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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder at what age it becomes weird to show your midriff?

43 replies

AliceScarlett · 01/08/2015 17:44

Mum and I (mum and me?) Damn dyslexia. Anyway, i went shopping with my mum today and she was pulling out all these tiny tops that would clearly show your belly off. I said I thought now I'm 30 it would look a bit....inappropriate, she looked at me like I had two heads Confused At what age do we stop wearing crop tops?

OP posts:
LashesandLipstick · 01/08/2015 17:47

You should never wear crop tops. Hideous things in my opinion.

Of course wear whatever you want, each to their own lol

Pucaet · 01/08/2015 17:47

I'm 24 and I'd rather die than wear a crop top but then that's more to do with never doing a single sit up since having DS than age, I think there's different ways to wear crop tops that suits different ages though I think 30 is fine

Pagwatch · 01/08/2015 17:48

It probably depends on where you are going as much as your age.
I'm 53 and sitting here in a bikini

Pagwatch · 01/08/2015 17:50

...at the bank.

(That's a lie)

SlaggyIsland · 01/08/2015 17:50

Probably also depends on how flat and toned your midriff is. But I do associate them with teenage fashion.

Original poster
AliceScarlett · 01/08/2015 17:50

Yeah beach/pool fair play. Just dont know about them in say, tescos.

OP posts:
Boofy27 · 01/08/2015 17:53

Unless you are within spitting distance of a pool, seventeen.

Lurkedforever1 · 01/08/2015 17:53

I think they either come under the heading 'I'm confident enough to wear what I want regardless' or are for toned stomachs only. I actually think a crop top showing untoned midriff can make someone with an otherwise slim figure look podgier than they are. Fine by me if they don't care, but not if you're going for flattering.

Original poster
AliceScarlett · 01/08/2015 17:53

Pucaet I see where you are going there. Excellent dissemination of crop top etiquette.

OP posts:
AuntyMag10 · 01/08/2015 17:54

Only if you are toned and have a flat stomach. Otherwise definitely not.

Mrsderekshepard · 01/08/2015 17:56

I think they look nice with a high waisted skirt

Original poster
AliceScarlett · 01/08/2015 17:56

I've recently gone from a size 14 to 8, so I must admit I'm slightly tempted....but really not as I don't have the confidence to pull it off, and would feel like I was trying to look 17.

OP posts:
Original poster
AliceScarlett · 01/08/2015 17:57

Yeah high waisted skirt and flat tummy, i can see that working.

OP posts:
OllyBJolly · 01/08/2015 17:57

Let me know when you've all decided.

(Also 53 and regular crop top wearer)

JohnCusacksWife · 01/08/2015 18:01

Nobody, of any age, should wear them. They're hideous!

EugenesAxe · 01/08/2015 18:04

Personally, I'd agree that after around age 30 you'd risk looking mutton-like.

Case study my mate. She taught at a private school and lots of the parents were amazed she was single/tried to set her up with eligible young (well-to-do) men. My Dad met some of these parents at his place of work (volunteering day) and the conversation got on to my mate when they realised she was a mutual acquaintance. He said the wife sighed whilst saying words to the effect of 'if she could only go out in the kind of things she wears at school [where she looks so lovely]'. She's attractive my friend; always had lovely, slim legs so can get away with skirts I would never wear, but at 30 she did look 'older' in her face and the clothes she wore before stopped being so appropriate. I could never bring myself to be blunt with her about it, but I reckon it would certainly have altered her chances with all these blokes. She saw her 'school' clothes as staid; I thought they were classic and elegant.

brownfang · 01/08/2015 18:06

I don't mind what others have on view. I have cellulose in midriff now so only bare it on long walks on long days when only DC could see. Before cellulose I thought it was fine for me to bare.

DisappointedOne · 01/08/2015 18:07

My sister is 35 and showing off her lovely brown flat tummy today.

DisappointedOne · 01/08/2015 18:08

Cellulose? Plastic wrap?!

MizK · 01/08/2015 18:15

If you have the type of midsection that looks good, expose away. A sliver between a top and a high waisted skirt is hardly scandalous at any age.
I actually don't like 'shoulds' very much when it comes to style but it is true that people (killjoys and misery guts especially) will judge certain trends to be muttonish on older women. Up to you if you care or not!

Goshthatsspicy · 01/08/2015 18:20

Seven is the upper age limit.

reni1 · 01/08/2015 18:25

Flaunt or hide as much as you want. For me personally, age 10 or so.

FirstWeTakeManhattan · 01/08/2015 18:35

With a high waisted full skirt, and a loose but structured top that almost skims the waistband, I think it can look very stylish. But the fabric has to be good, the cut has to be good, and it's probably one for the long and lean really. But you don't have to be 17 to pull it off.

DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel · 01/08/2015 18:35

I used to love showing off my midriff, but that was when I was a size 8 and a teenager. A size 16 36YO is not a good idea, unless I wanted to scare some people away.