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Police your fashion

Before you just grab something off the rack, think about your shape, writes Mosa Mokhema

LADIES, if you are not performing on stage, are over the age of 21 or don't have washboard abs, stay away from crop tops.

Nineties "stomach out" crop top fever is back on the South African fashion scene, thanks to mega star Rihanna - among others - who has had young girls mimic everything from her hairstyles to her swag over the past decade.

But seeing a woman with large hips stuffed into leggings, her big belly exposed by a crop top, raises the question: What were you thinking?

"The biggest problem we have is that adults are now wearing trends that were worn by teenagers in the 1980s and '90s. Crop tops and short shorts look cute on a 14-year-old with no boobs or cellulite. The same can't be said about an adult because it comes across as crude and overly sexual," says Lethabo "Boogy" Maboi, celebrity stylist, fashion blogger and co-owner of pop-up shop Trunks and Cast.

But she cautions against judging too harshly.

"You can't blame consumers for buying into these trends even though they are not suitable for our bodies or lifestyles. These clothes are always sold on models with ideal bodies.

"Unfortunately, people will always buy what they are told is hot or beautiful. That is how powerful marketing has become."

For those of us whose lives have spanned a couple of decades, we love it when we see our old fashion favourites back in style.

But you can't just start collecting items just because they are the new fab, says stylist and fashion consultant Mahlatse James.

"It's important to always remember that not all fashionable items are suitable for everyone. You need to understand your shape and play with your proportions, and ignore everything that doesn't flatter."

Crop tops are not the only "blast from the past" fashion faux pas that have come back to haunt us.

Leggings have been around for a few years and, although they are a convenient and comfortable alternative to jeans, people should not wear them with short tops, James says.

"I've seen too many girls wearing leggings with crop tops for no good reason. That look is a little stripper-like. Avoid it because you don't want to be seen as if you are twerking all the way to the bakery."

As for the close-fitting stretch denim pants known as jeggings, James does not mince his words. "Anyone who is still wearing them in those neon colours should be shot. They are not flattering on most people."

Many people are guilty of not having done thorough introspection regarding clothing for their lifestyle, shape or age.

James says boyfriend jeans are still the hottest denim fit .

"They look good on everyone and can easily take you from casual to formal when you wear heels."

The print-on-print trend has also seen otherwise sober-minded people look like children's art.

But it's still a relatively acceptable eyesore compared to home-made denim bum shorts.

Even with global warming, it is bizarre that some people think chopping off the legs of old jeans is a good idea.

"These are a complete no-no unless you are a skinny teenager on a beach somewhere."

James says he is surprised that consumers are not buying into the new "drop crotch" shorts.

"They are looser and therefore accommodate most body shapes, plus they are hip and sexy."

Before you start feeling as if we are dampening your fashion mojo, calm down.

In the same way the colour blocking trend was with us for far too long, remember that this, too, shall pass.