I can’t believe I’m even sharing these photos. Let alone a whole post on how to wear a crop top. I thought for sure I would go my entire life not wearing one. Not because I don’t think they’re cute, but I just thought I didn’t have the body for it.
As a Millennial, we grew up in the Victoria’s Secret age and showing your midriff was for skinny people. And I mean, really skinny. I’m not saying I’m fat or overweight, but I’m no size 0. And I am a bit curvy.
So yeah, I wrote off ever wearing a crop top in my lifetime. It was just one of those things I would never need to figure out or try. But I think that has changed.
The styles have evolved, so has body inclusivity I think, and I think this is a trend we can all get on board with. No matter your size! So here are a few styling tips and outfits ideas so you can try this trend out for yourself.
How To Wear A Crop Top When You’re In Your 30s
I think when it comes to figuring out how to wear crop tops, we tend to cycle through a lot of the same questions. Personally, these all went through my mind at some point.
Can I wear a crop top if I have a belly?
Even the slightest few lbs over where I’d like to be? The answer is yes, you freaking can! I think the early 00s did a real number on a lot of our body images but it’s time to change that.
Can I wear a crop top without showing my midriff?
I found myself asking this question because the crop top length seems to be in and I want to be stylish, but do I have to show my midriff? Is there a way around this? There is.
It means pairing a longer crop top with high-waisted pants. It actually is a flattering proportion if you ask me. Long shirts cut our bodies in half and playing by the rules of thirds even in fashion works all the time.
So let’s learn how to wear crop tops whether you want to show your belly, or you feel a little chubby at the moment, doesn’t matter. You can get in on this trend and feel good about it!
Here are a few of my tips on how to wear a crop top, especially if you’re like me in your 30s. These are also great tips if you’re trying to figure out how to wear a crop top modestly so you can feel on trend!
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How To Wear A Crop Top
High Waisted Bottoms
This is key to the whole look. One of my goals, when I wear a crop top of any kind, is to minimize how much of my midriff is showing. I like just a sliver of my stomach to show.
So by wearing my highest rise bottoms, I can achieve this. I aim for a 10 or 11inch rise. Leave the mid and low-rise jeans in the closet to achieve this look. Because to me, that gives Paris Hilton 2002 vibes.
Longer Crop Tops
The next step in trying to minimize the amount of stomach baring in your look or just to feel a little more modest, you should aim for longer crop tops. Sure you can wear a tiny bralette as a crop top. But for me, that ain’t happening.
I like for them to be several inches below my boob to cover my stomach and get as close to my high-rise pants as possible. And you can choose if you want a fitted crop top, or a flowy crop top. There are so many options! I love these oversized boxy cropped tees as a great option to pair with skinny jeans for perfect balance.
Add A Loose Layer
This to me is THE trick to feeling cool, yet also covering up a bit, a loose third layer. You guys know I love my third layer trick, and to me a crop top works perfectly with it. I like throwing on a loose button down over it, or maybe a light thin shacket.
Highlight The Thinnest Part Of Your Waist
When you choose your crop top, I think its best to have them hit where your thinnest part of your waist is. It really helps to create your shape, and create more of an hourglass figure.
Crop Top Outfit Ideas
Long Crochet Knit Crop Top With High Waisted Shorts
This is the outfit that got me excited about crop tops. I got this crochet knit crop top from Amazon and I figured, it’s so affordable I’ll give it a try. And I’m so glad I did. It has a slightly longer line to it so it covers up enough skin, and I’ve paired it with my high waist linen gingham shorts. Added a third layer with this white shirt jacket to complete the look.
Denim Cutoffs With A Black Crop Top And Oversized Button Down
This outfit feels like a true Gen Z look in a black cropped top with an oversized button down thrown over it. I really do love this combination. I will say, I wish this particular crop top was just a tad longer. But I think it’s great eithre way. These are my highest rise shorts I own to shorten the gap between crop top and bottoms.
Crop Top And Skirt Sets
I have a few of these now in my closet. I love this J.Crew coverup set that can really be worn as a regular outfit. The top is quite long so it actually doesn’t really show any midriff which is fine too! I also am so in love with this DISSH set.
This crop top is a bit more like a bra style so it definitely shows a little more skin but I still love it so much. I wore to an event and it would be great for date night.
I really adore this skirt and cropped top combination and it’s been my most loved for summer. Just a sliver of skin is showing and that’s all you need.
And since I’m someone with a slightly larger bust, I do aim to make sure I can wear a bra with all my crop tops which hasn’t really been an issue from what I’ve found. So you can feel confident in wearing these with the proper undergarments no matter what.
Oversized Crop Top With Jeans
Not every crop top needs to be tight and a bra style look. They can also be a bit loose and oversized if you want. Crop also doesn’t have to mean it shows your stomach! I just think these proportions look really great when you have a slightly cropped top paired with high rise bottoms.
This is the perfect look to try this trend without feeling like you’re showing off your midriff to the world. I have several great cropped sweaters like this one, and even tees and tops that help my outfits feel proportionate while not showing skin to the entire world. You can even do a tiny front tuck if you like if the top is long enough.
- SHOP
