Crop Top - Between Muscle Shirt, Fashion Freedom, and Masculinity Debate

Crop tops for men are back - on TikTok, in fashion campaigns, and on the streets. For many, the look is a statement that challenges old norms. On social media, men and women alike celebrate it as particularly attractive: "Unironically the most attractive thing a man can wear", as one comment puts it.

At the same time, the midriff-baring shirt stirs debate: Too much? Too feminine? Or simply the next logical step in a genderless fashion world? A trend that excites - and divides.

What is a Crop Top Anyway?!

A crop top is a shirt deliberately cut to expose the midriff. The name comes from the verb "to crop", meaning "to cut", describing the shortened shape. Originally popular in women's fashion, the crop top also has roots in sports contexts like American football and bodybuilding, where functionality was key.

Where It All Began: Crop Tops as Sportswear

In the 70s and 80s, American football players started cutting off their jerseys. Not for fashion reasons, but simply because it was more practical. Less fabric meant more mobility and less heat buildup under the shoulder pads. The look quickly became a hallmark.

At the same time, bodybuilders and gym bros showed off their abs with pride. If you sweat a lot, you wear less - and the cropped shirt became the unofficial gym uniform.

And then came Apollo Creed. In Rocky III (1982), he appears in a stars-and-stripes crop top and short shorts - a bold fashion statement with patriotic flair. What seemed natural back then now feels almost revolutionary.

From Function to Fashion: Crop Top as Trend Piece

In the 90s, the look faded from men's wardrobes while gaining popularity in women's fashion. Only with the rise of social media did the men's crop top make a comeback: Musicians like Kid Cudi wore it on stage, TikTokers cropped old tees, and designers brought it into their menswear collections.

Today, the crop top is more about style than sport - and about a generation that asks less about what "is allowed" and more: "Why not?"

More than just a crop

For inspiration, look to social media - TikTok accounts like @tuykdider, @abouammz and @iamjoshcarroll showcase crop tops in all variations: styled, worn, and celebrated.

Comments are often as eye-catching as the outfits: "Perfect amount of slutty", "Unironically the most attractive thing a man can wear", or "Bring back crop tops for men" - all show how positively this look resonates in some communities.

Still, the crop top isn't fully mainstream - yet. While shirtless at festivals or jogging is fine, a strip of fabric that purposely shows skin causes discomfort. Maybe because deliberate styling feels more provocative. Or because exposed midriffs still read as "feminine" - sparking debate in men's fashion.

What Does Filip Think About Crop Tops?

I asked Filip, founder of Circlin, what he thinks about the current crop top trend...

Is this a trend you'd consider trying yourself? "Not really for me - I prefer oversized tees or tank tops in summer. It's a trend I'm happy to let pass. But if other men feel comfortable with it - then go for it!"

And what about crop tops in the office? "Maybe as part of a bet - but voluntarily? Nope," he laughs.

Though the office isn't really a thing for us anyway: at Circlin we all work remotely. Filip prefers a T-shirt, cargo shorts, and bare feet - a dress code all about comfort, not catwalks.

Fashion plays by no rules - except your own

Ultimately, the question isn't whether crop tops are "allowed," but whether they feel right. The lines between men's and women's fashion are increasingly blurred - on runways, in apps, and in everyday life. Those who want to experiment now have more options than ever. Secondhand platforms like Circlin make trying out trends easier than ever: Experiment trends with secondhand - and let them go if they don't fit.

Sign up now and be among the first when Circlin launches this fall!

Crop Top - A Matter of Gut Feeling

Will the crop top make it into every closet? Probably not. Are there men who will never wear one? Absolutely. But that's the beauty of fashion freedom: Everyone can, no one must. And those who stay kind when others are bolder? That's true style.