<p>A favourite of fashionistas world over, the iconic crop top is back in fashion this season. Keeping your middle bare and looking trendy is in. Take a look at any lifestyle magazine, you will find Bollywood actors such as Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Sonakshi Sinha, Shraddha Kapoor and the like, stylishly baring their midriff by donning crop tops. In fact, crop tops are everywhere — runways, red carpets and in weddings too.<br /><br /></p>.<p>For those who came in late, a crop top is a garment constructed in such a way that the hemline of the top is high enough to expose the waist and navel. These can be worn in any way — sexy, boxy, tied or knotted at the waist. “I like how you can dress them up or down, with jeans or a skirt and heels. I like to be showy and cute. I don’t want to be in just a jacket and pants and boots,’’ stated McKayla Rose Maroney, a former artistic gymnast who was a member of the US women's gymnast, in a recent interview.<br /><br />Take your pick<br /><br />Crop tops can, in fact, suit myriad styles. Casual crop tops can go with everything like palazzos, midis, high-waist trousers, maxi skirts and casual summery lehengas too. It completely depends on how you style it. “The crop top is a versatile product and can be paired with anything. There is no stopping with this trend, until one runs out of ideas. In fact, the traditional sari blouse is a version of the crop top!’’ claims Astha Juneja, senior designer — women’s wear, Numero UNO. <br /><br />The best part is that the crop top gives one an opportunity to show some skin around the waistline. This trend can work for most women by taking into consideration one’s body type, selection of the top and what they decide to pair it with. <br /><br />First, choose the length and fit, based on what you want to accentuate. Snug fits, with the waist to midriff exposed, work well if you are blessed with a well-shaped slim body. Go in for boxy fits with just a peek-a-boo of your waist, in case you have a curvy body with not-a-very-flat stomach.<br /><br />“What works in favour of these tops is that you can pair a nice crop top with a smart sari in cotton, linen or jute. Even printed chiffons would look great with a nice plain or checkered crop top. But it’s best to avoid them with heavy traditional saris like Kanjivarams or the fully embellished ones,’’ opines Delhi-based designer, Sakshi K Relan.<br /><br />Back in vogue<br /><br />Crop tops are actually not new to the world of fashion. They first appeared in the 1940s. Seen with a high collar, short sleeves and worn with high-waisted midi skirts, they created the perfect ensemble for the popular hourglass figure. Soon, they became hugely popular and were seen in various forms. Particularly during the late 1970s, there was a marked difference. The garment’s hemline began to rise while the bottoms it was paired with were cut lower. <br /><br />Crop tops become even more popular during the 1980s, particularly after the release of the movie Flashdance. They continued to be equally popular into the 1990s. Hollywood actors like Cher, Madonna, Liv Taylor, Britney Spears and Bollywood actors like Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi and Ayesha Takia were seen sporting these trendy tops. Although they seemed to have fallen out of favour for a few years, they are back with a vengeance today. <br /><br />However, today’s crop tops are slightly different from the 1990s’ version. Now, they have more elegant silhouettes and concentrate more on style than showing of skin. They are more casual wear, unless you pair them with Indian wear like sari or ghagra. One can also wear a crop top under a blazer for a formal event; it can also be used for layering a formal outfit.<br /><br />For the thin armed belles with well-defined collar bones, off-shoulder crop tops are trending now. They are best flaunted with skirts, shorts, distressed jeans or denims. Of course, this style isn’t only for the slim ladies, as proved by a curvy Sonakshi who was recently spotted coming out of the airport in an off-shoulder white crop top over distressed jeans! <br /><br />Age and size really don’t matter. Love your body and stride confidently in the trend. With the right attitude, you can surely carry the trend and look elegant as well. Take a cue from popular American-Indian actor, writer and comedian, Mindy Kaling who has a curvy figure. She often wears crop tops over high-waist pencil skirts. So, go ahead and show a little of your navel. Time to enjoy the cool breeze.<br /><br /></p>
<p>A favourite of fashionistas world over, the iconic crop top is back in fashion this season. Keeping your middle bare and looking trendy is in. Take a look at any lifestyle magazine, you will find Bollywood actors such as Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Sonakshi Sinha, Shraddha Kapoor and the like, stylishly baring their midriff by donning crop tops. In fact, crop tops are everywhere — runways, red carpets and in weddings too.<br /><br /></p>.<p>For those who came in late, a crop top is a garment constructed in such a way that the hemline of the top is high enough to expose the waist and navel. These can be worn in any way — sexy, boxy, tied or knotted at the waist. “I like how you can dress them up or down, with jeans or a skirt and heels. I like to be showy and cute. I don’t want to be in just a jacket and pants and boots,’’ stated McKayla Rose Maroney, a former artistic gymnast who was a member of the US women's gymnast, in a recent interview.<br /><br />Take your pick<br /><br />Crop tops can, in fact, suit myriad styles. Casual crop tops can go with everything like palazzos, midis, high-waist trousers, maxi skirts and casual summery lehengas too. It completely depends on how you style it. “The crop top is a versatile product and can be paired with anything. There is no stopping with this trend, until one runs out of ideas. In fact, the traditional sari blouse is a version of the crop top!’’ claims Astha Juneja, senior designer — women’s wear, Numero UNO. <br /><br />The best part is that the crop top gives one an opportunity to show some skin around the waistline. This trend can work for most women by taking into consideration one’s body type, selection of the top and what they decide to pair it with. <br /><br />First, choose the length and fit, based on what you want to accentuate. Snug fits, with the waist to midriff exposed, work well if you are blessed with a well-shaped slim body. Go in for boxy fits with just a peek-a-boo of your waist, in case you have a curvy body with not-a-very-flat stomach.<br /><br />“What works in favour of these tops is that you can pair a nice crop top with a smart sari in cotton, linen or jute. Even printed chiffons would look great with a nice plain or checkered crop top. But it’s best to avoid them with heavy traditional saris like Kanjivarams or the fully embellished ones,’’ opines Delhi-based designer, Sakshi K Relan.<br /><br />Back in vogue<br /><br />Crop tops are actually not new to the world of fashion. They first appeared in the 1940s. Seen with a high collar, short sleeves and worn with high-waisted midi skirts, they created the perfect ensemble for the popular hourglass figure. Soon, they became hugely popular and were seen in various forms. Particularly during the late 1970s, there was a marked difference. The garment’s hemline began to rise while the bottoms it was paired with were cut lower. <br /><br />Crop tops become even more popular during the 1980s, particularly after the release of the movie Flashdance. They continued to be equally popular into the 1990s. Hollywood actors like Cher, Madonna, Liv Taylor, Britney Spears and Bollywood actors like Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi and Ayesha Takia were seen sporting these trendy tops. Although they seemed to have fallen out of favour for a few years, they are back with a vengeance today. <br /><br />However, today’s crop tops are slightly different from the 1990s’ version. Now, they have more elegant silhouettes and concentrate more on style than showing of skin. They are more casual wear, unless you pair them with Indian wear like sari or ghagra. One can also wear a crop top under a blazer for a formal event; it can also be used for layering a formal outfit.<br /><br />For the thin armed belles with well-defined collar bones, off-shoulder crop tops are trending now. They are best flaunted with skirts, shorts, distressed jeans or denims. Of course, this style isn’t only for the slim ladies, as proved by a curvy Sonakshi who was recently spotted coming out of the airport in an off-shoulder white crop top over distressed jeans! <br /><br />Age and size really don’t matter. Love your body and stride confidently in the trend. With the right attitude, you can surely carry the trend and look elegant as well. Take a cue from popular American-Indian actor, writer and comedian, Mindy Kaling who has a curvy figure. She often wears crop tops over high-waist pencil skirts. So, go ahead and show a little of your navel. Time to enjoy the cool breeze.<br /><br /></p>
