This simple long-sleeve top is a must-have you’ll wear now and later
8/9/2026
Translation: Natalie McKay
Pictures: Stephanie Vinzens
Autumn in the morning, summer in the afternoon – and your outfit has to work for both? This striped long-sleeve top is exactly what you need.
The biggest fashion challenge during the past few weeks of sweltering heat was to wear as little as possible while still looking presentable in public. Slowly but surely, however, the situation is changing. The transitional period brings with it days when it feels like our outfits have to handle two seasons at once – autumn in the morning and evening, and summer in the afternoon.
Most people are probably already familiar with the clothes hack for changeable weather – layering, better known here as the onion principle. The key is to choose pieces that go well with the rest of your wardrobe and are easy to put on and take off. I recently realised just how perfect a striped long-sleeve top is for this when I was sent one from Only.
One top, many looks
Sure, this piece might look unremarkable at first glance. But, as is often the case with good basics, their true strength only becomes apparent in everyday life. Because as simple as the top is on its own, there are so many ways to style it. The stripes add an interesting touch, yet are classic enough to blend harmoniously with other prints.
The cotton fabric is soft and pleasantly lightweight, so the top doesn’t look bulky even when worn as part of a layered look. On warmer days, I can comfortably wear it over a T-shirt and skip the jacket. When it gets cooler later in the autumn, I’ll put it on as an extra layer under my outerwear.
This long-sleeved top still does some heavy lifting when I take it off after the weather changes. Because instead of taking up space in my bag (which I probably don’t even have in the first place), it can easily be styled as an accessory. I can drape it over my shoulders the classic way, or tie it around my hips or waist, creating a different silhouette depending on where I put it. Or I wrap the top around my neck like a scarf and tie it at the side. And it even looks great on a bag handle – think of it like an oversized bag charm,. This lightweight, thin fabric is ideal for all these styles – it can be draped and tied easily without looking shapeless.
A bargain, to top it all off
Coming in at less than 20 Swiss francs, it looks like the cost per wear will be excellent. This long-sleeve top can be styled in many different ways and, thanks to its versatility as a layering piece, is sure to be a staple for several seasons to come. In any case, I was so impressed that, after trying the black-and-white version I reviewed, I ordered a second one in turquoise, which I paid for myself (there’s a total of five colours to choose from).
It’s still too early for me to say just how durable these long-sleeve tops are. But I know from experience that affordable basics can definitely last me a long time. This is probably because I always wash my clothes on the gentlest cycle possible, at 30 degrees and 800 spins per minute.
In a nutshell
More of this, please
A simple, basic piece that – thanks to its lightweight fabric and versatile styling options – is perfect for layering and also taking your wardrobe from summer to autumn. I’d definitely love to get my hands on this item of clothing in several colours. My hack is to buy the top one or two sizes larger to get that oversized look.
Pro
- Comfy
- Stylish
- Versatile
- Affordable
Has endless love for shoulder pads, Stratocasters and sashimi, but a limited tolerance for bad impressions of her Eastern Swiss dialect.
These articles might also interest you
Show all
These articles might also interest you
5 comments
later