Marie Denee If you have not heard, news started buzzing around an article in Oprah Magazine that gave a piece of advice to a reader that asked, “Can I pull off a crop top?”
Rather than empower, challenge, or inspire the reader submitted question, the editor replied back with this:
“If (and only if!) you have a flat stomach, feel free to try one. For more coverage, layer a top over a longer shirt as shown in look two”
PAUSE.
*Inserts eyeroll and deep exhale*
Um. I take so much issue with this. To blanketly give this piece of exhausted advice about a crop top is lazy. There are so many ways that she could have delivered empowering fashion advice (coming from Oprah’s Magazine which reads empowerment to me.)
Liz Black, a blogger boo of mine was sharing her pics from Instagram and creating conversation around this and I was even more on fire after reading comments from others!
I mean, I am irked. In a time where the media has been pushing for size and racial diversity, self-acceptance, and inclusion- in a time where People Style Watch, Glamour, and various other magazines have plus size columns and pages, why would you further marginalize your readers, women, and others who do not fit into YOUR ideal standard of beauty?
WAKE UP PEOPLE.
The narrative that you have been trying to control is no longer the same. We are on a new chapter, a new page, and have hired new writers to tell our stories.
I have sooo many questions about this and so much to say…
- Did you see a picture of the lady?
- Did you know her age and level of comfort?
- Did you ask her how edgy she is?
- Why do you assume that this trend is only for those with flat tummies rather than address levels of comfort?
- Have you NOT read the umpteen gallery recaps featuring plus size women rocking crop tops? (Obviously not)
- Have we jumped backwards in time with the fashion advice here? Like back when these types of posts were full of crap?
Listen, this could have been answered in so many more positive ways. As plus women have been subjected to so many rules (this last link being an oldie but goody), and this one? in summer 2015? Takes the cake.
How about show options for levels of comfort?
This is how it could have went:
“Can I pull off a crop top?”
Yes, you can! With crop tops, it is all about your personal level of comfort and the proportions! Throw age and size aside, with the right pieces you can make it work.
For the bold and daring, a fitted crop top with an A-line skirt or matching set is so on trend right now!
If you are not too sure but still want to have a bit of fun, pair your relaxed crop top with a fitted midi skirt OR tie your top to show just a sliver of tummy!
If you like the illusion or look of it and are not ready, how about a crop top over a higher waist pant or skirt OR you can opt for dresses that have the illusion of a crop but the comfort of a one piece! This way you get to have fun with it, but on your term like Bella Moxie DID!
But know, when it comes to trends, YOU CAN have fun in a trend by either dipping your baby toe in it or going balls to the wall with it! Just know that you can do it!
See?! Was that hard? NO. You have actionable advice to women who were on the fence.
Give options rather than condemning half of the readership!
Since I am on one… here are 15 Plus Size Fashion Tips that break it down and show you how you can own it and have fun in fashion!
BUT WAIT! Even better? Sarah Conley of StyleitOnline started the hashtag and broke this news about this unfortunate happening on her blog! With her hashtag going viral, Check out these ladies who all bucked this advice and dared to make it twerk in a crop top, using the hashtag #RockTheCrop and after you check them out, throw your crop top pics up too!
PS. Sarah Conley started this and made this hashtag up, it was a dope reply and I had to share how the community responded!
What do you think?
Interestingly enough, I haven’t a single response from O Magazine about this. I don’t care for the magazine but since Oprah has been plus sized a good portion of her life, I would have hoped for SOME kind of reaction.