Okay, so let’s talk about cold shoulder tops! I know, I know, some people are saying they’re totally out, a fashion faux pas, banished to the back of the closet. But are they really out of style in 2024? I decided to do some digging – and some experimenting – myself.
First things first: the research. I hit up my usual haunts – fashion blogs, online magazines, even a deep dive into Instagram. I was seeing mixed signals. Some influencers were rocking updated versions of the cold shoulder, while others were declaring it dead and buried. Honestly, it was confusing.
So, I thought, “Screw it, I’m going shopping!” That’s where the real fun began.
I went to a bunch of stores – department stores, fast fashion places, even a few boutiques. I was specifically looking for cold shoulder tops, and I wanted to see what was out there. Were they heavily discounted and shoved in the sale rack? Or were they still proudly displayed among the new arrivals?
What I found was… interesting.
- The classic cold shoulder was definitely fading. You know, the kind where it’s just a straight-up cut-out on the shoulder. Those were hard to find, and when I did see them, they felt a little dated.
- But… there were variations! I saw cold shoulder tops with ruffles, with asymmetrical cuts, with interesting sleeve details. These felt much more modern and fresh.
- Fabric mattered a lot. A cold shoulder top in a cheap, clingy fabric looked… not great. But a cold shoulder top in a flowy, drapey material? That was a different story.
Next up: the try-on test. I grabbed a few different cold shoulder tops that caught my eye. I made sure to get a variety of styles and fabrics.
Trying them on was the real test. I stood in front of the mirror and asked myself:
- Does this actually look good on me?
- Does it feel comfortable?
- Can I see myself wearing this out and about?
Some were a hard no. Others… well, they had potential. I ended up buying two: a flowy, almost tunic-style cold shoulder top in a dark floral print, and a more fitted cold shoulder top with small ruffles around the cutout in a solid color.
The styling experiment: I didn’t want these tops to look like they were relics from 2016, so I had to get creative with styling.
I tried them with:
- High-waisted jeans
- Wide-leg trousers
- A midi skirt
- Even layered under a blazer
My conclusion? Cold shoulder tops aren’t dead, but they need a serious upgrade. The key is finding modern versions with interesting details and styling them in a way that feels current.
So, are cold shoulder tops in style in 2024? It’s not a simple yes or no. It’s more like, “It depends.” You have to be selective, and you have to put some thought into how you wear them. But if you do it right, you can definitely rock a cold shoulder top in 2024 and look amazing.
My final advice: Don’t be afraid to experiment! Try different styles, fabrics, and pairings. And most importantly, wear what makes you feel good. If you love a cold shoulder top, then rock it with confidence!
