I am an avid wearer of crop tops, even when the temperatures are in the single digits. Why? Because why the hell not?
There are several ways to wear crop tops in the winter, such as layering them under a sheer top, wearing them over a long or full-sleeved dress, or pairing them with a wool coat. Other options include wearing regular jeans with a flannel shirt, or an oversized coat over a cropped sweater and wide-leg pants.
While the shortened silhouette may be a staple for summer dressing, the crop top isn’t something you should be putting away once the number on the thermometer drops below 40. Crop tops, as a silhouette, work really well with tons of different bottoms, and can easily transition into winter dressing.
The summer may be all about showing off your belly button (or not, if your Taylor Swift) the winter may seem strange to bear your midriff, but hear me out. The bagginess of a crop top goes well with both a structured, slim bottom like a pencil skirt or skinny jeans, or a fuller shape like an a-line skirt or wide-leg trousers.
Here are 4 different ways to wear your favorite crop tops in winter.
The good thing about this look, is it’s kind of cheating. The top is actually one piece, but it looks like two. You can easily later your cropped sweatshirts over a button-down and pair them with some black skinny jeans, a great pair of booties, and a parka. Don’t forget your beanie to round out this model-off-duty look.
Get the look:
- Shirttail Underlay Sweatshirt (Eloquii, $54.90)
- Ridley High Waisted Skinny Jean in Washed Black (ASOS, $51)
- Burton Guess Again Women’s Beanie (Ambush Board Co., $30)
- Clarks Women’s Lucette Drama Bootie (Infinity Shoes, $150)
- Black Faux-Fur-Trim Hooded Button Puffer Coat (Zulily, $55)
This is a chicer, almost French-inspired look. Throw some tights on under a heavy-knit skirt and some over-the-knee boots and you’ve got a great winter look already, but make it a little more casual with a striped, cropped t-shirt and belted faux fur coat to cinch your waist and keep you looking cool.
Get the look:
- Sun-Up Tee in Stripe (Madewell, $50)
- Herringbone Pencil Skirt (Banana Republic, $80)
- Sole Society Andie Tall Boot (Sole Society, $140)
- Wool Overcoat (Mango, $170)
A cropped sweater may have seen a little weird to invest in over the summer, but it’s perfect for pairing with a great pair of wide-leg trousers (cropped or not, doesn’t matter) and a stacked-heel bootie. To play with proportions and get a little pop of color, go for a drop-shoulder coat in a bold hue, and don’t forget to keep your neck from being too exposed with a wool scarf.
Get the look:
- Grey V Neck Long Sleeve Crop Sweater (SheIn, $15)
- Cropped High-Waisted Trousers (Zara, $70)
- Bouclé Wool Coat (Mango, $119)
- Sole Society Plaid Wool Scarf (Nordstrom, $52.47)
- Extended Heel Faux Leather Booties (Forever21, $34.90)
Have some fun with proportions and throw on a wintery floral crop top (I swear that’s not an oxymoron) and that western-inspired midi skirt you saw everywhere for fall. Instead of booties, wear some chunkier knee-high boots and a menswear-inspired coat. Throw a sweater in your bag for the office.
Get the look:
- Insider Floral Crop Top (Torrid, $48.50)
- Denim Button Through Western Midi Skirt (ASOS, $58)
- Silver Waterfall Cardigan (Dorothy Perkins, $35)
- Miss KG Vienna Black High Heel Knee Boot (Kurt Geiger, $140)
There are several stylish winter outfit ideas with crop tops, such as pairing them with high-waisted pants or jeans and a heavy-knit cardigan, wearing them under a sheer top, or layering them with an oversized coat and wide-leg pants. Other options include wearing them with leather pants, a denim jacket, or a plaid button-down crop top with jeans.