I’m basically allergic to anything too prissified, but a girl also gets tired of wearing button-down shirts every day. So I’m on the hunt for tops that feel feminine without crossing the line. Most of the pieces I like have one or two fladylike flourishes but are otherwise clean-lined, like this gorgeous leopard print blouse. Possibly you think a pussy bow is the very definition of prissy, but I like to wear them untied.

Of course I like this because I’m still on a bit of a yellow kick, but the subtle dot pattern under the floral print is aces too.

This slightly spendy red number would be perfect under a blazer.

Just a cute little eyelet top for wearing on its own right now, or later on under a chunky cardigan.

This Universal Standard wrap top is waitlisted, but it is so pretty—and that blue is so good—that I feel it might be worth waiting for.

This manages to be menswearish and feminine at the same time, which is a cool trick.

A flutter sleeve top that looks like Ulla Johnson, minus the Ulla Johnson price tag.

The pleating here keeps this top relaxed yet really chic.

I like the twist at the neckline and the excellent snakeskin print here. Another good one for wearing under a blazer.

This looks like a great vintage store find—retroish, but not costumey.

Click through and zoom in on the print on this Joie top—eensy red and black hearts, which is fun.

A ruffle sleeve is usually not too far up my alley, but the cut here is otherwise so clean that it works.

The most refined hippie girl top I’ve maybe ever seen.

A grey floral is kind of unexpected and very elegant.

This leopard print wrap top has serious dress-it-up dress-it-down potential.

The pale pink floral print here is just glorious.

I’d wear this wrap top with an A-line denim skirt.

The graceful neckline here is just so good. This top isn’t exactly cheap, but I think it looks way pricier than it is.

I’m always a sucker for well-deployed smocking.

The bold red and blue print here is pleasingly graphic.

The bow almost crosses the line into priss territory, but I dig this Coach top anyway.

Just a good classic black floral.

And finally: this is a button-down, which isn’t too feminine on the face of it, but the color combination is just so sweet, and it’s silk, which drapes so beautifully.