The first time I ever saw I thought, “this might be the chicest woman alive.” Maria has such a distinct style POV and a bend for quality, so I immediately reached out to her for a One Star Review. Thoughtful, as always, Maria took the time to figure out what piece in her closet she could give a specific review for. Selfishly, when Maria said she wanted to review the FLORE FLORE Esmé tank, I was thrilled because I had been eyeing a long-sleeve top from the brand. If you’re considering the brand or looking for a foundational tank for your wardrobe; read on!!
I’ll go ahead and admit now that I was influenced by this photo of Kendall Jenner wearing the FLORE FLORE Esmé tank in off-white.
At first glance, the top looked like a pretty basic tank, and I tried to be discerning based on who was wearing it because let’s face it, everything looks good on Kendall. So, I saved the photo simply for inspiration and was determined to find an alternative option for the top—preferably something less pricey.
Ranging anywhere from $70 to $95 (plus tax) depending on where you shop, the price of the top isn’t astronomical, but as someone who usually buys their basics from Zara, it seemed like a splurge to me. I was actively looking for a similar style for weeks but had a hard time finding anything comparable—it was always a slightly different silhouette or the fabric wasn’t right. At the same time, the Substack chats were blowing up with questions on where to shop for good basics and FLORE FLORE kept coming up.
I finally caved when I saw the Esmé tank discounted during Matches’ closing-down sale. The off-white Kendall wore was already sold out and there were limited colours and sizing left. I was debating between the white and black as I figured it’d be safer to stick to more classic options having never bought or tried on anything from FLORE FLORE before. I ended up buying the black tank because I’m not great at keeping my whites white, and with spending that much on a basic, I wanted to make sure it would last. It ended up costing me $81 CAD after taxes, shipping and duties (nothing like finding a deal!)
So, did the top live up to its hype?
I would say so! It’s made out of 100% organic cotton and feels like high quality with a good weight and thickness to it. Most of all, I love the fit. It’s got the same shape as a muscle tank, which is quite edgy, but the fitted tailoring makes it feel classic and refined. The top is simple with a few details to note, like a finer rib (“baby rib” as per the site), a banded neck and scooped-out armholes, and a double-stitched cut-off seam on the back. Overall, I just feel GOOD in the top. I’m not constantly fixing or fussing like I am when wearing other tanks, and with its thicker straps, I have no issues wearing a regular bra.
As for sizing, I went with an XS, which is my regular size and I find that the top does have stretch to it. On the website, it states, “Our FLORE FLORE silhouettes are designed to be fitted. If you are in between sizes, we recommend sizing up.” I’ve washed the tank a few times (I turn it inside out, put it in a mesh bag, and wash it in a cold, delicate cycle then lay flat to dry), and its shape and softness have held up really well.
Styling it
I’m happy to report I’ve gotten a lot of use of the Esmé tank since I bought it. The higher crew neck is a lot more modest than my usual strappy summer tanks, so not only is it good for everyday but also particularly for functions where you might want a bit more coverage. I’ve worn it with a satin skirt to my daughter’s dance recital and also love pairing it with linen pants and straight-leg jeans.
I find the length perfect as it hits right above the hips, so you can tuck it in or leave it out (my preference is the latter.) I don’t wear a lot of accessories with it because I think the beauty of the top is in its simplicity, and I like to lean into its 90’s minimalist vibe, a la Kate Moss.
Final thoughts
I really tried to think of a ‘con’ I thought would be worth mentioning. The only thing that came to mind was that, because of the black, I sometimes have to use a lint roller? Oh, and that, I still find the price a bit steep for a basic. BUT I will say the quality and fit make it worth it.
I used to think a basic was a basic, and there wouldn’t be enough of a difference to justify spending more money. Seeing how this FLORE FLORE top stands out against my other Zara tanks, I definitely see the value in investing in a good basic. I would definitely consider buying another Esmé tank, even at full price, as I really do love the off-white as well as the baby blue and red colours.
The number of colour ways is pretty extensive!
Alternatives
Here are some of the other alternatives I was looking at that are similar in style. Like I said, I ultimately kept coming back to the FLORE FLORE Esmé tank, but maybe you’ll find another option that interests you.
A full catalog of the links used in the post (include 4 retailer options for where to purchase the Flore Flore Esme Tank and multiple options on The Real Real) can be found here and I am very transparent about the affiliate payout because knowledge is power! All items were based on the review of the item NOT the commission rate.
Thank you for letting me contribute to One Star Reviews, Kelly! This was so fun! Oh, and that intro made me blush. You're too kind. x
Well now I want this tank.