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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Studded and Spiked Steppers

Don't be intimidated by their over-the-top appearance. Shoes completely embellished with studs or spikes do not have to be solely categorized as grandiose footwear. The currently trendy, heel-less shoes, covered entirely with studs or spikes should be paired with a garment that is classic yet trendy, such as a high-low dress, to soften their undeniable in-your-face impact. Accompanying stud-or spike-embellished heel-less shoes, with the femininity of a high-low dress, will gently tone down the toughness of these shoes while the high, front hemline of the dress will ensure the shoes receive the attention they deserve.

Celine Studded Spike Shoe, Amazon, www.amazon.com, $69.99

Alternative garments to pair with studded or spiked heel-less shoes are a pair of shorts in a soft fabric such as silk or lace, an upscale T-shirt, tank or a romper-play-suit. The shoe will remain in the limelight, as it deserves, while being added as an accoutrement to classic wardrobe pieces. If the selected romper-play suit does not have a belt, add a belt to the waist to enhance an hourglass figure or to create a waistline if you have a slimmer figure.

Obi Suede Belt from Mango, www.mango.com, $15

Diamante-Embellished Neckline Play-suit,

 Topshop, $100

Stud- or spike-embellished shoes can be seamlessly paired with office attire if the studs are used more as trimming on the shoes or on a single part of the shoes. An a-line skirt, flattering to most types of figures, matched with a blouse can look superb with stud-embellished shoes. Refrain from pairing the shoes with a skirt and blouse that is overly-embellished. Keep either the skirt or blouse simple. Excessive embellishment on your garments along with the stud- or spike-embellished shoes can be overpowering. It is recommended that you save shoes entirely embellished with studs or spikes for non-business attire if you do not work in an industry that permits more trendy attire to be worn in the office.

Studded Hotpot Sandals, Asos,  www.asos.com, $76.37

Jeffrey Campbell is a master of stud- and spike-embellished shoes. He continues to use his mastery of shoe craft to make more awe-inspiring shoes season after season. Jeffrey Campbell’s creations, unless on sale, may not, however, be budget-friendly. Several boutiques, such as Free People (www.freepeople.com), sometimes have affordable Jeffrey Campbell shoes in stock. Budget-friendly stud-embellished shoes, are available at the following boutiques. In addition, stud-embellished shoes at the following boutiques consists of both traditional and edgy shoe styles depending upon your preference:

1. Forever 21 (www.forever21.com)
2. Mango (www.mango.com)
3. Zara (www.zara.com)

Additional Outfit ideas for stud-embellished shoes:

1. Paired with tuxedo pants and a white blouse or camisole, a stud-embellished shoe can add extra dash and edginess to your outfit.
2.  Stud-embellished shoes paired with skinny jeans and a faux-leather peplum top is a glamorous combination.

   

   Levi's Boyfriend Jeans, Levi's. www.us.levi.com/shop, $88



Isabel Lu Faux Leather Peplum Top, Ambience, www.shopambience.com, $88

3. A graphic T-shirt, blazer or leather jacket paired with a skirt and stud-embellished shoes is always a chic wardrobe choice.

The Wax Factor: Jeans

The recent proliferation of waxed jeans has made it chic to be seen wearing shiny pants. Wax-coated jeans rose in popularity during 2007 but five years later they are even more trendy than they were before. During St. Louis Fashion Week, in October, I was thrilled to see that both mass merchandise boutiques such as, The Limited and Express, and high-end denim boutiques such as Lucky Brand have embraced this trend. Wearing bronze, silver or gold-coated denim is definitely not for the faint of heart but I, for one, love the wow factor.

Wax-coated denim pairs well with a variety of tops: basic t-shirts, blazers and sweaters. The key is to tone down the rest of the pieces you wear. Waxed denim has such a "look at me" presence that it is almost an insult to overdo the rest of your outfit. Doing so can make your outfit appear as "over the top." Below are tips on what works best with waxed jeans along with recommendations on what not to pair with them:

Do's:

• A white or black burn-out t-shirt paired with waxed jeans is a casual-classic ensemble.
• The combination of a tuxedo blazer and either a simple camisole or a white oxford shirt paired with waxed jeans equal a chic evening outfit.
• An over-sized cowl-neck sweater and a pair of skinny waxed jeans is an elegant pairing for a girls' night out.
• You can't go wrong with red. Red is glorious with wax-coated gold, silver, bronze or black denim.
• Invest in a pair of black-waxed jeans. A well made pair of black-waxed jeans can look similar to leather.

Don'ts:

• Pair waxed jeans with metallic tops in the same or similar tones. A gold-top with gold-coated jeans is a fashion foul-out. The same is true for silver, bronze and so on. 
• Wear over-embellished tops and blazers with waxed jeans i.e. Just say no to the pairing of a brocade print blazer with waxed denim.

My rule: Don't let the outfit over-stage you.


Below are wax-coated jeans I loved at first sight:


Lucky Brand's Rose Gold Coated Jeans


www.LuckyBrand.com; $129; Hurry to take 25% off!



The Limited's Black Glazed Jeans

www.TheLimited.com; On Sale for $47.94

Express' Stella Silver Coated Jeans



www.express.com; On sale for $49.90



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