WIW 4/22: Playing with the Cropped, Midi & Birkies Trends - YouLookFab Forum

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WIW 4/22: Playing with the Cropped, Midi & Birkies Trends

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I'm working from home today, and also found time for a little dressing up:

Birkenstocks
Today the mailman brought me a parcel from Astrid in Berlin with a brand new pair of Birkenstock Arizonas inside - yay! Thank you again, Astrid, for helping me getting these. I've had an old pair of knock-offs for many years, but they were demoted to indoor use only years ago. I'm very pleased with my fresh new real Birkies, which will serve me well, I'm sure.

Cropped top
Cropped tops for adults? Does it work at all? I mean, baring my midriff is not something I've been wanting to do for many years, if ever, for several obvious reasons. But I like high waisted skirts and pants with cropped tops, so I dare to wear it, at least at home today. I made one from an old black tank top in cotton to try the style before committing to it - one chop was all it took, and I had a new top. I wanted it to cover the top of the skirt, and I hope I hit the sweet spot.

Midi skirt
I have a few midi skirts by now, including this one which I thrifted last year - black with white polka dots. I think it looks quite fun with the cropped top and the birkies. If I'm going anywhere, I'm adding a black blazer and the cream Danier bag for a more adult look.

Please be honest: Does it work, or should I leave this look for the younger crowd? Please give me your true assessment. Thanks for looking!

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28 replies

Latest reply was from Lisa

NDMom

You look so fresh and fabulous! Please wear it....I think you've styled it in a very, classy grown-up way! Love!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

First of all, you have a fabulous figure and can definitely pull off the crop top look Ingunn. And I adore the polka dot midi with the Birk's. I think it works brilliantly. But I'll be honest and say I'm not entirely sold on the crop top with that particular midi. I'm kind of wanting pleats and more volume from the skirt when paired with a crop top. But take my comments with a grain of salt as this is a pairing that is out of my comfort zone.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like the crop top on you very much! I like the midi too. And I like the crop top with the midi. But I'm not a fan of the midi with the Birks. Sorry, I should also add the caveat that I'm a hard sell on the Birks anyway, but it seems like the skirt length with the Birks is just a bit awkward. I would rather see the skirt with a wedge sandal, perhaps, or a shorter skirt with the Birks. BUT, that's just me. This may be JFE for the forum eye.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, ladies! I'd been very surprised if this combination was to everyone's taste. Both midis, birkies and crop tops are acquired tastes, I think. The combination of all three are probably a bit over the top. I kind of like this, though, but I can definitely see that swapping out the skirt or the shoes for another style would make the entire outfit more flattering.

Golden

Veteran

The cropped top and birkies are definitely not for me, but with that said they do look great on you! The way you have styled looks adorable, and age appropriate. Good job

ramya

Veteran

Birks don't bother me a bit . They are life saver in Indian summer. And I like this on you.

The weather Gods are smiling on us isn't it??? Lets enjoy!!!

Anonymous

I love the cropped top with the midi!

Jules

Veteran

I think I would prefer the Birks "bookended" formality-wise with a denim jacket and slouchy hobo purse... although I realize you were trying to dress up the look and my suggestion would definitely casualize it. However I am not as comfortable with juxtaposition as many here! And I admire you for trying a new and unexpected combo.

Neel

Veteran

I really like this sans the Birks :D. .. I am not a fan of those sandals. But I think the cropped top and midi skirt are a 10/10! Nice!

Anonymous

I have a real poison eye for the Birkies, especially with the midi, but I like the cropped top with the midi. Very envious of your taught midriff!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love the crop top. Love it with the midi. And think the look is very 2014 with the birks, and you have the shape to wear it well!

But I share the poison eye for Birkenstocks so that makes it out of my comfort zone personally. However, I can enjoy the look on you!

Astrid

Veteran

Yay, good to see the Birks in action! I like the midi with the cropped top, but I think I would like this exact outfit better with different shoes. I like the Birks better with the white skirt (the picture in the other thread). I remember several great looks you pinned with the Arizonas and I think they were all with white or black jeans, I'd love to see them that way too.

JulieJohn

Veteran

I think it looks good on you, and I am thrilled you made the midriff "leap of faith"! You look like you're ready for a fun day.

Next I want you to crop a swingy turtleneck, and wear it with your drapey sweats and some heels. ha ha, I am just wishing to use you as a model. Please don't go cutting up all your tops just to satisfy my curiosity.

Alassë

Veteran

Great way to try a crop top, very cohesive palette for the outfit, and well dressed up by the blazer. I'm not so fond of the look myself, but you did a great job styling it.

harmonica

Veteran

Wow - this works surprisingly well! You're a genius, Ingunn Looks really Ingunn and 2014 at the same time. A fab combo, I must say

ETA: Yay for Astrid helping out with the Birks!

Greyscale

Veteran

I really like this.

cciele

Veteran

I like how the crop top and midi work together -- the barest sliver of midriff is fine to me! I also like the Birkis. But not as much of a fan of the combo with the jacket -- I think the length of the skirt + the jacket starts bringing it toward a frumpy zone, but without the jacket the outfit looks fresher because we see more of the skirt and an elongating effect. I'm not explaining myself very well, am I?

rachylou

Veteran

A crop top with blazer - and everything in black - a good antidote for Birks. It's just what they need. Lol. Yes, I'm still reeling from childhood-long exposure to Birks...

Kiwichik

Veteran

Totally works - good proportions and a ladylike hint of bare midriff without being overly revealing

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, everyone! I find it very interesting to read the mixed comments on this one. I will definitely keep on trying to wear the Birkies, midi and crop top in different ways that feel like me, like now and not boho, which is not a style I'm after right now.

Gigi

Veteran

I love this! I am not a fan of Birks, but I appreciate that some people do like them. And I think they work well with this outfit. The midi is fun, yet it is also a bit sophisticated, since it is somewhat form fitting. So I think pairing the Birks with it is edgy, because it brings in a casual vibe to play against the more sophisticated silhouette of the skirt.

I think the crop top works also. It is not obvious, so I think it's age appropriate; it shows just a sliver of skin in certain poses. And I do think you have the body to pull it off too! Very smart idea to create your own crop before committing to purchasing one off the rack.

I'm not sure what my feelings are on the blazer. I will say that I like the outfit better without it, though I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because this particular blazer feels to me like business wear, which is not the same look as the other pieces. It reads a little "stuffy" with this particular outfit, perhaps? I guess if it were me, I would use something that's not a blazer as a topper. Maybe a cardigan or a denim jacket? I'm not sure...I have very few toppers (can't find much that I like), so I don't have much experience in this area.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Gigi! I'm not too sure about the blazer myself. Maybe it's the length?

Gigi

Veteran

Hmm, it might be the length, yes. But I also just realized that I have a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to blazers as being businesslike. I have a great need for toppers in my wardrobe, but no matter how many blazers I look at, I never can find one that suits me—because my style is *not* businesslike. So it's possible that I'm projecting some of that on to your outfit. I guess I would have to see you in a shorter blazer to know if that changes anything (?).

ElleH

Veteran

I like the outfit with the blazer. I don't think crop tops are too young or need covering up. I think it is just that this outfit looks better with the blazer & that could be due to casual shoes.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Gigi and Elle. Next time I'll try with a shorter blazer to see if it works better with this skirt.

Lantana

Veteran

I think you look 100% stylish in this look and what's more from my perspective you ARE the younger crowd!

Karie

(website)

Veteran

If you have the body to rock a crop top, then I say rock the crop! You look fantastic. As a lover of all things polka dot, you know I'm going to add that your skirt is gorgeous

Lisa

Veteran

I like this look. It may be a crop top, but contrasted with a long skirt and the smallest sliver of flesh, I think it works nicely. Fun new Birks. I always saw them as a 'gear' shoe, and it's nice to see them styled in a new way. I vote yay to your outfit, it is very on trend and fresh. It certainly says having fun with fashion!