Taking the Stand: Crop Tops

Let’s Review the Case: From Colored Denim to Peplum Skirts, 80’s fashion is making a comeback.  The latest: The Crop Top, a dangerous little garment that has just as many victims as dare we say the Speedo?

Exposed midriffs were all over the Spring ‘09 runways (Refer to Exhibit A). And fashionistas Sienna Miller and Diane Kruger have already been spotted wearing the teeny tops. (Refer to Exhibit B)

But even more alarming is what a recent search for “crop tops” on ShopStyle.com revealed…

Crop tops are either selling out like hotcakes or retailers are only stocking handfuls of them. (Refer to Exhibit C)

Evidence:
Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Whitney Port, Sienna Miller, and Diane Kruger
Exhibit C

Let’s turn to ‘The Pretty Committee’ for some guidance on this trend.

Left-Tie: Crop tops vary so much in style other than their 1 commonality which of course is the exposed belly. So it’s hard for me to judge them as a group. I think it’s actually unfair to do so. You do have to be careful on what you pair a crop top with because it’s a fine line from Summer shiek to Jersey Shores cheap.  This is a Spring and Summer thing only.  I say play with it.

Trendspotter: I remembering seeing t teens wearing crop tops, Jordache jeans and L.A. Gears when I was a kid and thinking they were the definition of cool. Kelly Kapowski reaffirmed this notion in Saved By the Bell, so I feel like I’ve been brainwashed into the thinking the crop top is “so cool.” I do like some of styles that came up on the ShopStyle search. I think crop tops should only be worn in really casual settings, like around the house, at the beach, quick trips to the farmer’s market, stuff like this. They should not be worn on the red carpet and never to your workplace. That’s a crime.

Lady Lex: I like the crop top but let’s be honest, you have to have the stomach for it. You can’t just be skinny either, you actually have to be tone, otherwise you’ll have rolls when you sit. So go ahead and crop yourself but get a second opinion first.

Jess:First its the long layered look, now its the cropped, exposed look…but I love it!  Although summer is coming to an end, i think the cropped T look will continue into fall.  There are always ways you can layer a cropped T underneath a long tank.  However, until then, let the tummies show ladies! Get that last bit of sun before it goes away forever.

Posh Hippie: I did not need to see that Prada model’s ribcage. Gross. I don’t really mind crop tops if they are layered. With high waisted pants they don’t cut off that hard-won visual effect of long legs. But I think they are still pretty tacky when used for the purpose of exposing a strip of flesh. It’s really not sexy to see that part of the body. A new strip of flesh has to be “in” to be exposed each round so we will scramble to get the right clothes. My vote is for tall boots and short skirts so upper-thigh to become the new in strip. The crop top, overall, seems petty and easy to ignore.

Verdict: We’re not opposed,  but we sure wouldn’t call this trend the cream of the crop.

XOXO,
The Gals and Guys of INPT