Going out tops

Tops for evenings out, picked one at a time. This rail is all single pieces, so nothing here will turn up on three other people at the same bar. Expect party and occasion styles from names like Next, River Island, Monsoon and Coast, in sizes from UK 4 to 26, with lace, polka dot, animal print and floral all making regular appearances. Every top is checked, graded and photographed by hand before it goes live.

34 products

Buying preloved going out tops

What turns up on the rail

The mix leans towards high street and mid-market labels: Next, New Look, River Island, Papaya and Marks & Spencer come through often, with Monsoon, Coast and Divine adding the dressier end. Sleeve length varies as much as anything, so you will usually find short sleeve summer tops alongside long sleeve evening pieces and lace styles meant for occasionwear.

  • Patterns regularly include floral, abstract, animal print, polka dot and striped.
  • Sizes typically run from UK 4 to 26, though each top is a single piece in one size.
  • Condition is mostly Very good, with the odd Good piece and the occasional New with tags find.

If you are after more shine, the sequins and sparkle rail covers that, while velvet and satin is worth a look for heavier evening fabrics. Around the end of the year, Christmas party outfits pulls together the festive pieces. For something more structured and day-to-night, try women's shirts and blouses.

What to check before you buy

Going out tops take a particular kind of wear, so the details matter more than they do on a jumper. Read the grade and the photos together, and ask for measurements if you are between sizes.

  • Fastenings. Back zips, hook and eye closures and button plackets are the first things to go on evening tops. Check the listing photos for the full length of a zip.
  • Lace and mesh. Look at the underarm and side seams, where fine fabric pulls hardest. Small snags are normal on lace and are reflected in the grade.
  • Linings. Many occasion tops are lined. A lining can sit differently after washing, so check how it hangs in the photos.
  • Straps and shoulders. Thin straps and shoulder seams carry the weight of a top all night. Worth a close look on strappy evening styles.
  • Sizing across brands. A size 12 from one label is not a size 12 from another, and older pieces often run smaller. Measurements of any item are available on request before you buy.

Why buy this kind of top preloved

Party tops get worn a handful of times. That means plenty of them come through in Very good condition with no real sign of use, which is exactly why the second-hand market suits this category so well. You also get access to styles that have long since left the shops, so your top for a birthday or a work do is unlikely to be matched by anyone else in the room. And because each listing is a single garment with its own photos and grade, you know what you are getting rather than guessing from a stock image.

Common questions

How do I know a top will fit?

Each listing gives the size on the label, but labels vary between brands and across the years. Measurements of any item are available on request before you buy, so just ask through the contact form. If it still does not work out, there are 14 days to return it for any reason.

What does "Very good" actually mean?

Very good is the second step on our five-step scale, below New with tags and Like new. It means the piece has been worn but shows no significant wear once checked. Most going out tops on this rail sit in that band, with the occasional Good piece where there is something minor worth noting in the description.

Are lace and embellished tops hard to look after?

Honestly, yes, some of them are. Lace, mesh and beaded trims usually need hand washing in cool water and drying flat, and a tumble dryer will ruin them quickly. If you want something you can put through a normal wash, a plain woven or jersey top from this rail is the safer buy.

Can I wear these tops in summer as well as for evenings?

Plenty of them, yes. The rail includes short sleeve and summer styles alongside the heavier evening pieces, and lighter patterned tops in floral or polka dot work just as well in the day with jeans. The style tags in each listing tell you what the piece was designed for.

How quickly will it arrive?

Orders are dispatched within 2 working days and sent with tracked UK delivery. Standard delivery is free on orders over £50. If something arrives faulty or not as described, you have 30 days rather than the usual 14.

Nothing here suits me today. What now?

New pieces go up most days, so the rail looks different from one week to the next. If you have a particular brand, size or style in mind, use the contact form to ask whether it is in stock right now. It also helps to check the related rails, as party tops sometimes sit under sequins or satin instead.