feminine style with a low, rounded neckline and slim elbow-length sleeves. I like the ballet neck better than boat necks (on myself) and like the slightly longer sleeves. Just wonder how "slim" the sleeves really are...
So Eileen Fisher are problematic? Or is that only their tunics?
northmoon: A fine camisole under s top that sheerer than wanted does the trick. I like the bra-camis too.
J. de SantaFe: The boatneck 3/4 sleeve is also a staple of Talbot's, online- and sometimes on sale!
metscan: Think it's really smart stock up on those tees and have beautiful colours to wear in the winter when one is craving them!
Imogen: I heard Bingo Wings are called "sugar gliders" in Australia.
I will ask my associates to see what they think the derivation is from!
Crazy.
Duchesse, I agree about the Eileen Fisher colours. I'd only buy that top in the black, which is a pity as I'd much rather have a deeper, greyer version of the blue and greenish pastel. I don't wear pastels, but don't want to live in black, even with a pretty scarf or bright necklace round my neck. I just liked the shape, but I want it in Jane Birkin's grey.
(Notes on Ste-Madeleine d'Outremont bazaar take) no actual garments, but a Lanvin Paris silk scarf in "kind red" and violet tones, new condition, and a silver rose brooche that seller thought dated from 1940s.