Women in Ancient Egypt had to adapt to its hot climate and so they wore shoulder-strapped dresses made of light clothing such as linen and cotton. Women in Ancient Greece wore a rectangle piece of cloth folded and pinned together called the peplos. Then at a later time, they wore a long tunic called a chiton. Greek women wore their long hair in many different styles.
Women in Ancient Rome were already fashionable as they wore a palla or a long shawl together with their colorful long dresses called a stola. They held their clothes together with pins and brooches. Some wore wigs and even false teeth.
Scroll through the list below and discover how women’s tops changed drastically from ancient times.
FYI, thanks to AI imagery software, we’re able to create very specific fashion and hairstyle examples to illustrate the points being made. In some cases, imagery is exaggerated to hammer home the point.
Batwing Tops
These tops are so named because of the design of the sleeves, which resembles the wings of a bat. The top section is looser than the bottom section, with the latter being a little tighter and commonly found in a creased design. They fit snugly on the waist and hips, and they look great whether you’re wearing shorts, jeans, or capris. The sleeves, because of the design, are usually either long or three-quarters in length.
Button-Up Blouses
Button-up blouses can be made in dozens of materials, with sleeves of all lengths, and in hundreds of colors and designs. They usually have collars and are, therefore, a bit dressier than other tops, and you can choose everything from a sleeveless cotton blouse to a long-sleeved silk blouse, depending on the look you want.
Button-up blouses are appropriate for almost any occasion and they are worn by people of all ages. They can be plain or fancy, solid-colored, or in prints, and they are also a great go-to whether you’re going to the mall or to the office.
Cropped Mini Tops
Cropped mini tops are almost always worn exclusively by young people because they show a lot of the midriff area. In fact, some of these tops are also off-the-shoulder tops, which makes them especially revealing and sensual.
Perfect to wear with miniskirts and shorts, they can be worn to the beach, your next get together with friends and any event that requires you to be out in the sun for a bit. Cropped mini tops also come in a variety of prints, sleeve lengths, and colors, so if you are looking for something particular, you are likely to find it.
Curvy Jeans Tops
Named so because they are usually worn with jeans, they have a layered look throughout the entire top, and they are often found in soft materials that “gather” easily, such as a silk-polyester blend.
The tops do have a somewhat dressy look and therefore, they can also be worn with skirts, and they are always made with a stretchable material that allows for both a layered look and top-notch comfort and fit. They fit a tad bit tighter at the waist, giving them a very fashionable look, and they are also a perfect match for a pair of shorts.
Designer Back Pattern Tops
Source: eBay
These tops are very popular among teenagers and young people, and they have a unique backside that includes a pattern that is both unique and eye-catching. Perfect for girls’ nights out, dates, and even parties, tops that have patterns on the back can include zippers, lace, or numerous other characteristics, and with many of them, part of the wearer’s back is showing for a sensual and sexy look.
The front and back always look different from one another, and the patterns on the backside of the top are always something attractive.
Designer Scoop Neck Tops
Scoop neck tops are particularly popular with teenagers and young people, and they are often made with materials such as polyester or polyester blends. The scoop neck makes the top very comfortable because the shirt doesn’t fit tightly at the neck area, and since both comfort and style are important to young people, in particular, they tend to be, in every young person’s closet. They come in dozens of designs and colors and they are mostly worn with jeans or shorts for a more casual look.
Fashion Layered Tops
Source: eBay
These tops are distinct because they have numerous layers on the front and sometimes on the back of the shirt. Often made with spaghetti straps, the layered look calls attention to itself, and the top is usually made with very casual and comfortable materials such as cotton.
You can wear layered tops with jeans or shorts to make them a little dressier, and they are lightweight, fit loosely, and make the perfect top for casual outings such as going to the beach or heading out to the mall. Layered tops are more popular with younger people, but their sleek style is appropriate for others as well.
Frock Tops
Source: eBay
Frock tops are somewhat traditional and have a western look that is extremely popular. They usually have a set of pleats at the bottom of the sleeves and the bottom of the shirt itself, and they are often made of a cotton-polyester blend for the ultimate in comfort. Usually worn in the summer months, frock tops can even have fancy lace collars and bright, colorful designs.
High Neck
A shirt with a high neckline is perfect for winters. Along with covering your neck from the cold, it is also uniquely trendy. However, wearing a high neck t-shirt over a short dress or simple pants would look just as classy and stylish.
In fact, a high neck line top with intricate lace designs or even a crochet can look extremely flattering. Try it out for formal parties or even casual days to get lots of compliments.
Now that you know just about every single type of shirt there is for women, it’s time to revamp your wardrobe, and add in the trendiest tops of the season.
Hoodies
If you’re going for casual or athletic wear, hoodies are great because they look better than regular sweatshirts and offer your head something to stay warm. I’m a big hoodie fan.
See all the different types of hoodies here.
Lace Tops
Lace tops are tops that are made of 100% lace, but since lace comes in dozens of designs, styles, and colors, this doesn’t mean that all lace tops look alike. Mostly made from materials such as cotton and sheer, lace tops are loose fitting and look great on women who are a bit heavy in stature because they can make you look a little thinner.
They also provide an elegant and classy look, and they are perfect for dressier occasions such as parties and dances. More often than not, there are two layers to these tops, including an inner layer that is usually a nude or neutral color and an outer layer that is usually white or off-white in color.
They come in many different designs and patterns, and they go great with everything from skirts to jeans, and even capris and shorts.
Loose Straight Tops
Source: eBay
Often resembling tank tops at the top of the garment, loose straight tops flow out a little at the bottom and are usually a little longer than regular tops. Women with larger statures often choose loose straight tops because they make them look a little slimmer.
Although they are fluffy at the bottom, they have a length that is narrower and a little shorter in the center than at the sides and back, giving it its “straight” look. Comfortable yet a tad dressy, loose straight tops go best with jeans.
Loose Tops
Made mostly of comfortable materials such as cotton, these tops usually have short sleeves and consist of a loose-fitting style that goes with everything from skirts to jeans. Not only are they loose-fitting all the way around, but they are also even loose at the top, having a cut that is fairly low and flowing.
Women who have medium or hefty builds often prefer loose tops because they do not fit as snugly across the body, and they are also very comfortable when it’s hot outside and you don’t feel like wearing anything too tight.
Net Fashion Tops
Sometimes, when you simply want to wear something a little different and unique, a beautiful top made of a netted material works perfectly. Often long-sleeved and worn over a camisole or short-sleeved shirt, they are usually sheer and see-through, which means they are extremely comfortable to wear.
Net tops can be worn at work or for a trip to the mall, and they come in both fancy and casual designs, not to mention a host of colors and patterns. Some of them even have a slightly shiny look to them, lending them a little class and style, regardless of where you are going.
Off-the-Shoulder Tops
Both trendy and a little sexy, off-the-shoulder top can include one or both shoulders, and they are almost always short-sleeved, although other sleeve lengths are possible. Off-the-shoulder tops can be barely off the shoulders or slink way down, and they can sometimes include one shoulder that looks a little different than the other one.
One of the best things about choosing one of these tops is that not only are they extremely comfortable – thanks to the fact that they are usually quite loose – but you can also wear them with almost everything. This is due in part to the various designs and colors that the tops come in, which means they truly offer something for everyone.
Peplum Tops
Peplum tops are tops with a strip sewn onto the waist so that the bottom part of the top flows outward and has a slight flare to it. The great thing about peplum tops is that the style itself is great for both casual and formal occasions.
It also accentuates the bosom, which is something many women love about these tops. They can be short-sleeved or sleeveless, and they come in dozens of materials and colors. Wear these tops with dressy jeans and flats, and you have the perfect outfit for a party or other type of getting together.
Plain Poncho Tops
Poncho tops are normally plain in design and they get their name because they look like a regular rain poncho. Usually made with long sleeves and in materials such as polyester, poncho tops are designed more for the cooler or colder months.
They often come with a turtleneck type of collar and they come in dozens of patterns and colors. With creasy lines and a flowing look, they can be worn by women of all sizes and body shapes, and best of all, they do a great job of keeping you comfortable during the fall or winter months.
Plain Short Tops
Source: eBay
These tops can go with everything from capris to skirts, they are usually in a solid color because the companies that make them are shooting for a more basic and standard look. They are usually not very long at the bottom, sleeveless or short-sleeved, and come in very comfortable materials.
Short tops with plain designs are a great go-to whenever you’re in a hurry and don’t know what to wear because they are comfortable enough and trendy enough to wear anywhere and with any other article of clothing.
Plain Simple Tops
This is a type of top that every female should have in her closet, because it is a basic top that is usually a neutral color, and therefore, it can match many of the outfits that you wear. If you buy these tops in colors such as white or off-white, and it is the right design, you can wear them with everything from jeans to skirts, and if they have vee necks and a loose fit, they’ll be comfortable as well as fashionable every time.
All women should have a basic white top in the closet because it makes deciding what to wear a lot easier to do each day.
Ruffled Shirts
Ruffles are beautiful fabric designs that entail multiple folds and frills. A ruffled shirt or pants will have various frills on its sides or on the sleeves. Ruffled shirts are usually made of soft, folding fabrics so they really give off that beautiful, feminine look.
Wearing an off-shoulder ruffled shirt will not only enhance your neckline, but gives a soft glamorous touch to your look. A ruffled top has that girlish child-like vibe to it that is perfect for summer parties, or when you’re heading to the beach.
Although, they can be worn for formal occasions, they should ideally have fewer frills to suit the tone of the event.
Sheer Tops
These tops are not made of a netted material, but the design itself is sheer in nature. Often, only certain parts of the shirt are sheer, such as the top part directly below the neck, the sleeves, and possibly even the very bottom of the shirt.
The sheer characteristic often is due to a design that shows part of your skin or the clothes underneath, and they can come in designs such as geometric shapes and even flower designs. Perfect for jeans and leggings, sheer tops are usually made in materials such as cotton and polyester, and they are also a lot of fun to wear.
Short Frock Tops
Source: eBay
Very popular among college coeds, short frock tops are often sleeveless and look like mini-dresses. They are often made in designs such as stripes and polka dots, and if you pair them with a belt your sense of fashion will really shine through.
Best of all, short frock tops can be worn alone or with capris, and they are great for any occasion, both casual and semi-formal. Most of them are meant for the younger crowd, and short frock tops are sexy, fun, and comfortable to wear.
Short Jacket-Style Tops
Usually made in denim, these tops show a little tummy and are usually sleeveless. Looking a bit like a jacket, they are perfect to wear with your denim jeans, and like those jeans, these tops can come in various shades of blue, including the very-popular faded look that many denim items have.
If you’re leaving the house for a casual outing, these tops look great with denim skirts, shorts, or jeans, so you can look fashionable wherever you go.
Shrug-Like Belt Tops
Source: eBay
These tops look a lot like a regular blouse, but most are made to wear slightly open at the top and with a belt so that its look is a little dressier. They usually have buttons down the front and a slightly “gathered”, or shrug look, and they are usually long-sleeved.
Loose-fitting and available in numerous colors and designs, shrug-like belt tops look great with skirts and jeans, and they are always fashionable and trendy. In addition, you can wear these tops all year long because of their design and the materials used to make them.
Sleeveless Shirt Tops
Slightly casual, but also appropriate for office wear, these shirts have collars and buttons down the front, and they can be a little looser in fit than other types of shirts. They can also be made out of any type of material imaginable, so whether you want this type of shirt in cotton, silk, or anything in between, you are all but guaranteed to find it.
Perfect to wear with everything from skirts to jeans, shirt tops can also come in short sleeves, and they are commonly found in offices and even on college campuses.
Sweatshirt
For super casual, there’s the sweatshirt. Loose, comfortable, casual. Every wardrobe needs at least one. I have a handful and wear them regularly.
Tank Tops
Tank tops are known by their straight, often tight-fitting design and the fact that they are without sleeves, and because you can wear them underneath blouses and other types of shirts, tank tops can be worn for both casual and formal occasions.
Tank tops are usually made of cotton, polyester, various blends, and even silk or satin, and they can be short or long in length. Tank tops can also come with extra-thin spaghetti straps and in numerous patterns and colors, so whether you choose to wear them plain or underneath another type of top, they will look and feel great every time.
Tee-Shirt Tops
Tee-shirts are undoubtedly the most popular type of shirt worn today, in part because this is a society that is becoming more casual with each passing year. Tee-shirts can be plain or in fancy patterns, and hundreds of retail outlets and other businesses offer tee-shirts with their name or logo on them.
Because they are designed mostly for casual occasions, they are usually made with materials such as cotton or cotton blends, but you can still make them dressier by wearing a fashionable blazer or sweater over the shirt itself.
Trendy Strips Tops
These are a type of tank top, but instead of a top section that looks like other tank tops, they have narrow or string-like straps to show even more skin. They are often made in silky or satin materials because thanks to the straps, they are usually made to help the wearer feel sexy and attractive.
In addition, since they are often a bit longer at the bottom, they look good with high-waisted jeans and skirts, and the variety of colors and designs offers something for everyone to love.
Tube Tops
Tube tops are usually made of tight-fitting, elastic-like material and have no sleeves or straps. Tube tops also show the midriff area, so they are quite skimpy. In addition, because of the way they cling to your body, they are usually worn only by women with very slim figures.
Tube tops can be worn alone or underneath a sheer blouse, and they come in a wide variety of colors and prints. You can wear them with shorts, capris, or blue jeans, and if you want to dress up the look, simply add a pair of flats or dressy sandals.
If you’re headed out to a picnic or a trip to the mall, putting on shorts and a tube top allows you to enjoy your outing in a very comfortable way.
Tunic Tops
Tunic tops are a little larger than regular tops, almost resembling dresses. Some are shorter in the front than on the sides and back, while others are the same length all the way around. Popular especially among women over the age of 40, tunic tops are most often worn as a single dress or with leggings, and they can be quite fashionable.
They can be long or short-sleeved and come in hundreds of designs, fits, and colors, so everyone can find something they’ll love while shopping for tunics.
Very Long Fitted Tops
Source: eBay
Just as the name suggests, these tops are very long and resemble a dress in many ways. In fact, they can actually look a lot like saris because they often have a very ethnic look, with many of them even made in materials such as chiffon or silk.
The tops look great with capri pants or even jeans, and they are perfect when you’re headed out to a special occasion. Tops that are fitted and very long sometimes are fluffy at the top and can have an uneven bottom, lending them a little extra class and elegance.
Winter Tops
Made specifically for the cold winter months, these tops are usually made out of thermal, wool-and-cotton blends, or even polyester. They are thick and usually have long sleeves, and they are soft against the skin and comfortable.
They often have a turtleneck design and can also be extra long for additional coverage against the cold and wind. Best of all, winter tops always look great with jeans, skirts, and dresses, especially if you pair them with fashionable boots and hats.