Show Some Shoulder

One-shouldered and asymmetrical tops/dresses were all over the runways this season. This is a huge trend for the summer (and it won't be going anywhere come fall either). Off-the-shoulder and cold shoulder tops are also in style. This is another one of my favorite current trends and is probably the trend you will see most in my closet. I have been in love with one-shoulder tops for a long time and am really glad they're so popular right now. I've also always loved asymmetrical tops (similar to one-shouldered tops, except these shirts will usually have a strap on one side and a longer sleeve on the other), off-the-shoulder tops (worn off one or both shoulders), and cold shoulder tops (shirts with slits at the shoulder, similar to the cutout trend). I will be featuring all of these styles in this article.

Sexy & Single:

Colorblock One-Shoulder Dress, $19.99, available in sizes L and XL, alloy.com

Emmy Tunic, $24.90, available in sizes S-XL, alloy.com

Khloe Ruched Top, $32.90, available in sizes S-XL, alloy.com

Posh Flutter-Sleeve, $26.90, available in sizes S-L, alloy.com

One-Shoulder Bubble Top, $19.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

One-Shoulder Buttoned Top, $16.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

One-Shoulder Ruffle Top, $9.49, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

One-Shoulder Wood Chain Top, $19.99, available in sizes M and L, charlotterusse.com

One-Shoulder Colorblock Dress, $12.49, available in sizes S and M, charlotterusse.com

Delilah One Shoulder Dress, $19.80, shown in hot pink; also available in royal, sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

Ruby Rox One-Shoulder Satin Dress, $59.25, available in sizes 3-13, macys.com

Ruby Rox One-Shoulder Dress, $48.30, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Speechless One Shoulder Dress, $51.75, available in sizes 3-13,macys.com

XOXO Dress, Jeweled One Shoulder, $51.75, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

One Shoulder Print, $10.00, available in sizes M and L, mandee.com

One Shoulder Rhinestone, $14.99, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Xhilaration One-Strap Monokini, $29.99, available in sizes Small-X-Large, target.com

Silence & Noise Banded One Shoulder Dress, $19.99, shown in coral; also available in teal blue and tan, sizes X-Small-Large (X-Small and Small only available in tan), urbanoutfitters.com

Silence & Noise Drape One Shoulder Tank, $32.00, shown in purple; also available in black, ivory, and aqua, sizes X-Small-Large, urbanoutfitters.com

One Shoulder Ruffle Dress, $29.50, shown in purple; also available in black, sizes S-L (purple not available in S), wetseal.com

For a Grecian-inspired look, wear a one-shoulder dress with a pair of gladiator sandals, some gold bangle bracelets, gold hoop earrings, and a gold or flower headband. Also wear a braided belt around the waist of the dress. If you want to look like a greek goddess with a one-shouldered top, pair it with an A-line skirt and attach the belt to the skirt. To channel Cleopatra, pair a one-shoulder dress or one-shoulder top (with an A-line skirt) with a gold bangle, gold chandelier earrings, a gold bib necklace, and a gold or jeweled headband. You can also do your make-up like Cleopatra. Grab some liquid eyeliner and apply it above your lash line, then extend it to the end of your eye. Apply some blue eyeshadow to your lids and you can even add some false eyelashes. However, if you're not crazy about wearing false eyelashes, simply apply mascara instead. Also add some metallic lip gloss or lipstick. If you're already thinking about what you want to be for Halloween, these two looks would be great if you would rather make your costume than buy one.

Amazingly Asymmetrical:

Shadow Stripe Asymmetrical Tunic, $58.00, shown in ivory; also available in black and purple, sizes XS-L, ardenb.com

Asymmetrical Shirred Sleeveless Tee, $19.99, available in sizes Small-X-Large, babyphat.com

Asymmetrical Trapeze Ruffle Top in Retro Red, $39.00, available in sizes Xsmall-Xlarge, babyphat.com

Asymmetrical Trapeze Ruffle Top in White, $39.00, available in sizes Small-Xlarge, babyphat.com

Asymmetrical Trapeze Ruffle Top in Twilight, $39.00, available in sizes Xsmall-Xlarge, babyphat.com

Hypnotic Floral Spaghetti Strap Asymmetrical Top, $19.99, available in sizes Xsmall-Xlarge, babyphat.com

Circle Paisley One Shoulder Bubble Hem Dress, $59.00, available in sizes Xsmall-XXlarge, babyphat.com

Tie Dye Spaghetti Strap Asymmetrical Top, $19.99, available in sizes Xsmall-Xlarge, babyphat.com

One Shoulder Mesh Dress, $49.00, available in sizes Petite/Small and Medium/Large, bebe.com

One-Sleeve Rhinestone Top, $13.49, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Tribal Chain Top, $22.99, available in sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

One Sleeve Printed Top, $17.80, available in sizes Small-Large, forever21.com

We The Free Flutter Sleeve Top, $19.95, shown in black; also available in olive and periwinkle, sizes XS-L, freepeople.com

Appropriate Behavior One Shoulder Dress, $39.99, available in sizes 5/6-11/12, macys.com

Baby Phat One Shoulder Bubble Hem Dress, $59.00, available in sizes S-XL, macys.com

Speechless One Shoulder Two Toned Dress, $39.99, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Trixxi One Shoulder Dress, $59.00, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Sour Apple One Shoulder Ruffle Tank Top, $11.99, shown in purple; also available in black and fuschia, sizes Large and Extra large, sears.com

One Shoulder Ruffle Top, $19.50, available in sizes S-L, wetseal.com

Ruffle Shoulder Dress, $25.50, available sizes S-XL, wetseal.com

For a Greek goddesss or Cleopatra-inspired look, use the tips I gave under the "Sexy & Single" section with asymmetrical tops/dresses instead of the one-shouldered ones.

Show Off:

Off-Shoulder Button Tunic, $14.99, shown in ivory; also available in black, purple, red, and teal, sizes XS-XXXL, alloy.com

Peace Sweatshirt, $39.90, available in sizes S-XL, alloy.com

Colorblock Lace Trim Blouse, $38.00, shown in peri blue; also available in black and purple passion, sizes XS-L, ardenb.com

Off the Shoulder Dolman Top, $28.00, shown in fuchsia; also available in peri blue, black, flamenco,, and glass green, sizes XS-L, ardenb.com

Off the Shoulder Ruched Tunic, $28.00, shown in glass green; also available in white, black, and peri blue, sizes XS-L, ardenb.com

Off the Shoulder Tunic Tee, $18.00, shown in white; also available in steel gray and black, sizes XS-L, ardenb.com

Tie Drop Waist Top, $38.00, shown in fuchsia; also available in peri blue, white, sultry silver, and black ,sizes XS-L, ardenb.com

Kitson Off-The-Shoulder Sweater, $39.00, shown in plum; also available in charcoal; sizes S-L, charlotterusse.com

Sasha Off Shoulder Top, $59.00, sizes XS-L, guess.com

Tempted Marilyn Ruched Off-the-Shoulder Knit Top, $9.99, shown in purple; also available in black, sizes S-L, macys.com

XOXO Dress, Off the Shoulder Belted, $44.25, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Acid Wash Off-Shoulder, $17.99, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Acid Wash Off-Shoulder Heart Screen, $17.99, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Acid Wash Off-Shoulder Skull, $17.99, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Boatneck Bra Top, $15.00, shown in deep turquoise; also available in chocolate, harvest red, violet rose, jungle green, yellow topaz, sweet pink, navy, white, black, hawaiian blue, and ultra teal, sizes XS-XL, victoriassecret.com

Off-the-Shoulder Cover-Up Dress, $24.00, shown in chocolate; also available in black, sizes XS-L, victoriassecret.com

Off-The-Shoulder T-Shirt Dress, $29.00, shown in spa blue; also available in limelight, star blue, berry pop, white, and black, sizes XS-XL, victoriassecret.com

Satin Print Peasant Dress, $24.50, availabale in sizes S-L, wetseal.com

Smocked Peasant Top, $9.99, available in sizes S and M, wetseal.com

Breezy Off Shoulder Pullover, $49.95, shown in carnation; also available in indigo, sizes XS-L (carnation not available in XS), freepeople.com

To get a 1980's look inspired by the movie Flashdance, wear your sweater or sweatshirt off one shoulder and pair it with some leggings and pumps. You may wear a tank top underneath if you want to. For a 1980's Madonna-inspired look, wear your shirt off both shoulders with a pair of lacey leggings, a mini-skirt, bangles on both arms in various different colors, hoop earrings, different types of necklaces together, and some jelly shoes. Again, you can add a tank top underneath if you desire. These two styles would also be nice for Halloween costumes. To give off a vintage vibe, wear an off-the-shoulder dress with a pair of lace tights, a bow headband, pearl jewelry, and some ballet flats. For a modern-day hippie look, wear an off-the-shoulder top with a pair of bleached jeans, flip-flops, a headband, and some feather jewelry.

Give Them The Cold Shoulder:

Sheena Top, $29.90, available in sizes S-L, alloy.com

Piper & Blue Juniors' Cold Shoulder Studded Neck Top, shown in holly hock; also available in black; sizes Small-Extra large, kmart.com

American Rag Printed Cold Shoulder Peasant Dress, $33.75, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

American Rag Studded Colder Shoulder Tunic, $29.00, available in sizes XS-L, macys.com

Fleurish Cold Shoulder Cowl-Neck Top, $24.99, shown in grape; also available in black, sizes S-L, macys.com

Fleurish "Cold Shoulder" Dolman-Sleeve Top with Ties, $27.00, shown in fuschia; also available in black and yellow, sizes S-L, macys.com

Grass Printed Cold Shoulder Top, $24.99, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Sugar Tart Henna Print Cold Shoulder Smocked Bottom Top, $24.00, availab le in sizes S-L, macys.com

XOXO Beaded Cold-Shoulder Butterfly Sleeve Top, $49.00, shown in artichoke; also available in firefly (red), sizes S-L, macys.com

XOXO Dress, Printed Cold Shoulder, $39.99, available in sizes S-L, macys.com

Cold Shoulder/Big Flower, $24.00, available in sizes M and L, mandee.com

Cold Shoulder Paint Splatter Lace, $17.99, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Cold Shoulder Tunic Zipper Screen, $17.99, available in sizes M and L, mandee.com

Ruffle Cinch Side Cold Shoulder, $10.00, shown in royal blue; also available in black and yellow, sizes S-L, mandee.com

Juniors' Xhilaration Cold Shoulder Tunic, $14.99, available in sizes X-Small and Small, target.com

Silence & Noise Cold Shoulder Romper, $38.00, shown in obama; also available in cherry tomato, sizes X-Small-Large, urbanoutfitters.com

Belted Cold Shoulder Top, $19.50, available in sizes XS-XL, wetseal.com

Colorblock Tunic Top, $18.50, available in sizes XS-L, wetseal.com

Foil Scroll Top, $20.50, available in sizes S and M, wetseal.com

Smocked Paisley Top, $19.50, available in sizes S and M, wetseal.com

For a date, wear either a cold shoulder dress or a cold shoulder top with a pencil skirt. Pair your dress or top with some high-heeled shoes, a bow necklace, and long earrings. For hitting up a club with the girls, wear a cold shoulder top with a pair of skinny jeans, some hoop earrings, and cute ballet flats. For a nice casual look, pair a cold shoulder tunic top with some leggings and sneakers.

What I love about these types of tops and dresses is that they are sexy yet still classy at the same time. They show just the right amount of skin without overexposing anything. I hope my finds have helped get you as into this trend as I am. If you see any similar trends, e-mail me at Charmed42787@gmail.com or write a message to me on myspace.