Tie-front crop tops are a sexy summer favorite. They come in all different fabrics, patterns and colors and can be dressed up or down. For a night on the town, pair a cute tie front top with a pair of jeans and open toe wedges. Wear the same top with a pair of shorts to a lazy Sunday picnic in the park. If the bare midriff look isn't for you, wear it with a layered tank underneath. This style of shirt is more versatile than you might think.
Types of Tie-Front Crop Tops
This kind of blouse is commonly worn in the summer as it reveals a bare midriff. Instead of falling to the waist, the bottom of the shirt is tied in the front so that it fits snugly, high above the waist. The necklines vary; some are halter style tops while button style tie front tops may have a collar. They come with either long sleeves, short sleeves or no sleeves.
Halter Style
Halter neck tie-front tops are usually made of a Lycra blend. The stretchy material provides support so you can wear this style without a bra or with a halter bra.
Cute Country Look
Pull off a cute country girl look with a gingham or checkered print button down shirt tied above the waist. This look, inspired by the Dukes of Hazard character Daisy Duke, can be achieved using a shirt you already own.
Dress It Up
Wear a pretty tie front blouse over a camisole or a long tank top for a layered look. Wear it with jeans, shorts or a skirt.
Make Your Own Cropped Shirt
While you can buy a fun shirt like this in retail stores, you can make your own in a few simple steps. Here are a few ideas for making your own:
T-Shirt and Tank Tops
Give new life to your favorite old tank top or t-shirt by turning it into a cute crop top. Cut the shirt open from the bottom hem to the center of the shirt. The cut should be about four or five inches, depending on how long the shirt was to start with. With the shirt on, tie the loose ends so that the knot sits above your navel.
Button Down
You can make your own cropped shirt out of a button down shirt. Choose one in a lightweight fabric. Button only the middle buttons on the shirt, leaving the neckline open and the tails of the shirt unbuttoned. Take the two bottom ends of the shirt and tie them in a knot above the waist.
How to Wear It
- If you have a shirt like this with a checkered pattern, pair it with short denim shorts for a flirty and fun summertime look.
- A loose fitting top like this in a sheer fabric pairs well with a dressy skirt.
- If the bare-midriff look isn't for you, wear this kind of shirt with a long camisole or a layering tank top.
- Use a safety pin to reinforce the shirt's knot so that it doesn't come loose.
Where to Buy
Look for stores that carry trendy fashions, clubwear or those that specialize in lingerie and sexy clothes as they'll likely have a few styles of cropped shirts with tie fronts. When looking for tie-front crop tops, be sure to check out the following online stores:
- Frederick's of Hollywood: Offers a variety of sexy tops including crop tops, halter tops and other styles with plunging necklines.
- Victoria's Secret : Though they specialize in lingerie, this store also carries apparel.
If looking for a modest version of the cropped tie-front shirt, buy a slightly fitted camp shirt and tie it as directed above. This way, you'll still get the look of a cropped shirt, but it won't be as form fitting as the crop tops sold in retail stores.
