Summer 2018 and the Rise of the "Babe" Top

With the heat comes some flame-emoji fashions: Dresses get skimpier, hemlines are cut higher and the ways to stay cool ever more inventive. One such method has developed across social media, resulting in the Babe Top trend, thanks to the version by L.A.-based brand Donni. In essence, Donni's Babe tops are artfully knitted scarves, and they're constantly sold out. Cher did it in the '70s, and now everyone on Instagram is babe-ing the hell of summer 2018.

Vintage stores are styling scarf tops with high-waisted trousers and blazers, Donni girls are pairing them with matching sarongs and some are layering them over tees for a more modest approach. Others are even making bra straps a statement (for some people, this trend is troublesome without a little support). Consider it your new crop top, only sassier and definitely a little more risqué. Keep scrolling to see who's in the Babe-Top club, and then shop them for yourself (in case you don't have a scarf to spare).

See Who's Wearing the Babe Top

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Emily Ratajkowski was early onto the idea, wearing her Donni Babe Top with low-slung cargo pants.

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One of our favourite vintage stores on Instagram, Na Nin Vintage, has been supplying matchy scarf tops that look particularly cool with suiting.

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Who What Wear asked Alyssa Wasko, Donni's founder, to style hers up creatively. Wearing the top with a white tee and medallion necklaces is something we can copy right away.

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Spanish influencer Maria Bernad has been wearing all kinds of scarves as tops. A longline skirt balances out the amount of skin on show.

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Reese Blutstein has more of these tops than we've had hot dinners—wearing them with everything from ruffled miniskirts to tailored shorts. She also layers them over long-sleeved tees.

Related: Summer 2018 Fashion Trends: The Only Looks You Need to Know

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Another Na Nin Vintage look we heart.

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American blogger Courtney Top picked up a vegan-leather version from Nanushka, a hot brand at the moment.

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Orseund Iris's versions are slightly more complex than your average knotted scarf and 100% too cool to ignore.

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Of course, Lisa Says Gah (one of the world's coolest boutiques) is in on the burgeoning trend.

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Many of the versions we see are rendered in these neutral tones and linen fabrics. It helps the revealing nature of them seem less over-the-top.

Shop the Trend

Related: Drop Everything: Topshop's Polka-Dot Dress is Now Available in Animal Print

Now there's a new summer outfit for you to experiment with.

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits.

Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.