Crazy About Crop Tops

That's right people, crop tops are back in this hipster fashion trend. Although you may be a bit timid to bear your mid-drift, crop tops can be tasteful when paired with the right bottoms and accessories. These celebrities and models match their crop tops with high waisted shorts or skirts to offset the revealing top

Crop tops were first introduced as a temporary trend in various cultures for men in the early 1980s, originally starting with the trimming of football jerseys above the navel to make them cooler in hot weather. This trend eventually caught on to the basic t-shirts for daily wear. This cropping of shirts helped with athletics, adding aerodynamics and temperature control for the players. The company New Balance was the first to manufacture belly tops for males and female athletes in the 80s, followed by Nike and Adidas. The trend caught on casually and it became common to see crop tops at school and other public places. Shortly after however, schools and similar public institutions began to ban the midriff baring shirts claiming it was innapropriate and revealing.
This jock wears a crop top to help cool off and gain some speed while playing football

The trend died down although in 2000 the crop top remained popular in the club scene and with teenagers and young women, who were influenced by music videos such as Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Destinys Child and more. The trend eventually faded until they hit the runways again in December 2008.

Topshop was one of the first brands to re-introduce the crop top to fashion shows in December 2008, calling it an upcoming trend for Spring 2009. They introduced many variations on the design, adding lace, silk and jean-like fabric as well as different designs and fits. The most popular style we see today is the loose and baggy design, usually found in plain colours and without too many complicated designs.

It's important to make up for your exposing of skin, so be sure to pair it with high waisted jeans, skirts or shorts. If your planning on wearing it with anything not high waisted (like jean cut off shorts for example), make sure to add something on top such as a blazer or jean jacket to accommodate. Adding a chunky bracelet or necklace ensures that your outfit comes off as fashionable rather than trashy.

Here's a video of different ways to style your crop top

http://allwomenstalk.com/5-cute-cropped-top-ideas/?ad336

Check this website for different crop top ideas

Works Cited

"Crop Top." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 26 May 2010. .

Way, The. "Would You Wear… a Crop Top?" College Fashion - Tips, Trends and Style for Students. Web. 26 May 2010. .