Uh-oh: the return of the belly-baring top?

Steph

I just saw this photo of Anne Hathaway on people.com and I'm not thrilled about the potential return of the midriff-baring top (oh, and the entire outfit is atrocious). I guess with the '90s revivals we are seeing, I shouldn't be so surprised.

http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20461904,00.html

15 years ago

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Maya

Veteran

I don't think you can use celebrities and runway shows as examples of how things will be worn. I would actually love to wear a cropped top the way it is being shown here:

http://www.refinery29.com/img/.....-dress.jpg

But not over my boobs, sadly.

I also like the middle outfit here:

http://www.refinery29.com/img/.....-shirt.jpg

15 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I LOVE the looks Maya has posted. But baring my gut? Yeah, not happening.

15 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I saw enough cropped tops in Australia to realize it's trending. Too bad my mid section is my least toned part of my body.

15 years ago

Niki Lea

Veteran

Reminds me of what I wore as a teenager in the 90's. I think it looks really cute on younger women, but IMO this is not a look anyone over age 30 should be attempting.

I heard someone say once that if you are old enough to have worn a trend the first time around, you should probably give it a miss the second time. There are obviously exceptions (leggings, bootleg jeans), but in this case I'd say it applies (at least in my life).

15 years ago

Patty

Veteran

Being long bodied means everything looks like that on me (particularly after their first wash doh!) and there's no way I'm gonna do that deliberately --I am sooo pleased to see longer shirts in stores these days--they look normal on me.

15 years ago

Dusty

(website)

Active Member

Um, yeah, so not wearing this belly post kids.

But, I actually really like this look:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61714182/demi-ruffle

15 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

If it's cold enough to need a sweater I just hate to have my lower back left out of the cuddliness, even if some of those looks are cute.

15 years ago

Bianca

Veteran

Anne Hathaway is normally gorgeous, even if this outfit is atrocious! No mid-section, muffin-top, stretch mark showing, post baby belly will be seen here!

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I really like a cropped top look WITH a higher rise. Not a la 90's. The 80's are a better inspiration. This might surprise you but I love Ann Hathaways's outfit.

Btw, these tops started to trend last year. We are definitely seeing more of this look and I will be blogging about it.

Like the outfits Maya posted too.

15 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Steph,
I was just thinking about this because this truely was a early 70's look...heaven knows I showed my little tummy off every chance I got. This is stirctly reserved for the very young and it can be adorable IF they have the perfect tummy. My daughter did this a bit in the 90's when she had the perfect tummy...of course now our tummies are WELL under cover

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I was also going to say I like Anne Hathaway's outfit too. It is directly taken from Marni's 2011 resort collection:

http://www.style.com/fashionsh.....;iphoto=30

The only thing I would change is to make those pants reach the ground and add the belt that was in the original look. I just can't get behind that length with such voluminous pants, even with the 90809343 inch heels.

15 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Oh my, the cropped top look is a tough one to pull off in my book. But very fab when done well. My mid section is not going to play along with a look like this one.

15 years ago

Steph

Veteran

Angie, you are right--I am surprised that you like Anne's look, both because of the pant length and because of the lack of modesty in the bared belly. I figured you would like the pattern mixing!

Taylor, it is really interesting that you point out this is really a '70s look. Since I only spent the first three years of my life in the '70s, I guess I associate it with the '90s, but then again, a lot of '90s looks were really '70s retreads.

15 years ago

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I don't mind shorter tops when they are layered over other items (a la Maya's links). I certainly won't be baring tummy until hell freezes over though.

15 years ago

Marley

Veteran

Love that second post of Maya's (middle pic!) I would wear that in a heartbeat!

15 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

Great ! This revival will happen with muffin top !

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Steph, the pants are worn with very high heels AND they are high rise, which puts them at the right length. No leg shortening effect at all. Also, the baring midriff is subtle. You can barely see it (pun intended). And it's nowhere neat her crotch point, bottom or bosom. Still modest I think. Does that make sense?

Actually ladies, these aren't hectic belly baring looks. Lower belly baring looks are much harder to pull off because its tough to stay toned in that area (especially after having a baby). But the torso section can still look toned even if your lower tum tum is not.

15 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I had a favorite outfit in the early 90s that I think was inspired by Courteney Cox on Friends (and it was no mistake since I was told a few times back then that I looked like her). Tan high-waisted jodphur-ish pants with a black short-sleeved cropped sweater. I wore that so much! But my tummy was always the last part of me to show any weight (it still is, strangely enough).

But 15 years and 15+ pounds later, that look will not be happening on me again!

15 years ago

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