Zero Waste Wardrobe Part II: Tops

I have twelve:

• 2 white Madewell t-shirts 
• 1 white American Apparel tank top
• 1 black Petit Bateau t-shirt
• 1 black H&M tank top
• 2 black crop tops, one H&M lace-up, one American Apparel square neck, except I'm extremely short torsoed (I know that's not a word) so on me they are like actual shirts
• 2 black bodysuits, one American Apparel v-neck, one Reformation turtleneck
• 1 black Reformation top
• 1 undyed rib merino wool sweater, from the 80s or early 90s
• 1 Etoile Isabel Marant plaid button up

So far I've consigned, donated, or sold all the tops in previous posts. I'm surprised anyone even married me, since I can barely hang on to a white t-shirt. I'm bad about picking out tops that look good, because I'm a sucker for a beautiful cut or a lovely fabric, frequently ignoring how shirts actually look on me. Another problem I have is with knit pure cotton or linen fabrics- they stretch and bag horribly, and don't bounce back into shape until the next wash. Since I dread shopping for another t-shirt again (although I objectively admire the deadstock ones at Rawson), I've resorted to tying them at the waist to get the desired fit.

  

 

Yes, I only have one sweater even though I live in Cleveland. Thin merino wool is super warm and temperature regulating, especially layered under camel. The material dries fast, so I could handwash it in the morning and air dry (or hang outside to freeze dry, like people in Greenland). Wool is odor absorbing, and doesn't need frequent washes.

I really like Reformation's eco rib, the warmest non-wool, non-silk material I've ever worn. It looks good after lots of washing, I just have to handwash, stop the drain, or use a laundry discharge filter to prevent microplastic pollution. Ribbed tops are forgiving, and the fabric sucks me in so I don't look like a sausage. I gave up on silk (too clammy), crepe (I always caught my fingernails on them), and collared shirts a long time ago, and for the most part, avoid buttondowns. I don't know how Kardashians wear them- I read they buy to fit the bust and tailor the rest of the shirt, but this never worked for me. All the tailors I've been to couldn't adjust the shoulders or waist enough. 

Every summer, I always want one of those white French country style tops, with the pintucking and the lace, either in the Jane Birkin or Brigitte Bardot style. I have yet to find the right one. They're always too sheer, or not bra friendly. Also, to reiterate, I hate shopping, so I'm not really looking carefully enough. Things I look for:

• Square neck, v-neck, or turtleneck
• Close fitting
• Cropped right at the waist- I drown in longer tops
• Ribbing
• Pocket t-shirts- I actually use the pockets! I stick food in them

For reference I wear XS or S at Reformation and their size charts are always accurate. XS at American Apparel and Etoile Isabel Marant (although Isabel Marant runs huge- that shirt needed to be taken in and shrunk), the twelve year old's size at Petit Bateau, XXS at Madewell, and I have no waist. I am sounding more and more unlikeable and entitled with each post but, there it is.