Top of the crop

Last year’s infatuation with the crop top continues. We tell you how to make the most of this skin-is-in moment without showing a bulge
Designers have been flirting with crop tops for a while. This season, they come in cooler and fresher versions. The sexy school-girl attire has now taken on a sophisticated look, with designers playing around with the style in subtle ways.
Crop top renewal
Crop tops are less about the stomach and more about the waist; styles that sit comfortably at the end of your ribs.“The latest crop tops don’t require washboard abs to pull them off. The secret to nailing the look lies in subtlety,” says designer Pawan Sachdeva.
Fits your shape
It’s good news for the ones who stayed away from this trend despite admiring it on their slimmer counterparts. “Women who aren’t comfortable baring too much of their midriff can choose a boxier and slightly longer crop top that only reveals a hint of skin. Another option is to layer it over a tank top or wear it with a blazer. The trick lies in getting the proportions right with the bottom half. Wear them with trousers that come over the navel or team them with ladylike A-line skirts,” suggests designer Devika Sethi.
How to pick the right one
Most Indian women are either bustheavy or pear-shaped, which can make selecting the perfect crop top a task. But remember these points while picking a crop top for yourself. If you have a pearshaped body, opt for a mullet-style crop top. “Bust-heavy or apple-shaped women must avoid horizontal detailing and wide stripes in crop styles,” says designer Aniket Satam. Petite women can dare to sport the bralet, as the smaller cup size doesn’t make it look vulgar. Broad-shouldered women can also try sporting a bralet, as it will help them flaunt their shoulder bones. And short women seem to be the luckiest! They can experiment with crop tops in various styles as they give a new dimension to their height by cutting the body in a 20-80 proportion. Make sure the pant or skirt is longer in length.
Dos & don’ts
The trick of any crop top is its length. It should reveal only an ideal amount (3-4 inches from natural waistline) of skin and must not end up looking like a shrunken T-shirt or worse, a sari blouse. Waxing your abs is mandatory if you wish to bare a lot of your midriff.
Crop tops with crop shorts is a strict no-no. This ’90s club kid avatar is best left to Madonna. Wearing a crop top over lowwaist bottoms is criminal. They should give a slight peeka-boo of your waist. Don’t wear high-waisted skirts to avoid that skin show, because then there is no point sporting a crop top. Avoid contrasting colours; instead, play with monochrome.
Ways you can sport a crop top
Texture talk: A textured crop top makes for a lovely evening pick when teamed with a fuller lehenga-style skirt. You can also try pairing a similar top with a sleeker pencil skirt for maximum impact. The USP is its intricate rope texture, which is three-dimensional and avant garde. Control the volume and this look is easily a winner for most body types.
Pattern clash: A pattern-on-pattern clash variety looks great but can be tricky too. If not done well, it can look like a ruined version of a salwar suit. The size of the print matters. If the patterns on the bottom are of varied composition and sizing, this print clash can work wonders. You can also try prints with the top and bottom in reverse colours.
Neo-Indian twist: This one makes for an interesting neo-Indian avatar of lehenga-choli for summer festivities. The buckled waist detail cuts the body line in many parts. It looks best when it’s clean and simple, so keep accessories to a minimum. Bold statement jewels like a boho neck piece, chunky earrings or a scarf is a no-no. Try out a contrast, for eg: a bold black crop top over a pink skirt, for an eye-catching look.
Zipper fashion: An interesting way to divide the look is to sport a crop top with zipper panelling over a leather skirt. Absolutely perfect for a dinner get-together, as the zipper detail adds to a sensual drama of undressing. This attached-yet-detached silhouette works fabulously for Indian women, as it gives them leverage to manipulate their skin show depending on the occasion.
Hipster cool: Casual crop top avatar at its best, this relaxed silhouette works well for everyone. Moreover, this look doesn’t sexualise the concept of revealing your midriff and is more carefree, which adds to the whole style. Free-spirited, boho and original, this look is a favourite with teens.
Sheer play: Wearing a sheer blouse on a bralet is the easiest way you can begin with sporting the crop top trend, especially for women who are uncomfortable showing off their midriff. The trick is to cover your midriff in a subtle way with a lightweight, sheer fabric and at the same time, add this whole peeka-boo vibe to your silhouette.
Cool in control: A timeless classic like a button-down shirt when paired with pleated trousers in a neutral palette adds to this relaxed yet controlled mood. Try adding a fun element to it with appliqués (fabric patches). Wide, huge sleeves and bigger armholes add to the volume, which makes the top an interesting match over pencil pants. It’s a smart way of dressing for a Sunday brunch.
(Inputs by designers Aniket Satam, Anita Dongre, Nidhi Munim, Urvashi Joneja, Tanvi & Pratiti and Myoho by Kiran and Meghna)