The first thing I noticed was of When a coworker wore an asymmetrical Abercrombie top, Glamour Designer Channing Smith wore this dress to the office the first week of June. Was it Sandy Liang? Thobe? Kall Mayer? The stretchy modal cotton blend (in a seasonal shade of bubblegum pink) looked expensive, and the off-the-shoulder shape suggested a trendy runway brand. But no. It was Abercrombie & Fitch, a once-forgotten mall brand in the midst of a creative renaissance. And most importantly, it was only $40.
Later that day, I noticed a fellow party-goer wearing the same top at a rooftop bar; she reluctantly admitted that it was, indeed, Abercrombie. (If you’re reading this, I promise I’m not judging!) The next day, my editor Jennifer Calle picked up a cream-colored top and said she, too, had “seen it everywhere.” And, having spotted even more of it outdoors in the past few days, that’s enough for me. I declare the Abercrombie top the definitive top for summer 2024.
Formally known as the Abercrombie & Fitch Asymmetrical Cotton Modal Twist Top, it suggests a certain young professional nonchalance. “Yeah, I have to go into the office three days a week,” it’s saying. “But I still have a life. Here’s a little shoulder to remind me.” The off-the-shoulder design exudes a touch of sexiness, but it’s not going to rile up your boss (who might ask where you got it), and its four colors—pink, cream, beige, and the nearly sold-out black—are sure to fit seamlessly into your current capsule wardrobe.
This is the perfect addition to the office-sexy look that’s so popular in the workplace and at night. Did you know that magazine you read as a child emphasized the importance of clothes you could wear from day to night? This top makes that dream a reality. Welcome to the era of romantic comedies.
“I love the length and it can be worn with low-waisted pieces or easily over high-waisted pieces,” says Smith, who paired it with a denim midi skirt and knee-high boots. “The angles make it really chic,” says Carre, who paired it with straight-leg jeans and ballet flats, about the white top. “It’s made from a high-quality material, so it’s opaque and feels sturdy. I love the cream color and it’s perfect for the office. It fits true to size – I chose a medium – and it’s a great price.”
As much as we love this top, it does have a few drawbacks. “I think the only hardest thing about wearing this is picking a bra; you need a good strapless bra,” says Carre. Plus, it only comes in sizes from XXS to XL. It’d be nice to see a wider range of sizes. But for now, the pros outweigh the cons, considering the material is thick, soft, and cool to the touch. (We can imagine A&F asking double or triple the current price for it.)
When I was researching this product, Smith told me that the top is similar to a Reformation piece that costs twice as much, albeit with a high percentage of soft, stretchy rayon (the twisted detail is on the other side). On the flip side, I found a top on Amazon that was a polyester blend for about half the price of the Abercrombie one. I won’t get into the dummy product debate, but think of this as an opportunity to shop similar tops at any price point, each with their own appeal.
Dressing for summer can be a pain when you’re stuck with the same white T-shirt, ribbed tank top, and tailored vest before the days start to blend together. Abercrombie’s asymmetrical top is your escape. At the very least, you can put off your wash by a day. Team it with any bottoms, like linen pants, a white maxi skirt, or trendy Capri pants, and you’ll look great no matter where you go. That’s the bottom line: As long as you look and feel good when you go out, that’s good. A&F has just made it that much easier.
