A Brandy Melville pointelle top is one of those small, fitted knits that adds texture to the plainest outfit. The tiny eyelet pattern reads soft and a little nostalgic, which is why it looks best next to something with a different surface, such as denim, linen, satin or tailoring. Working with knits, the first thing I tell people is that pointelle is meant to be slightly see-through, so what goes under it matters as much as what goes with it. A fitted tank or smooth camisole fixes that and lets you wear the top well past summer. White, navy, gray, pink and cream tops all balance with relaxed jeans, sporty pants, tailored separates or flowing skirts, and your shoes decide how casual it gets. Below are 25 full outfits built around this one knit.
Why Pointelle Has Holes and How Sheer It Gets
Pointelle is a fine-gauge knit with a pattern of small eyelets built into the fabric. During knitting, a stitch is moved onto its neighbor and a gap is left behind, and those gaps repeat in rows or little flower shapes. Most pointelle tops are cotton or a cotton blend in a thin rib, which is why they feel soft and follow the body.
The holes open wider as the knit stretches. A top that looks modest on the hanger can show far more across the bust or shoulders once it's pulled tight. So before styling one, I check three things.
- Stretch. If the eyelets turn into ovals while you're wearing it, the top is fitting too tightly to stay opaque.
- Underlayer color. A camisole close to your skin tone makes the eyelets nearly vanish, while a white or contrasting one turns them into a visible dot pattern.
- Bra texture. Lace and textured bras show through the holes, so a smooth one is the safer choice.
Matching a Short Fitted Top to the Right Rise
Many pointelle tops are short and close-fitting, and the hem decides which bottoms work. Raise your arms in the mirror: if the hem lifts above your waistband, low-rise bottoms will show midriff all day. For no gap, choose high-rise bottoms that the hem overlaps by an inch or so when you stand. For a deliberate strip of skin, low or mid-rise works, but keep the bottom loose so it reads as a choice rather than a top that shrank.
1. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Low-Rise Jeans
Low-rise jeans give a fitted pointelle top an early-2000s feel without tipping into costume, as long as the denim is relaxed. Straight-leg or bootcut in a medium wash balances the top's close fit. A short knit with low-rise jeans leaves a gap at the midriff, so decide if you want that; if not, mid-rise jeans with the same accessories close it. A slim brown belt, retro sneakers or square-toe ankle boots, a suede shoulder bag, small hoops and narrow sunglasses keep the vintage mood. If the knit is thin, wear a camisole in the same color as the top so the eyelets look solid from a distance.
2. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Denim Mini Skirt
A denim mini with a white or pastel pointelle top is a classic warm-weather pairing. I'd pick an A-line skirt over a very fitted one, since the flare balances a close-fitting knit and you can actually sit down. Light denim keeps it soft for daytime, and dark denim gives sharper contrast. White crew socks with leather loafers make it preppy; plain sneakers make it everyday. A canvas tote, a small pendant and a simple hair clip are enough next to the eyelet pattern. Wear light shorts under the skirt for coverage, and keep an oversized cardigan for air-conditioned classrooms and cafés.
3. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With White Linen Pants
White linen pants and a pointelle top are both light, breathable fabrics, so this is one of the coolest outfits here on a hot day. Cream, pale pink, light blue and navy tops all suit it, with navy giving the most contrast. Choose high-rise drawstring trousers or a wide linen leg that moves, and let the fitted knit define the waist against the looser pants. Flat leather sandals, a woven shoulder bag and small gold earrings finish it, and a slim tan belt in place of the drawstring adds structure. White linen shows everything underneath, so skin-toned underwear matters as much as the camisole under the top. I'd wear it for sightseeing or an outdoor lunch.
4. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Floral Midi Skirt
Pointelle and florals share a romantic, small-scale look, so the print has to stay small too, or it drowns the knit detail. A white top works with almost any floral palette; a colored one looks best when its shade appears in the print. Tuck the hem lightly to mark the waist, or leave a cropped top out. I'd keep the shoes simple, ballet flats or plain sandals, and wear one fine necklace rather than several. A knit tucked into a skirt creeps up every time you raise your arms, so give the waist a quick smooth before you leave. On cooler days, a cropped denim jacket keeps the neckline visible.
5. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Boxer Shorts
Striped boxer shorts with pointelle is the bedroom-to-street look done on purpose. Cotton shorts in blue, gray, pink or neutral stripes go with a white or coordinating top, and a fitted tank or baby tee shape keeps it balanced against the loose shorts. Crew socks and retro sneakers suit errands or travel, and a baseball cap, canvas tote and simple watch add sporty details. Very thin boxer shorts look like pajamas outdoors, so I'd pick a slightly heavier cotton with a longer leg and a secure waistband. An oversized button-down worn open covers your shoulders in strong air-conditioning.
6. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Cargo Pants
Cargo pants make a sweet pointelle top look grounded and casual. Olive, stone, charcoal and faded black are easy with white and cream tops. A straight or slightly baggy cut works, with the fitted knit marking the waist. Chunky sneakers, a nylon shoulder bag and silver jewelry support the streetwear mood, and keeping to two or three colors looks cleaner. A cropped zip hoodie covers cooler evenings. Petite wearers can use adjustable ankle ties to shorten the leg; for a longer line, full-length pants with shoes in a similar color help. Watch the hardware, too: bag buckles and cargo snaps catch an open knit easily.
7. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Satin Midi Skirt
Cotton pointelle against satin is a texture contrast I like a lot, because the matte, eyelet knit makes the satin's shine look deliberate. Pair a white, black or soft gray top with a bias-cut midi in chocolate, navy, burgundy or champagne. Keep the top fitted, and either tuck it neatly or choose a cropped length that meets the waistband. Slingback flats or low kitten heels and a structured mini bag refine it, with simple earrings and a narrow bracelet. A light cardigan handles cooler weather. If satin feels too formal for your plans, a matte slip skirt gives the same movement.
8. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Capri Pants
Capris give the pointelle top a neat retro shape for spring and summer. Fitted black, navy or gingham capris ending around the lower calf look sharpest. A white top creates crisp contrast, while a matching dark one makes a long, streamlined column. Ballet flats, slim sandals or low sneakers suit it, with a shoulder bag that sits close to the body and small jewelry. A headband nods to the vintage mood without turning it into fancy dress. Capris cut the leg at the calf, so a low-vamp shoe or one near your skin tone helps the leg look longer.
9. Layered Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Baggy Jeans
Layering over a fitted tank is how I'd wear a thin, open pointelle most of the year. A white tank under a navy, gray or pastel top shows through the eyelets as a pattern of tiny dots, which is the point. Let the tank's neckline or straps peek out slightly. Oversized dark-wash jeans contrast with the fitted layers above. Ballet flats soften it, and retro sneakers make it walkable. A slouchy shoulder bag, pendant and narrow sunglasses finish it. The tank must be smooth, because thick side seams and bulky hems show as ridges under fine knit. This layering carries a summer pointelle into early fall.
10. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Cardigan And Shorts
A cardigan turns a pointelle top and shorts into an outfit that copes with changing temperatures. A fitted white or pastel top with tailored cotton, linen or denim shorts is the base, and a slightly oversized cardigan in gray, navy, cream or dusty pink goes over the shoulders. Keep the cardigan loose but not so long that it covers the shorts, or the legs look bare under a big knit. Loafers and crew socks feel collegiate, and sneakers relax it. A structured tote carries your things. Two knits together are already plenty of texture, so I keep jewelry minimal and choose a smoother cardigan than the top.
11. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Leather Jacket And Jeans
A leather jacket adds structure and a bit of edge to a delicate knit. A faded black or dark brown jacket over a white, cream or pale pink pointelle top, with straight-leg jeans, black ankle boots, a compact shoulder bag and silver hoops, keeps it simple. Leave the jacket open so the pattern shows. A lightweight faux-leather bomber or coated denim jacket is the lighter swap. Fine knit catches on zip teeth, so never zip a jacket up over it, and slide your arms in carefully. A dark belt tying jacket, shoes and bag together finishes it for in-between weather.
12. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Pleated Tennis Skirt
A pleated tennis skirt makes pointelle preppy. White, navy, gray or muted plaid skirts are the easiest base. The top should meet or slightly overlap the waistband, since a strip of skin between a short knit and a pleated skirt looks unfinished. Ankle socks with loafers, Mary Jane flats or white sneakers suit it, with a small backpack or structured shoulder bag. Knot an oversized crewneck sweatshirt over your shoulders when it cools. Under-shorts make walking and sitting easy. One pendant and a hair ribbon or headband is all the decoration it needs.
13. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Denim Maxi Skirt
A denim maxi skirt gives more coverage while keeping the knit casual. A straight skirt with a front slit lets you walk normally. Medium or dark denim contrasts well with white, blush or cream pointelle, and faded denim sits nicely with navy or charcoal. Sleek sneakers, leather clogs or flat sandals depend on the season. A cropped top balances the long hem, and a longer top can be lightly tucked. A leather shoulder bag and simple hoops finish it. Skip bulky jackets; a short cardigan or cropped denim jacket keeps the long line clean.
14. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Gray Sweatpants
Soft gray sweatpants with a pointelle top look styled rather than sleepy when the cut is right: straight-leg or slightly flared, not hugely oversized. A white, navy, burgundy or pink top adds texture, and the darker shades look the least like pajamas. Clean sneakers and a coordinating zip hoodie make it a travel or study outfit, with a nylon shoulder bag, simple hoops and neat hair. Fold the waistband once or choose a higher rise for more waist. Keep the shoes and bag structured, because two soft pieces need something with an edge.
15. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top Over A Slip Dress
Wearing a pointelle top over a slip dress turns two simple pieces into a layered outfit. A sleeveless midi in black, navy, brown or a small floral works, with the top over it and the straps or neckline just showing. A cropped top creates the look of a separate skirt without a belt. Ballet flats, low boots or plain sandals, a small shoulder bag and delicate earrings finish it. Slip dresses are often satin or viscose, which slides under knit, and that helps here because the top settles smoothly instead of clinging. Check that the dress lies flat underneath so no bunching shows through the eyelets.
16. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Tailored Trousers
Tailored trousers give pointelle a cleaner, more grown-up direction. A fitted white, black or gray top with pleated pants in charcoal, taupe, navy or chocolate works, and a high-rise wide leg balances the small top. A slim belt, pointed flats or loafers and a structured handbag make it fine for a casual office or daytime plans. If the top has lace trim or a decorative neckline, keep jewelry quiet. A light blazer can go on without changing the palette. For work, check the top's sheerness under office lighting first, because a knit that looks modest outdoors can show more under bright overhead light.
17. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Denim Overalls
Overalls layer over a pointelle top without hiding it, since the sleeves, neckline and sides stay on show. A fitted short or long-sleeve top under straight-leg overalls in medium or faded blue is the base. Roll the hems slightly and add canvas sneakers, clogs or flat sandals, with a small backpack and colorful socks for personality. Fasten both straps for a neat look or loosen the bib for a relaxed one. Metal overall buckles sit right on the knit, so check they don't catch the eyelets when you move. If full overalls feel bulky, an overall dress with crew socks and loafers is lighter.
18. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Gingham Skirt
Gingham and pointelle share an uncomplicated, nostalgic quality. A knee-length, midi or modest mini skirt in brown, blue, black or soft pink checks, with a solid top that matches one color in the check, is the base. Ballet flats or Mary Janes keep it feminine, and plain sneakers make it casual. Add a small shoulder bag and a neutral cardigan. Large checks plus open knit is already a lot of pattern, so leave decorative accessories at home. A neat ponytail or simple clip is enough for spring days.
19. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Denim Shorts
Denim shorts are the easiest partner for a light pointelle top. Pick the rise you're comfortable in, but aim for a relaxed leg opening to balance a fitted knit. Light denim makes a bright summer palette; black or dark blue gives more contrast. Leather sandals, retro sneakers or clogs go with a canvas or woven tote, and a brown belt and small pendant add definition. Distressed shorts need plain everything else, and frayed waistbands can catch the knit where the top hangs over them. For sun, an oversized cotton button-down worn open keeps the outfit light.
20. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Corduroy Pants
Corduroy makes pointelle work in cooler fall weather. Warm brown, olive, burgundy or cream cords in a straight or slight flare suit it. A white or gray top gives contrast, and navy looks rich with camel or tan cords. Loafers, suede ankle boots or retro sneakers all fit. Layer a cropped jacket or roomy cardigan while keeping the neckline visible. Corduroy and pointelle are both textured, the cord in vertical ridges and the knit in tiny holes, so add no other patterns. Smooth leather accessories and a solid outer layer keep it readable.
21. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Blazer And Mini Skirt
A relaxed blazer sharpens a pointelle top and mini skirt. A white or cream fitted top, a black, charcoal, plaid or denim mini, and an oversized blazer ending near or slightly below the skirt hem make a neat shape. Loafers and crew socks look preppy; tall boots add coverage when it's cold. A structured shoulder bag and a necklace that follows the top's neckline finish it. Keep the blazer open so the texture stays visible. An A-line mini is easier to move and sit in than a straight one, and it keeps the outline just as polished.
22. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top Over A Long-Sleeve Shirt
Layering a short-sleeve pointelle over a fitted long-sleeve shirt takes it into fall. Start with a plain white, gray or black base that fits smoothly under the knit, and avoid thick cuffs and collars, which push the fine knit out of shape. A contrasting base makes the eyelets stand out as a pattern; a tonal one gives a quieter effect. Loose cargo pants or wide-leg jeans balance the two fitted layers, with sneakers or combat-style ankle boots, a crossbody bag and small silver jewelry. It gives warmth without a heavy jacket.
23. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Matching Knit Pants
A matching knit set looks coordinated and feels like loungewear. A white top with white or cream pants, or pastel pink, blue or gray pieces in close shades, all work. Straight or gently flared bottoms move without looking oversized. Clean sneakers, ballet flats or simple slides and a contrasting shoulder bag stop the set from looking like a uniform. Both pieces can be sheer, so a smooth neutral layer underneath matters top and bottom. Knit pants bag at the knee and seat after hours of sitting; that's normal for a fine knit, and a cool wash and flat dry bring them back. Small hoops and a light cardigan finish it.
24. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Track Pants
Track pants are an unexpected sporty partner for a delicate knit. A straight-leg pair in navy, black, burgundy or gray with a clean side stripe or piping, a fitted white top, retro running shoes, a small nylon bag and a light zip jacket make the outfit. A cap or narrow sunglasses can underline the athletic direction, but you don't need both. Let the pants fall neatly over the sneakers instead of bunching at the ankle. The pointelle softens the sportswear, and a short color palette keeps it looking planned.
25. Brandy Melville Pointelle Top With Linen Shorts
Linen shorts with a pointelle top is a breezy summer pairing. White, tan, pale blue and chocolate shorts sit easily with common pointelle colors, and a mid or high rise with room through the leg is the comfortable choice. Flat sandals, woven slides or low sneakers, a straw tote or leather crossbody and simple sunglasses complete it. A smooth camisole underneath gives coverage without hiding the knit pattern. Carry a light cotton shirt to wear open. Some sunscreens leave yellowish marks on white cotton, so let it soak in before you dress. Vacations, outdoor markets and beach walks suit this one.
Washing Pointelle Without Stretching the Holes
Fine knits stretch when wet and keep whatever shape they dry in, so most pointelle damage happens in the laundry. I wash these tops cold and inside out, by hand or on a gentle cycle inside a mesh bag so nothing catches the eyelets.
Never hang a wet pointelle top. The weight of the water drags the shoulders down and lengthens the body. Roll it in a towel to press the water out, then lay it flat and pat it back into shape. Cotton pointelle can shrink in a hot dryer, so air dry it or tumble on low.
Snags happen with any open knit. If a loop pulls out, don't cut it. Work it through to the inside with a blunt needle or a small crochet hook, then ease the neighboring stitches so they share the slack. Store these tops folded in a drawer rather than on hangers.
Soft Knit, Sturdy Partners
One delicate knit works with denim, tailoring, athletic pieces, romantic skirts and lounge pieces. The pattern I'd keep in mind is a fitted pointelle top over a looser or more structured bottom. Smooth layers underneath give coverage, and contrasting fabrics let the eyelets show. Shoes set the mood: sneakers keep it casual, loafers look preppy, sandals belong to summer and boots carry it into fall. Adjust coverage, rise and proportion to your own body. With a good underlayer and a short color palette, the top earns a place in every season.
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