The crop top is a polarizing piece of clothing this season. You have the naval-flaunting camp and the anti-90s camp (usually because they already did crop tops when it was actually the 1990).  I thought I was in the latter group…until I wasn’t. I always tell clients that when it comes to fashion, what goes around comes around…but never EXACTLY the same way. There are ways to do the crop top this season that actually feels fresh, new and very different than it did in 1991. Plus, if you don’t want to show your midsection…you don’t have to.

Crop Over Dress

How to wear to the office: Switch out the strapless dress to a sleeveless shift and layer with the crop top. Best to select one that is a little longer — none that venture into bralette (or is it bralet?) territory.

Crop Top With High-Waist Bottoms

Last night, I attended Knockout Abuse’s fashion event  to raise money to combat domestic violence. During the fashion show on the second floor of Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase, I  fell in love…

Graphic prints…everywhere this season, particularly in dresses. Walking pieces of art.  My favorites are from Clover Canyon.

Will you be sporting graphic prints this spring?

Besides my obsession with black-and-white shoes (yay!) and Birkenstocks (nay), I also can’t get enough of the shift blouse. A shift blouse? “What the heck is a shift blouse?” you ask.  I know what a shift dress is (or do you?), but a shift blouse? Well, it’s generally the same idea — squarish, boxy fit of the dress (no defined waistline)  but without the bottom part. Add elbow-length sleeves and a slightly cropped fit. To really give it that crisp shift-y shape, opt for a stiffer, thicker fabric — ponte, cotton, tweed.

Because it has that boxy fit, I recommend selecting fun print and textures instead of solid colors (like white), which could trend toward…looking like a uniform? Scrubs? Wear with high-waist  body-con bottoms whether it is a fitted pencil skirt, a fitted sheath dress, high-waist skinnies, etc.

Go Nautical Preppy..

with this Chelsea28 bar back stripe top available at Nordstrom ($58).

Try Girly Floral…

with this Ella Moss tweed top available at Nordstrom ($118).

Work the Pastel Trend… 

with the Ellipse Tee from Anthropologie ($68)

 Roll With an Ethnic/Boho Vibe…

with the buttoned canvas tee in brown motif from Anthropologie ($88)