Hi guys and welcome to my first review of Only Child Clothing, another purveyor of beautiful slow fashion pieces. For me, Only Child is local with all their items made by hand in Oakland, CA. I first talked about Only Child here, when I mentioned meeting Haley (the founder of OC) at West Coast Craft. It was there that I purchased this Alta Top in raw silk, and it was love at first wear. Since then (about 1 month) I've worn this top 10 times. That might not seem like a lot but if you break it down, that's at least twice a week, and sometimes three. I've also washed it multiple times and it's held up like a champ! I really really love this top and would someday like to buy another one in raw silk in a different color!
{Wearing: Only Child Alta Top, Everlane Easy Chino pants (reviewed here), Everlane V Slingback (reviewed here), Polene numero un bag (reviewed here)}
First a note on sizing: I'm wearing a XS/S here and find that it fits perfectly. Since this is a naturally more oversized top, I went with a smaller size. The sleeves are on the more fitted side because of that, but not too small that it gets stuck on my bicep. Also since I'm on the petite side, the smaller size fits me well.
I really love that the neck-hole on this top is not that wide. My 2nd generation Elizabeth Suzann Georgia Tee is of a similar shape and style but sometimes I find that the neck hole is too large and my bra straps show. I have no problems with that with the Alta Top. I also really love the parabola shape at the hem of the Alta top, which makes it more cropped in the front than in the back. I find the cropped look goes really well my high-waisted elastic bottoms like the Everlane Chinos up top or the Elizabeth Suzann Clyde skirt below. But at the same time, it's not too cropped. It falls somewhere between my Petra crop from ES and the Georgia Tee. Also I love that the sleeves of the Alta top are more fitted than my Georgia Tee (don't get me wrong I still love the wing tips of my Georgia Tee sleeves but sometimes you want a more fitted sleeve to fit under a jacket and the Alta top is the perfect candidate to layer with). I think if you don't want as much of a cropped front, you can size up (so I would size up to S/M).
{Wearing: Only Child Alta top in raw silk, Elizabeth Suzann Clyde Billow Skirt, Everlane Day Heels (reviewed here), Celine Small Cabas Phantom (similar here, reviewed here)}
And last buy not least, I love that raw silk that this Alta top is made of. The eggshell color is the perfect white but it's opaque enough not to show a nude bra. I also think because the top falls away from the body, you aren't as likely to see the outline of your bra. I'm a huge fan of raw silk not only because it's machine washable, but also because it has a nubby texture that makes it way more interesting than a cotton top. Also the raw silk is structured a bit like linen so it can hold its shape well, but at the same time doesn't wrinkle as much as linen. I've been a fan of raw silk since trying out the tops from Jamie and the Jones (review here and here), but I decided to let those pieces go because I don't wear them as much. I think in the end it comes down to styling, and for me Only Child fits my style to the tee. Also if I were to compare this to the J+J blank canvas top, this Alta top is not nearly as wide and not as cropped. And the neck-hole is smaller than the J+J one.
{Wearing: Only Child Alta Top, Elizabeth Suzann line Clydes (reviewed here), Everlane V Slingback (reviewed here), Celine Small Cabas Phantom (similar here, reviewed here)}
Anyway I can't recommend this Alta top enough. Like I said I really want to get another one of these (maybe in black) because it's the perfect casual yet elevated tee!
{March 2021 update: I’m still in love with this cream-colored raw silk Alta top and wear it weekly 2.5 years later. I also loved it to much that I got it in black raw silk in a true XS/S size (pictured above), which I also love. My first eggshell Alta was a sample, which I realize is more cropped and all around smaller than the true XS/S. Having tried this black one in the right size, I’ll say the XS/S runs tts and isn’t too cropped nor too oversized. I got another black Alta after I tried and then sold my linen Alta top which I reviewed here. Currently OC is phasing out the raw silk (but they still make it in eggshell and black, the two colors I currently have) and instead use a cotton/silk (70/30) blend for their new colors (that sand dollar greige is pretty dreamy). I’m curious to try it out and may splurge on another Alta, in which case I’d update this review again!}