From puff sleeves to delicate lace and charming broderie anglaise, The Handbook’s Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor, Astrid Carter, shares her ultimate pretty summer top edit.

The power of a great summer top knows no bounds. Think romantic florals, sweet ruffles, and charming bow details, all wrapped up in pastel hues or crisp milkmaid white. I’ve collected a fair few over the years, from vintage gems to high street steals, and some designer pieces I’ve scored in the sale. Honestly, I’ve owned some of them for twenty years. It’s a look that just doesn’t date – whether dressed up with a silky slip skirt or paired down with high-waist denim (very Jane Birkin) – they are the ultimate “I’ve nothing to wear” solution.

Scroll to shop my favourite pretty summer tops on the market right now…

A woman with wavy brown hair stands in sunlight, eyes closed, wearing a sleeveless white broderie anglaise summer top and light-coloured trousers, with a long necklace. She is next to a rough, textured wall.
Tamy Blouse In Embroidered Ecru
Sézane, £125
Melisa Embroidered Blouse
RIXO, £165
A woman with long brown hair wears a cream-coloured, short-sleeved blouse with floral embroidery—one of the season’s must-have summer tops—and blue jeans. She stands against a light-coloured wall with a neutral expression.
Floral Embroidered Tie-Front Blouse
By Together, £75

Think romantic florals, sweet ruffles, and charming bow details, all wrapped up in pastel hues or crisp milkmaid white.

A woman with long curly hair wearing a sheer white lace summer top stands outdoors against a warm-toned wall, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Noella Top
Dôen, £531
Woman wearing a white sleeveless blouse with floral embroidery, red trim, and a tie at the waist—one of this season's must-have summer tops—paired with blue jeans as she adjusts the front of her top.
Nouri Top
Sézane, £100
A woman stands against a plain background, wearing a light, sheer summer top with a lace collar and pleated front, paired with silky, light-coloured shorts featuring lace trim at the hem.
Deco Blouse
Faune, £165
A young woman with long blonde hair and fringe, wearing a light yellow summer top with lace trim, stands in sunlight with her eyes closed, appearing relaxed and serene. Shadows and warm light highlight her face and outfit.
Antique Blouse in Butter
Laneway The Label, £80
A person with short dark hair sits by a window, wearing an elegant, sleeveless cream-coloured lace summer top and matching trousers. The soft lighting highlights the delicate details of the outfit.
Satin Top With Pleats & Lace
Zara, £59.99
Leila Broderie Anglaise-Trimmed Top
Sea, £270 (was £385)
A person wearing a sleeveless, loose-fitting pink camisole with beige lace trim and thin straps—one of this season’s must-have summer tops—paired with dark trousers, stands against a plain light background.
Lace-Trimmed Camisole Top
Zara, £39.99
A woman with blonde hair leans against a light blue wall, raising one arm above her head. She wears a floral, ruffled summer top with long sleeves and light blue jeans. Sunlight highlights her face.
Floral Frill Blouse
Nobody’s Chils, £59

Summer whites are my go-to, but this pretty pale blue is s charming with the pop of red print.

Fidella Organic Cotton-Voile Top
Dôen, £210
A woman with long dark hair sits against a white background, wearing a lavender short-sleeve summer top with embroidered trim, white wide-leg trousers with cut-out details, and white flip-flops.
Short-Sleeved Peplum Blouse
H&M, £19.99
Embroidered Viscose-Blend Top
H&M, £27.99
A woman with long brown hair wears a sleeveless, fitted brown dress reminiscent of chic summer tops and a gold necklace, standing against a plain light background.
100% Linen Peplum Top
Abercrombie & Fitch, £55
Lace-Trimmed Viscose Top
H&M, £22.99
A woman with long black hair wears a loose, white, long-sleeved blouse—one of this season’s essential summer tops—and blue jeans. She stands against a neutral, softly lit background, calmly looking at the camera with a single dangling earring.
Pintucked Cotton Shirt
Ralph Lauren, £255
A woman stands outdoors against a clear blue sky, wearing a light, sleeveless, lace-trimmed dress with ruffled shoulder details—perfect for those who love summer tops. Her hair is loosely pulled back as she looks towards the camera with a neutral expression.
A woman with light brown hair in a low bun wears a cream-coloured, lace-trimmed summer top and looks into the distance outdoors on a sunny day, with a clear blue sky in the background.
Lace-Trimmed Viscose Top
H&M, £22.99

I love anything that feels a bit like a Victorian nighty, and these frilled, wing-like sleeves are ticking all the boxes.

A woman with long brown hair sits on the floor wearing a white, lacy sleeveless summer top, light blue wide-leg jeans, and white slip-on shoes against a plain light background.
Broderie Anglaise Strappy Top
H&M, £27.99 (was £34.99)
A person with dark hair pulled back wears a light green, lace-trimmed camisole—one of this season's must-have summer tops—featuring thin straps and a deep neckline, standing against a plain light blue background.
Lace Camisole Top
Zara, £39.99
A woman with long brown hair wears a short-sleeved, ruffled, floral blouse in pastel colours—a perfect choice for summer tops. She stands against a plain, dark background and smiles slightly whilst looking at the camera.
Puff-Sleeve Ruffle Collar Blouse
By Anthropologie, £98
A woman wears a light cream, floral-patterned summer top with lace trim, a deep V neckline, puff sleeves, and matching high-waisted shorts. She looks down with one hand on her hip.
Bondy Floral Short Sleeve Blouse
LoveShackFancy, $325
A woman wearing a loose, dusty rose-coloured summer top and matching skirt, a pink lace bralette, layered necklaces, and a brown patterned bandana stands against a light wall, gazing at the camera.
Forever Young Bed Jacket
Free People, £78
A woman wearing a sheer white lace summer top with ruffled trim, layered necklaces, large gold hoop earrings, and red patterned trousers stands against a plain light background.
Ellery Cotton Blouse
RIXO, £145
Hettie Top
Dôen, £328

The rainbow embroidery on this top is so sweet – the perfect pairing to high-waisted jeans.

A woman with long dark hair wears a sheer white ruffled summer top with colourful embroidery and bright yellow high-waisted shorts with lace trim, posing against a plain light background.
Toulouse Lace-Trimmed Silk Top
Dôen, £380
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a white summer top with a lace collar and blue jeans, stands in a cosy kitchen, holding a red gingham scrunchie and smiling slightly.
Eponine Blouse
If Only If, €119
Embroidered Tie-Detail Top
H&M, £19.99
A woman wearing a sheer, frilled white summer top with lace details, layered necklaces, rings, and light blue jeans. She is seated with her hands resting on her legs; her face is partially out of frame.
Ruffled Collar Top
Easelle Bohemian At Shein, £17.99
A woman with long brown hair wears a strapless, ruffled summer top featuring a shirred, multicoloured upper section and vertical blue and pink stripes below, paired with blue jeans. She stands against a plain light background.
2-in-1 Convertible Smocked Top
Abercrombie & Fitch, £52
A woman with plaited hair sits sideways in a light-coloured chair, wearing a white summer top with ribbon ties down the back and blue jeans, looking off to the side against a plain background.
Tie-Back Smocked Linen-Blend Top
Abercrombie & Fitch, £60
Fashion, Trending Fashion

The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.

Want to receive more great articles like this every day? Join our daily email now