There are certain colors and prints we associate with each season — pastels and florals for Spring, jewel tones and shimmer for Winter, and bright hues and nautical stripes for Summer. Specifically, striped tops, from tees to sweaters.
Despite actually being a staple year round, striped tops feel quintessential at the beach, on a boat, and, of course, for holidays like Memorial Day [1] and the Fourth of July [2], especially in shades of red and blue. But like with every other heroic item in our wardrobes (tanks, blazers, white t-shirts), striped tops can skew snoozy if you always wear your go-to versions the same few ways.
This Summer, why not shake things up in the striped top department, whether with a bouncier color, bolder pattern, or fresher silhouette? (Just wait until you see the puffy-sleeve [3] version I'm obsessed with, ahead.) And who better to inspire a refreshing take on wardrobe staples than the ever-stylish women of the street style scene?
Ahead, we've collected 54 fashionable takes on classic striped tops, from effortless, off-duty looks to smarter takes for work and beyond. Plus, we've rounded up our favorite striped tops from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [4] — which a little someone named Mindy Kaling [5] has proven to be a fan of — all between $14 and $30.
Loose-fitting jeans and cowboy boots give a striped top a "right now" feel.
Skip red and blue in favorite of a chirpy yellow hue.
Dress a simple long-sleeved striped tee with a miniskirt and heels.
For work, layer one under a blazer and embrace a mixed color palette.
Give your off-duty striped outfit a '90s influence with lug-sole combat boots.
Neon shades are big this season, and what better way to accent a head-to-toe look than with a striped top tied around your shoulders?
For a French-girl vibe, team a red-and-blue stripe with jeans and Mary Janes.
Layer a striped tee underneath your favorite slip dress.
A blue and white stripe pairs seamlessly with red-lined trousers.
Double the bold stripes, double the fun.
Chunky sandals give a simple striped top and black pants a modern feel.
Try a colorful stripe with utility shorts for a playful weekend look.
On chilly days, wrap a cream-and-navy striped sweater around your shoulders like a scarf.
A striped top is a bold base layer for a multicolored slip dress.
A winning combo: stripes and camouflage.
Give a bright stripe a boyish spin with straight-leg jeans and cool loafers.
If pattern play is your game, team your stripes with another classic: leopard print.
What's more fun than a multicolored stripe, pastel accessories, and a bucket hat?
Nautical on top, business on bottom.
Temper a multicolored knit with camel pants and neutral accessories.
Bermuda shorts are back! Style yours with a striped knit and chunky sneakers.
Play up bright stripes with colorful pants and edgy extras.
Go quirky-chic by teaming a striped sweater with jeans and tucking them into cowboy boots (like Princess Diana [6]) with a printed bag to finish.
A striped top is the perfect base for double denim [7].
Pick out a color from a bright, striped sweater and wear it on bottom for a vivid look. Bonus points for an even brighter bag.
A graphic stripe feels cool for Summer with cropped pants and a trendy bucket hat.
For a little texture, layer a striped T-shirt under a silky wrap dress.
Give stripes a night-out feel with leather pants and heeled boots.
The hottest days call for a striped tank or crop top.
Layer a classic stripe underneath a bolder version for a maximalist take.
How to dress down a black suit? With a simple striped tee, of course.
Give "ugly" sandals [8] a try with your favorite striped top and joggers.
A camel jacket is timeless over blue and navy stripes with jeans.
Layer a colorfully striped knit over a printed dress for all the fun.
A metallic jacket is unexpected with a nautical stripe and white pants.
What else is there to pair with a rainbow stripe skirt than a similarly bright stripe on top?
When running errands, team a loose-fitting striped top with a denim skirt and sneakers.
A timeless trench coat over navy and white stripes is forever classic.
Lean into the French-girl vibe by topping off a suit and striped tee with a beret.
A plaid blazer smartens up a striped top for work.
Mix and match stripe patterns to ensure an eye-catching outfit.
On cooler days, layer a checked coat over stripes and white pants.
Quintessentially Summer, blue and white stripes pair perfectly with white pants and cute flats.
Dress up bold stripes for evening by teaming with a similarly colored skirt and heels.
Sporty sandals are the perfect on-trend anchor to a striped shirt and cropped pants.
Dare to mix stripes with a floral print set.
You can't go wrong with a mix of wardrobe staples like this combo of jeans with a denim jacket [9] and striped top.
A striped top and checked pants work well together in the same colorway.
What's more Parisian than a tweed jacket over a striped top?
You can't fail in a striped tank and white pants for Summer.
A striped shirt, jeans, and sneakers are simple, but pulled-up socks give the look a funkier spin.
A cream-colored blazer is smart over a striped tee and jeans.
Black and white stripes pop over red and black.
Not sure what to pair with a feather-lined skirt? How about a striped top in a complementary hue?
POPSUGAR Babydoll Swing Tee
POPSUGAR Babydoll Swing Tee [10] ($22, originally $30). Also available in Plus Size [11].
POPSUGAR Babydoll Swing Tee
POPSUGAR Babydoll Swing Tee [12] ($22, originally $30)
POPSUGAR Babydoll Swing Tee
POPSUGAR Babydoll Swing Tee [13] ($22, originally $30)
POPSUGAR Babydoll Swing Tee
POPSUGAR Babydoll Swing Tee [14] ($22, originally $30). Also available in Plus Size [15].
POPSUGAR Ribbed Crop Top
POPSUGAR Ribbed Crop Top [16] ($22, originally $30)
POPSUGAR Stripe Puff-Sleeve Top
POPSUGAR Stripe Puff-Sleeve Top [17] ($26, originally $44)
POPSUGAR Stripe Puff-Sleeve Top
POPSUGAR Stripe Puff-Sleeve Top [18] ($26, originally $44)
POPSUGAR Striped Sweatshirt
POPSUGAR Striped Sweatshirt [19] ($26, originally $44). Also available in Plus Size [20].
POPSUGAR Pocket Pullover Sweater
POPSUGAR Pocket Pullover Sweater [21] ($30, originally $50). Also available in Plus Size [22].
POPSUGAR Pocket Pullover Sweater
POPSUGAR Pocket Pullover Sweater [23] ($30, originally $50). Also available in Plus Size [24].
POPSUGAR Pocket Pullover Sweater
POPSUGAR Pocket Pullover Sweater [25] ($30, originally $50). Also available in Plus Size [26].
POPSUGAR Contrast-Stripe Crewneck Top
POPSUGAR Contrast-Stripe Crewneck Top [27] ($21, originally $36)
POPSUGAR Contrast-Stripe Crewneck Top
POPSUGAR Contrast-Stripe Crewneck Top [28] ($21, originally $36)
POPSUGAR Contrast-Stripe Crewneck Top
POPSUGAR Contrast-Stripe Crewneck Top [29] ($21, originally $36)
POPSUGAR Print Long-Sleeve Tee
POPSUGAR Print Long-Sleeve Tee [30] ($14, originally $36)
POPSUGAR Print Long-Sleeve Tee
POPSUGAR Print Long-Sleeve Tee [31] ($14, originally $36)
POPSUGAR Print Long-Sleeve Tee
POPSUGAR Print Long-Sleeve Tee [32] ($14, originally $36)
POPSUGAR Print Long-Sleeve Tee
POPSUGAR Print Long-Sleeve Tee [33] ($14, originally $36)
POPSUGAR Striped Oversized Boatneck Sweater
POPSUGAR Striped Oversized Boatneck Sweater [34] ($20, originally $50)
POPSUGAR Striped Oversized Boatneck Sweater
POPSUGAR Striped Oversized Boatneck Sweater [35] ($20, originally $50)
POPSUGAR Nautical Cardigan
POPSUGAR Nautical Cardigan [36] ($30, originally $50)
POPSUGAR Nautical Cardigan
POPSUGAR Nautical Cardigan [37] ($30, originally $50)
POPSUGAR Elbow Sleeve Sweater
POPSUGAR Elbow Sleeve Sweater [38] ($20, originally $50)