I have a confession: my wardrobe is boring. Not in a minimalist, intentional way — in a played-it-safe-for-too-long way. A lot of plain navy, a lot of grey, a lot of pieces that work perfectly well and inspire absolutely nothing. I buy things that go with everything and end up with a wardrobe where everything goes with everything and nothing is particularly interesting.
I'm 36 years old and I'd been meaning to add some texture and personality to my spring wardrobe for a couple of years. The problem was that every time I tried, I'd pick something up, think "but will it actually work with what I own?", and put it back. The Yumi Navy Crochet Top was the first thing in a long time that I picked up, thought "yes, obviously," and bought without second-guessing.
Why Crochet Was the Right Move
Crochet knitwear has had a genuine moment over the past couple of seasons, and I'd been watching it from a distance, interested but uncertain. The thing that had put me off was the styling question — crochet can look costume-y if it's not worn right, and I wasn't sure I had the confidence or the wardrobe to pull it off.
What changed my mind was the ruched front tie on the Yumi top. That single detail transforms the styling question from "how do I wear this?" to "how do I want to wear this today?" Tied in a crop style, it's a statement piece over high-waisted jeans. Tied longer, it's a layering piece over a dress or a cami. The same top, two completely different looks, depending on how you tie the front. That versatility removed the uncertainty entirely.
Why I Chose the Yumi Navy Crochet Top
The Yumi Navy Crochet Top with Front Ruching was right for several reasons. Navy was the right colour for my wardrobe — it works with everything I already own, which meant the texture and the crochet detail could do the interesting work without me having to rethink my whole wardrobe around a new colour. The 100% cotton construction was important: cotton crochet has a softness and breathability that acrylic alternatives don't, and it's the right weight for spring — warm enough for a cool day, not too heavy for a mild one.
The scalloped edge at the hem and cuffs is the detail that makes it feel considered rather than generic. It mirrors the crochet texture throughout the piece and gives it a finished quality that cheaper crochet tops often lack. The scoop neck is flattering without being low, which means it works for work as well as weekends.
At 47cm in length, it sits at the right point for layering — long enough to wear as a standalone top, short enough to work as a layer over a dress without adding bulk.
First Wear: Over a Dress
I wore it for the first time over a floral midi dress on a Saturday in March. Tied longer, layered over the dress, with ankle boots. It was the kind of outfit I'd seen on other people and thought "I could never pull that off." Turns out I could. The navy crochet over the floral print created exactly the kind of layered, textured look I'd been admiring from a distance. My friend, who has excellent taste and doesn't give compliments lightly, said: "You look really good today. What's different?"
The answer was the top. One piece, and suddenly the outfit had a point of view.
The Crop Styling
The following week I wore it tied in a crop style with high-waisted wide-leg jeans and a white cami underneath. Completely different look from the same top. The ruched tie creates a neat, intentional crop rather than the awkward half-tuck that never quite works. The scalloped hem sits at exactly the right point when tied this way — it looks designed rather than adjusted.
I've now worn it in both configurations multiple times and I genuinely can't decide which I prefer. That's the mark of a versatile piece: it doesn't have a "right" way to wear it, just different right ways depending on the occasion.
Three Months of Regular Wear
I've been wearing the Yumi crochet top regularly since March. It's been machine washed multiple times and the cotton has held its shape and texture without any stretching or distortion. The navy hasn't faded. The scalloped edges are as neat as they were on day one. Cotton crochet can be delicate, but this has been robust in daily use.
It's become the piece I reach for when I want an outfit to have some personality without requiring a lot of thought. Over a dress for something more put-together, with jeans for something more casual, with a cami for something in between. It works every time.
What It's Done for My Wardrobe
The boring wardrobe problem hasn't been entirely solved — I still have a lot of plain navy and grey. But the Yumi crochet top has shown me what I was missing. Texture does the work that colour and pattern do in other wardrobes. One textured piece changes the character of everything you wear it with. I've started looking at my existing wardrobe differently, thinking about what else I could add that would do the same thing.
It's a small shift, but it's changed how I feel about getting dressed in the morning. That's worth more than I expected from a single top.
My Verdict
If your spring wardrobe is functional but uninspiring, the Yumi Navy Crochet Top with Front Ruching is the piece I'd add first. The navy works with everything. The crochet texture adds personality without requiring you to rethink your whole wardrobe. The ruched front tie gives you two completely different looks from one top. And the 100% cotton construction means it's comfortable, breathable, and holds up to regular washing.
Browse more tops and spring clothing here:
Bea Thornton is a copywriter and reformed safe-dresser based in Leeds. She has been wearing the same crochet top in two different configurations for three months and is currently eyeing up a second Yumi piece.
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