You Can Create Easily a Stylish Look with a Haftee (Review)

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GNW snow leopard cardigan, Hermes collier de chien belt, Sienna Studio straight leather skirt, Steve Madden pumps, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Festina watch, peridote necklace, pantyhose (all own), best girlfriends bead bracelet c/o Chico's, and haftee c/o Halftee

Do you like the look of layering, but always hated that you looked about 5 pounds heavier? Then you may get a solution of the problem from this post. I am very excited to introduce you to Halftee. Halftees are T-shirts that end below your breast like the blouses under dirndls or the blouses worn under saris. Read my review and be inspired by the many possibilities of styling with a half shirt.

 

 

Disclosure: Ad. The cropped tops are samples from halftee. The post is not endorsed by them. I wrote it entirely myself and it represents my own 100% honest opinion. There are affiliate links in this post.

 

Layering Is a Great Way to Look Stylish

Living in the sub-Arctic for now nearly 20 years, I have learned to layer. In the middle of the winter, when temperatures drop in the negative double digits, there is no other way than layering to stay warmm. First I found it hard to avoid to look like a dumpling with multiple layers.

Over time, I became a real layering expert and started to love the stylish looks you can create with layers. I even started to examine how to wear layers just for style because of the cool, stylish vibe. Doing so, my go-to since quite a while are halftees. Remember this cute rainy day look from last week, for instance?

over 50 years old style blogger in gray silver blue rainy-day look with multiple layers
It’s a halftee! <3

 

What Is a Haftee?

It’s a T-shirt that ends under your breast! It’s the next generation of layering because it enhances the style factor without bulk!

 

halftee layering top review 3/4 sleeve navy cropped t-shirt
Navy halftee with long sleeves and dust rose lace halftee with 3/4 sleeves

 

Reducing Bulk Is Key for a Smooth Layered Look

The big advantage of halftees over full-length layering tops is that the former permit you to layer without extra bulk around the waist and in your jeans, skirt or pants (see for example photos above). Not having to stack the tails of a T-shirt into the bottoms gives you a smoother look.

Tip: A halftee permits layering without the bulge.

Not having an extra layer around the waist is also advantageous when the hot flash hits after coffee. Therefore, halftees are perfect for woman in midlife.

 

Styling Inspirations for Layering with this Shortened T-shirt

Here are some styling inspirations for you in addition to those shown in the photos. A halftee permits you to wear your favorite off-the-shoulder sweater with a slim black pencil skirt for work without violating the office dress-code with respect to showing skin. When there is a Casual Friday dressing culture that permits wearing jeans add to the halftee off-the-shoulder sweater combo straight dark jeans, black pumps and two strings of pearls.

 

style blogger winterizing a plaid button-down shirt with a half t-shirt
Zoom-in on halftee c/o halftee layered under Oliveo plaid shirt as an example for layering under a button-down shirt

 

example of using a halftee to ground mixing pattern
Oliveo striped leather skirt, Hermes collier de chien cuff, Hermes enamel bangles, GNW tights, heeled ducks, and Oliveo plaid shirt over navy blue half top c/o halftee. In this styling inspiration, the layering-tee and GNW tights serve to ground the mixing of patterns

 

A halftee can serve also to wear that beautiful blouse you ordered online, which you forgot to return in time. The one where the button always opens up over your breast. Wear a halftee underneath, and leave the button open. Accessorize with a pendant necklace that just hits at the height of the button. Problem solved in style.
 

Halftees Come in Many Styles

Halftees come with different lengths of sleeves (no sleeves, cup sleeves, normal short sleeves, 3/4 sleeves and long-sleeves), in a variety of colors, necklines, sizes, and fabrics like cotton, rayon, lace. They can be worn with the front to the back and vice versa which permits you to vary the cleavage for optimal style and/or coverage/cleavage. This means no matter of your personal style, the brand offers you many choices for styling with a half shirt.

 

layering and styling inspirations for mature women
Zoom-in on a halftee worn under a V-neck sweater for creating a great layering look

 

fashion blogger featuring layering with halftee for Casual Friday
Side view of layering with a halftee

 

fashion blogger over 50 in half t-shirts smooth layering example outfit with sweater
London Jean bf jeans with statement belt, Esprit neckerchief, Hermes collier de chien cuff, GNW luxe sweater, GNW socks, Steve Madden Mary-Janes (all own) over navy blue halftee c/o Halftee. The sweater sleeves are chopped up for style and to show the long sleeves of the halftee.

 

These Cropped Tops Are so Versatile and Easy to Style

The many combination possibilities (e.g. under a sweater, shirt, sweater vest, closed blazer, dress, sheath) allow for a lot of wear. In the first week, I wore the navy blue one twice and I wished I also had a red one.

mature woman sshowing how styling with a half shirt adds interest to an office
Rose dust lace 3/4 sleeves halftee c/o Halftee with own Eddie Bauer tweed skirt, striped sweater, Isaac Mizrahi cardigan, DIY belt, GNW tight, Sanchez riding boots, pearl studs and black pearl necklace

 

The Advantages of Using Half a T-shirt when Layering

A halftee costs between about $20 to $30 or so depending on the material and style, i.e. their price is about the same as that of a normal T-shirt. While you get less fabric for your bugs, who needs that extra fabric around the waist anyhow, the work effort needed to produce them is much higher, i.e. the price is justifiable. The halftee namely has a wide rubber band entirely covered with fabric below the breast. This feature holds the Tee in place without discomfort. Not being exposed to the rubber band will be appreciated by all those of you who are allergic to rubber.

 

over 50 years old fashion blogger styling a casual layered work outfit with a lace half shirt
Rose dust lace 3/4 sleeves half t-shirt c/o Halftee with own G-III suede skirt, Lands End V-neck sweater, Hermes collier de chien bangle, H-bangle,  GNW tight, Manolo Blahnik booties and opera length rose pearl necklace

 

What I Love about Styling with a Half Shirt

When layering with full length T-shirts you often get an additional vertical line when the shirt is longer than the piece worn on top of it. While this extra line may be sometimes wanted to create the illusion of a wider hip or to break the vertical line when you are very tall, for most of us over 40 horizontal lines are unwanted. They make the eye to look at the width and … oops, you know what that means. Tucking it in, means unwanted bulk. I love that you don’t have to worry about any of that when styling with a half shirt.

 

style blogger Nicole showing how styling with a half shirt make a cardigan as top office appropriate
Half-shirt under a cardigan outfit idea

 

style blogger Nicole in a fall layered look with all neutral colors and fall trend leopard print
GNW snow leopard print cardigan, Hermes collier de chien belt, Sienna Studio midi leather skirt, Steve Madden pointy-toe heels, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Festina watch, peridot and pearl necklace, pantyhose (all own) and haftee c/o Halftee

 

Layering Clothes Is so Easy with a Halftee

I also love the versatile and ease they offer in looking put together and effortlessly stylish. Put the halftee on and add a

  • Fitted shirt on top and a skirt or pants for an office appropriate look
  • Tailored blazer with a belt plus jeans for a Casual Friday fall style
  • Low cleavage dress to make it office appropriate
  • Crisp button down fitted shirt with a blazer and trousers or a midi skirt for a winter work outfit
  • Plaid shirt, vest or knit jacket plus boyfriend jeans for a stylish weekend look
  • Graphic V-neck T-shirt from summer and white jeans for a summer to fall
  • Transition or fall style. Later in fall just put a fitted vest on top
  • Tank top and a bottom
  • Slip dress

You get the idea. All you have to worry about is the color combination. Here you can just pick a scarf with the color of the halftee in it. Then collect pieces from your closet and add the scarf for a pulled together look. A halftee is instant effortless style with a scarf.
 

blogger Nicole styling a camouflage shirt dress with a half shirt
Gap purple gray camouflage shirt dress, purple statement belt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, amethyst cuff and bracelet, Miu Miu pointy-toe croc imprint pumps (all own) and purple 3/4 sleeve cropped to c/o Halftee

 

Endless Options Color and Style-Wise

You can get these cropped tops in a variety of colors like white, black, gray, red, navy, purple, olive, coral, nude, mulberry, and blush pink. The ones shown in this post are the navy, purple and olive one. They are available in all sizes from XS to 3X. I am wearing a S. It’s a perfect fit for my 34 inch breast (86 cm). There are also cup sleeve, short sleeve and long sleeve versions. I love the 3/4 sleeve as it permits wearing an arm party and covers the upper arm entirely. The styles run from casual to elegant including lace.

Same dress without and with halftee underneath
Same dress with and without halftee to illustrate how it provides modest cleavage and can change a look.

 

 

Easy Transition from Work to Date Night

I love that these half-shirts can be worn forward and backward. One side has a deeper cleavage than the other. This feature not only means you have two options to wear it, but also that you can go from work to date night. Or from church to brunch. All you have to do is a walk to the restroom to switch from high to low cleavage, swap the pearl necklace for a statement piece, and update the makeup. What a time saver!

The next example photo shows a dress styled for work with the half top worn as low cleavage cover and underskirt for a modest office summer to fall transition look. The right photo shows the same dress, but styled for date night by swapping the jewelry and shoes and taking off the modest top and underskirt worn underneath the dress at work (second next outfit inspiration).

 

mature woman wearing a halftee under an Empire waist dress
Karina Dresses empire waist sleeveless summer dress, statement necklace, DIY underskirt, Hermes collier de chien bangle, and 3/4 sleeve layering top c/o Halftee styled for the office

 

over 50 years old woman in summer mini dress with cleavage date night outfit
Karina Dresses Picasso print dress, Juicy Couture patent leather block heel mules, Hermes collier de chien bangle, Jord Bamboo watch, charm necklace with matching earrings, Ray Ban sunglasses styled for date night by switching shoes and accessories and taking the modesty top off.

 

Fit Is True to Size

I am wearing a size S and it fits perfectly. My bra size is 34A (75A). I recommend to check the size chart for best fit when ordering.

 

Great Price-Performance Ratio

Halftees are well made and the quality is great for the price. The quality of the cropped tops from this company have been consistent over the years. I judge everything by the cost-per-wear. It’s a no-brainer with the many option to style a half shirt that you get your $22.99 investment below one dollar after 23 wears. When you are following the blog already for a while you know that a cost-per-wear below $1 is my criterion for a great deal. Thumbs up!

 

over 50 years old fashionista adding modesty to a dress with a half shirt
Halftee worn under an above-the-knee shirt dress to make the look more modest, and, hence, office appropriate.

 

Nicole in silver leather coat over shirtdress over cropped tee
Outfit details: Cami silver leather trench coat, Gap above the knee shirtdress, Hermes collier de chien bangle, cat cuff, amethyst bracelet, statement gemstone belt, Miu Miu heels, Modalu Pippa bag, and cropped shirt c/o Halftee

 

Who Would Love these Cropped Tops

This 3/4 cropped top from halftee is an item every fashionista owns and can’t get enough off. Full disclosure, I have several. These cropped T-shirts are great pieces for all women who want to look stylish, and put together all the time without bulk. It’s a must-have for all women who want instant style, because they can’t spend a lot of time on getting dressed in the morning. Its invention is a life-saver for all women who need to look put together for their job/career, but don’t enjoy the process of creating looks. These cropped tops are also great for all women who are looking for a modesty top to wear clothes that feel too revealing otherwise. Last, but not least, you can use them to add sleeves to sleeveless dresses when you are arm-shy.

 

Stylist tip: Haftees are perfect to hide bingo wings when wearing tank tops or sleeveless dresses.

 

Styling with a Half Shirt in a Nutshell

In other words, the halftees are affordable layering crop tops and wardrobe staples with a multitude of incredible, effortlessly chic styling options. They permit you creating effortlessly stylish,, modest and/or arm-covering looks without additional bulk. Browse their collection now to get the pieces that up your style factor instantly.

 

Photos: G. Kramm

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