Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Ab Fab

Exposed midriffs are rampant, darlings! Do we have Britney or some other cultural shift to thank for the near-nakedness on the runways? CC was shocked to see such skin from a broad range of designers, even conservative couturiers like Chanel!
At left: 3.1 Phillip Lim; this and other runway photos via style.com except where otherwise specified
Alberta Ferretti
Catherine Holstein
Chanel Resort
Cushnie et Ochs, via nymag.com
Cynthia Steffe - CC adores that black bustier!
Danielle Scutt
Jeremy Laing
Juan Carlos Obando
Junya Watanabe
Kai Kuhne
Roberto Cavalli
Rodarte, courtesy nytimes.com
Sportmax, via nymag.com
Thakoon



Well, CC’s off to teach Pilates now!












57 comments:

MakeupByRenRen said...

for some reason it doesn't look as bad when the belly button is covered up, i dunno is it just me?

leeselooks said...

i love phillip lim's s/s 09
so so so much.

also like the mid-driff look when worn with ample bottoms or with a "longer" skirt.
it is all about balance with this!!!
toomuchskin = bad news!

have a lovely day cc

xx

Countrybelle said...

these models all look adorable, of course. but i haven't been able to pull off a bare midriff since the age of 17. and my stomach is quite flat! what are we grown ups to do? and hold on, you teach pilates??? you must be so fit!
xx
countrybelle
(and heartshapedmorning.blogspot.com)

Fashion Moment said...

I don't like very much when the stomach is cover up (right word?).
It's acceptable only if the pants are really low waist, and can be seen just part of the belly, but discretely. :)

FM

WendyB said...

I would like to assure you that the world is safe from seeing my abs, except beachside and poolside.

Couture Carrie said...

Agreed, ladies!

RR - too true!

Leese - balance is key. you have a lovely day too doll!

Chloe: Yes, I just started teaching Pilates at Big Sky, a fab gym that my sister & her husband manage. So fun!

FM: Discreet is the word!

WB: I bet your abs are bangin, but if you don't want to wear a belly shirt, well I guess I'll just have to accept that!


Thanks for all your amazing comments, darlings!

xoxox,
CC

Anonymous said...

I don't really show off my stomach unless I'm trying to on the beach or its' a really hot day in the summer. I can't wait for summer to come so I can be free to show my stomach! I really love the swimsuits that have like really cool ways (asymmetrical cuts and circular cuts) of showing your stomach.

Anonymous said...

i gotta work on my abs... ;)

not something i would wear, but love it anyway!

xoxo,
La C.

Diego R. Wyatt said...

Junya Watanabe is wandering out on a limb as usual with that look. But the Thakoon look is exquisite! Spring's is almost here, time to hit the gym and show some toned tummy! (I say that while sitting over here eating some jelly beans and a cookie lol)

Allison said...

I feel like Carrie Bradshaw would be adoring this fashion! I'm also glad I looked at this after a trip to the gym, so I don't feel terrible about it being in style :)
Great picks as always, darling CC!

xo

Camille said...

I actually never would have called the return of the midriff! I do love it, though, especially little cropped sweaters. A very nice sillouette, indeed.

Tina { Luphia Loves... } said...

these outfits are gorgeous, too bad only the models (or model figured lucky ladies) can carry it off

♥ Cara Mia ♥ said...

aahh yes the mid-driff! if your in your 20's (and hot), then it's a do.

i remember a s.a.t.c. scene, one of the girls said to carrie, "i see you wearing clothes that show your stomach all the time", and she said "not anymore you don't! it's about time that ladies my age started coverin' it up!"

i couldn't agree more!

miss vintage love said...

Oooh, I love that Catherine Holstein top!

www.janetteria.com said...

Hi,

1. What a new avator! :) ;)

2. Oh, I like like pics. But not my style. On the last picture the model is Hungarian, than I. Haha!

xoxo: Janet

Crave said...

Love the look on the runway...and wish my abs were like the models!

TEXTSTYLES said...

love this post
it truly is
ab
fab

*bisous*

ps how i would love for pats and edina to come back

jessica said...

YES ♥
i absolutely adore croptops .
i prefer it when it's a slice of ribcage showing though, rather than hips and belly .

x

Anonymous said...

I'm just that kind of bitch - and aware of it - who likes it just if you CAN wear it... so I don't know, sometimes it's really good, sometimes it's... depressing.
And I've seen enough of Shakira's style, I guess... but anyway, little bit of everything makes the world funnier ! :D

I agree with you for the prefall, some are really getting better and more mature !

hollyshambles.x said...

these girls look fabulous, but i doubt this will be a trend i'm trying out any time soon! :) x

Meg said...

I don't know if I'm on board with the bare midriff look. It reminds me too much of Clueless.

Baybay Mama said...

look at all these tight little tummies. i love the midrif look.

Bibbi-Jeanette said...

oh so beautiful (:

Bibbi-Jeanette said...

Oh, so wonderful :)

hannah said...

im not sure how i feel about this, but i love the Catherine Holstein look. i would look like a fool in these.

shopinchic said...

Reminds me of when I was a teenage girl and I would wear those midriff
tie blouses. I could never wear those again now! I'm not fat, it
is just something I've seem to
outgrown, you know!

But the clothes are still lovely!

Larissa said...

In times of economic crisis we all have to make cut backs ... I think these tops look great on the model, but in real life crop tops are so, so hard to pull off.

x

Nemerae said...

I don't like too much this trend but I have to admit that I have a t-shirt that shows part of my stomach and I absolutely love it, maybe is the print or the shape... I'll be using it again!!
And I love the 3.1 Phillip Lim outfit :)
Byee
xx

Mad for Fashion said...

Tienes un blog alucinanate!!!

ADICTA A LAS COMPRAS said...

ACABO DE DESCRUBIR TU BLOG Y ME GUSTO VOY APASARTE A LEER CADA QUE PUEDA

Winnie said...

Philip Lim! Lovely!

Graça Ventura Medeiros said...

great outfits! :)

yiqin; said...

Rodarte is so awesome eh ;)

Little Bow Prep said...

That trend always reminds me of Carrie Bradshaw and her midriff baring SATC outfits.

Sienna said...

Ab fab is only ok with me when the belly button is covered--just a little showing is good--like a tease!

AsianCajuns said...

Oh crap. Just one more reason why I should start doing some crunches before spring rolls around!

La Belette Rouge said...

I wish my abs were fab enough for this trend. They are more ab flab than ab fab.

Candidly Chris said...

a very specific trend indeed. i would love to see your interpretations on these trends transpired into mens styling.

i still keep on loving your blog, cc!! cheers from seattle,
emerald dandy

caroline said...

now this is some serious inspiration to work out! such a fun post...makes me wish for some summer warmth!
xox

Gabbi said...

my bare belly days are over, but i love the clothing just the same dear cc. thank you!xxoo

Hemaly said...

This trend is coming back?! I looks much chicer now though!

Sharon S said...

Hi there-its a fabulous look for those who can rock it!

oniomania said...

i wish i had the belly to pull these looks of... :(

Unknown said...

I am only shocked to see so many mid-riffs because I cannot possibly reveal my own.

Aliena said...

I'm over 20 and no top model, so in spite of my (almost) dayly visit to the gym,, this is going to be a big no-no for me... loved the pics, though!!!

Marian said...

gosh i love this post CC as i adore the philip lim collection. of all the bared midriffs i like his way best! it still super chic.
lovely post honey! reminds me of the few iconic carrie bradshaw bare mid-riff outfits.
muah x
marian

Syed said...

Love the looks. But I think a month or two of crunches is calling for the brave women who decide to go for these!

paanie said...

i'm not sure i like this new trend. it looks good on size 0 models but what about girls like me?

JW said...

Love these design, particularly, Jeremy Laing Spring Collection! Fabulous! :)

Anika said...

lol@pilates :)

I think the cropped tops can either look amazing or realllly reallly bad!

The Jeremy Laing, Junya Watanabe, Catherine Holstein, Cynthia Steffe, Juan Carlos Obando, Rodarte all equal HOT! I think the trick is to keep it loose or to detail (embellishments/sheers/drapes/fringes/cutouts = good)

Have a great one :)

Annabel Wendt (LoveMore) said...

oh damn you CC!! i was planning on doing a post on this..owww..haha

but you would have done it better anyway so i am glad you did it cos i can drool over it all!!!

thanks doll :) xxxx LM

Anonymous said...

So cute - makes me think spring is around the corner!

Seeker said...

OMG call me old lady, call me closed mind, but I hope mid-driff look will not jump much to the street.
No that it boders me, but some girls seem not to have the sense of elegance and it's a disaster...

Take care lovely

xoxo

Frankie said...

Brave! Very brave! x

Nina (Femme Rationale) said...

a little midriff i can live with - like a small peek of skin. but full on w/belly button...not too keen on that.

Fifi Flowers said...

No no no no... Fifi cannot do bare mid-drif SADLY!!! Maybe if the Crunchless Abs dvd works... but as of NOW... not even REMOTELY possible! SIGH!

Carolina Lange said...

I guess we will all need pilates classes!