Cropped

Happy Friday, friends!

Today I’m sharing a new-to-me trend with you. One that I’ve always admired on other people, but never really thought was for me. The crop top. Yes, you heard me correctly…the crop top!

If you know me, you know I like to keep myself covered, especially in the midriff area. But when I saw this crop top paired with these high-waisted trousers, I just knew I had to give it a go.

I love that the waist of the pants barely skims the bottom of the crop top, so that there is just a glimpse of skin under the staggered hemline. And while this outfit is by no means professional, I think it has that sophisticated, classy, polished vibe to it. Don’t you think?

At any rate, this would be a fantastic outfit for a dinner date with the boyfriend or a chic brunch with the girls.

I can’t quite put my finger on why I love this outfit so much. Maybe because it’s so different from what I’m used to wearing. It’s good to branch out and make a trend your own every once in a while. That’s what makes fashion fun!

To polish the look off, I paired the ensemble with my go-to accessories–black and gold details with a deep berry lip for fall.

The zipper detail on the back is one of my favorite details of the look. That and the higher neckline of the crop top that falls somewhere between a crewneck and a turtleneck, and somehow manages to feel refreshingly chic.

When it comes to trends and fads, I tend to take them with a grain of salt. Because trends by definition branch away from our normal, everyday style (ebbing and flowing with the changing of the seasons), they generally lie outside our comfort zone. Some more than others, I’ll admit.

If you’re hesitant on trying a trend for the first time, it’s important to know a little about your own personal style first. For instance, identifying the particular elements of your style that empower you and really bring out your personality are the ones you want to incorporate into a new look. For me, I feel most confident in clothes that make me feel sophisticated and put together. So when it comes to trying new looks, I tend to choose the most sophisticated and put together version of the trend to make it feel more like my style and personality.

For instance in this post, I choose flares in a darker wash to keep from veering too 70s. For the crop top styled here, I chose one with a more conservative neckline and paired it with higher-waisted trousers. In this manner, I was able to style the crop top trend in such a way that I felt covered enough to feel comfortable and confident in myself.

And that’s really what fashion is about, right? Enabling us to creatively express ourselves and try new things with our looks. Yes, of course. But most importantly enabling us to feel confident and ready to tackle all the things we are most passionate about in life. Fashion is, in essence, one of those things that enables us (and at times empowers us) to do what we love and to have the confidence to overcome our fears.

What do you think? Would you ever try the crop top trend? Or maybe you already have? I’d love to know your take on it.

Photos by Outside Ourselves

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Get the Look…

Top: Topshop | Pants: Topshop (similar)| Shoes: J. Crew Factory | Necklace: Francesca’s | Bracelet: J. Crew Factory | Watch: Fossil | Purse: Michael Kors | Rings: Aggie Ring, KD Ring gifted | Lips: Clinique (grandest grape)