Most strapless tops look either like swimwear or like they're about to fall down. The Aritzia Lilou Tube Top avoids both, mainly because of its soft gathering at the sides and a crepe that drapes instead of clinging. That gathering hides a lot, and it means you can wear the top with sneakers in the afternoon and heels at night. When I style a party look around a fitted top like this, the bottom half does the balancing: volume, structure or movement, depending on the night. Below are twenty ways I'd wear it, and before that, how it should actually fit so you're not hitching it up all evening.
How Snug a Strapless Top Should Really Be
A tube top that's the right size is the whole difference between a fun night and a night of hitching. There are no straps, so the top edge and the band have to grip on their own, a bit like a strapless bra. Here's the fitting-room test I put every strapless top through:
- Raise both arms over your head, then lower them. If the top has slid down more than a finger's width, it's too loose.
- Slide two fingers under the top edge. They should fit snugly. A whole hand means it will creep; no room at all means red marks and a bulge above the edge.
- Turn sideways and check the back. A top edge that dips lower at the back than the front usually means a size too big.
- Sit down and lean forward. The top shouldn't gape away from your chest.
Between sizes, I'd almost always choose the smaller one in a stretchy, gathered top like this, because crepe and stretch knits loosen a little with wear. If the smaller one leaves a ridge of skin above the edge, though, go up; that roll is far more noticeable than a little extra room.
1. Lilou Tube Top With Wide-Leg Trousers
High-waisted wide-leg trousers are my first pick for a party where you want to look put together but not formal. Black, cream, taupe or charcoal. The waistband should meet the bottom edge of the top, so nothing gaps when you dance. Let the hem skim the floor over pointed heels or sleek flats; that length makes the legs look endless against a bare neckline. A structured shoulder bag and medium hoops. Bring a light blazer for cold air-conditioned rooms. Gentle pleats give hips more room; flat-front looks sharper.
2. Lilou Tube Top With Baggy Jeans
Relaxed baggy jeans are the obvious partner for a fitted Lilou Tube Top: close on top, loose below. High rise covers more midriff; mid-rise feels more casual. Light wash for summer days, darker for a dinner. Low sneakers, a leather belt and a small shoulder bag. A pendant necklace is the one piece of jewelry I'd add, sitting in the open space at the collarbone. Carry an oversized button-down to throw on when it cools. With flat shoes, baggy jeans need to stop just above the ground or they shred at the hem within a week.
3. Lilou Tube Top With White Maxi Skirt
A white maxi skirt softens the structured top and makes the whole outfit feel romantic. Cotton poplin, linen or light gauze move without ballooning. A high-rise skirt meets the top cleanly and shows the waist. Flat tan sandals, a woven bag and fine gold jewelry. Tie a thin cardigan over your shoulders for later. When the skirt is very full, keep everything else small. On a petite frame, I'd choose a column skirt or one with a front slit, since a mountain of fabric under a short strapless top can swallow you.
4. Lilou Tube Top With Linen Pants
Linen pants with this top are what I'd wear to a hot-weather daytime party outdoors. Ivory, oatmeal, pale gray or soft olive all sit well with the crepe. High rise, with a wide or slightly tapered leg. Flat slides keep it casual; low block heels dress it up a notch. An open white linen shirt gives sun cover over bare shoulders, which you'll want by mid-afternoon. Just don't stack too many loose layers, because the fitted top is what keeps the outfit from looking like pajamas.
5. Lilou Tube Top With Satin Midi Skirt
A satin midi skirt gives the Lilou a proper evening feel. Choose a bias cut, which follows the body without gripping it. Chocolate, black, champagne, navy or burgundy work, matched or contrasted. Slim heeled sandals or pointed slingbacks, a small top-handle bag and sculptural earrings. A cropped blazer adds cover and still shows the waist. Satin and crepe both show what's underneath, so wear a smooth strapless bra and use fashion tape at the top edge if it's moving. It's my answer for a birthday dinner when you don't want a dress.
6. Lilou Tube Top With Denim Shorts
High-rise denim shorts with a slightly loose leg make the easiest summer festival outfit. Medium-wash cutoffs feel laid back; dark, clean-hem shorts look sharper. White sneakers, flat sandals or slides depending on how much walking there is. A woven crossbody keeps your hands free, and a light button-down tied at the waist is there for when the sun gets serious. Keep jewelry to small hoops and a fine chain. A longer short gives more coverage when you're sitting on grass.
7. Lilou Tube Top With Black Maxi Skirt
A black maxi skirt under the Lilou makes a long, unbroken line. All-black still has depth if you mix textures: crepe on top, cotton, satin or pleats below. Pointed flats or heeled mules keep the line long. Silver earrings, a cuff and a contrast mini bag stop it looking flat. A slim leather belt adds definition. If you want a jacket, pick a cropped one that ends at the waist, since a mid-hip jacket chops the skirt at an awkward point. This is my all-purpose evening outfit when I don't know the dress code.
8. Lilou Tube Top With Tailored Shorts
Pleated tailored shorts look polished in a way denim can't. High waist, defined waistband, relaxed leg, in cream, camel, black or soft gray. Add a matching blazer and it reads as a set. Loafers give a preppy finish; slingbacks or low heels make it feel more party. A structured bag and a narrow belt. Sit down in the fitting room before buying, because short tailored shorts ride up more than you'd think. This works for a brunch party or a daytime celebration.
9. Lilou Tube Top With Cargo Pants
Cargo pants give this pretty top an edge, and the contrast is the point. Olive, stone, khaki or charcoal. They should sit securely at the waist and fall straight or wide. Chunky sneakers for a concert, minimal sandals in summer, a compact crossbody and narrow sunglasses. An oversized denim jacket handles the cold walk home. Big bellows pockets add width at the hip, so flatter utility pockets are kinder if that bothers you. At a festival, cargos win simply because your phone and lip balm have somewhere to go.
10. Lilou Tube Top With Straight-Leg Jeans
Straight-leg jeans keep the outfit simple and let the top lead. Medium or dark wash with minimal distressing looks smartest. Tuck nothing; just make sure the top's hem meets the waistband smoothly. Ballet flats, kitten heels or loafers, depending on the night. A classic shoulder bag and gold earrings. For a layer, a cropped cardigan or fitted blazer that matches the jeans' clean lines. Neither piece adds bulk, which is why this flatters most bodies. It's my standard dinner-and-a-movie outfit.
11. Lilou Tube Top With Pleated Midi Skirt
A pleated midi moves when you walk and contrasts well with a fitted top. Narrow pleats look sleek; wide ones add drama. Navy, ivory, sage or burgundy let the gathered texture of the top show. Pointed slingbacks for comfort, block heels for height. Small structured bag, plus one standout accessory such as pearl earrings or a bold cuff. A thin belt only if the waistband is plain. Bare shoulders above, lots of coverage below: that balance makes it suitable for showers, graduations and family events where a tube top on its own might feel too much.
12. Lilou Tube Top With Leather Pants
Looking for a bolder party option? Put the Lilou with leather pants and you get soft crepe against a smooth, stiff surface. Black reads monochrome and sleek; chocolate or burgundy adds color. Go high-rise so the proportions sit right. Pointed boots, sleek pumps or minimal heeled sandals, silver jewelry, a clean-lined bag. Bring a long coat or oversized blazer for cold evenings. Faux leather looks the same and is lighter, but it doesn't breathe, so on a hot dance floor it'll feel warmer than the real thing.
13. Lilou Tube Top With Low-Rise Jeans
Low-rise jeans with this top are a straight early-2000s throwback. Pick loose straight or wide legs; tight low-rise looks dated and is uncomfortable. A longer top reduces how much midriff shows, a shorter one makes it bolder. Retro sneakers, a slim shoulder bag, tinted sunglasses. A zip hoodie or oversized leather jacket on top. Keep the belt plain. Honestly, low rise isn't for everyone, and mid-rise jeans give nearly the same look with more support and less tugging every time you sit.
14. Lilou Tube Top With Matching Trousers
Matching the Lilou to trousers in the same color gives you a jumpsuit effect, but as separates you can reuse. Match as closely as you can, watching undertone and fabric weight; a cool black next to a warm black looks off under bright lights. Black, cream, taupe or deep red. High-waisted trousers should meet the top or leave only a sliver of skin. Pointed heels, a sculptural clutch, medium earrings. If both pieces drape softly, a structured bag or tailored blazer brings shape back in. That unbroken color also makes you look taller.
15. Lilou Tube Top With Printed Pants
Printed pants add personality under a plain strapless top. Stripes, abstract florals, geometrics or a quiet animal print. Pull one neutral out of the print and repeat it in the top, shoes and bag. Wide printed legs look dressy with platforms; straight ones go easily with pointed flats. Keep jewelry quiet. An open solid shirt calms a busy print. Scale matters: small motifs read subtle, large ones read loud, so choose the one you're comfortable being noticed in.
16. Lilou Tube Top With Mini Skirt
A mini skirt with a strapless top can tip into too much skin, so I keep everything else clean. An A-line or tailored mini, not a bodycon, with a high waist that feels secure. Knee boots in transitional weather, ballet flats when it's warm. A slightly oversized blazer adds coverage and offsets the short hem. A small shoulder bag, sheer tights if it's cool, simple studs. A slightly longer mini or one with built-in shorts saves a lot of tugging when you sit or dance.
17. Lilou Tube Top With Bermuda Shorts
Long Bermuda shorts make a tube top feel modern and surprisingly modest. A tailored pair near the knee, high or mid rise. Black looks minimal; beige, white or pinstripe lighten things. Loafers and a structured tote for a city day, slingback heels for an evening. Drape an oversized blazer over your shoulders and leave the front open. A narrow belt and quiet jewelry. The extra length below means the bare shoulders read as styling rather than as a lot of skin, which makes this an easy sell to anyone unsure about strapless.
18. Lilou Tube Top Over A White Shirt
Layering the Lilou over a white button-down is a styling trick that gives you full coverage and keeps the shape. Choose a fitted or slightly oversized shirt without chest pockets, then pull the tube top over it and settle it around the torso. Collar open, sleeves rolled. Straight black trousers or dark jeans balance the layers. Pointed flats, a structured bag and silver earrings. Leave the shirt tails out for an editorial look, or tuck both into high-waisted pants for a cleaner line. It's also how I keep the top in rotation once autumn arrives.
19. Lilou Tube Top With Denim Maxi Skirt
A denim maxi gives more coverage and keeps a casual, trend-aware feel. Straight or slightly flared, with a front slit so you can walk without the stiff denim fighting you. Light wash is relaxed; indigo or black is sharper. Platform sandals, slim sneakers or ankle boots depending on the season. A leather belt for the waist and a small shoulder bag. Layer with a cropped cardigan or a denim jacket in a contrasting wash. It suits someone who lives in jeans but wants a different shape.
20. Lilou Tube Top With A Pantsuit
Worn beneath a coordinated pantsuit, the Lilou becomes a party-ready replacement for a blouse. A relaxed blazer frames the bare neckline, and high-waisted trousers give structure. Black, navy, chocolate, gray or soft beige. Match the top to the suit for one clean color, or contrast it for definition. Pointed pumps, loafers or heeled sandals, a structured bag, a watch, simple earrings. Skip the heavy necklace and keep the jacket open so the gathered sides show. It's how I'd dress a cocktail reception that also feels a bit like work.
Full Bust in a Strapless Crepe Top
A larger bust can wear a tube top, but it needs more planning than a small one, because gravity is pulling the top edge down all night. A well-fitted strapless bra with a silicone-lined band does most of the work. Choose a smooth, molded cup rather than lace, since crepe shows texture, and a nude close to your skin tone so nothing shadows through a pale color.
Longline strapless bras spread the load over more of your ribs, which is noticeably more comfortable over a five-hour party. Pair that with a strip of fashion tape at the center front of the top's edge and it won't move. The outfits with a high-waisted bottom and a blazer worn open, such as the pantsuit and the wide trousers, give the most support and cover while keeping the shoulders bare.
Crepe, Sweat and the Morning After
Crepe has a slightly grainy surface that hides small creases well, which is useful when you've been sitting for hours. What it doesn't forgive is heat. Fashion tape and deodorant can leave a residue along the top edge, so let deodorant dry fully before you dress. After a long night, hang the top to air out before it goes in the hamper; crepe can hold onto smoke and perfume. Follow the care label, wash gently in cool water if allowed, and never wring it, or the gathering at the sides twists and won't lie flat again without a steamer.
One Strapless Top, Day to Late Night
What makes the Lilou wearable is how willing it is to take on different bottoms. Wide trousers and matching pants make it polished; denim, cargos and shorts make it casual; maxi and satin skirts make it soft. Good foundations and a layer you can throw on make the strapless design feel secure enough to forget about. Choose proportions for your body and the occasion, not because a trend says so. Start with neutrals, then play with prints, texture and the shirt-underneath trick once you trust the fit.
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