How a Tube Top Can Be Your Most Versatile Wardrobe Staple

To many millennials, the return of the tube top brings back long-forgotten fashion traumas, from wardrobe malfunctions to sidewalk catcalling. Thankfully, the latest version of the polarizing piece has mostly improved with firmly secured built-in paddings and improved support. The best part is you don’t have to be Gen Z to enjoy its revival. You can wear a tube top at any age, whatever your aesthetic. To give you an idea of just how versatile this wardrobe staple can be, here’s a guide on wearing it with the latest TikTok fashion trends.

What’s an office siren, you might ask? It’s a trendy fashion aesthetic that brings back the corporate girlie. Think Gisele Bündchen’s character, Serena, in The Devil Wears Prada, Rachel Zane in Suits, or Samantha Jones in Sex And The City. Since we canceled the girl boss, we haven’t seen a lot of the power woman – this is her comeback, sans the gaslighting and gatekeeping.

The idea is to wear well-made pieces in flattering silhouettes and neutral hues, like black, gray, beige, or navy. Sounds boring? Not in the least. What makes this look fire is how it contrasts basic “corporate attire” with feminine accents. Swap your usual crisp button-down shirt for a structured tube top under a tailored oversized jacket, or better yet, wear the tube top over said shirt. 

Don’t forget to throw on essential siren accessories: cat-eye glasses, chunky hardware, inconveniently high heels, cherry red lipstick, and a no-nonsense attitude at work.

Once deemed inappropriate and tacky, the humble tube top is now a pillar of the “quiet luxury” wardrobe. Imagine Gwyneth Paltrow wearing one under a cotton vest and silk maxi skirt – it’s all about comfortable fabrics and fits in contrasting textures.

Invest in a tube top that’s the right size, so it's smooth and seamless against your body. The vest adds a tinge of modesty, which may come in handy for more formal occasions. Breathable fabrics make it perfect for your summer fashion OOTDs.

Complete your look with fine leather accessories, extra shiny hair, and luxuriously soft skin. Use Dove Go Fresh Sakura Blossom Body Wash with sakura extracts and Himalayan sea salt, or Dove Go Fresh Cucumber & Green Tea Body Wash with cucumber and green tea. Both products leave the skin hydrated and fresh and leave a luxuriously delicate scent.

Balletcore might just be the most intuitive pairing for the tube top. The latter is ultra-feminine, which mixes well with tights, ribbons, and ethereal tulle skirts. But if you want to look out of the studio into the real world, you’ll need contrasting pieces like baggy denim pants, cargo skirts, and structured layers like vests and jackets. Think Julia Stiles in Save the Last Dance!

Unless you're going for a Barbiecore x balletcore mash-up, steer clear of pink for a fresher look. Finish your ensemble with cute ballet flats (yes, they’re back) and Sandy Liang-inspired bows in your hair. Accessorize with an oversized tote like a dancer off-duty and a giant sippy cup.

Not into balletcore? Step into the dark, glamorous, and maximalist wardrobe of movie mob wives. Dua Lipa and Dakota Johnson’s recent red-carpet looks are popular inspirations. Pair your black tube top with a sexy pencil skirt, ideally in some kind of animal print. Faux, of course. You could go all out with a matching trench and some serious gold hardware around your neck, wrists, and clutch.

Too warm for layers? Flash your shoulders! To make them extra mob-wifey, apply a small amount of shimmer body oil. Go for big hair, even bigger sunglasses, high-shine nails, and a bold lip.

The humble tube top has come a long way from its Y2K days. To make sure yours is versatile and timeless, look for quality materials that offer support and coverage—so you can stay classy in any aesthetic.