By Elizabeth McGuffin of With Wonder and Whimsy
When crop tops stepped onto the scene a few seasons past, fashion experts cautioned readers not to wear them unless they “had the body” for them. But here’s the thing. Fashion is for everybody. You have a body, and it’s your prerogative to dress it how you will. It’s your taste that should determine what you wear, not your body and how other people want to see it dressed.
Accessibility and beauty standards are the two biggest barriers separating plus size women from the the clothing they want to wear. But plus size retailers have come a long way in recent years, and it’s not just the indie brands offering “brave” styles or curvy girl “no nos” anymore – though it is the indie brands that paved the way for that accessibility. With plus size retailers making the once forbidden crop top accessible to the masses, that’s one barrier that’s slowly breaking down. And when we see beautiful women whose style we admire rocking the fashions we’ve been told not to wear, it helps us see that we can rock them too.
Amanda Montgomery of Latest Wrinkle pairs a lace crop top with a high-waisted maxi skirt for an elegant, flowing look. This is a great strategy if you’re just branching into crop tops and want fuller coverage.  |
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Tiffany of Lace N’ Leopard styles a button-up shirt as a stylish crop top by simply tying it at the waist. Paired with denim shorts, turquoise sandals, and tinted sunglasses, it’s a sizzling summertime look. |
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Allison Teng of Curvy Girl Chic pops a lace crop top over a printed sundress for a chic, ladylike pairing. The blue print peeks out from underneath the lace for a multidimensional look. 
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Natalie Craig of Natalie in the City knots a cold-shoulder tee over a curve-hugging maxi skirt for a fierce going out look. Apply her tip of knotting your tee in the front to transform your basic tees into trendy crop tops.  |