Crop Till You Drop: This Summer, Feel Liberated in Your Own Skin

If there's one fashion trend that has become a summer staple, it is the infamous crop top. With high-waisted bottoms becoming more of a designer norm, it's no wonder all of our shirts end above the belly button! That's where we run into a problem... not everyone feels comfortable wearing an exposed shirt (trust me, I've been there… multiple times), but recently I've discovered the liberation that comes when you decide to feel comfortable in your own skin, accepting your body and realizing that you CAN rock out in a crop top!

I was a freshman in college when I began wearing crop tops. I LOVED THEM, especially because majority of my wardrobe consisted of high-waisted ripped shorts (don't judge)! But fast forward a few semesters and a lot of parties….My shorts didn't fit and my crop tops began to look more like childs' clothes than stylish pieces... #insecure #notbeyonce.

I could ramble about that chapter of my life forever, but the point here is that I thought that I could never wear a crop top again (First world problem)... I felt like that was the end of showing off my skin. Let's go back a couple months ago (I'm senior in college now), when I was at Target checking out the new spring clothing collections. What did I find (that's right)… a bunch of CUTE A** crop tops!!! My friend insisted that I buy a couple, but I was scared. "Why was I scared, what about a shirt is keeping me from feeling confident in my own skin?" As I stood there puzzled in the infinite isles of crop tops, I decided that I was done feeling like I wasn't good enough and so I bought one… dun-dun-dunnnn.

When I got home I put on the crop top, feeling insecure and unattractive for no reason…But I was determined to walk out of my house that night and rock what I got. When I met up with some friends downtown wearing my crop top, I felt uneasy… like I had to be cautious of weird glances or up-and-down judgy-eyes. But guess what? I was fine!! Soon, I realized how comfortable I was in my own skin and how liberating it felt to wear something less modest and more freeing.. I mean coming on, it's 90 degrees… that breeze was everything! That's when it hit me… a shirt should not dictate how I feel about myself, and it certainly shouldn't hold me back from having fun with my girls. I now own 10 more crop tops and I'm feeling more confident than ever! Who knew that a shirt could teach me so much!? LOL

The bottom line is this… whether you like crop tops or not, this summer I want you to feel the most confident in your skin! You don't necessarily need to buy a shirt to do this… but challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone (whatever that may be). I don't wear crop tops everyday, but it feels so good, so liberating now, when I do!

Here to show you some of my favorites, check out these crop tops from Targets new spring/summer collection!

This Xhilartaion smocked crop top from Target is my absolute favorite. Best Part: right now on Target.com, this cute piece is marked down to clearance for just $16.08 (orig. $22.99). What a deal!

This ruffle floral crop from Target is so feminine, and makes me feel super girly every time I wear it. I can't get over the matching shorts that come with it! $19.99 in stores and online.