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If I had to pick one standout trend from last summer, it would be the crop top. With all of the 90’s nostalgia trending right now, it was inevitable that the crop would make a comeback. Of course, today’s modern take on this look has its own distinct style, and the crop top has been popular for much longer than the 1990s.
The Emergence of Crop top in West
The crop top took a long time to emerge in the West, partly due to the colder climate and partly due to Western fashion history’s incredibly reactionary dress code. Until recently, European and American women’s fashions were frequently designed to cover and constrain as much of the body as possible.
However, it was a different story in some parts of the East. It didn’t make sense to cover up so much because the weather was generally warmer. In India, for example, the traditional sari is usually worn with a short top underneath called a choli. This look has been around for hundreds of years and is still worn with saris today.
Furthermore, the high waist garments worn for belly dance originated in the East. It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of the outfit because it evolved over time and different regions such as Egypt, the Middle East, and Asia had their own styles.A style known as the bedlah would eventually gain popularity, at least among Westerners.
Bedlah a Two-Piece Costume
The bedlah was a two-piece costume designed by Egyptian cabaret owner Badia Masabni (who was hoping to attract tourists) that, of course, showed off the belly for the purpose of dancing. Belly dancers performed at the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893, introducing the bedlah and the crop top concept to the West.
While the crop top was appealing, it would be several decades before it became popular among Westerners. For a time, it was deemed too “exotic” and revealing to be incorporated into their fashions, and unlike in the East, there was little demand for it.
However, by the 1940s, this would change at least the part about necessity. In order to conserve raw materials, clothing designs had to be much more creative. Apparel designers took advantage of the opportunity to show off a little skin- chopping off the bottom half of a shirt was a simple yet stylish solution.
Crop Top a Signature Look
The crop top became a signature look of the 1940s. This style featured a high collar, short sleeves, and was typically paired with high-waisted midi skirts. It was ideal for summer vacations because it appeared stylish while remaining casual.
Fortunately, the majority of society was progressive enough not to completely outlaw the shirt. This dressier, more conservative (by today’s standards) crop top style was popular throughout the 1950s. The crop was a fringe trend in the 1960s, often cut in the peasant blouse style popular in hippie culture, or as a collared shirt tied in the front.
Back In The Fashion
Crop tops made a comeback in the late 1970s, but in a very different way. The hemline of the garment began to rise, while the bottoms with which it was paired were cut lower. Crop tops became a glamorous sex symbol, worn by celebrities such as Cher. Its popularity grew, and by the 1980s, the top had evolved into the trend we know, love, and are currently attempting to imitate.
The crop top would be in hot demand for the next two decades. The crop was ideal for displaying a toned body and sportswear, which were popular in the 1980s. The “aerobic” look of a cropped sweater paired with a leotard or tank is a throwback to the 1980s. Madonna favored the style, which she incorporated into her signature look. During that time period, the crop top was seen on many iconic film characters.
Final Verdict
The crop top remained popular in pop culture throughout the 1990s. Low-rise jeans paired with “belly shirts” were popular, particularly in music and on television. Cropped shirt fell out of favor in the early 2000s, but they have made a strong comeback in recent seasons. While current trends harken back to the 1990s, today’s look is more understated. Pairing a crop top with a high waist is also popular, harkening back to the 1940s and 1950s and creating a nice blend of fashion eras.
What do you think?