10 Red Hot SI-Swimsuit-Approved Going Out Tops Under $60

These flattering, bold and bright shirts transition seamlessly from dinner to the bar to the after-party.

Ananya Panchal | Jul 22, 2024

Xandra Pohl and Olivia Dunne / Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

Finding the perfect going out top is the ultimate girlhood struggle. You want something flattering and comfortable, yet secure, and it has to allow you to dance the night away and be photographed well. It’s not the easiest task, and we understand the feeling of looking at a closet jam-packed with tops yet still feeling like you have nothing to wear.

But, don’t worry, we did the digging so all you have to do is “add to cart” and look great. And, red is a timeless shade that seamlessly transitions through every season, allowing any of the below pieces to last in your wardrobe for years to come.

From off-the-shoulder moments and plunge necks to classy, backless silhouettes and stylish mesh looks, we’ve got something for everyone. Below are eight going out tops that are totally dinner-, bar-, club-, house party- and SI Swimsuit-approved. And, the best part is, these certainly won’t break the bank.

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Where to buy going out tops?

Sometimes a night out can get messy. Drinks can spill, food can drop, crowds can get rowdy and you certainly don’t want to be wearing your nicest tops out to the bar. Without splurging and having to feel like you need to literally walk on eggshells to protect your precious shirt, some of our favorite online stores to buy going out tops from are Urban Outfitters, Motel Rocks, Princess Polly, Garage Clothing, Pretty Little Thing, PacSun, Zara, Revolve and Peppermayo.

What is a going out top?

Going out tops differ from location and season. For example a simple white tank might work in the causal bar scene of San Francisco, while a sparkly tube top might be more appropriate for the vibe of midtown Manhattan.

Regardless of where in the world you are, what kind of establishment you are at or who surrounds you, a going out top is something that makes you feel confident. It’s a top that pairs well with your perfect comfy jeans or any classy black mini skirt. It’s an item in your closet that all your girlfriends have borrowed or have their own versions of, differing slightly in color or size.

What happened to the going out top?

While the going out top has not gone away, the popularity of the item has significantly changed. In the early 2000s, everyone was spotted wearing a longline, slightly loose-fitting and forgiving sleeveless blouse paired with low-rise jeans, from it-girls of the time like Lindsay Lohan and Hilary Duff to regular big city women hitting the town.

Today, the term still exists, but with the rise of fast fashion, the endless amount of options in the over-saturated fashion scene and the rapid pace at which trends change, the staple “going out top” has a multitude of definitions.

Fashion historian and educator Sara Idacavage said it best.

“As someone who was in high school and college in the early to mid-2000s, I definitely feel a lot of nostalgia upon hearing the term ‘going-out top.’ That period of time coincided with the meteoric rise of fast fashion retailers, so I recall it being very easy to purchase a lot of interesting ‘going out’ tops for a relatively small amount of money, which was very exciting for a young college student like me at the time,” she explained.

Below, shop a few of our favorite going out tops of the moment.