Hey, HEY, HA-AY!   Nordstrom reached out, asking if I wanted to take a peek at what Free People has been up to lately.  Summer must be coming, because I was already up to my ears in Free People tops.

If you are new here, welcome.  My name is Shana and I have a Free People problem.

My love for Free People has been well-documented on this blog, but it really all started after my oldest was born during that pesky post-partum phase.  The one where your boobs have reached uncomfortably epic proportions, but that’s fine because those giant melons are the only thing hiding the the poochiness of your stomach.  You know that phase? Lovely.  The only thing better than this post-partum phase is when you can go through it in the summer. [raises fist]  YES.  Nothing like a little sweat and sticky fabrics to highlight that pooch!

So yeah.  This is where Free People comes in.  Each Spring (and I’m on a roll because I’m now five years post-partum), I pick out one fabulously drapey top from Free People.  These tops have become my summer go-tos: dress ’em up, dress ’em down, eat whatever. Win.

This year, I may or may not have gotten a little carried away.  If you follow me on instagram (@shanachristine) you might have noticed many tops of late have started with an “F” and rhyme with “zee people”.  They have varying degrees of pooch-hiding abilities (#5years #shutup), and *most* are nursing friendly.

What can I say? Zis stuff is good.

The One That Makes Me Feel All Grecian Goddess

I mean, yeah – that’s a lot of bra.  It’s how I roll.   This top comes in a bunch of pretty colors, but I loved the white – so goddess-y.  If you have issues with this much exposed bra (and trust me you aren’t alone), this top layers beautifully over a little cami or even a swim top.

 

Outfit Details

tank: Free People Wrap Front Tank (XS)

jeans: Rag and Bone (hemmed and destroyed MAHSELF, thankyouverymuch)

shoes: Rebecca Minkoff

bra: Cosabella (size S) – also in a nursing version

 

The Bubble Hem Tank That’s Just OK

I had majorly high hopes for this one – I remember bubble hems being my BFFs after Raines was born.  But the best thing about this top is the gorgeous color.  I’m a little ‘meh’ on the fit.

Outfit Details

tank: Free People Double Bubble Tank (XS) – on sale for $34!

jeans: Rag and Bone (hemmed and destroyed MAHSELF, thankyouverymuch)

shoes: Rebecca Minkoff

bra: Cosabella (size S) – also in a nursing version

 

This Tee, Though

It turns out that this sort of forest green/teal color is also available in a v-neck tee.  Now this, I love.  I tried two sizes.  First is the green in a size small……

….and the black in an XS.  Note how short the XS is (keep in mind that I’m 5’2″):

Outfit Details

tee: Free People Raw Edge V-Neck (green – S, black – XS)

jeans: Rag and Bone (hemmed and destroyed MAHSELF, thankyouverymuch)

shoes: Rebecca Minkoff

 

 

Or A Tee With A Modern Cut

I have a borderline-unhealthy obsession with v-neck tees, but this one – in case you need justification for yet another black v-neck – has a really modern cut.  I also appreciate the bit of linen in the blend – it was nice and cool on my recent flight to Dallas.

Outfit Details

tank: Free People Cold Shoulder Tee (XS)

jeans: Rag and Bone (hemmed and destroyed MAHSELF, thankyouverymuch)

shoes: Rebecca Minkoff

bra: Cosabella (size S) – also in a nursing version

 

A Drapey Henley

Another linen piece (yay for drape!), this henley is perfect for nursing mamas.  Or not-nursing mamas.  Or not-mamas!  It’s just pretty and soft and comfy and….easy.  It’s easy.  If you follow me on IG, I wore it on a recent date night with a leather jacket and heels.  This is the kind of everyday piece that dresses up nicely.

In terms of sizing, I tried on the XS in cream…..

….and the size Small in blue.  Whatcha think?  (The blue shows the contrast detail better, but rest assured the cream has the same contrasting panels.)

Outfit Details

tank: Free People Linen Blend Split-Neck Top (cream – XS, blue – S)

jeans: Paige Denim (in petites)

shoes: Ugg Australia

bra: Cosabella (size S) – also in a nursing version

 

Daughter of Thor Top

This top is a cross between goddess and superhero.  (Thor, right?)  The back has a delicious amount of swing, and the fabric is downright floaty.  This is a fun top to wear, although I don’t think the neckline is low-enough to pull down for nursing.

 

Outfit Details

tank: Free People V-Neck Tank (XS)

jeans: Paige Denim (in petites)

shoes: Ugg Australia

bra: Cosabella (size S) – also in a nursing version

 

A Floaty Kimono Top

On a hot day (think: serious scorcher), this top would be nice and cool.   Also? At the beach with a pair of cut-offs.  Obviously one could dress this stunner up for date nights, but I suspect it would quickly become my everyday go-to.

Outfit Details

tank: Free People Cotton Blouse (XS)

jeans: Paige Denim (in petites)

shoes: Ugg Australia

bra: Cosabella (size S) – also in a nursing version

 

The Sexy Strapless That Doesn’t Create Under-Arm Boobs

In recent years, *cough*sincekids*cough* I haven’t been able to wear strapless tops because they dig into the extra flab under my arms.  This flab is always there, no matter how my weight fluctuates, no matter what phase (pregnant/post-partum/nursing/mastectomy/effing chemo) – the underarm flab is there, lurking, waiting for a strapless top to be donned, and then it busts out, all THIS IS MY TIME TO SHINE.  But this little top, with it’s structured bustline and built-in support shelf, this top doesn’t create the dreaded underarm boob.

Can we talk for a second about how amazing this top makes my fake boobs look?  I mean seriously.  #breastcancerupside

Also?  IT STAYS IN PLACE.

Outfit Details

tank: Free People Lace Cami (XS)

jeans: Paige Denim (in petites)

shoes: Ugg Australia

bra: Cosabella (size S) – also in a nursing version

 

An Everyday Strapless…???

I know a bunch of you will complain that your kids pull strapless necklines down.  That is a bummer.  My kids are old enough not too (mostly – Pax is a boob man and wildly unpredictable), but this next top might work for new mamas as well.

The rationale: One of my dear friends swore by strapless bras while nursing.  She flat-out refused to get a nursing bra and instead just snapped the cups of a strapless bra down.  She found it easier than dealing with the hooking / un-hooking of nursing bras.  She liked her strapless bras formed (like a jello mould) so the cups would snap back into place easily.  Food for thought.

In any case, nursing or no, this strapless top is insanely comfy (it’s made out of tshirt material), and, thanks to the strategic panel, doesn’t fall into a Tight Tube Top Situation.  (SIGH.  I used to love that situation.  In 1999, I liked my tube tops both tight and cropped.)

 

A *tiny* bit of under-arm boob action, but hardly much at all.  And, of course, I tested it’s stay-put power.

 

Outfit Details

tank: Free People Strapless Tank (XS)

jeans: Paige Denim (in petites)

shoes: Ugg Australia

bra: Cosabella (size S) – also in a nursing version

 

Which one is your fav?  I’m definitely keeping the black strapless.  Mike insists that I keep the cream strapless.  I’ve been wearing the heck out of the henley, and took the cold-shoulder tee to Dallas, but I think that the grecian cream tank could be even–

Hi.  I’m Shana. I have a Free People problem.

Shop My Fav Free People Tops

Because I like to take you all down with me MWAH HA HA….here are my favorite Free People tops.  (Nordstrom has an insane selection – a few additional ones just popped up, so there’s more below than featured above.)

 

xo!

S

 

A big, HUGE thank-you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post.  I always love the opportunity to hunt down chic, practical pieces, and Free People does this so well.  And readers, thank you for your continued support.  It doesn’t unnoticed, and is so very much appreciated.