A pre-makeover Xtina

Ok, take a deep breath… the crop top has reared its ugly head again. Having thought about it, you will probably have to take a deep breath if you’re planning on embarking on this trend; not only will you need to pull in your tummy, but it takes guts.

My own memories of the crop top date back to the late nineties, with Sporty Spice encouraging us all to go the latest roller skating birthday party in nothing but a pair of bleached jeans and a small piece of neon lycra with flimsy straps that firmly stopped at our ribs. At age 11, I thought it was fabulous. Ten years later, I now understand the woes and perils of premenstrual bloating, propriety in public places that serve food, and frankly, the attitude towards women who take this bold step.

That is to say, that aside from Mel C’s brave effort to turn sports wear into street chic, the only place I can remember seeing women in cut-off tops within the last 5 years, is in music videos. I’m thinking Nelly Furtado in her ‘Man Eater’ video, Christina Aguilera in ‘Dirrty’, Britney Spears in ‘I’m a Slave for You’… there is a recurring theme here. Apart from the fact that these women are all incredibly toned and glamorous, they are also trying to be explicitly sexual. But what is it about the mid-riff that we find so full-on? Women have long embraced low cut tops and bottom skimming skirts that resemble belts, and yet when it comes to the mid-riff, we run for the hills. Is it possible therefore, that bearing your midriff is the female equivalent of male full frontal?

Belly-baring at Nicole Farhi

The sexual connotations of the midriff most likely date back to the exoticism of eastern belly dancing; which shocked our bourgeoisie to the core during the Oriental fascination period of the early 20^th century.This overtly sexual form of expression was the antithesis to our corsetry and laced up livery, given its focus on the pelvic area and provocative hip movements. We had just about become used to baring our ankles and shoulders, and here was an exotic beauty baring her belly to our gentleman callers, fancy that! The concept of the dance is however barely related to the opposite sex or any intention on wooing them; it is intended to celebrate womanhood, to allow the dancer to relate to the music and convey her emotions through her own interpretation of movement.

Why then, even in modern times, do women like Shakira manage to up their sexual ante by baring this rather bland piece of their bodies? After all, it is generally a flattish expanse of flesh that is incredibly hard to keep toned; has little attractive ornamentation and is not particularly nerve sensitive. Which is probably why we have been hiding it for centuries, and like all catch 22 situations, is probably also the reason for it acquiring its sexual status. The midriff has become our secret sexuality; our hidden vulnerability and our intimate revelation. But beyond taboo temptation, it is also inextricably linked to our fertility, sending out a subliminal message of ‘I’m fertile, come hither…’ (However, possibly not a chat up line to be used on more than a subliminal level.)

Working a beachwear/workwear style at Prada

So in the spirit of feminism, surely the strong, independent and sexually liberated woman of the 21^st century should be clamouring to purchase the latest offerings of cut-off catwalk creations? Prada spearheaded the midriff campaign this spring with their crumpled bra top, paired with elegant pencil skirts that were so lady-like we almost forgot that there was a bare stomach in sight. Nicole Fahri managed to cast a similar spell with her own bra top, in virginal white and embellished with delicate flowers, and Roberto Cavalli put forward a similarly demure crop top in a basic cream and red print that exuded ranch-country simplicity. Paired with high waisted bib front shorts, we almost forgot the midriff could be sexual at all. It started to look quite… sweet; and possibly worth a try. Realistically however, I doubt this will be the case.

As much as I wish women would feel confident enough to bare all, whether washboard or womanly, I imagine most will leave this trend to the pro’s. It seems therefore that no matter how willing we are to flash freshly tanned legs or pay thousands for cleavage we can flaunt, we still can’t quite stomach a naked midriff.