Manufacturers call them tank tops, muscle shirts and camisoles.

The street slang for them is "wifebeaters," your grandparents knew them as undershirts and around the globe they're called "singlets."

Call the humble sleeveless knit top whatever you will: it has become a fashion staple.

A sartorial symbol of women's freedom (hippies, then feminists adopted them after they burned their bras), tank tops have been incarnated in spaghetti strap styles (remember layering a few years ago?) and embellished versions (safety pins, slogans, concert logos).

Left, Margie Tsai, Fall '01

Top row, from left: Rusty, Jill Stuart Second Row: Gasoline, Planet Yumthing

Tips
-Don't want to go braless? Try a racer-back tank at Bonnie August with built-in shelf bra.
-Fashionistas flip for high-end tanks from Ripcosa.
-Try clear or color-coordinated bra straps from BraGems.
-Decorate your tank top to personalize it. How to do it.
-The basic white tank is a pretty tough look all by itself: mix it with softer pieces (florals, skirts, etc.) to do a hard/soft look that is modern.