Off-the-Shoulder Tops: Bardot, Flounce & More Names
What are those off-the-shoulder tops called?
Those off-the-shoulder tops are most commonly called off-the-shoulder tops, but you’ll also hear a few specific style names depending on the neckline and construction. If the neckline is held up by elastic and forms a soft, gathered band around the upper arms, it’s often labeled a Bardot top (named after Brigitte Bardot’s iconic looks). When the neckline has a wide ruffle that sits across the arms, it may be called a ruffle off-the-shoulder or flounce top. If the sleeves are short and the body is loose and airy, some brands list it as an off-shoulder peasant top.
Common names you’ll see while shopping
Off-the-shoulder top: The catch-all term for any top designed to sit below the shoulders and highlight the collarbone.
Bardot top: Typically a straight, wide neckline with an elastic edge that stays in place. Often fitted through the bust with a clean, elegant line.
Cold-shoulder top: Frequently confused with off-the-shoulder, but different: cold-shoulder styles have shoulder cutouts while straps or fabric still sit on top of the shoulders.
One-shoulder top: Asymmetrical with only one shoulder exposed; it’s not the same category, but often grouped nearby on product pages.
How to tell which one you’re looking at
Check the upper edge: if it’s an elastic band meant to rest on the upper arms, it’s truly off-the-shoulder (and may be called Bardot). If fabric still sits on the shoulder and only a cutout shows skin, it’s cold-shoulder. And if a single strap crosses one shoulder, it’s one-shoulder.
For a closer look at styling and warm-weather outfit ideas, visit this off-the-shoulder style guide.
FAQ
What’s the difference between off-the-shoulder and cold-shoulder tops?
Off-the-shoulder tops sit below both shoulders and expose the collarbone area. Cold-shoulder tops keep fabric or straps on the shoulders but include cutouts that reveal the shoulder skin.
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