Are Cold Shoulder Tops Still in Style in 2022?
Cold Shoulder Tops have been a popular trend in the last few years because they add a subtle sexiness to a casual summer outfit. I’ve recently had a few emails asking if cold shoulder tops are still in style in 2022?
The answer is yes! While it is true that women’s cold shoulder tops have peaked, they have managed to hold their own and still look fabulous for spring and summer. Here are a few I found that stand out.
1. Floral Cold Shoulder Top
Cold shoulder tops tend to fall into one of two camps: sleek and edgy, or soft and romantic, like this pretty one I’m showing above. The mix of painterly florals, soft pastel colors, and breezy chiffon fabric make this cold shoulder top ultra-feminine.
For a modern look, pair this sweet top with something a little more rugged, like these faded jeans with the raw edge step hem. Braided mules enhance the boho vibe. A slouchy bag with gold chain detail makes it Haute Hippie. Don’t forget some dangly earrings to play up the cold shoulder detail.
shop the look
2. Ruffle Sleeve Cold Shoulder Top
Here’s a top that is sure to wow. This dainty green cold shoulder top with the lovely swiss dot texture is a tribute to spring! Bright colors like this are trending this season, but you can get too much of a good thing. The best way to style such a bright hue is by using neutrals as a backdrop.
Add your favorite jeans, and then accent with soft white. A simple mule, a beautiful white bag, and some pearlized white earrings balance the bright green and keep it look gorgeous, not flashy.
shop the look
3. Keyhole Neckline Cold Shoulder Top
Say Hello to yellow this spring. Bright yellow clothing is having a moment, and one of the loveliest pieces I have seen is this pretty yellow print top. This sunny cold shoulder top has a high halter neckline and chic keyhole neckline. I love it with white jeans and a touch of blush ( bag and earrings) to keep the look soft and pretty.
You could go with blush sandals, but that would look pretty matchy. Blush would also shorten your legs a little compared to the off-white sandals, create a continuous visual flow, and make your legs look longer.
shop the look
4. Long Sleeve Cold Shoulder Top
I’m always getting asked about long sleeves in summer, and here is the perfect top. This gorgeous cold shoulder blouse gives you the arm coverage you crave but keeps you cool with its ruffled shoulder cutouts. Pair it with flare jeans and taupe accessories for a casual but classy look. The v-neckline is a beautiful touch and is always flattering, especially if you are big-busted.
shop the look
5. Eyelet Cold Shoulder Blouse
This pretty white eyelet cold shoulder top will have you floating through summer. Intricate eyelet embroidery and cinched sleeves make this fresh and feminine with a pair of your favorite jeans and some white sandals.
shop the look
I like & appreciate fabulousafter40.com. Also, I agree on w/ Lulu, who said, “…they are now a little dated, but can still be worn another season or two. I just purchased one from Old Navy…I think it looks pretty; I wish it were here to stay.” I wish it were here to stay too. Why can’t it be here longer than a couple more years? Many women like cold shoulder top & I’m sure many guys like seeing women in them too. Of course, there are hard shoulder tops I don’t like, but others I’ve loved since they came out & will continue to. Some fashion comes & goes while others are timeless classics, but why can’t those of us who love cold shoulder tops request them from stores & make them (or at least try to make them) more timeless than just a couple? More years? Just as there are always options of many types of necklines & sleeves for different tastes, in a perfect world, the cold shoulder would continue to be made available to women who like or love it & no one would judge others about it.
Clothing manufacturers often push something new to SELL more. I’m not talking about the creative folks in fashion design. I mean the cold, complex world of business, including corporations. Corporations don’t care about millions of families’ limited wardrobe budgets or that, often, the money someone is about to spend unnecessarily on fashion could better be donated to refugees, etc. Sometimes (not always), it’s people who are relatively shallow or self-centered & who have money to throw around who proclaim things ‘out of fashion because *their* high-flying budget allows them to change even their furniture when they so much as get a little tired of it. I love the fabulousafter40 dot com website & fashion tips. Also, nothing beats the company of women! Just remember that w/ gas & housing prices as they are, & things looking like we might be going into recession, people’s 1st-world problems such as ‘what might that shallow/judgmental person over there think of my cold shoulder top’ start looking a bit different. I like fashion, but a sense of perspective & a higher value system can be called for, too. There are videos on youtube about how Americans see America when they come back (at least to visit) after living abroad for years. One of the video makers said the 1st thing she noticed was “consumerism & materialism mentality…” which other returning-American video makers saw. Forex, this is a perfect one of the videos for anyone interested (just copy & paste the title to youtube): How I See the US After Living Abroad for 15 Years [CULTURE SHOCK]
Admittedly, they’re not my favorite style of tops. However, cold shoulder tops will have their periods of waning popularity, and like a phoenix, they’ll rise from the ashes. I just don’t want to see CS tops oversaturating the retail market like they did a few years ago.
Really don’t understand why these cold-shoulder tops are popular. To me, they look sloppy, show an odd part of the body and look unflattering to everyone.
I really don’t like them much but good to have to stay cool if you don’t like your upper arms but have good shoulders. They can hide that aging thing under your underarms. Some fashion bloggers say these tops are out and I haven’t seen any in the stores so far.
My friend called cold-shoulders “covid vaccine tops”, cuz they make it easy to get your vaccination :-)
That’s funny Lisa!
Love your site, Deborah. I went out and got three new pairs of long shorts this week after reading about them here :-)
That’s great Lisa. Please tell me what else you’d like me to write about. Cheers!
I’m glad you posted this. I’ve been wondering the same. My take is that they are now a little dated, but can still be worn another season or two before they look completely dated. I actually just purchased one from Old Navy, a blue tropical floral. I think it’s such a pretty look, I wish it was here to stay.