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Last year’s infatuation with the crop top is back for another round and midriffs are having a skin-is-in moment. Bra tops, ruffled bandeaus and corsets have a distinct 1990s feel, especially when paired with high-waisted trousers.

The crop top trend is not for everyone, but it’s important to remember that the trend has come a long way from its late 1990s Spice Girls days. Spring 2013’s offerings need not expose your whole stomach. The sexy schoolgirl look has been mellowed for a more mature and comfortable style.

That touch of sophistication was lead by designers like Peter Som, who showed vintage bralets with long feminine skirts for a look that was more pretty than provocative. Michael Kors designed a long sleeve crop top that seemed fashion-forward and sporty, exposing just a sliver of mid-section. And at Balenciaga, crop tops were created with flattering boxy cuts that did not cling to the body.

Designers seemed inclined to pair a crop top with a high-waisted skirt for a more ladylike approach to the trend. But the look can certainly double as beachwear for summertime fun. While the crop top is often a fashion trend that is feared by many, this season’s choices make it easier to embrace this tricky style statement.