Get To Know Crop Tops From The Past, Mini Outfits That Are Popular Today

Illustration of crop top fashion history (Pexels/Two Dreamers)

YOGYAKARTA – Crop tops are becoming more and more popular lately. Not only worn by young teenagers, but also women who wear hijabs are prepared to wear mini tops as accents while still covering their genitals. If examined further, this top recalls memories of 90s disco outfits equipped with a headband and cutbray pants. Even further back in time, crop tops became a staple of the 1940s look with high-collared versions, short sleeves, and high-waisted midi skirts.

Citing Startup Fashion, Wednesday, July 13, clothes that show the navel are popular in warm areas. For regions of four seasons or colder, the consideration of getting warmth from the clothes worn make crop tops difficult to accept. Although in the end it was globally accepted as a fad.

Illustration of crop top fashion history (Pexels/Faruk Tokluoglu)

In some states near the equator, the weather is warmer. For example in India, traditional saris are usually worn with short tops and choli or longer bottoms. This style dates back hundreds of years and is still paired with more modern sari designs.

To ascertain where the origin of the crop top is quite difficult because it has undergone various changes over a certain period. Meanwhile, in Egypt, the Middle East, and Asia, there are authentic and unique fashion styles that make it possible for crop tops to be more widely used.

For Westerners, the crop top in the past was known as the bedlah dress style. Designed by Egyptian cabaret owner Badia Masabni. Bedlah is a dancer's costume with two pieces of clothing that show off around the navel. In 1893, belly dancers performed at the World's Fair in Chicago. At that time, the clothes worn by belly dancers were considered 'exotic' to Westerners, so openness was included in their fashion. As for Eastern people, this mode is close to everyday life.

Illustration of crop top fashion history (Pexels/Tieu Bao Truong)

The World War II situation in the 1940s, in which many items were limited, opened up new possibilities for receiving mini-dress fashions. To save on raw materials, clothing designers take this opportunity as an excuse to cut the length of the top so that it looks a little belly. In the years since, the conservative perspective did not give room for crop top fashion. Good for tops that are too mini or pants that are cut high. In the 1970s, crop tops reappeared in a very different way.

The crop top fashion trend grew bigger in the 90s. A crop top paired with training pants or an aerobic look paired with a tank. This style is Madonna's favorite and often adorns the small screen used by characters in films.

The crop top is also popularly worn as an outfit for singers who dance on the music stage, such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and the Spice Girls. Meanwhile, at this time, both shirts and t-shirts are used as ready-wear fashion to look new, temporarily.