Dare to Wear: Midriff-Baring Crop Tops For Men
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During New York Fashion Week: Men’s, the trio of Orley designers (Alex, Matthew, and Samantha) presented their ‘70s-inspired Spring 2016 collection. What caught our eye among the sumptuous knits (which took 90 hours a piece to make according to Style.com), and funky crocheted tops made to look like grandma’s doilies, was the fact that these wafer thin models were baring their bellies. Sure, they were more abs of steel than mini kegs of beer, but since when are men wearing crop top-like proportions? There were man skirts and sheer tops in recent seasons, but the Orley designers kicked off their collection with a sizable exposed midriff, and as we all know, look one sets the tone for the rest of the show. Are we to expect more of this? We asked a few industry insiders what they thought of this extreme fashion ensemble.
Miguel Enamorado, the fashion director at Interview Magazine is a fan.“Crop it like it’s hot…that is, if you’re six packing and haven’t had a few six packs yourself,” he told Yahoo Style. Meanwhile, stylist Brian Coats believes that the male mid-riffing is more of an editorial look than one that should be played out in real life. “Keep in mind there are a host of styling tricks we use to make shows and photographs striking that are sometimes just that,” he says. “It’s a striking or provocative image.”
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Of course if we look at it within a fuller context, New York wasn’t the only city to bare the man-driff. In London, designers J.W. Anderson and Bobby Abley sent models down the runway in navel-grazing tops, while Shayne Oliver of Hood By Air opted for asymmetrical abstract looks with peekaboo cutouts for his recent show in Florence.
Not surprisingly, it also seems as though Hollywood has caught onto the trend as well. Actor Zac Efron was recently photographed on the set of his latest film, Dirty Grandpa in a fringed “Hakuna Matata” crop top, which showed off his sculpted abs. Sure he was in character, but we all know how what is seen onscreen can carry over into the mainstream.
So what if you do feeling like spending the remaining sweltering days of summer in a suitably small top? There’s no shame in trying, right? Maybe not if you’re current shape could be considered to in the dad-bod category. “I think in general it’s not a trend that has long legs, but if you are in your 20’s and have the confidence to pull it off then fly your flag for sure,” says Coats.
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However Damien Paul, who is the head of menswear at matchesfashion.com has a few fashion tips for those who want to give it a whirl. “Shorter lengths in particular are great for layering,” he says. “Craig Green’s abbreviated shirts, for example, which we are seeing a great reaction to this season, can be thrown over a white tee as a less bulky alternative to a Spring jacket.”
What do you think, dear reader, would you or your man be willing to rock the trend?
