There was a period of time where I somehow found myself the owner of four black bardot tops at the same time. Four slightly different ones, yes but each one purchased because I had absolutely convinced myself that the previous one “didn’t quite do the shoulder thing right.” Friend of mine Priya popped me on it properly when we were at a barbecue in 2019. She looked down at my outfit and said “isn’t that the same top as the one you wore to the wedding” and bless her, she wasn’t wrong. They had all just sort of merged into one very expensive lesson..
But why? !
Why did I buy so many when I obviously already had one?
Because here’s the thing about a bardot top. The whole outfit lives or dies by that shoulder line. If it’s too tight, it rides down every time you move your arm, which is what I spent my entire hen do contorting into to do whilst holding a bottle aloft at a painfully interesting height on a prosecco tower. If it’s too loose it just moves around all night and you find yourself tugging it up more than a toddler in a nappy.
The good ones just sit off your shoulder without you having to constantly manage them. And chances are if it does that, it’s got some sort of structure to it, maybe a bit of boning, maybe an elastic that is supported by something else rather than doing all the heavy lifting on its own. Seams that help to keep its shape, rather than just trying to hang there and hope for the best.
Fabric is also key, more than most people realise.
Stiffer cottons or a really good ponte will keep that neckline in place whereas a lightweight jersey just wont. It wants to collapse in on itself and before you know it you look like you’re rocking a boat neck.
Once you’ve found yourself a good one though, learning how to wear it is honestly the easy bit. Team it with high waisted trousers or a skater/jersey skirt in leatherlook for post 6pm and leave it loose over your jeans if you want something more daytime than special occasion.
It’s perfect for those in between occasions where you want your shoulders making the statement rather than a big trendy sleeve or a plunging vampy neckline. It’s subtle but you also know why you’re wearing it.
As for jewellery, this is one of the rare occasions I’ll say let your collarbone and a nice necklace have equal real estate. It’s earned it.
It’s absolutely worth it for things like; an engagement do, a birthday meal at a ‘proper’ restaurant with tablecloths, a wedding where you know your isn’t the dress everyone’s going to be focusing on. Just maybe don’t buy four identical ones..
Top Picks
