Q: It's getting warmer, and I work in a pretty trend-happy office. Is there any way to wear a crop top with my work attire?

A: Absolutely! Even if you don't work in a "trend-happy office," crop tops can still be completely professional. In fact, if you're petite or curvy or have a shorter-than-average torso, you might actually find that crop tops work better for you than longer ones because you don't have to tuck them in. It's all just a matter of how you style them.

1. Over a longer blouse or shift dress
The crop top should be boxy enough that it doesn't make the top underneath look bunchy and wrinkled. If you're wearing the crop top over a longer blouse, leave the blouse untucked and make sure both tops have a nicely finished hem.

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Media Platforms Design Team

Clockwise from the top left: Black and White Gingham Crop Top, TOPSHOP, $68; White Ankle Pants, BANANA REPUBLIC, $90; Black Tank With Purple Flowers, WILFRED FOR ARITZIA, $60; Black Patent Pumps, VINCE CAMUTO, $98

2. With a high-waisted skirt
To avoid flashing your stomach, make sure your crop top is long enough that it overlaps slightly with the waistline of your skirt, and feel free to layer it over a camisole or bodysuit if you are nervous about it riding up.

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Media Platforms Design Team

Clockwise from the top left: Pink Floral Crop Top, THE WHITEPEPPER, $67; Black Octagonal Pendant Necklace, MARC BY MARC JACOBS, $88; Black and White Stripe Midi Skirt, L.K. BENNETT LONDON, $210; Black Pointy Toe Flats, ZARA, $60; Purple Pocket Bag, KATE SPATE SATURDAY, $135

3. Under an open blouse
A fitted crop top under a low-cut or open blouse can be kind of a sexy look for some offices, but you should be fine as long as your crop top isn't too low-cut and doesn't look too much like a piece of lingerie.

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Media Platforms Design Team

Clockwise from the top left: Black and White Polka Dot Crop Top, TALULA FOR ARITZIA, $25; Blue Short-Sleeve Button-Down, JOE FRESH, $39; White and Yellow Flats, CHARLES & KEITH, $49; Patent Green Chain Bag, GUESS BY MARCIANO, $77; Orange Lace Skirt, TOPSHOP, $120

4. Under a blazer
Perfect for day-to-night dressing — button the jacket during the day, then unbutton it or ditch it entirely when you're ready to go out.

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Media Platforms Design Team

Clockwise from the left: White Pencil Skirt, WHITE HOUSE BLACK MARKET, $58; Pearl Pendant Necklace, ACCESSORIZE, $20; Black Blazer, MANGO, $84; Black-and-White Python Pumps, LUCA VALENTINI, $239; Green Floral Print Top, ZARA, $70

5. As part of a set
It's like a younger, more modern version of a traditional skirt suit.

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Media Platforms Design Team

From left to right: White, Black, and Yellow Color-Blocked Top, THE ICONIC, $149; White, Black, and Yellow Color-Blocked Skirt, THE ICONIC, $179; Pastel Plaid Crop Top, BOOHOO, $26; Pastel Plaid Pencil Skirt, BOOHOO, $20; Pink Long-Sleeve Crop Top, MISSGUIDED, $27; Pink Ribbed Pencil Skirt, MISSGUIDED, $24

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Charles Manning
Style Director

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