Top (clothing)
A top, or topwear, is an item of clothing that covers at least the chest, but which usually covers most of the upper human body between the neck and the waistline.[1] The bottom of tops can be as short as mid-torso, or as long as mid-thigh. Men's tops are generally paired with pants, and women's with pants or skirts. Common types of tops are t-shirts, blouses and shirts.
History
[edit]T-shaped upper body garments have existed since antiquity in the form of tunics.[2] T-shirts are thought to be derived from the one-piece union suit worn in the 19th century. To increase comfort, workers cut apart the top and bottom of the union suit. After World War II, T-shirts became somewhat acceptable as outerwear for men working on farms and road crews.[3]
By the 1890s, most American women had a shirtwaist blouse.[4]
Design
[edit]The neckline is the highest line of the top, and may be as high as a head-covering hood, or as low as the waistline or bottom hem of the top. A top may be worn loose or tight around the bust or waist, and may have sleeves or shoulder straps, spaghetti straps (noodle straps), or may be strapless. The back may be covered or bare. Tops may have straps around the waist or neck, or over the shoulders.
Types
[edit]| Picture | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | T-shirt | with sleeve, either half or full. |
 | Tank top | sleeveless, with spaghetti straps. |
 | Crop top | lo-rise hip-hugger jeans, exposing belly. |
 | Tube top | no sleeve, no strap over shoulder, just wraps around bust. |
 | Jean top | A top made out of denim fabrics. |
Neck styles
[edit]| Picture | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | Halter top | single strap around neck. |
 | Turtleneck | A top with close-fitting, round, and high collar that folds over and covers the neck. |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Top (1)". Encarta. Microsoft Corporation. 2009. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
- ↑ Steinberg, Aliza (2020-02-07). Weaving in Stones: Garments and Their Accessories in the Mosaic Art of Eretz Israel in Late Antiquity. Archaeopress Publishing Ltd. p. 12. ISBN 978-1-78969-322-5.
- ↑ Davidson, Tish; Davidson, Scott (2024-10-17). From War Room to Living Room: Everyday Innovations from the Military. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. pp. 272–3. ISBN 978-1-4408-8053-7.
- ↑ Hodgkins, Lisa (2022-10-20). Everyday Fashion in Found Photographs: American Women of the Late 19th Century. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 176. ISBN 978-1-350-24986-8.
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| Full-body wear |
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| Coats and outerwear |
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| Accessories |
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| Dress codes |
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