I never believed in the concept of a “going-out top” until about a month ago. In college, I remember changing no less than 100 dramatic times before going out—my go-to was always a combination of big tees, sweaters, and a blazer, which (shockingly) didn’t feel right on a weekend evening.
Just a few weeks ago, though—during what we may later describe as the all-time peak of NOT going out—something made me a believer: this top on Instagram. I wanted to nudge my 21-year-old self: This is it! This is a going-out top! It has a square-ish neck, dives deep into the armpits, shows some décolleté, and yet is still a knit (ribbed!). Bonus: It’s cozy enough for cold autumn evenings.
If I were going out anywhere, this would be my going-out top. At present, it will be my most fashionable staying-IN top, a phenomenon I am determined to make happen.
![](https://repeller.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/khaite-square-top.png)
Do you remember when Khaite walked this neckline down the runway in both spring and fall 2020 runways shows? If you don’t, I’m here to let you know they did! (Here’s a similar version of it, with an investment-level price tag.) Now, I’ve started noticing this neckline everywhere, and I’d like to suggest this as the starting point for a deep dive into going-out/staying-in tops. One thing I’ll note is that the top I found is “one size fits all,” which I acknowledge does not truly mean one size fits all. Therefore, I’ve provided some great options below in a range of sizes so you can emulate the lewk!
Have you ever tried to wear a cute top with… a pair of sweatpants? If you haven’t, I have good news! It’s an instant mood booster. Wearing a really good top is like putting on mascara: It doesn’t hurt, and it *can* manage to make you feel a bit more pulled together—but it takes a bit of mental work, which is what I’m here to help with. This is the most perfect, most mood-boosting top around. Conveniently, it doubles as a perfect top for fall.
![](https://repeller.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20-10-squareneck3-scaled.jpg)
What will I wear it with? The aforementioned sweatpants, of course. That’s what I thought of immediately when I saw the top, though I also considered wearing it with some wide-leg trousers to my sister’s wedding. Or imagine how great it would be with some skinny pants or leggings, and an oversized denim shirt (unbuttoned, of course)? Perfection.
That’s how I would dress it up (or down). What would you wear with the best staying-in-going-out top of the season? No constraints: Wear it at home or out (socially distanced, please).