Crochet revival was the prompt for our Thrifty 6 group of women, so I thought my crew could have fun with options of what to wear under crochet tops.
Quote of the day: “My response to anything that happens, good or bad, is to keep making things.” Taylor Swift
The idea of concentrating on what to layer under our crochet came to me after I was inspired by all of the options of layering under our graphic tees.
I know sometimes the idea of layering can be overwhelming.
We tend to want easy and convenient.
Yet layering gives us the tool to add individuality to our outfits.
While you can always wear a camisole hidden under your crochet tops, there are other ideas also. I challenged my crew to give you four different options of what to wear under a crochet top, each with a unique spin.
We can take these tops and come up with creative underlayers with items we already have in our closet!
As much as I love my site, Jodie’s Touch of Style, I really enjoy putting together my daily emails. I consider my emails an extension of my blog that is chock-full of positive inspiration that one friend calls a “Variety Show.”
I include articles, videos, and posts that strike my fancy, and since I have no siblings to share with, I share them with you.
1. Charlotte- Longer Sleeve Top
My mother chose to wear a longer-sleeved animal print blouse under a top with crochet sleeves. This is a wonderful idea if you prefer more coverage for your arms or if the weather is a bit chilly.
You’ve seen this crochet sleeve top by itself styled with bright pink in the past.
The animal print adds visual interest, peeking through the open weave, and the tonal colors tie everything together beautifully.
A lightweight long-sleeve top works wonders under crochet—think of turtlenecks in the winter or mesh and sheer fabrics in the warmer months.
Details:
-Mom’s crochet sleeve top also has the crochet design on the upper portion of the back panel. The fun part is knowing that you could turn the top around and wear it backward.
-The solid part of the crochet-sleeve top is thin, and it’s cool how the leopard print shows through just enough to almost mimic the crochet pattern.
-My mom made her purse years ago from a placemat.
2. Jodie-Swim Top Under Crochet
Who says swimwear is just for the pool?
You’ve seen this swim top with its matching bottoms in the past.
And since we aren’t going to water aerobics lately, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to use my swimwear in other ways.
This look is a great reminder that you can repurpose your swimsuit tops as part of your wardrobe. The crochet overlay makes it modest enough for everyday wear, and it adds a whole lot of interest.
I paired it with a faux leather skirt for a mix of textures and a Mod Men vibe.
Not only is this a fabulous way to get more use out of your swimwear, but it’s also ideal for hot summer days when layering can feel too heavy. Plus, the strappy neckline adds drama without needing accessories.
Details:
-My orange raffia earrings have been a favorite this season because they add an unexpected color to many of my looks (and they are on sale).
-This purse was found at Goodwill, and it’s made of gum wrappers.
3. Valerie-A Sleeveless, Collared Top
For those days when you want to stay cool but still add a creative layer, a sleeveless tank or blouse is perfect under a crochet piece, and that’s exactly what Valerie chose.
I think this proves that whatever you decide to wear under a crochet top doesn’t have to be hidden. Valerie chose a collared, sleeveless top that hangs out underneath the crochet top. It reminds me of when Valerie layered dresses since she used this crochet piece at that time too.
Because crochet naturally has holes, it gives you the idea of layered without the extra weight.
Details:
-This crochet tank top is part of a 2-piece set. The secret to getting more use out of it (as Valerie does) is to hang each piece separately in your closet so you think of them individually.
-I love how Valerie cuffs her jeans to show off a bit of ankle. Skin can be used as a style tool if it’s not cold outside.
4. Lesley- A Dress Under The Top
Now let’s talk about a fun way to wear crochet—layering it over a dress.
Wearing a crochet piece over a dress gives you a unique way to change up how that dress looks. Suddenly, it’s no longer a simple one-and-done outfit—it becomes a base for layering and accessorizing.
Style tip: Layering a top over a dress is a great way to wear a top that is either too short or see-through. It’s one trick my mom and I have done in the past.
The crochet adds a “third piece” that makes the outfit feel complete, without being bulky.
Details:
-I love how Lesley added blue to the outfit with her shoes and purse…it’s a surprise pop of color
-She also used a ribbon to give the boxy crochet top some structure. The ribbon was that part of a top used to keep a garment on the hanger. Instead, Lesley snipped it off and tied it through the openings of the top to give it ruching.
Why Crochet is a Closet Staple
We sometimes associate crochet with boho or beachy styles, but I think the four of us have proven that it can work for ANY style personality.
Here’s why I think everyone should have at least one crochet piece in their wardrobe:
- It’s breathable and comfortable, making it great for layering in warm weather.
- It adds texture, which elevates simple outfits.
- It’s timeless. Seriously, crochet has never truly gone out of style.
- It offers endless styling options, especially when you experiment with what to wear under it!
Final Thoughts: What to Wear Under Crochet Tops
So next time you’re staring at a crochet top in your closet and wondering what to wear underneath, remember these ideas:
- A longer-sleeve top adds warmth and coverage.
- Your swim top makes it perfect for summer days.
- A sleeveless tank or tee offers breathability and versatility.
- Any dress underneath lets you get creative with shape and style.
- Even a sports bra can do double duty for this occasion.
- For colder weather, experiment with turtlenecks and sweaters.
Crochet doesn’t have to be intimidating because you have to layer it. The layering factor is a fabulous way to express yourself. And with a little layering know-how, you can wear it year-round, for any occasion.
Thrifty 6
With the fashion and textile industry being a major contributor to landfills and other environmental pollution, we decided to make it the mission of this little group to focus on second-hand items. I feel like there is no shortage of crochet items to be found at the second-hand stores.
Insider tip: Don’t forget to check out the men’s and kids’ sections of the store because you might be surprised.
- Emma of Style Splash
- Sally of Within a World of My Own
- Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
- Jodie (and crew) of Jodie’s Touch of Style
- Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
- Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge
Check out the other members of the Thrifty 6 group for all kinds of ideas.
Insider tip: If there aren’t many wonderful secondhand shops near you, I have included a list of online shops that I love at the end of this post.
Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge
“I have a few crochet pieces but none were preloved so I went on a little thrifting adventure and found this adorable olive green crochet pullover sweater. I wore it with a hand-me-down skirt from Daenel and my thrifted moccasins. Now I want to get all my crochet things out and wear them!”
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
“So I knew, somewhere in the back of my mind, that I had a photo with something crochet. I thought it was a top, but I could ony find this dress. I received it from someone, can’t even remember from who, like ten years ago or so. And although I do love the look, it’s not me. Crochet is somewhat to hippy for me. It does not suit me. And of course the colour isn’t doing anything for me at all. I also can’t remember wearing this dress, so this must have been the only time.”
Emma of Style Splash
“I have a few crochet vest tops but I don’t think any of them are preloved. So, I set about looking on Vinted for a bag or cardigan that I would wear often, rather than just buying something for the purpose of this theme. At first, I found this green raffia bag that looks crocheted, but I couldn’t be sure. In any case, it’s a fab little bag for holidays. Then, I spotted this cardigan and I thought it would also be a great piece for holidays. In fact, I like it much more than I thought I would. It’s a really useful extra layer for summer that elevates an outfit without making me too hot.”
Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
“Bohemian classics like crochet really light my fire – this 1970’s vintage skirt was destroyed when I found it…
…I’ve reconstructed it from the waistband to the lining and even re-crocheted it in parts.
The top is also a 70’s piece although I feel its spirit is Edwardian. Styled together I’ve created a crochet dress which sings to my boho soul…
My style crosses boundaries, I can’t put a name on it yet boho is the closest to my heart.”
Sally of Within a World of My Own
“Since crochet is a perennial summer staple, I have several crochet-style layering pieces in my wardrobe that come out every year when the weather warms up. But it’s delightful that summer 2025 is seeing a Crochet Revival that puts this boho summer favorite in the trend spotlight. And it’s a very easy trend to buy secondhand! You can definitely go all-in with a boho chic look, but crochet elements can be used more sparingly to add a hint of laid-back boho vibes to other aesthetics too. I kept my styling of a dark blue-grey short-sleeved open weave cotton crochet cardigan (thrifted back in 2015!) on the classic feminine side with an A line skirt, old-school captoe flats, and a vintage bulky pearl and chain necklace (all thrifted).”
Online Thrift Stores
If you don’t have great secondhand stores near you, then another great option is online thrifting. These are the ones I’ve used more than once (except Swap, but it comes highly recommended by a friend)
thredUp—this link gives you $10 (and me in return).
Poshmark — here is the post about how to shop the site.
Preworn–10% off with code JODIEFILOGOMO
Etsy
ebay
Swap
Uncommon Closet— nonprofit to help women.
Gild the Lily–a local Michigan store that sells online.
Thank you
If you’ve enjoyed this, I hope you will look around the site and…
- find out more about the blog here. Including behind the scenes of our relationship here.
- you can see all the categories of past posts here
- feel free to use any discounts or deals that I share here.
- make sure to sign up for emails to enjoy fun features in every email PLUS get my recent eBook here.
- follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest.
- and if you ever want to reach out or have any requests, feel free to email me at JTouchofStyle@gmail.com
If you enjoyed any of this information, I would appreciate it if you would share, share and share wherever you can!! You can do this by saving an image to your Pinterest board or sharing this post on Facebook. Or send this post to your friend, and make sure they sign up for the emails.
Welcome to Jodie’s Touch of Style. I’m here to prove that it’s never too late to look great. Clothing and style are meant to showcase your inner personality. So let’s have fun and try new things.
It’s not just about me on this blog, but also my mother and friend. We get to showcase not only different decades of life but also different body shapes and unique personal styles.
