Here’s a strange thing that happens with fashion: you can move from absolutely hating a trend to absolutely loving it, seemingly overnight. Take, for example, the current renaissance of Noughties staples. A year ago, the idea that the world’s hottest supermodels would be willingly sporting Ugg boots, Juicy Couture velour sweatsuits, and low-rise flared jeans seemed laughable. In 2021? It’s the height of post-pandemic sophistication.
Add to that list: The humble tube top. With recent nods of approval from such esteemed fans as Kendall Jenner and Beyoncé, the tube top is staging a truly unexpected comeback in 2021, complete with kitschy prints and bold pops of color. Jenner wore a graphic printed orange tube top with straight-leg leather trousers and square-toe Bottega Veneta sandals during a date night in Los Angeles with boyfriend Devin Booker earlier this month. Then, Queen Bey wore a tattoo-printed strapless dress with matching opera-style gloves for a bougie dinner with Jay-Z late last week.
First popularized in the early Aughts by the likes of Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, and—yes—Beyoncé, the tube top became the bread and butter of midriff-baring superstars. But does one really need washboard abs to pull it off? We’d argue no. In 2021, the new look tube top is more fitted and structural (think Marques’Almeida’s corset-esque creations), and can be worn tucked into wide-leg trousers or a trusty pair of vintage denim.
Alternatively, you can channel one of Carrie Bradshaw‘s most iconic ensembles—the grownup’s tube top, worn in a neutral chocolate shade and tucked into loose-fitting cargo-style trousers. At a time where the world is slowly emerging from lockdown restrictions, the number one qualification for enjoying this trend is having fun. The sartorial spirit of the Noughties is unabashed confidence, a sense of playfulness and frivolity, and a devil-may-care approach to experimentation. In short? It’s the perfect ethos to channel in a post-pandemic world. Shop our edit of the best tube tops below.
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