Trends never really go away, they disappear for a while and then return with a vengeance – months or years later. I know this to be the truth – just look at the crop top. Midriff-baring tops were huge when I was 16, along with low-slung jeans. I happily adopted this look then because I was 16, for crying out loud, and puberty had not hit me yet.
Don't let these models backstage at the Carven Spring Summer 2014 show deceive you. You too can pull off crop tops! Credit: Showbit
Years later, as though in sync, designers sent an army of models in short tops, often with toned stomachs on display to the horror of everyone older than 18. Unfortunately, the crop top wasn’t buried after one season. It continues to be in vogue for Spring Summer 2014, now, and even heading into Autumn Winter 2014. Me and my no-longer-teenage-body blame Michael Kors, Alexander Wang, and everyone else out there for this occurrence.
But don’t panic, there is hope for the over-18 crowd when it comes to sporting cropped tops. You won’t even have to slave away at pilates class or skip any meals. Here is my guide on how to wear crop tops when you are no longer a teenager.
Clockwise from left: Hache Spring Summer 2014 runway (credit: Showbit); Mille cropped polo tee, $240, from Alice + Olivia; Simone Rocha polyester pearl embellished neoprene crop top, $1,290, from Club 21
1. Hide your belly button
The new generation of crop tops out in stores are more forgiving than the Britney Spears circa “Hit Me Baby One More Time” kind. Instead of ending right below the chest, the current crop ends tastefully at the waist, which is more practical than you think. When paired with high-waisted bottoms, there’s no need to tuck in your shirt and your tummy actually is well hidden away with maybe just a sliver of skin to show you’re on-trend.
Clockwise from left: Proenza Schouler Spring Summer 2014 runway; Favorire cropped jacket, $359, from Max & Co; Acne Studios printed cropped canvas wide-leg pants, $614, from The Outnet.com
2. Always go with high waists
This is a no-brainer and everyone, including teenagers, should follow to this strictly. High-waisted pants and skirts cover up a common problem area for many women – the lower stomach. So if you insist on dragging your 1990’s super short top out (although I suggest burning it), always make sure your bottoms start higher than your natural waist.
Clockwise from left: Balenciaga Spring Summer 2014 runway; Alexander McQueen silk-blend geometric printed crop top, $1,790 and viscose-blend checked skirt, $4,690 from Club 21
3. Volume on volume
OK, so some of us actually do our crunches religiously. For those who do want to show some skin, I recommend just a sliver. The crop top that works best for me is one that has a broad bottom-hem. Think wide, not tight. You won’t have to suck in your stomach in structured roomy tops. The trick is to wear something equally voluminous with it, think a full skirt or wide legged pants. When you stack volume on volume and reveal a bit of bare stomach, you create the illusion of a tiny waist.
Clockwise from left: Preen Spring Summer 2014 runway (credit: Showbit); Mermaid print crop top, $775, from Bimba y Lola; Bless'ed Are The Meek Angles Jacket, USD280, from SheShops
4. Add a layer
Sometimes, it’s more about the love handles that you are shy to show. Throw on a long vest or jacket over your crop top ensemble for some cover and no one will know any better – only the toned front stomach you are proud of will be on display.
Clockwise from left: Backstage at the Rachel Zoe Spring Summer 2014 show (credit: Showbit); Textured jacquard crop top, $630, from 3.1 Phillip Lim; Delpozo embellished striped silk-gazar top, S$2,490, from Delpozo
5. Think tailored
Sloppy T-shirts that you sliced off when you were 18 aren’t going to work now. Tailoring adds a grown up factor and transforms a crop top into an age-appropriate piece of your fashionable wardrobe.
Where to buy: Alice + Olivia is at #03-17 Ion Orchard; Club 21 is at #01-01/02 Four Seasons Hotel Singapore; Max & Co is at 2 floor, Takashimaya Department Store and #02-12 Paragon; Bimba y Lola is at #B1-04 Ion Orchard, #B2-100A The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands; 3.1 Philip Lim is at #02-05/06 Hilton Hotel and #01-16 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.