The Death of the Crop Top

In 2021, Joe Biden, a Catholic man in his late 70s, was elected President of the United States. That same year, the “Clean Girl” and “Old Money” aesthetic hit the ground running. Similarly, when Donald Trump, an elderly real estate developer entered office, the “Trad Wife” trope had reached its peak. In both instances, these trends’ understanding of traditional gender and class roles hides under a call to simplicity and structure. 

Fashion is a global $1.8 trillion market that is responsible for the employment of millions. Per some estimates, the industry is responsible for 8-10% of global carbon emissions, a share greater than international flights and shipping combined. 

The industry’s socio-political impact is just as substantial. The documentation of trends reflecting shifts in attitude dates back to the Middle Ages, where sumptuary laws banned commoners from dressing above their station. During WWI, those who wore clothing with excess fabric were seen as failing the war effort because they were using resources that could have been used for soldiers. In the 1960s, feminism brought the renaissance of the short skirt, and then again in the 1970s, the Black Panthers adopted leather jackets to resist the power of the police force. 

Now, in the 2020s, fashion is no longer being used as a means of resistance but of conformity. This shift is exemplified by the aforementioned trends, which internally highlight the feminine values of a time when women could not vote and the idealization of wealth necessary to maintain their sleek appearance. For instance, many are now opting for full-length shirts and slick back buns, as opposed to the crop tops of 2016.

This transition is often disregarded as a natural progression of maturity — a sign that Gen Z’s frontal lobes are finally developing to make more “sophisticated” choices. However, this framing ignores the fact that previous generations did not collectively choose to abandon the fashion trends of their youth as a marker of brain development. Millennials did not dump skinny jeans the moment they turned 25, nor did Gen X reject grunge aesthetics. The underlying issue is that now, maturity is being equated with more coverage, restraint and adherence to tradition. 

While the trend towards modesty and coverage may appear to be a shift in aesthetic preferences, the underlying implications carry far more weight — as the political environment shifts, fashion is at the forefront of this change. Conservative ideologies promote tradition, a sentiment that is now mimicked in trends that are a return to “classic” styles. As Nadirah Vander Linden, a columnist for the Cornell Sun, puts it: 

“This shift isn’t just about the clothes themselves; it’s about what these clothes represent. The move toward more restrained clothing can be seen as a subtle nod to the reemergence of family values, a rejection of progressive ideals and a longing for the so-called simplicity and respectability of previous generations.”

The impact of rising conservatism rates goes beyond consumer purchasing power and the decision to abandon crop tops — its reach extends to mental well-being and representation. As this decade progresses, it is becoming evident that the 2010s era of body positivity is losing relevance. Where brands were once hyper-focused on promoting size inclusivity, they are now neglecting representation of plus-sized bodies in favor of slim body types. While many frame it as a stylistic choice, this effacement reflects the rising pressure to “fit” into narrow beauty standards. 

Where social media creators were once praised for openness regarding weight and living with no food rules, they are now replaced with influencers whose highest calling in life seems to be shrinking themselves to fill up the least amount of space, or none at all. For young girls, the propagation of these mindsets is devastating; seeing constant messaging that only one body type is desirable can fundamentally form their sense of self-worth for years. Not only that, but emphasis on unattainable thinness reinforces patriarchal ideals where women are valued for occupying as little room as possible (both literally and metaphorically). This connects to broader gender dynamics where women’s diminishment aligns with power structures that favor male domination. 

In short, Gen Z and Gen Alpha are not abandoning crop tops because their frontal lobe is developing. Rather, the shift is an active demonstration of the Western world’s shift towards conservatism. 

• culture
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• fashion
• politics