I bet you thought that older women should bypass the crop tops trend? Sure, it makes sense since most of us tend to want to cover up more and more as our bodies age.
Yet, I’m all about being creative as well as embracing our bodies. So whether you do or don’t want to show off your midriff, you can still put the crop tops trend to good use. In fact, you won’t see a tummy until the end of the post, but trust me, this rust top is cropped.
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Crop Tops Trend Options
Why you just might like it
1-Wear it under another shirt
2-Styled with high-waisted jeans
3-Use it to cover cleavage
4-Layer it over spaghetti straps
5-Embrace the belly
6-Other crafty styling posts
Quote of the day: “Don’t judge. Teach. It’s a learning process.” Carol Dweck
I’m sure that the crop tops trend is on the list of what not to wear for women over 50. But what if I told you they could be styled so you are still dressed modestly?? That might make you rethink them, I bet.
Why even buy such a product if you’re not going to wear it as it’s originally intended? Because it could be better than your normal length tops.
Insider tip: Don’t be fooled by the description of a clothing item. Just because it’s called a crop top, doesn’t mean it might not work perfectly for you. Check the measurements.
Why You Just Might NEED a Crop Top
What exactly is a crop top, should be the question. Obviously, it’s cut shorter. And if you have a short torso or are petite in height, then this could be the right length for you.
Not sure if you need to invest in the crop tops trend?? Think about this:
1-Do your shirts tend to be too long?
2-Have you ever bought a normal top and it’s a tunic on you?
3-Are you constantly creating a knot or needing to tie up your shirts when you put an outfit together.
These are all signs that the crop top trend could be exactly what your wardrobe needs.
Related post: Can you wear a sports bra as a top?
Insider tip: Remember the name of an item isn’t important. How it fits is the key. Look for descriptions that the shirt hits at the waist for one example or other descriptions you may feel more comfortable in.
The other time that this post on crop tops can be handy for you is when your favorite shirt shrank in the washer or dryer which created a crop top. Of course, one way to prevent that is to read what I consider the Bible of Laundry called Laundry Love (it’s the only book I’ve purchased after reading the library version-the stain section is like no other).
Related post: Fashionista’s laundry tricks and tips
Wear a Crop Top Under Another Shirt
Layering is key if your top seems a tad small. Just grab any of your button-down shirts and make them into a jacket. This is exactly the reason to hold onto those shirts from your working days.
Related posts: Wearing professional clothes after retirement
Chambray shirt styled 5 ways
I wore a chambray shirt and buttoned only one button at the waist. Then I took the ends and hooked them together with one of my father’s vintage tie clips.
Insider tip: Tie clips can also do double duty as scarf clips.
Now, this can work with any color or material of button-down shirts, or for that matter any jacket or cardigan. Don’t limit yourself by what I’m showing as an example. Instead, go exploring in your own closet for something you already own that would work in this same way!
Style the Crop Tops Trend with High-Waisted Jeans
One of the reasons that the crop tops trend is making a comeback is because the jean silhouette trend has been changing too. You are seeing a lot more high-waisted jeans, so the shorter tops compliment them perfectly.
You don’t even realize this is a crop top when paired with the high-waisted jeans. The advantage is you don’t have all of the extra material to tuck in.
BTW, this kimono/duster I’m wearing was a dress of my mom’s (seen here in this post). She gave it to me about 4 months ago saying it was a little tight across the bust. So I figured it would be perfect as a duster.
When she saw me wearing it this way on Instagram, she immediately asked for it back, haha!! Don’t forget that anything that buttons can be worn opened and unbuttoned!!
Cover Cleavage
Some of our v-neck items can be lower cut than what we are comfortable wearing. Does that mean you don’t wear them anymore? Of course not. Find a top or camisole to wear under the piece instead.
In fact, crop tops are basically what Halftees are and I showcase wearing them many times. While Halftees are meant to be worn as a layering item for modesty, you could also call them crop tops. It goes to show how the name of something can change your entire perspective of it.
And if you have a Halftee, maybe start thinking of wearing it in these ways also.
Related post: My newest Halftees styled 5 ways
Insider tip: I am an ambassador for Halftees because I love how they can give you coverage for the times you feel too exposed. Use code Jodie20 for 20% off.
The advantage of wearing the crop tops trend to provide coverage like this is that you don’t have the bulk of material from a longer shirt.
Layer it Over Spaghetti Strap Pieces
My cousin gave me this dress and while I love it, it has thin straps that show my bra straps. (Speaking of, that’s another issue I’ve used crafty styling to overcome in this post)
The only photo I could find of the dress is here and here on Instagram.
Just as I wore my Halftee over a low-cut top recently, you could wear a crop top over a dress with spaghetti straps to create a skirt out of the dress.
Don’t think it has to be just a dress, you could create a layered top with this method.
Insider tip: This is when a belt is a fabulous addition to the outfit because it really separates the two pieces.
Embrace the Crop Tops Trend
The last way you can easily wear a crop top is to embrace it and show off a tad bit of midriff. I realize that most older women might think this is inappropriate. Heck, I did until just a couple of years ago. But now that I’m embracing the body I have, it’s been very freeing to style the clothes that I want.
In fact, my friend, Kathrine, just sported a crop top showing just a tidge of midriff, and she had the same reaction I did. It’s so fun!!
I did this for a couple of reasons in the past. The photo on the bottom left was a perfect way to show that capri pants don’t have to be frumpy
Then the photo on the bottom right was how I wore two prints next to each other. I included what I called a body belt. How’s that for creative marketing, haha.
This idea is not just to flaunt bare bodies everywhere, but to give inspiration to younger and older women alike. Getting older doesn’t have to mean becoming invisible and hiding all parts of your body. In fact, did anyone else appreciate seeing Maye Musk on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue at age 74?
Other Crafty Styling Posts
Making our clothing super versatile is not only good for our wallet, but it’s even beneficial for your brain. Every time you create a new outfit in a totally different way, you are creating new brain pathways which help our brain health.
So even if you think my crafty ideas are a tad silly, you may want to give it a go and consider it.
I consider one of my superpowers to be how to get creative with the clothing items we have and wear them in many ways or to fix an issue that you have with something.
Therefore, you’re going to want to check out these other posts.
1-Pants too Tight?
2-Hacks for when your dress is too small
3-Make a kimono more fitted
4-5 ways to wear a cropped jacket
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