Cream of the Crop

Sometimes not all fashion trends are ones that we can see working for us, however the frequency of the top trend at New York Fashion Week's Spring/Summer ready to wear collections was unmistakable and refuses to be overlooked: the crop top.  Initial reactions to this midriff-bearing style are often that there is no way the average woman would be able to work this into her wardrobe.  I've seen countless iterations of this style on the runway, and I guarantee that there are ways to make this trend classy, and to make it work for different figures.

First, let's explore some of the daytime looks that can be achieved.  Rebecca Taylor showed the crop top's sporty side with a low-slung skirt and long Varsity jacket.  At Narciso Rodriguez, the look was chic yet casual with three-quarter length sleeves and a monochrome colorway.  Tracy Reese gave the crop a ladylike turn, pairing it with a lace peplum skirt.  The key to these daytime looks is to not go overboard with various colors or accessories- keep it simple to keep it stunning.

Perhaps the most intriguing way that this trend was displayed was how it was worked into evening looks.  Christian Siriano showed a spectacular chartreuse crop top that was balanced by it's own flowing train and matching ankle pants.  Oscar de la Renta's collection included a way that the crop top can work for those of us who don't actually want to bear our bellies: match a shorter top with high-waisted skirt or pants in a complementary silhouette.  And Monique L'huillier brought us what was previously thought impossible: a red-carpet ready crop top look!  She paired a bandeau with a high-waisted skirt in beautiful flowing silk that showed just a sliver of stomach, and created a gorgeous, modern and elegant style, appropriate enough for a black-tie affair.  So consider my mind changed: there are ways to make this trend work beyond the super-slim and super-casual looks we've seen in the past.  

Will you be working crop tops into your wardrobe for the coming seasons?  If so, what will you pair it with?

Programming note: don't forget that the Emmy's are this Sunday, so be sure to follow me on Instagram and Twitter @AngelHowlett for all of the major fashion moments as they happen!