Bellhop.

Do you remember 10, 15 years ago when everyone was wearing lingerie-style tops from Express?  Or, at least my college girl posse was.  We’d roll up to The Virginian down in Charlottesville at 11:30 PM on a Friday, feeling fly in flared Joe’s Jeans, pointy-toed pumps, and a lace-y-little-nothings-for-tops.  That, and chandelier earrings.

Well, friends, the fashion-forward top — meaning, the top as the focal point of the look — has returned.  This time looking decidedly less bedroom-y, and with a lot more (literal) flare: I’m talking about the bell-sleeved/tiered-sleeved/interestingly-sleeved top.  Basically any top that throws you a chic curve-ball with an unexpected sleeve situation.  I can’t guarantee we won’t look back in 10 years and grimace, but, this is FASHUN y’all, and it’s worth taking risks.  (A few other recent micro-trends I’ve been intrigued by: marigold, ring-handled bags, and raw-hem denim.)

Plus, don’t these tops just feel so NOW?!

I love the drama of the last snap in particular — get the look for less with this $49 steal from Mango!

Also on my radar:

+Mango belted, striped blouse ($49).  Mango is killing it right now!  This JOA style ($68) achieves a similar effect.

+White lace from MacGraw ($500).  Investment but gorgiiiiiine.

+Madewell striped, bow-sleeved poplin top ($65).

+Dotted chiffon top ($42).

+I die over all things Roksinda, but especially the fine tailoring and sharp flared cuff on this mango-hued top ($709).

+Black bell-sleeved top ($64).

+Glorious OTS stripes from J. Crizzle ($78) — I think I need it in the yellow color.

+CUTE utility jacket (on sale for $89).

And on the dress front:

+OMG, Caroline Constas ($495).  BUT GUYS.  This dress gets the look for only $37!  I already ordered this for this summer.  #Ready.

+This lacey dress ($53) — what a steal for a beachy getaway!

But also…

MY personal favorite — this $105 Style Mafia steal in crisp white.  Ordering it.

Finally, a moment of gratitude: a special thank you to Mackenzie of the beautiful blog Design Darling for mentioning my post on women of substance in her “Weekend Reading” post two days ago.  Thanks to you, and to the many of you beautiful readers who have left comments here and on Instagram, written to me via email, and texted me in response to this post.  Feeling all the feels.

Also, one of you just asked me about this: did you know you can sign up to receive an email every time there’s a new Magpie post?  Just scroll down to the very bottom of this page and you’ll see a section that says: “Get Magpie Mail!”  Input your email addy + voila.

And, some additional finds here…