The Top Half

Photo Courtesy of a17n6awi

I am not a fan of crop tops but I have come to appreciate their appeal. I know that seems like a misnomer but I truly understand the attraction. Maybe I have just been worn down by the constant stream of crop tops I see in fashion magazines, on the sites of online boutiques and worn by hipster celebrities such as Rihanna. I have been defeated by the crop top mentality that currently exists and that’s alright with me. I have come to appreciate that they can look totally glam if paired with the right pieces and, of course, worn at the appropriate venue. I have a few regrets about statements I made about crop tops in the past which consisted of the reason anyone would willingly bare their midriff outside of the pool, beach or gym. I have now come to realize that my initial dislike for crop tops was based on the thought of how vulnerable I would feel if I bared my midriff in public. I have come to understand that just because I am weary of exposing that particular body part in public, I don’t have to make my level of discomfort with the crop top prevent me from celebrating it for what it is: An example of feminine liberation. It represents to me the freedom we now have as women to wear what we choose without the restrictions that women who came before us had to endure.

I originally believed crop tops were a fad that would disappear just as quickly as they rose to popularity. I perceived crop tops as a 1980s retread that would quickly fade away in popularity as new fashion trends came on the horizon. Imagine my disappointment when I was proven wrong. Perhaps, that disappointment is another reason I was so resistant to the endurance of crop tops. I believe crop tops continue to remain culturally relevant because there is a fondness associated with them that evolved from their 1980s debut. The lead character in 1983’s Flashdance, Alexander Owens, danced her heart out in her leotard and tights but crop tops were frequently her garment of choice. Madonna also routinely rocked her crop tops during the same time frame. Check out or revisit a few of her 1980s music videos or concert footage.

Tips:

• Pair crop tops with high-waist pants and skirts to highlight your figure at its best. An added benefit is that your legs will appear to be longer. This is particularly important if you are petite.

•   A crop top is a great layering piece. If you don’t want to bare your midriff but you enjoy the look of crop-tops try layering your crop top over a tank or t-shirt in a contrasting, yet complementary, color or print. Try pairing a solid-colored crop-top over a sequined tank for example or over an animal or polka dot print tank or-shirt.

Shop the Trend:

Olivia Crop Top, Alloy Apparel

Lights Out Crop Top, Living Royal

Rapture Crop top, Nastygal

Related Stories:
Manrepeller: Dissecting the Crop Top
Why of Fashion: How to Wear Crop Tops 

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Cut It Out

ABSYNTH Stiletto Cut-Out Bootie, 

Topshop, www.topshop.com, $156.00

Lace-Up Waist Shirt, Web Exclusive,

 Forever 21, www.forever21.com, $19.80

There surely must have been a pile of geometric shaped fabric on the floors of design houses the world over when cut-out clothing was propelled into the fashion world. Garments and shoes that look like children decided to take a pair of scissors to them are both visually intriguing and fashionably daring. I admit I was completely taken aback upon first spotting the trend. I asked myself, “Who would buy a garment that appeared as if it had been partially destroyed shortly after being placed on the rack?” Initially, the cut-out trend was restricted to one-piece bathing suits in the swimwear industry. Now, cut-out garments have infiltrated other fashion niches, such as womenswear. Cut-out pieces have just exploded into the fashion sphere. It is now quite common for a single garment to have more than two or three cut-outs. Talk about taking the cold-shoulder top to a whole new level!

Trendy boutiques, such as Nastygal, Topshop and Forever 21 routinely feature cut-out clothing. I know what you’re thinking. It may be getting chillier where you are but grab some extra garments and layer, layer, layer! Find the correct pieces to layer under your cut-out shirt or sweater and soldier on! Graphic print pieces are perfect for layering under cut-out garments. You can also add an extra level of intrigue to an outfit featuring a cut-out garment by pairing the garment with a piece in a different texture. A lace top layered beneath a cut-out sweater will give your outfit an extra amount of zest. You can also pair a cut-out shirt in a neutral or monochromatic shade with a bold-colored tank or camisole for a glamorous look.

Never Look Back Knit Sweater, Nasty Gal. www.nastygal.com, $68.00

Someone definitely let the genie out of the bottle when they decided that cut-outs would be accepted and celebrated as chic amongst fashionistas who set the bar for style. Have you perused a fashion magazine lately? A large fraction of footwear prominently featured in articles and advertisements consist of multiple cut-outs. Have you browsed the shoe section of department stores or online boutiques lately? It may be getting chillier outside for those of us that live in areas where the temperature dips during the fall; however, the shoes and boots featured in the shoe section supports an illusion that it is still warm across most of the globe. I think the question has been answered about why tights suddenly become a girl’s best friend during fall and winter.

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