Activewear Guide · Summer Tops
Guide to the words, the fabric and the tops that make an Australian summer easier.
The best summer tops for women in Australia are light, breathable and easy to layer. Well, we don't actually mean just Australia, around the world summers as we are facing warmer summers around the globe! The first thing to know is that while a singlet, cami or a tank top are usually sleeveless tops, a crop top can either be sleeveless or with sleeves. Singlets and camisoles are similar with camis more along the lines of the thin-strap version that sits closer to the body.
The Active by GS tanks, camisoles, singlets and crop tops in this guide are made from 95% bamboo viscose and 5% elastane, are Oeko-Tex certified and carry UPF 50+ sun protection designed Australia and manufactured under strict ethical and fair trading conditions.
Below you will find what each top is called, which fabric suits a hot Australian summer, and which top to reach for on which kind of day.
The short version
✓Singlet and tank top mean the same thing in Australia. Camisoles have thin straps, are a closer fit and are usually adjustable.
✓In humid heat, a bamboo viscose top manages sweat better than a heavy cotton one.
✓Our bamboo viscose tops are Oeko-Tex certified and UPF 50+, so one top covers the gym, the school run and a day outdoors.
✓Layering works best with a snug camisole or singlet underneath, not a second loose top.
Singlet vs tank top vs camisole VS Crop tops: what is the difference?
Most Australians use singlets and tank tops interchangeably, so women's singlet tops and women's tank tops usually serve the same purpose. Where a shop draws a line, a singlet is the fitted version with narrower straps, and a tank top has a looser body and wider straps. A camisole has thin or spaghetti straps and a lighter feel, and it is worn under other layers as often as on its own. Crop tops and cropped tees stop at or above the waist.
| Top | How it fits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Singlet | Fitted, narrow to medium straps | Layering, the gym, hot days |
| Tank top | Looser body, wider straps | Studio sessions and everyday wear |
| Camisole | Thin straps, close fit, adjustable | Under shirts and blazers, or on its own |
| Crop tee | Boxy, ends at the waist | High-waist bottoms in hot weather |
The names matter less than three things: how much fabric sits against your skin, how it handles sweat, and what you want to layer over it. Get those right and the label on the hanger hardly matters, whether it says singlet, tank or cami.
What is the best fabric for summer tops in Australia?
There is no single winner. Linen tends to be the coolest in dry heat because its open weave lets air through. Cotton breathes well but soaks up sweat, and it can feel heavy when the air is humid. Bamboo viscose sits between the two: soft, light and good at moving moisture away from skin, which is why it suits humid coastal summers and sessions that make you sweat, with an upper hand in temperature control.
The Active by GS tops featured in this guide are 95% bamboo viscose and 5% elastane. Note, the exact fabric blend is listed in the Fabric section of every product page. The added elastane is for stretch and shape, so a top keeps its fit through a wash and a workout. Bamboo fibre is also naturally less prone to holding onto odour than a fully synthetic fabric. If you want the longer version, we explain why bamboo activewear works in a separate guide.
What do UPF 50+, moisture control & Oeko-Tex mean in a top?
UPF 50+ is the highest sun protection rating for clothing. Bamboo has natural UPF regulating properties and the knits are dense and tightly constructed, which is why bamboo viscose tops carries UPF 50+. A UPF rating describes the fabric, not the skin it leaves uncovered, so shoulders, arms and neck still need sunscreen or shade. That matters most in a singlet or a camisole. Also, it is always recommended to still protect all parts of the skin with sunscreen if you expect to spend longer on the beach.
Bamboo fabric is naturally breathable and has good moisture-management properties, which can help you feel more comfortable when your day gets warm or your workout gets sweaty. And let’s be honest, we’ve all experienced that uncomfortable moment when sweat shows through around the back, underarms or even along the thighs.
That’s where choosing the right fabric can make a real difference. Bamboo tops feels soft and comfortable against the skin while helping manage moisture, making it a great choice for workouts, warm-weather days and those busy days when you’re constantly on the go. Add in its naturally soft, lightweight feel, you wearing something that feels as good at the end of the day as it did when you first put it on.
Oeko-Tex certified means the fabric has been tested for harmful substances.
Which summer top suits which kind of day?
✓A hot day of errands. A boxy crop tee gives you air around the body and sits neatly over high-waist bottoms. Or throw on a cami and shirt, layering that you can remove as you run around.
✓A studio morning. A fitted crop stays in place through Pilates, yoga and reformer movements.
✓A gym session or a long day on your feet. A standard-fit tank gives you room to move and cools quickly.
✓A day that goes from the office to dinner. A camisole under a shirt or blazer is easy to shed when the evening warms up.
✓A day with changing plans. A reversible top gives you two colours or two styles for one hanger.
How do you layer a camisole in summer?
Wear it snug, so it does not bunch under the second layer. Match the necklines: a V-neck camisole under a V, and a scoop neck under a higher neckline. Keep the colours tonal, and in summer let the top layer do the sun protection work, an open lightweight shirt over a camisole covers the shoulders and still lets air through.
How should a summer top fit?
Fit does as much for comfort in the heat as fabric does. A close, stretchy fit such as a camisole or a fitted crop works under layers and through movement, and it stays put in a studio class. A looser fit such as a boxy tee or a standard-fit tank lets air move around the body, which helps on the hottest days. Most Active by GS tops are true to size, size down for a more tailored look, or size up for a relaxed drape. Size up if want the loose flow feel. Each style is cut a little differently, so check the fit note on the product page too. If you are between sizes, our size guide has the measurements.
How do you care for bamboo viscose tops?
Wash on a gentle cycle in cold to warm water, up to 40 degrees Celsius, with a mild detergent and no bleach. If you need the dryer, use the cool setting. Our fabric care guide covers the rest.
Summer 2026 picks from Active by GS
These are the tops we are featuring this summer. All of them are 95% bamboo viscose and 5% elastane, Oeko-Tex certified and UPF 50+. Each is cut a little differently, so check the fit note on each product page. You can also browse every style in camis and singlets, crop tops, tanks and all tops.
The layering basic, the Bamboo Camisole Top flips between a V-neck and a scoop neck to suit whatever you wear over it, and works on its own on the hottest days. Black and White are the classic singlet and camisole colours, and Slate Grey is the softer neutral.
The hot-day tee, the Classic Air Crop Top is a boxy cropped tee with a loose crew neck, cut to sit at the waist over high-waist bottoms. Available in Black, White and Grey. Go for a size up if you want the loose boxy look.
The studio crop, the Dream Cross-Back Yoga Crop has a smooth fitted front and cross-back straps, built for Pilates, yoga and reformer sessions. Available in Black and Slate. Wear on top of your usual bra and feel the difference.
The everyday tank, the Active Tank Top is a standard-fit tank with a crew neck, easy enough for the gym and for the errands afterward. Size down for a snug feel. Available in Slate Grey and Black.
The two-in-one, the Vibe Reversible Crop Top is slate on one side and black on the other, so one top gives you two looks. This top is basically two tops in the one smart top. Size down if you're after a snug fitted look.
Pair them with leggings, shorts or a sports bra from the Mix & Match collection, where you can build your own set. If you are after a pair of leggings to go with them, our guide on how to choose the best leggings covers length, waistband and fabric.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a singlet and a tank top?
In Australia the two words usually mean the same, a pair of sleeveless top. Where a difference is drawn, a singlet is more fitted with narrower straps, and a tank top has a looser body and wider straps.
What is a camisole?
A camisole is a lightweight, close-fitting top with thin straps usually adjustable, worn on its own or as a layer under shirts, blazers and jackets. The Active by GS Bamboo Camisole Top reverses between a V-neck and a scoop neck.
What is the best fabric for summer tops in Australia?
Fabric that help with moisture control or having temperature regulating features are best for those warm days. Bamboo viscose handles humidity and sweat well and feels soft against skin while linen is also often to be cool on the skin in dry heat. Active by GS bamboo viscose tops are 95% bamboo viscose and 5% elastane.
Do Active by GS tops have UPF 50+ sun protection?
Yes. Active by GS bamboo viscose tops carry UPF 50+ sun protection, because bamboo as a fabric is naturally UPF protective. The rating applies to the fabric, so we always recommend that the skin still needs sunscreen or shade.
What is the best top for Pilates in summer?
A fitted, breathable crop or a snug tank that stays in place through rolls and reformer movements works best. The Active by GS Dream Cross-Back Yoga Crop is a fitted bamboo viscose crop with cross-back straps, built for Pilates, yoga and reformer sessions. The sports bras are also favored within the AGS Active Community.
Are Active by GS tops Oeko-Tex certified?
Yes. The fabric we use at Active by GS are sourced from Oeko-Tex certified manufacturers and suppliers.
How do you wear a Active by GS camisole in summer?
Wear it on its own on hot days, or snug under an open lightweight shirt for shoulder cover. Mood match the neck styles - V or scoop, you choose. Or match the neckline to the layer over it: a V-neck under a V, and a scoop neck under a higher neckline. The adjustable shoulder straps makes it easier too.
How do you wash bamboo viscose tops?
Wash on a gentle cycle in cold to warm water, up to 40 degrees Celsius, with a mild detergent and no bleach. Use the cool setting if you need a dryer.
A good summer top does not need to be complicated. Pick the shape that suits the day, choose a fabric that handles the heat, and let the layering take care of the rest.
