Bright summer days put everyone in the mood to wear something fun and playful. You might remember crop tops from your childhood, or maybe this is your first introduction to the style. Either way, crop tops are having a moment. If you’ve been thinking about trying this trend you might be wondering where to begin.
Crop tops can be integrated into casual and even formal outfits. First, we’ll define what exactly a crop top is and then look at ways you can style it.
Defining What Is a Crop Top
When we’re talking about crop tops, we’re not talking about wheat, corn, and other agricultural crops. We’re describing a shortened shirt that exposes some of the stomach or midriff.
Shirts and blouses typically fall at about hip length on most people, giving you the opportunity to choose between leaving your shirt out or tucking it into a skirt or pants. Quite simply, a crop top is a shirt that is shorter, or cropped in length.
Some crop tops are only slightly cropped, falling around belly button length. Most will fall at about the level of your natural waist, but some will be even shorter, just under the chest in the middle of the ribcage. You can choose the length that you find most flattering or the length that looks best with your outfit.
Styling a Crop Top
Crop tops are versatile pieces that can be styled in many ways. You can use them to add dimension to a casual outfit or a dressier look. Here are a few suggestions for creating outfits with crop tops.
Casual Crop Tops
If you want to add a crop top into your casual wardrobe’s rotation, the simplest way is with a tee shirt. You can even rip off the bottom of your favorite tee to crop it to your preferred length.
Mid to High-waisted jeans paired with a waist-length crop top are a great combo. You can show a little skin and draw attention to your waist with this silhouette.
A boxy jacket over a crop top and jeans will give it a slightly androgynous edge that can be very appealing. When playing with layers, you can extend your cropped look past summer into other seasons. You might even layer a crop top over a turtleneck for winter or give a cropped sweater a try.
Cropped tank tops, particularly with a racer back are a sportier look that can be paired with leggings or joggers for a cute athleisure look that highlights your gym gains without looking like you’re trying too hard.
You can also wear a crop top with a boho maxi skirt and some sandals to express a more relaxed beachy vibe that screams “I’m in vacation mode” even if you have to work in the morning. Add rings and bracelets to make a unique eclectic look that’s totally you.
Formal Crop Tops
Even though crop tops may seem more obviously casual, more and more formal designers are embracing sophisticated two piece options for evening wear that feature a crop top. This can really liven up your look for a dressy event by putting a fun twist of the classic cocktail dress.
To elevate the crop top, it’s best to choose one that’s part of a matching two-piece, rather than mismatched. By choosing a set that still captures the essence of classic evening wear, no one will mistake your crop top for being casual. Think about choosing fabrics like satin and chiffon, embellishments like sequins and embroidery, and other formal details that dress up your look.
Not all crop top two piece looks feature skirts. Some formal two pieces pair dress trousers with a matching crop top.
What Is a Crop Top? Your New Style Staple
Crop tops are a really fun way to play with shapes in your wardrobe and everyone, regardless of body type, can get in on the trend. Everyone can find a crop top style that suits them. Start by choosing the right length of crop top for you and then enjoy making different outfits around it.
You can play with a variety of casual looks, from cool and androgynous to athletic, to boho depending on the elements you choose. Formal wear is also a great place to incorporate two pieces with crop tops. Really, the sky’s the limit when it comes to midriff-baring tops.
