54 Fresh Ways to Wear a Classic Stripe Top — Plus, Our Favourites For $50 or Less

There are certain colours and prints we associate with each season — pastels and florals for Spring, jewel tones and shimmer for Winter, and bright hues and nautical stripes for Summer. Specifically, striped tops, from tees to sweaters.

Despite actually being a staple year round, striped tops feel quintessential at the beach, on a boat, and, of course, for holidays like Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, especially in shades of red and blue. But like with every other heroic item in our wardrobes (tanks, blazers, white t-shirts) striped tops can skew snoozy if you always wear you go-to versions the same few ways.

This summer, why not shake things up in the striped top department, whether with a bouncier colour, bolder pattern, or fresher silhouette (just wait until you see the puffy-sleeve [1] version I'm obsessed with, ahead)? And who better to inspire a refreshing take on wardrobe staples than the ever-stylish women of the street style scene?

Ahead, we've collected 54 fashionable takes on classic striped tops, from effortless, off-duty looks to smarter takes for work and beyond. Plus, we've rounded up our favourite striped tops from the POPSUGAR collection at Kohl's [2] — which a little someone named Mindy Kaling [3] has proven to be a fan of — all between $18 and $50.

Loose-fitting jeans and cowboy boots give a striped top a "right now" feel.

Skip red and blue in favourite of a chirpy yellow hue.

Dress a simple long-sleeve striped tee with a mini skirt and heels.

For work, layer one under a blazer and embrace a mixed palette of colour.

Give your off-duty striped outfit a '90s influence with lug-sole combat boots.

Neon shades are big this season and what better way to accent a head-to-toe look than with a striped top tied around your shoulders?

For a French-girl vibe, team a red and blue stripe with jeans a Mary-Janes.

Layer a striped tee underneath your favourite slip dress.

A blue and white stripe pairs seamlessly with red-lined trousers.

Double the bold stripes, double the fun.

Chunky sandals give a simple stripe top and black pants a modern feel.

Try a colorful stripe with utility shorts for a playful weekend look.

On chilly days, wrap a cream and navy stripe sweater around your shoulders like a scarf.

A striped top is a bold base layer to multicolored slip dress.

A winning combo: stripes and camouflage.

Give a bright stripe a boyish spin with straight-leg jeans and cool loafers.

If pattern play is your game, team your stripes with another classic: leopard print.

What's more fun than a multicolored stripe, pastel accessories, and a bucket hat?

Nautical on top, business on bottom.

Temper a multicolored knit with camel pants and neutral accessories.

Bermuda shorts are back! Style yours with a striped knit and chunky sneakers.

Play up bright stripes with colorful pants and edgy extras.

Go quirky-chic by teaming a striped sweater with jeans and tuck them into cowboy boots (like Princess Diana) with a printed bag to finish.

Go quirky-chic by teaming a striped sweater with jeans and tuck them into cowboy boots (like Princess Diana [4]) with a printed bag to finish.

A striped top is the perfect base to double denim [5].

Pick out a colour from a bright, striped sweater and wear it on bottom for a vivid look. Bonus points for a even brighter bag.

A graphic stripe feels cool for summer with cropped pants and a trendy bucket hat.

For a little texture, layer a striped t-shirt under a silky wrap dress.

Give stripes a night-out feel with leather pants and heeled boots.

The hottest days call for a striped tank or crop top.

Layer a classic stripe underneath a bolder version for a maximalist take.

How to dress down a black suit? With a simple striped tee, of course.

Give "ugly" sandals a try with your favourite striped top and joggers.

Give "ugly" sandals [6] a try with your favourite striped top and joggers.

A camel jacket is timeless over blue and navy stripes with jeans.

Layer a colorfully striped knit over a printed dress for all the fun.

A metallic jacket is unexpected with a nautical stripe and white pants.

What else is there to pair with a rainbow-stripe skirt than a similarly bright stripe on top?

When running errands, team a loose-fitting striped top with a denim skirt and sneakers.

A timeless trench coat over navy and white stripes is forever classic.

Lean into the French-girl vibe by topping off a suit and striped tee with a beret.

A plaid blazer smartens up a striped top for work.

Mix-and-match stripe patterns ensure an eye-catching outfit.

On cooler days, layer a checked coat over stripes and white pants.

Quintessentially Summer, blue and white stripes pair perfectly with white pants and cute flats.

Dress up bold stripes for evening by teaming with a similarly coloured skirt and heels.

Sporty sandals are the perfect on-trend anchor to a striped shirt and cropped pants.

Dare to mix stripes with a floral print set.

You can't go wrong with a mix of wardrobe staples like this combo of jeans with a denim jacket and striped top.

You can't go wrong with a mix of wardrobe staples like this combo of jeans with a denim jacket [7] and striped top.

A striped top and checked pants work well together in the same colorway.

What's more Parisian than a tweed jacket over a striped top?

You can't fail in a striped tank and white pants for Summer.

A striped shirt, jeans and sneakers are simple, but pulled-up socks give the look a funkier spin.

A cream -coloured blazer is smart over a striped tee and jeans.

Black and white stripes pop over red and black.

Not sure what to pair with a feather-lined skirt? How about a striped top in a complementary hue?

POPSUGAR Striped Sweatshirt

POPSUGAR Striped Sweatshirt [8] ($44)

POPSUGAR Ribbed Crop Top

POPSUGAR Ribbed Crop Top [9] ($22, originally $30)

POPSUGAR Contrast-Stripe Crewneck Top

POPSUGAR Contrast-Stripe Crewneck Top [10] ($27, originally $36)

POPSUGAR Stripe Puff-Sleeve Top

POPSUGAR Stripe Puff-Sleeve Top [11] ($44)

POPSUGAR Nautical Cardigan

POPSUGAR Nautical Cardigan [12] ($50)

POPSUGAR Babydoll Swing Tee

POPSUGAR Babydoll Swing Tee [13] ($22, originally $30)

POPSUGAR Striped Oversized Boatneck Sweater

POPSUGAR Striped Oversized Boatneck Sweater [14] ($30, originally $50)

POPSUGAR Print Long-Sleeve Tee

POPSUGAR Print Long-Sleeve Tee [15] ($23, originally $36)