Is Nothing New? The Midriff-Baring Look Then and Now

By Andrea Cheng
Updated Jul 05, 2013 @ 11:50 am
Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Is 2013 the year of the crop top? It is shaping up to be. The trend—previously popular among red carpet fixtures and teen pop princesses of the ’90s (like Gwen Stefani and Britney Spears)—is coming back again thanks to gutsy style players like Miley Cyrus and Diane Kruger. We’re seeing a range of ab flashes, from mild (like a shortened top with a high-waisted skirt) to wild (like full-out belly-baring crops with printed pants). And you can get on the spectrum, too, if you so choose. Feel your way around the trend by starting with a cropped top and high-waist bottoms to reveal a sliver of upper abdomen—not too much, but just enough. For more inspiration, click to see celebs working the midriff on and off the red carpet, then and now.

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MORE:How to Look Good Wearing OverallsWhy Celebs Love Showing Their MidriffsLook of the Day: Our Fave Outfits Ever

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1995: Courteney Cox

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The former Friends star flaunted a flat tummy in a tied-up floral top and blue bottoms.

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1997: Gwen Stefani

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Back in the day, Stefani displayed a cropped top and 'do.

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2000: Mandy Moore

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The sweet pop princess of the 2000s paired a feathery halter with an asymmetrical denim midi skirt.

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2000: Britney Spears

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The young Spears put together a sparkly belly button-grazing cami and fur-lined pants.

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2000: Christina Aguilera

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A baby-blue sequined tiny tank and red patent snakeskin pants was Aguilera’s signature look.

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2001: Angelina Jolie

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Jolie channeled her inner Lara Croft in a cropped tank and badass leather pants.

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2013: Naomie Harris

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Harris flashed a peek of midriff in an Armani ensemble.

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2013: Jennifer Lawrence

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A billowy pair of Christian Dior trousers offset a pretty pastel cropped top.

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2013: Miley Cyrus

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An Emilio Pucci set exposed glimpses of skin in all the right areas.

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2013: Rooney Mara

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Ruffle detailing on this J.W. Anderson softened this all-black look.

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2013: Diane Kruger

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Kruger paired her cropped white button-down with a hot-red leather A-line skirt.

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2013: Lake Bell

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Bell balanced an exposed midriff with a floral print blouse, tailored shorts and ballet flats.

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2013: Gwen Stefani

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Stefani still rocks the midriff look! Forever a rocker girl, this superstar likes to take the style to the extreme.

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2013: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

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Huntington-Whiteley bared her upper abdomen in a white bandeau and ankle-grazing skirt from Calvin Klein Collection.

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Diane Kruger

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Kruger bared her midriff in a cropped top and floral pants at an L.A. Prabal Gurung bash.

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Vanessa Hudgens

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Hudgens flaunted her abs in a sheer cropped Catherine Malandrino sweater and white Houghton cigarette pants.

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Olivia Wilde

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Wilde bared her midriff in a two-piece A.L.C. design: a leather crop top and a red checkered midi skirt.

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San Diego

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Collins hit up Comic-Con boasting two trends in one look with a printed crop-top and shorts set from Paper London.

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Jennifer Lawrence

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Lawrence was at it again, flaunting her bare midriff in a Proenza Schouler ensemble: A printed crop tee and a white A-line skirt.

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Rooney Mara

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Mara flaunted her fab abs in a Calvin Klein Collection set.

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