In praise of the tank top: the most hard-working piece of knitwear you’ll own

Never count a good fashion trend out – flares, tea dresses and gingham have all returned as big hitters over the past nine months. And now it’s the turn of the tank top, that knitted staple from the 1970s.

If you weren’t around back then, here’s a recap: the tank was fitted, necklines were scooped and patterns – most often horizontal stripes – were unapologetically bright. They were mainly worn with open-collar shirts, and the aforementioned flared trousers.

This time around, the feel is different. The style is more of a sleeveless jumper than a tank, as the silhouettes coming through this season rise higher, more like a crew neck, and are more generously proportioned around the shoulders. This shape is what makes the new sweater vest such a winning piece with a printed midi dress – simply layer one on and you avoid the bulk of a chunky jumper, retaining an elegant (but gratifyingly warm) look. It’s ideal for easing you back into a commute to the office when the weather starts biting.

Another way to wear the tank top 2.0 is with jeans and a shirt – notably one with a ruffled neckline or an oversize collar. If you’ve bought into the dramatic sleeves trend, the sweater vest is a foolproof way to show them off. If you’re worried about looking like a throwback, the one item to swerve in conjunction with a tank might be the rollneck, as the 1970s connotations will be unavoidable. But if being incredibly warm scores highly on your agenda this winter, then layer away…