FASHION: ALEXA CHUNG SHOWS US THE NEW CROP TOP

Posted by Bethan Holt, Junior Fashion Editor at Large

Once upon a time we thought crop tops were silly things. Who on earth would you want to show off your belly in public unless you were Rihanna or Miley Cyrus? Then Miu Miu happened. Last September, Mrs Prada showed crop tops in a new light as chic pieces to wear with pencil skirts. Coupled with a huge revival in 90s fashion, crop tops became normal, nay, fabulously cool. This has also been the Summer of the cami top which is slightly less challenging than the crop top but still hardly straightforward when it comes to controlling one's cleavage beneath it. All in all, tops have undergone quite a transformation. The humble vest just doesn't quite cut it any more.

Alexa Chung in Carven resort '14 at the launch of her book (via vogue.co.uk)

So what will next summer bring for our torsos? If Alexa Chung's choice of outfit at the launch of her debut book last night is anything to go by then it will be all about the off-shoulder. On the majorly plus side, shoulders tend to be pretty good parts of our bodies- when did you last hear someone complain about their fat shoulders? On the downside, any kind of bra with straps would likely be a terrible idea. Clearly we really need a miraculous leap forward in the world of strapless bras before next Spring.

Once Alexa wears something, it's almost guaranteed to become a big trend. But it's not just Alexa. There were lots of off shoulder tops and dresses in the Resort collections, including Christopher Kane which Chloe Moretz then wore to the Teen Choice Awards. Rebecca Hall also gave Celine a rare turn on the red carpet a few weeks ago wearing the AW14 obi wrap top. Thankfully, the new off shoulder top is more fitted and sleek than those regrettable boho super- flouncy gypsy tops of the early noughties. Hurray.