“Crop” it…. this Summer!!!

Rupika Chopra - Crop Tops a must in a wardrobe

Rupika Chopra in a Crop Top

Crop Tops are back to sizzle again this summer with vibrance and style. Crop Tops are also known as Half Shirt, Midriff Top or a Cut Off Shirt. Crop Tops are my favourite this season. They are simple, chic and make any outfit cool. It reveals the midriff and makes one look exotic. Cleavage is passe’ and MIDRIFF IS IN!!! With all the throwbacks to the 90’s trending right now, crops are soaring temperatures. This summer grab your crop tops and flaunt them galore because baring the midriff is in. It is a trend that is here to stay and that makes it classic!!

Crop Tops go way back in the history of Fashion and it gained prominence in the 1930’s and 1940’s. It was largely confined to swimwear at that time. But the style drew much admiration and saw a revival due to the popularity even in the 1990’s. The Cropped shirt was originally created by men for men. Men used to cut their T – shirts short and flaunt their midriffs at the gym. This trend was picked up by the Eastern part of the world by the belly dancers…who captured much attention flaunting their waists.

Rupika Chopra in an Off shoulder Crop Top by GADO GADO

It was only in the 1940’s that the crop tops were accepted as a fashion trend in the West, due to the prevailing conservatism that depicted the exposed midriff as immodest. The young adults loved them and wore it in fancy styles with shorts, skirts and pants. The fact that Cut Off Tops accentuate the slimmest part of a woman’s waist and made them feel sexy, as it defined their figure perfectly, it became a sensation. They became popular among the people and many cord – sets were being worn as well. Cut Off Tops became a part of the Hippie Movement of the 60’s wit floral prints and high waisted flared denims. I still love the look and wear it quite often as it brings out the Bohemian in me. Thanks to the sexual revolution models and actresses like Jane Birkin, Jean Shrimpton, Anne De Zogheb, etc. who started knotting their blouses on their ribs in a relaxed boho style, completely setting the fashion scene on fire!!!

Rupika Chopra in a Crop Top by GADO GADO and Mom Fit Jeans

By the 70’s crop tops made a comeback with shorter hemlines. Cher made them quite popular in the music industry adorning them with glittery flared denims. Crop Tops became the sex symbol worn by the pop icons. During that time the crops became shorter and got bolder that were known as Bra Tops or Bralettes. The rage for crops began in the 1990’s and dropped around the 2000’s. But for now from the last year the trend has come back with much zing and colour. This look is especially suited for a vacation but one can easily wear these to a lunch, dinner or a get together without a second thought!

Rupika Chopra in a Knotted Shirt and shorts by ZARA

Remember the cropped top worn with High Waisted Drainpipes that looked glorious in the 80’s. Infact the cropped top worn with the leotards became a signature look for Madonna for a while. Even in the 90’s the rage for crop tops did not subside at all. Britney Spears, Spice Girls, Christina Aguilera flaunted their toned abs in the flashy Midriff tops. The best comeback of a trend is witnessed when the world follows it and for the last couple of seasons crop tops have been embraced all around the world again. Thanks to the social media for the fashion awareness and synchronising the world virtually. It has aligned our taste and of course, life is too short to miss out the best trends.

Rupika Chopra with a Crop Top by GADO GADO

I have paired my favourite crop top with my high waisted denim shorts. The style looks quite chic and one can change one’s vibe pairing it with pants, denims, skirts or shorts and footwear. Crop tops are all about no fuss dressing and one can accessorise according to the occasion and you are ready to roll. Not to miss out on, the Crop Top was recently popularised recently at the Red Carpet when the French Actress Marion Cotillard opted for a crop at the Cannes Film Festival showcasing Chanel Haute Couture and Ludovic De Saint Sernin Balmain Kimono. You see it’s all about baring the Solar Plexus and owning your power with much confidence and sex appeal. And when you are toning those ab muscles – you gotta flaunt them right …. and the Mid Riff Top accomplishes that fabulously!!

Rupika Chopra in a Crop Top and a Bandana and Mom Fit Jeans

Crop Tops with different cuts and styles change the look of an outfit. I am wearing divergent styles from the T – shirt style to an off shoulder to a bralette and they simply look astounding. Dolce and Gabbana recently showcased their high waisted skirts with bralettes in dazzling jungle prints, while BALMAIN electrified the fashion lovers with their street style from the 1990’s.

Rupika Chopra In a Zara Bustier

Due to the pandemic we have had limited access to stores but none the less Zara, H&M, etc. spoil us with amazing trends and colours. Zara recently launched a wonderful summer collection with vibrant hues. My black top is from Zara and the Off Shoulder top is from my favourite Dutch brand named GADO GADO. Her beautifully detailed clothes have a vintage touch and that simply makes me fall in love with her creations. I will be covering more of her collection this summer and you will be spellbound!!

Rupika Chopra in Off Shoulder Crop Top with high waisted Shorts

One can pair the crop tops with skirts, loose, straight or flared pants or denims with heels or sneakers and one will never fail to be pre- eminent. Crop tops are certainly intriguing and if you want to add some oomph this summer….. grab your tops in different styles – t – shirt, knotted, relaxed, bustiers and reignite your flair.

Till I write again soon….. I am sending you all much love and light from India and prayers for good health and safety🌟❤️and remember that WINTER ALWAYS TURNS TO SPRING!!!

CHAO!!!

Quarantining in Relaxed Wear!!!

Quarantining in Relaxed Wear - Rupika Chopra

Quarantining in relaxed wear :

So whats the new normal? Well it is quarantining in the cool casuals with your favourite beverage in one hand and a zoom call staring right in your face. On the onset of the Quarantine in the month of March, no one had imagined that people around the world will be confined to their homes, moving on from one lock down to the other. Working from home is the need of the hour and that has begot a new dress code – the cool relaxed wear.  Parked on your favourite couch, comfort is what one resonates with. So whilst we all are in our abodes, with no meetings to run for, dressing in formals is the last thing on one’s mind.

One certainly wants to look good whether one is home or outside, I have divided my comfort wear into categories of – very relaxed wear to cool casual wear. Pyjamas, tees and loose tracks are a part of very relaxed wear. Leggings, tracks, hoodies, denims and t shirts are a part my casual wear.

Quarantining in Relaxed Wear - Rupika Chopra

One certainly wants to look good whether one is home or outside, I have divided my comfort wear into categories below :

  1. Relaxed wear – Leggings, Tracks, Hoodies, Tees, Racer back etc.

    2.  Very Relaxed Wear – Pyjamas, Tees, Shorts, Tank tops etc.

    3.  Cool casual wear – Tees, Denims, Linen pants, dresses and jumpsuits 

Of course one cannot be in a right out of the bed look and not be presentable on calls. One has to choose to look presentable always, irrespective of the fact you are online or not. I definitely like to be more perked up for the weekdays as it keeps me focused, so I pair up a tee with a cool pair of denims on my important days from Monday to Thursday. As the weekend comes by, I throw in some athleisure like tracks, leggings, tees etc.

Quarantining in Relaxed Wear - Rupika Chopra

Keeping in mind there is no access to the dry cleaners at the moment, relaxed wear is perfect during this quarantine period as they can be easily washed at home sans any fuss. With limited access to online shopping, lounge and relaxed wear sales have seen a rise in the graph. They can still be bought with delays during the lockdown. People around the world are ordering their favourite room wear as home is where one wants to keep the vibe easy. I feel when the body is relaxed the mind will follow too and that surely enhances one’s productivity.

Comfort wear for the weekdays should be a bridge between the cool casuals and relaxed wear. I certainly want to feel good with what I am adorning. The quality of fabric is a priority for me and I never compromise on that.  Some of my favourite brands for relaxed wear are Adidas, Nike, Alo, Lululemon, Hollister, Sandro, Top shop, Marks & Spencer etc.  

Quarantining in Relaxed Wear - Rupika Chopra

With the temperatures rising it surely is getting hot for the hoodies so I am hanging in my tees and linen shirts with shorts. My foot wear comprises of flats and sneakers. I love the track set I am wearing by Adidas, it is from one of their limited collection and I love the flared pants that give a very retro vibe. The flowery print on the pants and the jacket is such a star on this one. It’s my Best Buy from Adidas.

The demand for relaxed wear has certainly seen a steep curve for now and will be in the coming months as well. Now when we are reaching the peak of our quarantine phase – Lets together stay positive through this with the art of relaxation and radiate good vibes for……. Winter always turns to Spring!!!

TAKE GOOD CARE & STAY SAFE

LOVE AND LIGHT 

XX

RUPIKA 

Trackset : Adidas , Top : H&M , Shoes : Nike , Glasses : MIUMIU