From Victoria Beckham to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, tube tops have shown their irresistible charm in the iconic fashion moments of the early 2000s. Now, in the fashion loop, tube tops are once again in trend for the summer of 2023.
However, many might find it strange how such a small stretchy piece of fabric can have such a significant impact on mainstream culture and fashion. They only made their “accidental” debut in 1971. Tube tops have a relatively short lifespan compared to another style called “Bandeau,” which was adapted from a garment from ancient Greek times.
In the past, young designer Elie Tahari, who had just arrived in New York, bought up all the tube tops and resold them one by one. He turned them into a garment with its own name, considered a product specifically for entertainment at dance floors. Since then, they have officially been “categorized” into nightclub fashion.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, tube tops caught the attention of stars like TLC and the Spice Girls, or proudly appeared on the catwalks of renowned brands like Versace and Calvin Klein. Designers brought them into various looks with diverse styling, such as pairing them with baggy pants, suddenly blending into hip-hop style.
Their versatility is the “secret to success,” which is why designers are “reviving” them with enthusiastic support from fashion enthusiasts. They are giving a fresh new look to this tiny piece of fabric, from vibrant standout colors to premium materials. Of course, celebrities are fervently endorsing this “small piece of fabric” by wearing them to events or on the streets.
In the SS23 collections, we welcome their return under the Y2K style. Let’s take a look at the images below to understand how designers “reinterpret” the tube top to fit contemporary fashion.
Cormio’s design with a butterfly patch right in the middle of sheer fabric between the chest, combined with stripe and star patterns, offers a quirky style. Annakiki’s tube top brings a very edgy style. Diesel transformed its iconic belt into a tube top. Del Core presents a unique and luxurious design. Etro’s thin tube top with ruffles. Givenchy paired the tube top with a long skirt. Molly Goddard’s transparent dress reveals a black and gold striped tube top. Rokh introduced a vinyl tube top with a dress. Simkhai offers simplicity yet sophistication on the catwalk.