A modest top is a shirt with sleeves, a neckline that stays closed when you bend or reach, and a hem long enough to stay put over a skirt waistband. A layering top is the same idea made thinner and stretchier so it fits under a dress or sweater. Nuggles tees, tanks, and layering tops come in sizes S through 3XL, girls' sizes run 4T through 14Y, and most are cotton or rayon with a little spandex for stretch.
Tops are the pieces that make the rest of a modest closet work. A dress that is almost right becomes right with the correct tee under it, and a skirt you love needs a top that stays tucked and covered all day. This guide answers the questions we hear most about sleeves, necklines, fabric, sizing, care, and what to wear under what, one at a time, so you can jump straight to yours.
If you're ready to shop, our modest tops collection and layering essentials have everything in one place. This page is about choosing well. For what's newest in layering, see our post on modest layering tops.
Sleeve Lengths: What Each One Covers
What sleeve length is modest?
There is no single answer, because it depends on your own standard. Many women who dress modestly choose 3/4 sleeves or longer for everyday wear, and some add a half sleeve or short sleeve tee under a cardigan. Elbow coverage is the line most people mean when they say "modest sleeves." We make tees in half sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, and long sleeve so you can pick the length that fits your standard.
What is a 3/4 sleeve?
A 3/4 sleeve ends between the elbow and the wrist, usually a few inches below the elbow. It covers the elbow when your arm is bent, which is why it is the most popular sleeve length for modest layering. Our 3/4 sleeve tees are the easiest place to start.
What is a half sleeve tee, and is it modest?
A half sleeve sits between a short sleeve and a 3/4 sleeve, so it covers the top of the arm but not the elbow. On its own it gives less coverage than a 3/4 sleeve. Under a sleeveless dress, or with a cardigan over it, it adds the shoulder and upper-arm coverage many women want. Check the measurements on each product page if exact placement matters to you. Our half sleeve tees are cut for layering.
Do long sleeve tees work in summer?
They can, if the fabric is thin and breathable. A lightweight cotton or rayon knit feels cooler than you would expect, and the sleeve also keeps sun off your arms. In very hot weather, most people switch to a 3/4 sleeve or wear a sleeveless dress over a thin tee. Our long sleeve tees are made to be lightweight enough to layer.
Can a short sleeve or sleeveless top be modest?
Yes, when it is part of an outfit instead of the whole outfit. A sleeveless tank with a 3/4 sleeve tee over it, or a sleeveless dress over a long sleeve tee, gives full arm coverage and lets you adjust to the weather. See our layering tank tops for the base layer.
Necklines and Hems
What neckline is most modest?
A round or crew neckline that sits at or just above the collarbone is the most common modest choice. Mock turtle necks and high crew necks add more coverage. Wide scoop necks and V-necks usually need a camisole or tank underneath. The test that matters most is the lean-forward test: bend over, reach for something low, and see whether the neckline stays where it was.
How long should a modest top be?
Long enough that it still covers your waistband when you lift your arms, bend over, or sit down. A top that covers the hip works for most women, and a longer hem is useful if you wear low-rise bottoms or stretch-waist skirts. If you plan to tuck, a longer hem stays tucked more reliably than a short one. Because each style is cut differently, check the product page and compare it with a top you already own and like.
Should I tuck my top into a skirt?
It depends on the skirt and your preference. A tucked tee defines the waist and works well with a stretch-waist or flared skirt. An untucked tee gives a more relaxed look and extra coverage over the hips. Our guide to choosing a modest skirt covers waistbands in more detail.
Fabrics: How Each One Wears and Washes
What are Nuggles tees made of?
Our Essential tees and tanks are 95% cotton and 5% spandex. The cotton makes them breathable and soft, and the spandex gives enough stretch to move with you. Some prints and the ribbed styles are made from rayon blends instead, and the fabric is always listed on the product page.
What is a ribbed tee?
A ribbed tee has fine vertical lines knit into the fabric. Ours is a rayon, polyester, and spandex blend (62%, 27%, and 11%) with a soft stretch and a little texture. It is a good choice if you want a layering piece that looks a bit more finished than a plain jersey tee. Browse the ribbed layering 3/4 tees.
What is a mesh tee, and who is it for?
A mesh tee is a sheer, lightweight top designed to go under something. Our Midnight Mist mesh tee, for example, has long sleeves and a mock turtle neckline. Our mesh tees are 96% polyester and 4% spandex. They add sleeve and neck coverage under a sleeveless or short sleeve dress without the warmth of a full jersey layer. They are meant to be worn under another garment, so wear a solid piece over or under them as needed. See the mesh tees.
What is the best fabric for layering under a dress?
Thin, stretchy, and smooth. A cotton-spandex jersey or a thin rayon knit lies flat under another layer and does not bunch at the armhole. Thick or textured knits are better as the outer layer. That is why most of our layering tees are a simple jersey.
Will my tee show through?
Light colors can show skin tone or undergarments, especially white. If you want a white tee, choose a nude-toned camisole or slip under it. Navy, black, and other deep colors do not show through. If you are unsure, wear it in front of a window before your first day out.
Sizing and Fit
Do Nuggles tops run true to size?
Yes. The sizing note on our tees and tanks reads "fits true to size when worn as a layering piece," with a suggestion to size up for a looser fit. If you plan to wear a tee as a base layer, choose your usual size. If you want it to hang loosely on its own, order one size up.
What sizes do your tops come in?
Women's tees and tanks run S through 3XL. Girls' tees come in 4T, 6Y, 8Y, 10Y, 12Y, and 14Y. There is also a collection of plus size tops that gathers every top in the larger sizes.
How do I measure myself for a top?
Measure around the fullest part of your bust, your natural waist, and your hips, and compare them with the size chart on the product page. Our measurement diagram shows where to place the tape. Measure over the clothes you plan to wear underneath.
What if I'm between two sizes?
Choose by how you plan to wear it. For a base layer that sits close, take the smaller size. For a top you want to wear loose or untucked, take the larger one. Stretch fabrics are forgiving in both directions.
How should a layering top fit?
Close enough that it doesn't bunch under another layer, loose enough that you can lift your arms without the hem rising. Sleeves should reach the wrist or elbow you've chosen and stay there. If the armhole pulls when you reach forward, go up a size.
What to Wear Under What
What do I wear under a sleeveless dress?
A tee in a color that matches or sits close to the dress. A 3/4 sleeve tee gives elbow coverage and works with most necklines. See our sleeveless dresses, and the section on fit in our guide to modest dress fit.
What do I wear under a dress with a low neckline?
A tank with a higher neckline, or a tee with a crew neck. The tank goes under, the tee goes over if you want sleeves. If the dress neckline is wide, a mock turtle mesh tee fills it in.
What do I wear under a see-through or lightweight skirt?
A slip. A slip under a skirt solves transparency and keeps the skirt from clinging. We carry a range of slips, and our skirt guide covers linings.
Can I wear a layering tee under a sweater?
Yes, and it is the simplest way to add warmth and sleeve coverage. A thin long sleeve tee under a sweater keeps wool or acrylic off your skin and adds coverage at the neckline and cuffs. Our sweater sets and knit tops post has outfit ideas.
Can I layer a dress over a dress?
Yes. A layering dress is built to go under another dress, and a tee gives sleeves on top of that. Choose the thinner garment for the bottom.
Can I wear a layering tee on its own?
Yes. The Essential tees are designed for layering or wearing on their own, and a printed top like the Kyliee works well by itself with a plain skirt.
The Kyliee is a rayon jersey layering top with a round neckline, gentle ruching where the sleeve meets the shoulder, and long sleeves cut generously so they sit right under a jumper or on their own. It comes in four prints. For ideas on pairing a printed top with a skirt, see how to pair a printed top with a skirt.
How many layering tops do I need?
Most women are well covered with three to five: a black and a white or cream tee, one neutral that matches your most-worn skirts, a tank for under low necklines, and one sleeve length you reach for most. Add prints once the basics are in place. Our layering tees roundup compares the styles.
Care
How do I wash a layering tee so it keeps its shape?
Turn it inside out, wash cold on a gentle cycle, and hang to dry. Skip fabric softener, because it can coat the fibers and reduce breathability. Following this keeps the stretch in the fabric and helps the neckline from going wavy.
Will my cotton tee shrink?
Cotton blends can shrink slightly with high heat. Washing cold and drying on low or hanging to dry keeps shrinkage to a minimum.
How do I stop white tees from yellowing or graying?
Wash whites separately from darks, use a gentle detergent, and avoid leaving damp laundry sitting. Rinse promptly after sweating, because deodorant and body oils are the usual cause.
Maternity, Plus Sizes, and Girls
Do you have maternity-friendly tops?
Yes. Many of our tops are tagged maternity friendly because the stretch fabric and relaxed cut work over a growing belly. Browse the maternity-friendly tops. If you plan to wear a tee for the whole pregnancy, consider ordering one size up.
Do you carry plus size modest tops?
Yes. Our women's tops run to 3XL, and the plus size tops collection brings them together in one place.
Do you have modest tops for girls?
Yes. Girls' tees and tanks run 4T to 14Y, including 3/4 sleeve and mesh tees. Shop the girls' tees and tanks.
What is your return policy if the fit is off?
You can start a return within 21 days of your order, as long as the item is unaltered and unwashed. Clearance items are not returnable. The full details are in our shipping and returns policy.
Find Your Tops
If you'd like to see everything, our modest tops collection has tees, tanks, and layering pieces in every sleeve length, and layering essentials is where to start if you're building from scratch. We're glad you're here, and we're rooting for you as you put together a wardrobe that fits your life.
