How to Wear a Crop Top in Your Forties | The Boxy Crop Top

Stripey crop top and rolled hem jeans
It’s summer, and that means one thing when it comes to the crop top trend: is it appropriate to wear a crop top in your 40s or over? Many of you may remember me wearing a crop top last year (and I won’t be going into the whole debate again!), but as someone who believes that as long as the clothes are appropriate to the occasion and you feel good in something, then wear whatever you bloomin’ well choose

This year I’m loving the boxy crop tops – for 2014 the on-trend style seems to be a looser boxy shape as opposed to last year’s tight tops – and this nautical style striped crop top ticks all the summer boxes for me. I did order the matching skirt as well because I was longing for some co-ords, but ohhhhhhh no… my large waist-to-hip ratio distorted the vertical stripes on the skirt and it did not look good on me (you need to be straight-up-and-down for that style). Goes to show I don’t always know what’s going to suit me every time!


The top did look much better, however, styled very simply with my skinny flares rolled up with a super-deep hem, tan accessories and my gorgeous visor-style Ray-Ban 3471 sunglasses in purple and silver (which you may have seen on my Instagram feed). As well as loving the style, they’re great for driving as you don’t have a thick frame blocking your view and yet a lot of sun is filtered because there’s so much lens.


Have you dared to try the boxy crop top trend if you perhaps didn’t feel the tight versions of last year were right for you? Do you still make any fashion faux-pas choosing things that you think will suit you – only to find you got it all wrong like I did with the skirt? Do share in the comments!


Stripey crop top and rolled hem jeans

Stripey crop top and rolled hem jeans
Ray-Ban 3471s in purple and silver
Striped boxy top
Nautical striped top

Don’t forget to enter my initial necklace giveaway (your choice of gold or silver) from Onecklace!

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Catherine x

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P.S. You can see how I’ve worn crop tops before herehere and here to judge for yourself whether it’s got anything to do with age…!

Top: c/o Front Row Shop, Jeans: Asos, Sandals: Asos (old), Ray-Bans: c/o Sunglasses Shop, Bag: c/o La Redoute, Watch: Asos. I’ve found a selection of skinny flare and bootcut jeans that I think would work equally well rolled with a deep hem as I’ve done with my Asos Lennox jeans (hopefully these will suit most colour preferences and budgets):







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34 Comments

  1. 1 September 2014 / 11:31 am

    I like the sailor strippes. You are beautiful with your look.

  2. 27 July 2014 / 3:52 pm

    Looking bloody good Catherine. And you are right: wear what you feel good in. My adjusted version (being 60 years old…. Oh God, that sounds so aweful..) is to wear a cropped top with a silk top underneath it instead of showing my skin. So usually I wear these boxy sweaters when it is cooler.
    Greetje

    • 4 August 2014 / 11:49 pm

      Says she of the fantastic legs!!! 60 or not, you know you've still got great legs and I'm gad that you still show them off Greetje. And thank you x

  3. 26 July 2014 / 9:15 am

    I'm someone who believes you should dress for your figure rather than you age…I see lots of teenage girls who expose way too many rolls…and it doesn't look pretty!!

    http://vodkaandarose.blogspot.co.uk

  4. 25 July 2014 / 2:13 am

    I might have done this at 40. You look great. At 57, almost 58, nah. The stomach ripples don't need to see the light. I can't say if there are no 57 year olds who could do it, there's probably a yoga teacher my age out there who'd carry it off perfectly, and cause me to bow to her and be glad she could.

    • 4 August 2014 / 11:48 pm

      We'll see how my stomach fares when I'm your age, Lisa…!! Maybe that yoga teacher should be my inspiration…? x

  5. 24 July 2014 / 4:17 pm

    You look great! I love the crop top and the sandals. I've tried the crop top trend once and I really like it. Mine, like yours, wasn't the fitted kind. I think that's the perfect take on the trend for me. 🙂

    ~Whitney
    http://www.whitneynicjames.com

    • 4 August 2014 / 11:46 pm

      It seems to be working for more of us than the tight version, Whitney! Thank you my lovely x

  6. 24 July 2014 / 11:14 am

    Looks wonderful!! Like the chosen colors and today I love most your hair! 🙂
    I´m 49 and was not sure if I could wear a crop top. I wore one in my last post, but with a skirt, think can wear it a lot this summer 🙂

    Dana
    http://danalovesfashionandmusic.blogspot.de/

  7. 24 July 2014 / 1:01 am

    Catherine:

    Your outfit is so cute and I agree about the age approprirate reference. If a crop top is still flattering to an over 40 woman's figure she has every right to wear it. I am a strong believer in wearing figure-flattering clothing no matter the age of a person.

    Sharon
    http://www.afashioncrowd.blogspot.com

    • 4 August 2014 / 11:46 pm

      Exactly – you hit the nail on the head, Sharon!! Thank you xx

  8. 23 July 2014 / 9:58 pm

    I think that the "right" version of every trend exists for everybody, dear Catherine!! I totally agree that occasion-appropriateness is what really counts; so if someone dreams of rocking crop top (which you do VERY well here, by the way!) it's a matter finding a style that makes the wearer feel good about herself…and that suits the venue in which it will be worn!! 🙂

    http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.blogspot.com

    • 4 August 2014 / 11:45 pm

      It's a much better "rule" isn't it Monika (not that I believe in rules as such)…! xx

  9. 23 July 2014 / 9:27 am

    Yup thats the way to do it. and thanks so much for your inspiration have been wrecking my brains. too bad top is sold out my size 🙁 Love the simplicity and the acc with it Catherine! xo Sabina OceanblueStyle

  10. 22 July 2014 / 8:03 am

    You pull off a crop top better than most! With that bod, you'd look fab in anything tbh! And I love love love your sunglasses – the visor shape is unusual but still recognisably Raybans!
    lily x
    http://www.jolihouse.com

  11. 22 July 2014 / 7:45 am

    Your body is smoking hot, don't see why you can't wear whatever the hell you want! 😀
    I love boxy crop tops too, they're so comfy! Adore how you paired yours, the sandals are awesome!

  12. 21 July 2014 / 10:52 pm

    You look perfect in the crop top! I don't think age has anything to do with it — it's more to do with fitness and the condition of the tummy, and you have no worries on that score!
    Theresa

  13. 21 July 2014 / 7:14 pm

    Not for me but I am glad you have done it again, Catherine and you look fabulous!! It is a subtle version and that's actually sexier than an exposed tummy (for most women).
    Especially love your sandals and the colour matching bag.
    Great look!

    xo
    Annette | Lady of Style

  14. 21 July 2014 / 4:12 pm

    I'm loving the boxy crop tops for sure….And I say if you're as hot as you are, it doesn't matter what you wear at what age 😉 (to a certain extent of course…)

  15. 21 July 2014 / 3:54 pm

    I think I might investigate these crop tops on the basis that, being petite, my stomach probably won't be exposed! If I was as slim in my sixties as I was in my forties, I wouldn't worry about exposing a bit of flesh, but my stomach is better hidden away these days. I think the important thing is your overall look. As an over 60 I don't mind exposing my knees as they still look good, however I don't wear really short skirts or dresses. My arms too are fine so I'll wear sleeveless tops, though I do avoid cut-away tops because I don't like the wobbly bits being on display! Cleavage isn't my strong point so, if I'm going to reveal anything, I prefer a bit of leg.

    You look amazing in your outfit so, for you, it's a definite yes! As were your previous crop tops.

    • 4 August 2014 / 11:42 pm

      Thank you Sue! And if you wear them with higher waisted trousers or skirts they'll elongate your legs too.. win win, I say! Go for it! x

  16. 21 July 2014 / 3:48 pm

    Love your outfit, if I could pull crop tops off like you do I definately would wear them, why not wear them over 40!!!! xx

  17. 21 July 2014 / 2:50 pm

    I LOVE the boxy crop tops this year. I'm a bit overwhelmed by crop tops (for any age), so the barely-cropped and loose fit of this season is a win in my book. And I love your deep cuffs – I always think it's fun to mix it up!

    Luci’s Morsels – fashion. food. frivolity.

    • 4 August 2014 / 11:42 pm

      Hmm I'm considering another boxy crop top Luci – they're such a great shape! Thank you x

  18. 21 July 2014 / 2:49 pm

    Hi Catherine!

    I'm nominating you to join the My Writing Process tour. I wanted to nominate you because I really enjoy reading your posts, they are so much fun ! If you're too busy to join in I understand, just let me know. 🙂

    Here is some information about how it works. I’ve been invited to join the “My Writing Process” blog tour by another blogger and have been accepted for July 28, 2014. This tour rolls out three bloggers’ sites each week. So I am inviting three amazing bloggers to carry the tour forward.

    Your date would be Monday, August 4. Please let me know if you’re interested.

    Here’s how it works:
    Follow the steps below and post to your blog on the date given. Acknowledge the person who invited you and that the post is part of the “My Writing Process” Blog tour, answer four questions provided below, nominate (ask) three bloggers to follow with short bios and blog links for all.

    I will feature you on my blog on July 21, then it’s over to you to prepare your own blog post.

    Step 1: Acknowledge the person & site that involved you in the blog tour. That's me 🙂
    Step 2: Answer the 4 questions below about your writing process:
    1) What am I working on?
    2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
    3) Why do I write what I do?
    4) How does your writing process work?
    Step 3: Say who is on next week (your own chosen) – give a bio and link to the website for each of them. Their date would be a week following yours.

    Here's a link to a blog tour post from another blogger, so you can see how it works:

    E l l e S e e s: Life Lately & Writing Process Tour

    Let me know ASAP if you're interested!

    Nina over @daintyfemme(dot)com

    Blog http://www.daintyfemme.com
    Instagram @Daintyfemme
    Twitter @Daintyf
    B e a u t y & L i f e s t y l e Blog

    • 4 August 2014 / 11:41 pm

      Hi Nina – I hope you got my message, I never heard back from you? If you subscribed to replies on this comment maybe you'll get this. Sorry I couldn't take part…!

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