How to Wear a Crop Top Even If You're Not Skinny Minny

Crop Top Styles

The crop top trend is super adorable yet can seem so daunting to try and pull off. Baring the midriff can be risky in fashion but more than anything it scares the common girl, who doesn't have a stick thin body type, from trying it. However, the crop top trend is huge this season and while out shopping last weekend I noticed nearly half the tops sold in some young women's stores are in fact, crop tops. I figured if retailers are trying to sell them to the masses, in which the majority of young women do not have flat stomachs, then the trend could (and should) be worn by all. Of course, if you're not so keen on the idea of baring it all, there are different types and styling techniques than can be applied so you feel comfortable and confident rockin' the crop top trend!

Type of Crop: There are so many variations and styles of crop tops out there! From t-shirt, lace, crochet, fringe, bustier, low-high, and bandeau, there is a type out there that is sure to flatter every body. Choose the style that feels most comfortable for you. A tight-fitted style, like the bustier, looks best on toned tummies while more flowy low- highs and t-shirt styles that don't hug the body will conceal more of the tummy.

Wearing a low-high dELIA*s flowy crop top with a
high-waist circle skirt (left) and with high-waist
shorts and a staple belt (right)

High-Waisted Bottoms: The key to wearing a crop top right is to just show a sliver of skin. With high-waisted bottoms, either shorts, pants or a skirt, it balances out the proportions and keeps your look classy and sophisticated. A lace or crochet top with high-waist denim cut offs are adorable for summer play while a chic black bustier with a pencil skirt makes a great look for a night on the town. Another cute idea is to wear overalls or a jumper over a tight fitted crop.

Pair with a Cardi or Jacket: To cover up a bit throw an open cardigan, jacket or blazer over your crop top outfit. This will leave only a hint of skin showing in the front and is a great way to take the trend into the fall season. A cropped leather moto jacket is adorable when paired over a crop and skirt combo. If you are more curvy and want to create a slimming affect, wear a long cardigan, jacket or vest.

                                   

Overalls and crop top from Forever 21 (left) and crop top, skirt and moto jacket (right) from Nasty Gal. 

Layer a Cami Underneath: If you really don't want to show any skin, then simply pair your crop with a basic cami underneath. This is a great way to also play with colors and do some fun color blocking with two contrast colored tops. I chose to pair a coral maxi skirt and a crochet mint crop with a pastel pink cami underneath in the photo to the right.



Have you tried the crop top trend? 

How did you wear it?




Sources: 
http://www.whowhatwear.com/how-to-wear-crop-tops/slide1
http://laurenconrad.com/blog/2014/03/how-to-wear-crop-tops-spring-2014-fashion/