How to Wear Front Tie Crop Tops: 10 Best Outfit Ideas

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The cropped top fashion wildfire birthed a version that is quickly becoming popular among the fashion savvy today – the tie-front.

The tie-front cropped top was last revived in the 1990s, albeit sporting a higher hemline back then. It spread like wildfire thanks to pop icons such as Britney Spears, who debuted a now-iconic schoolgirl tie-front ensemble for her first music video, “Baby One More Time.”

Today, we breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the tie-front cropped top need not come with a plaid skirt and pigtails. Here are some fashion bloggers who have proven just that.

1. High-Waist Denim Shorts

Give your normal tank top a twist (or a knot, rather) by opting for a tie-front heathered version. Like Elreena of ‘The Girl in the Hat’, wear the top with high-waist denim shorts to let just a little bit of skin peep out. Her fashion blog is no longer available online.

Ground the look by sporting a brown braided belt and sandals for a casual look with a subtle boho vibe. Play with colorful bags for that pop of color.

Elreena rocking high-waist denim shortsElreena rocking high-waist denim shorts

Shop her look:

Forever 21 Heathered Front-Tie Tank and Mango High-Waist Denim ShortsForever 21 Heathered Front-Tie Tank, $7.80 / Mango High-Waist Denim Shorts, $39.99

2. Floral Tie-Front Top

Bust out a pattern party by pairing a floral tie-front top with white lace bell bottoms for that modern-day gypsy look.

Like Toshiko of It’s Not Her, It’s Me, break the patterns with a lengthy cardigan, tribal-patterned bag, and strappy heels in brown hues.

Toshiko wearing a floral tie-front top with white lace bell bottomsToshiko wearing a floral tie-front top with white lace bell bottoms

Shop her look:

Forever 21 Front-Tie Floral Denim Shirt and Nightcap Clothing Spanish Lace Bell Bottoms in WhiteForever 21 Front-Tie Floral Denim Shirt, $15.80 / Nightcap Clothing Spanish Lace Bell Bottoms in White, $229.00

3. Heathered Gray Tie-Front Tee

If florals and lace are too feminine for you, don a heathered gray tie-front tee with a leather-paneled skirt instead.

Like Emily of ‘Emily Lane Style’, bring more life to the outfit by adding neon accessories. It will also make the outfit more spring or summer-appropriate. Her fashion blog is unfortunately no longer available online.

Emily in heathered gray tie-front teeEmily in heathered gray tie-front tee

Shop her look:

Michael Stars Short Sleeve Scoop Neck With Tie Hem and Forever 21 Paneled Faux Leather SkirtMichael Stars Short Sleeve Scoop Neck With Tie-Hem, $64.00 / Forever 21 Paneled Faux Leather Skirt, $19.80

4. Cutoff Denim Jeans

Tie-front tops can also be injected into more minimalist and sophisticated outfits by choosing collared pieces with sleeves.

For a more dressed down, sophisticated-chic look, pair the top with cutoff denim jeans and reptile heels to add a little grown-up fun to the ensemble. You can see Tiffany’s other outfits at Rawrrajahrawr.

Tiffany rocking cutoff denim jeans and reptile heelsTiffany rocking cutoff denim jeans and reptile heels

Shop her look:

Maje Aoutien Tie-Front Cropped Silk Shirt and True Religion Joey Cut-Off Denim ShortsMaje Aoutien Tie-Front Cropped Silk Shirt, $336.97 / True Religion Joey Cut-Off Denim Shorts, $168.00

5. Chambray Tie-Front Shirt

Why stop at cropping when you can add a little cutout as well?

Like Whitney of LADYWOLF, don a chambray tie-front number with subtle cutouts for a chic summer top. Create a denim-on-denim illusion by pairing the top with light blue skinny jeans.

Whitney wearing a chambray tie-front number with subtle cutoutsWhitney wearing a chambray tie-front number with subtle cutouts

Shop her look:

Joyce Leslie Square Dance Chambray Tie Blouse and True Religion Sky Misty Legging Finnigan JeansJoyce Leslie Square Dance Chambray Tie Blouse, $12.99 / True Religion Sky Misty Legging Finnigan Jeans, $220.00

6. Plain Tie-Front Tee

For a more feminine outfit, pair a plain tie-front tee with a chiffon maxi skirt in bright spring and summer colors such as coral.

Like Bridget of Bridget Badore, pair it with flats and a brown belt for a breezy casual daytime look.

Britney wearing a plain tie-front tee with a chiffon maxi skirtBritney wearing a plain tie-front tee with a chiffon maxi skirt

Shop her look:

Michael Stars Short Sleeve Scoop Neck With Tie Hem and A Wear Coral Chiffon Belted Maxi SkirtMichael Stars Short Sleeve Scoop Neck With Tie Hem, $64.00 / A Wear Coral Chiffon Belted Maxi Skirt, £32.50

7. Graphic Tie-Front Shirt

For the fashion-savvy who prefers to make a stronger statement, go for tie-front tees with graphic prints.

Like Rachel-Marie of Jag Lever, wear it with black high-waist denim shorts to emphasize the print on the tee.

Rachel-Marie wearing black high-waist denim shortsRachel-Marie wearing black high-waist denim shorts

Shop her look:

Wildfox Howdy Cowgirl Tee in Ghost Blue and Knockout ShortsWildfox Howdy Cowgirl Tee in Ghost Blue, $77.00 / Knockout Shorts, $38.00

8. Bright Yellow Tie-Front Button Down

Nothing says summer better than bright colors! Pastels and neons are still very much in for this season. Wear a bright yellow tie-front button-down sans sleeves with a pair of mint green skinny jeans.

Like Yan of The October Road, play around with fun jewelry and a floral print bag to add more cheer to your outfit.

Yan wearing a bright yellow tie-front button downYan wearing a bright yellow tie-front button-down

Shop her look:

Equipment Mina Sleeveless Tie Front Blouse and True Religion Old Mint Misty Legging Finnigan JeansEquipment Mina Sleeveless Tie Front Blouse, $198.00 / True Religion Old Mint Misty Legging Finnigan Jeans, $220.00

9. Tribal Tie-Front Top

Boho on the go, anyone? Go for the chicness of slouchy wide-legged trousers paired with a tribal tie-front top.

Like Kethley of ‘In Kethley’s Pocket’, load up on arm candies to complete the look. Perfect for running around in the heat doing daytime errands without compromising style. Her blog is unfortunately no longer available online.

Kethley in slouchy wide-legged trousers paired with a tribal tie-front topKethley in slouchy wide-legged trousers paired with a tribal tie-front top

Shop her look:

Wet Seal Aztec Tie Front Tank and Agnona Wide Flared TrouserWet Seal Aztec Tie Front Tank, $16.90 / Agnona Wide Flared Trouser, $1103.21

10. Sleeveless Plaid Tie-Front Top

If we were to pick a farmer-chic slash homage-to-pin-ups-of-the-50s casual look, this would probably be it.

Like Whitney of LADYWOLF, choose a sleeveless plaid tie-front top and pair it with high-waist skinny jeans for the perfect spring afternoon, strolling-in-the-park ensemble.

Whitney in sleeveless plaid tie-front top and high-waist skinny jeansWhitney in sleeveless plaid tie-front top and high-waist skinny jeans

Shop her look:

Superdry Trailer Tie Shirt and Topshop Moto Worn Black High Waist Jamie JeansSuperdry Trailer Tie Shirt, $78.00 / Topshop Moto Worn Black High Waist Jamie Jeans, $80.00