Spaghetti-strapped top, informally

As a detective, the first thing I do when faced with a crossword clue is to identify the key words that can give me clues about what the answer could be. In this case, the key phrase “spaghetti-strapped top” immediately makes me think of a piece of clothing rather than a food, so I am looking for a garment that fits that description. The next part of the clue, “informally“, suggests that I should be looking for a casual or slang term rather than a formal one.

With those clues in mind, my thoughts go towards commonly used terms for women’s clothing. One word that fits the length and casualness of the clue is “cami“. A cami is a short top or undershirt that has thin straps similar to spaghetti, and it’s often worn as an undergarment but can also be worn as a casual top on its own. The term “cami” is also commonly used in informal conversation, making it a fitting answer to this crossword clue.

Overall, my thought process involved breaking down the clues into key phrases and considering common terminology associated with the subject matter. By doing so, I was able to quickly identify the answer as “cami” and solve the mystery of the crossword clue!