For years I thought bardot tops were a trap. A shoulder gimmick designed to slide down at the exact moment you’re holding a glass of something fizzy and talking to someone you fancy. I said this, loudly, to my colleague Priya, who just looked at me and said “that’s because you keep buying the ones with no structure, Han.” She was right. Every one that let me down was a jersey thing with elastic that had given up somewhere around the second wash.
The good ones do not move. That’s the whole test.
Pull the neckline, wiggle your arms about like you’re doing the actions to a children’s song, and if it stays put you’ve found one worth having. A proper bardot top has some boning or a decent underlay, or at least a grosgrain trim doing quiet, unglamorous work along the top edge. That’s what separates a top that holds its own shape from one that needs constant hoiking, which is not a look, it’s a full time job.
Styling wise, this is where you get to be a bit smug about your collarbones without saying anything out loud. High waisted trousers or a straight leg jean, both of which balance out all that exposed shoulder so it reads considered rather than accidental. Tuck it in properly, not the half hearted three inch tuck that comes undone the second you sit down. A blazer worn open over the top does something clever too, structure meeting no structure, and it means you can wear the same top from a lunch straight into an evening thing without changing.
Occasion wise, this is a warm weather dinner top, a birthday drinks top, a “we’re going somewhere with a dress code but I refuse to wear a dress” top. It is not, whatever the invite implies, a ceremony top, learned that one at a christening in 2019 and spent the whole service holding my own shoulder like it owed me money. Evening, mostly. Daytime bardot is a different, much fussier conversation, and one for another day.
Top Picks
BARDOT TOPSHOPBOPPeachy Den Bardot Tailored Top Onyx
$145.00
$72.50 SHOPBOP
BARDOT TOPCERQULARALL SAINTS Womens Blue Cotton Blend Bardot Top L Ruffle Sleeve Casual
$33.79 CERQULAR
BARDOT TOPSUPERDRY (US)Superdry Women's Bardot Short Sleeve Off Shoulder Top Navy
$32.95 SUPERDRY (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva Gathered Bardot Asymmetric Mesh Panel Top
$45.00 GODDIVA
FLORALKINIWhite Puff Sleeve Ruffled Milkmaid Bardot String Tie Bikini Top
$22.99 FLORALKINI
JD SPORTSadidas Women's Originals Lace Bardot Top in Cloud White Size:
$60.00 JD SPORTS
GODDIVAGoddiva Sequin Lurex Bardot Pleated Sleeve Top
$35.00 GODDIVA
THREDUP (US)Bardot Long Sleeve Top Tan Plunge Neckline Tops - Used
$20.99 THREDUP (US)
EGO (US & CA)Bardot Crop Top In Cream Lace, Women's Size US
$25.00 EGO (US & CA)
FLORALKINIPistachio Green Puff Sleeve Ruffled Milkmaid Bardot String Tie Bikini Top
$22.99 FLORALKINI
RENT THE RUNWAYBardot Rixton Printed Halter Top Cream-multicolored-print
$69.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
SHOPBOPBARDOT Harlow Ramie Halter Top Bliss Pink
$139.00 SHOPBOP
EGO (US & CA)Bardot Embroidered Detail Puff Sleeve Crop Top In White, Women's Size US
$24.00 EGO (US & CA)
EGO (US & CA)Fold Over Bardot Long Sleeve Crop Top In Burgundy Lace, Women's Size US
$23.00 EGO (US & CA)
FLORALKINIRed Puff Sleeve Ruffled Milkmaid Bardot String Tie Bikini Top
$22.99 FLORALKINI
FLORALKINIBlack Puff Sleeve Ruffled Milkmaid Bardot String Tie Bikini Top
$22.99 FLORALKINI
MAJE USRib knit bardot-neck top
$185.00 MAJE US
RENT THE RUNWAYOne of Others Bardot Top Red-cream
$150.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
THREDUP (US)Bardot 3/4 Sleeve Top Black Sweetheart Neckline Tops - Used - Size
$20.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Bardot Long Sleeve Top Brown Plunge Neckline Tops - Used - Size
$20.99 THREDUP (US)
RENT THE RUNWAYBardot Wren Wrap Top Blue
$76.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
THREDUP (US)Bardot Long Sleeve Top Gray Boatneck Tops - Used - Size
$18.99 THREDUP (US)
SUPERDRY (US)Superdry Women's Bardot Short Sleeve Off Shoulder Top Navy
$32.95 SUPERDRY (US)
SUPERDRY (US)Superdry Women's Bardot Short Sleeve Off Shoulder Top Grey
$32.95 SUPERDRY (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva Bardot Corset Top
$55.00 GODDIVA
EGO (US & CA)Bardot Ruched Sleeve Knotted Front Crop Top In Brown Metallic, Women's Size US
$23.00 EGO (US & CA)
EGO (US & CA)Reversible Bardot Tie Front Detail Crop Top In Yellow Crochet Knit, Women's Size US
$20.00 EGO (US & CA)
CERQULARQUINZE HEURES TRENTE Womens Bardot Top Purple V-Neck Long Sleeve Floral
$15.59 CERQULAR
CERQULARLiu Jo Bardot Top - Medium Red Cotton
$24.11 CERQULAR
CERQULARDKNY Womens Bardot Top Maroon
$27.29 CERQULAR
EGO (US & CA)Bardot Ruched Detail Crop Top In Taupe Sequin, Women's Size US
$29.00 EGO (US & CA)
VIX SWIMWEARP26 BB Knit Solaro Bardot Top - Black, Size:
$268.00 VIX SWIMWEAR
VIX SWIMWEARP26 BB - Sale Knit Solaro Bardot Top - Evergreen, Size:
$161.00 VIX SWIMWEAR
CERQULARWHISTLES Womens Black Bardot Top Short Sleeve Square Neck XS Fashion
$25.99 CERQULAR
CERQULARALL SAINTS Womens Blue Cotton Blend Bardot Top L Ruffle Sleeve Casual
$33.79 CERQULAR
CERQULARWomens Bardot Top Black Sleeveless
$16.89 CERQULAR
CERQULARHONEY LEE Womens Bardot Top Blue V-Neck Silk
$16.89 CERQULAR
EGO (US & CA)Bardot Long Sleeve Ruched Cinched Waist Top In Chocolate Brown, Women's Size US
$36.00 EGO (US & CA)
CERQULARZARA Womens White & Pink Floral Printed Bardot Top Short Sleeve
$18.19 CERQULAR
EGO (US & CA)Bardot Lace Trim Top In Chocolate Brown Slinky, Women's Size US
$23.00 EGO (US & CA)
−27%
ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)Bardot Square-Neck Knit Top$68.42
$49.95 ANTHROPOLOGIE (US)
−50%
SHOPBOPPeachy Den Bardot Tailored Top Onyx$145.00
$72.50 SHOPBOP
−30%
MAJE USBardot rib knit top$190.00
$133.00 MAJE US
