This week, women are taking to social media to bare their bellies in response to Oprah Magazine, who stated that If (and only if!) you have a flat belly, you can wear crop tops. Let's take a moment to cut Oprah some slack. After all, she's a busy lady and I doubt that she's pre-approving all fashion-related advice on her various media streams. Her fashion editors, however, need to get a clue.
I don't know who comes up with fashion rules but I can't think of a single one that can't be broken and look incredible. White after labor day, mixing prints, vertical stripes for big girls. Take any of that junk that you read in magazines before and throw it out the window. Find out what you like and what you don't like and make your wardrobe your own, based on how you feel when you wear those things. Life is too short to be bound by silly rules written by fashion editors. Wear what makes you feel fantastic. For us vintage girls, crop tops and belly-baring styles were a big thing for summery looks of previous decades too. Do it retro, do it modern, just have fun!
Today I'm here with some tricks to try so you and I really can pull off crop tops, even with a pale, squishy, stretch marked mom tummy like mine!
Wear a Great Fitting Bra
Always wear a good fitting bra no matter what. You'll be lifted, supported, your clothes will fit great and damnit, you deserve a nice bra! Amazing support in a crop top is vital to keep your boobs and/or bra sliding out the bottom of that shortie blouse too!
Keep a Balance
If you show skin here, cover up there. It works both ways and looks very chic. Choose a longer skirt or pants with a crop top to balance the outfit and elongate your body. It certainly isn't a must, though! A longer crop top with high waist shorts also looks ridiculously cute. No rules here, just ideas.
Add height
Lengthen your body further with a wedge or heel, this especially works well for a plus size body. Although I'm very tall, having my belly out makes me feel short and squat, for some reason. Adding a heel looks tall and forces us to stand up straight and walk with confidence. I don't know about you, but I feel so sassy with heels on!
High Waists Are Everything
High waisted pants and skirts adds a little more coverage so you can show just enough belly and it looks so cute!
Wear what makes you feel good and don't ever let someone else's hang-ups hold you back!
Outfit
top- thrifted
50s skirt- warehouse sale
purse- Sourpuss Clothing
vintage brooch- antique shop
shoes-thrifted, design by Mudd
I'm so glad you put a great fitting bra as one of these tips. A good fitting bra is one of the most important things a girl can wear, fashion wise AND health wise. I wish it wasn't so cold here so I could pull out all my beautiful crop tops! But hey, winter has to happen sometime :P
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad so many blogs I read are addressing that stupid comment and basically giving the middle finger to it ;D
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this! You do look lovely in your ensemble & it's just the perfect amount of skin to be sassy and chic.
ReplyDeleteI'm around a size 8-10 and I was debating a crop top (longish) with a high waisted skirt and just wasn't sure since my tum isn't exactly trim. I'm conscious and didn't know if I could pull this off... I think I might throw caution to the wind now. :D THANK YOU!
You look fantastic darling and I love the advice! The advice especially to cover up a bit somewhere else when you show a bit of midriff creates such a tasteful balance!
ReplyDeleteYou look in-cre-di-ble!!
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister! You look fantastic. Love the outfit.
ReplyDeleteIvy
http://eviestearoom.blogspot.com/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RubyandMathilda
I love your blog, and this post! You look so wonderful in your outfits - I am having a terrible time finding a good fitting bra, and I think I'm a similar size - can you let me know your favorite brands/styles?
ReplyDeleteheels on and crop top...waht a super chic look!...so cool...so breathtaking look!
Deletealways You're so creative in creating gorgeous outfit...cheers!
greetings
absolutely! I highly recommend reading all of the bra fitting guides available on Herroom.com I read through them, made notes and took all of the quizzes to find a bra. I had no idea but apparently certain styles are best depending on all kinds of factors like how far apart your breasts are, how full they are and what part is full. I used their guides and ordered 2 bras from Elomi and they are life-changing! I've never had such an amazing fit and been so comfortable. My clothes even fit better!
DeleteYour blog is always so inspiring and positive. This post in particular. I love when conventional ideas like this get smashed. (And really -- how much magazine "advice" is actually any good anyway?)
ReplyDeleteP.S. When I found your blog last year, I went through all your archived posts and you became an instant favorite of mine. And your last post about making a pattern from a worn-out favorite dress was so well-timed for me, because I am getting ready to do the same thing and needed a little "Go ahead an do it!" in my ear to get me to hack up my precious dress. :)
You are rockin' this crop top so hard. Keep on breaking the rules, girl!
ReplyDelete-Hannah | The Outfit Repeater
Love this outfit. Hooray for breaking ridiculous, restrictive, woman shaming rules.
ReplyDeleteI think you look smashing, and all of these tips are super great for pulling off such an awesome look! You rock girl! ❤
ReplyDeletexox,
bonita of Lavender & Twill
Seriously, how in the 21st century are some folks and publications still being so woefully narrow minded and critical. Way to go on showing them wrong and looking amazing in the process!
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
exscuse me but you did not pull that off at all, maybe if you spent less time on your hair and makeup and more time on exersizing you would look better in your vintage clothes.
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ReplyDeleteApologies for the comment deletes above. I am open to respectful disagreement and informed debate on all posts. I am not open to blatant rudeness, trolling and hate. Those comments get the quick delete and we move on. Play nice here or take the hate elsewhere!
ReplyDelete