How to wear a crop top to the office

Crisp shirting, nice knits and elegant blouses are workwear must-haves that never really go out of style, whether your office has a strict dress code or is more relaxed-casual. But if you're looking to try something a little different this season, why not consider adding a cropped — but still tailored — button-up or top into your new-season wardrobe rotation? 

As high-waisted trousers and oversized blazers are trending, it makes sense that the proportions for the shirts and tops that we wear them with will also shift. And when a crop top is layered with the right partner pieces, you won't have to worry about baring skin (unless you want to!) — the focus is more on the novel silhouette and eliminating the need to tuck your top in, which can be difficult to do nicely with the oversized, loose-cut styles that are popular these days. 

Bonus: The best of these tailored, cropped tops transition effortlessly from the office to the weekend. Just swap out your boxy jackets and dress pants out for high-rise jeans or a fitted pencil skirt and heels.

Here are five work-ready crop tops, and what to wear with them:

Boxy shirt + fitted dress

Of course you can wear this tailored, button-up cotton shirt by Canadian label Oak + Fort with dress pants or a pretty pleated skirt, but its boxy cut and cropped length would also look amazing worn over your favourite slip dress or fitted jersey dress. Add a cute pair of heels and you're all set.

Blouse K008, $88, Oak + Fort

Dress 2651, $78 (on sale for $38), Oak + Fort

Wrap blouse + dress pants

Wrap blouses that tie up at the waist are the perfect pairing for the season's high-rise trousers; they also look great under a hip-length blazer or oversized jacket for the office. This animal-print one from Addition Elle is available in sizes X to 4X.

Cropped Wrap Blouse, $49, Addition Elle 

Petite High Waist Tapered Pant, $59, Addition Elle

Puff sleeve shirt + pencil skirt

This crisp white button-up is an easy, fresh way to wear the puff-sleeve trend for everyday. The cotton-blend fabric offers a bit of stretch, and the poufy sleeves have elasticized cuffs. Because of the sleeves, you won't be able to wear a jacket or coat on top of this blouse, but it's the perfect update to any midi- or knee-length pencil skirt in your closet.

Cropped Poplin Blouse, $49.90, Zara

Draped Skirt, $39.90, Zara

Double-breasted blouse + high-rise jeans

You won't need to wear a jacket with this patterned blouse by Twik, which is available in two punchy prints. The cut is boxy and resembles a cropped jacket, but it's made in a lightweight recycled-polyester fabric. Style it with a pair of ballet flats and dark, straight-cut jeans with a medium or high rise for a comfortable, chic look. 

Twik Double-Breasted Blouse, $49, Simons  

Mavi Black Kendra Straight High-Rise Jean, $98, Simons

Pullover sweater + slip skirt

A casual knit that's cropped might just be the perfect way to transition that ubiquitous animal-print slip skirt many of us already have in our wardrobes into fall. You can always layer a tailored jacket on top, or add an oversized moto jacket or sleek puffer for Casual Fridays.

Big Sur Ribbed Pullover Sweater, $64, Urban Outfitters

Rowan Satin Slip Skirt, $72, Urban Outfitters

Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.