Crop Tank Tops: Style Guide For Effortless Summer Wear

There are many ways to style a crop tank top. If you want to avoid showing your stomach, you can wear a camisole, a button-up shirt, or a T-shirt underneath. You can also pair a crop top with high-waisted bottoms, such as trousers, shorts, or a skirt. To add an extra layer, you can wear a cardigan, blazer, or denim vest over your crop top. For a more formal look, you can pair a crop top with dress pants and heels. If you want to show a little skin, you can choose a longer or flowy crop top that hits at the thinnest part of your waist. You can also style a crop top with a suit, leather trousers, or a midi skirt for a dressier look.

Layer a tank top under a fitted tank

Layering a tank top under a fitted tank is a great way to add interest to an outfit and to get more coverage if the straps are too skinny. Here are some tips to style this look:

• Choose two tanks with different necklines and lengths. The shorter tank should go on top so that the hem of the bottom one is visible, creating a trendy layered look.
• If one tank has a pattern, the other should be a solid colour. If the scale of the pattern is small and reads more like a solid, you can choose to showcase that tank on top.
• Ensure the neckline of the bottom tank shows at least an inch over the top one. It doesn't have to be visible, but at least visible at the hem.
• Tank tops with lace along the neckline and bottom hem are perfect for layering under fitted tanks.
• For a casual look, pair a tank top with skinny jeans.
• For a more unique outfit, wear accessories that match your clothes in both style and colour.
• For a chic, polished look, wear a jacket or blazer over the tank top.
• For something more feminine, wear a cardigan over the tank top, leaving it unbuttoned.

Wear a loose third layer

A loose third layer is a great way to wear a crop top without feeling too exposed. It's a trick to feeling cool, while also covering up a bit. You can try throwing on a loose button-down shirt, or a light thin shacket over your crop top.

If you want to wear a crop top without showing your stomach, you can layer a vest, sweater, or jacket over it and button it underneath your bust. You can also wear a long-sleeve blouse underneath your crop top.

If you're wearing a crop top in cold weather, your layers should be lighter and thinner closer to your body, and heavier and thicker farther out. For example, you could wear a woven cotton button-down shirt under a merino wool sweater, and then throw on a thick wool-cashmere topcoat.

When it comes to the number of layers, three is the magic number. Any more than that is usually overkill and can create a bulky, overstuffed look.

Highlight the thinnest part of your waist

To highlight the thinnest part of your waist when wearing a crop top, it's best to choose a length that lands just above your natural waistline. This will give a sleek, slimming effect to your overall look, especially when paired with high-waisted bottoms.

High-waisted pants are made for showcasing your crop top collection. As this trouser cut offers generous coverage of your lower half, you can feel more comfortable showing a little skin up top. For a more conservative look, opt for a longer crop top with a hem that hits just below your belly button. This will allow you to choose pants or a skirt with a lower rise without revealing skin.

For a casual look, pair a loose crop top with high-waisted jeans or shorts. This combination will skim over your tummy while the shorts or jeans accentuate your waist. You can also wear a sweatshirt crop top with high-waisted jeans for a cute, colder-weather outfit.

If you're going for a party look, try a short, fitted crop top with a loose maxi skirt that sits just above your belly button. This will create a flattering look for all body types.

To make your crop top work-appropriate, choose a longer, structured crop top with arty, structured elements that aren't too tight on your skin. Front ties, collars, and sweeping fabric will flatter your figure while maintaining a professional look. Pair it with high-waisted trousers or a skirt and add a blazer or long coat to cover up.

Pair with high-waisted bottoms

When pairing a crop tank top with high-waisted bottoms, the key is to minimise how much midriff is showing. The best way to do this is to opt for high-rise trousers, shorts, or a skirt. This will help you achieve a fashionable outfit without feeling exposed.

For a casual vibe, pair your crop top with high-waisted trousers or shorts. Wide-legged high-rise jeans would look great with a patterned crop top and heels, while high-waisted shorts can be paired with sandals for an easy, breezy outfit. If you want to cover up a little more, choose a longer crop top that hits several inches below your bust.

For a more feminine feel, opt for a high-waisted skirt. A pencil skirt that hits above your belly button or a maxi skirt in a luxe fabric can be paired with a long-sleeved crop top and statement jewellery for an elegant outfit. Alternatively, a high-waisted peplum skirt with a cropped button-up and pumps will give you a stylish, vintage look.

If you want to try the crop top trend without showing off your midriff, pair a slightly cropped top with high-rise bottoms. This creates a flattering proportion and helps to balance your outfit. An oversized boxy cropped tee with skinny jeans or an oversized cropped sweater with high-rise trousers are perfect options for this look.

To add another layer to your outfit, throw on a loose button-down shirt or a light, thin shacket over your crop top and high-waisted bottoms. This will give you a cool yet covered-up look.

Choose a longer crop top

If you want to wear a crop top but don't want to show too much skin, choosing a longer style is a great option. This way, you can still feel cool while covering up a bit. A longer crop top can be paired with high-waisted pants to create a flattering silhouette. The key is to aim for a crop top that falls several inches below your bust, covering your stomach and reaching towards your high-rise pants. This creates a stylish proportion that follows the rule of thirds in fashion.

When selecting a longer crop top, you have a variety of options. You can choose a fitted or flowy style, depending on your preference. Boxy, oversized cropped tees are a great choice to pair with skinny jeans for a balanced look. Additionally, you can opt for a loose third layer over your crop top, such as a button-down shirt or a light, thin shacket.

The length of a longer crop top can vary. Some may fall just below the bust, while others can reach as low as your belly button. This added length provides more coverage, allowing you to feel comfortable and confident. Keep in mind that longer crop tops can also be paired with a range of bottoms, from high-waisted jeans to skirts or trousers.

When styling a longer crop top, consider highlighting the thinnest part of your waist. This helps create an hourglass figure and enhances your shape. Additionally, pairing your crop top with high-waisted bottoms will further emphasise your waist and create a stylish, on-trend look.

So, if you're looking to try out the crop top trend while maintaining a modest look, a longer crop top is a perfect choice. You can experiment with different styles, layers, and proportions to find the combination that suits you best.

Frequently asked questions