Crop tops have been cropping up all over the place this season, and it’s about time too! There has been a resurgence of 90s trends this year; mom jeans, wide leg pants, straw hats, floral skirts¦ the list goes on and on. And let’s face it, all those years that crop tops were out of style, weren’t you secretly wishing you could wear them again? During the hot summer season the less fabric the better. So here are some dos and don’ts to style this 90s trend, with a 2011 twist.
DO: wear it with denim. A crop top with jeans is the ultimate carefree, casual look. A really short crop top looks amazing with high-waisted skinny jeans, and a longer looser one can be worn with mid-rise jeans or boyfriend jeans.
DON’T: wear it with low-rise jeans. It’s a very Britney Spears circa I’m Not a Girl look. And most of us don’t have her stomach either. It’s ok to show some skin, but try not to overdo it.
DO: wear it with shorts. On those hot summer days, this is the perfect outfit. Again, it’s better with higher rise shorts, and shorts that have a little wiggle room in them. Going too tight on the bottom could make you look top-heavy.
DON’T: go too low cut. A crop top works best when it has a crew cut neck, button-up, or swoop neck. If you go the way of the swoop neck, just make sure it doesn’t swoop too low. If you are going to show your belly, there is no need to show your chest as well.
DO: wear it with a maxi skirt. A cropped flowy top, paired with a long whimsical skirt can be absolutely stunning. Make sure the top isn’t too loose; you don’t want to look like you are just draped in fabric. And if the skirt sits higher, then go a bit shorter with the top (again, it’s all about balance!)
DON’T: wear it with a mini skirt. Short on the top and short on the bottom¦ need I say more? There is always the option of the high-waisted bandage skirt with a cropped top, but that trend has been around for a while and is getting a little tired. So try to stay clear of this.
DO: pair it with trousers. Bandage skirts may be on their way out, but trousers are still in (at least till next fall according to the fall 2011 collections.) Cotton trousers are the perfect summer pants because they are loose and lightweight. And they happen to look adorable with crop tops and bustiers.
As you can see there are plenty of fun ways to channel this trend in a very modern way. So throw away your preconceived notions about crop tops and embrace this trendy 90s throwback.
