Instagram Claps Back Against Crop Top Body-Shaming

One of the most frustrating parts of loving fashion is coming up against the many “rules” about what women supposedly can and can’t wear — and it’s even more discouraging when those rules come with a side of body-shaming. A recent issue of O, The Oprah Magazine didn’t beat around the bush in its opinions when it told ladies directly that they could pull off crop tops “if (and only if!) you have a flat stomach.”

Surprised to see this level of #bodyshaming (👎🏻) in Oprah magazine. The feature is about women feeling healthy. Part of health is self-esteem and that’s intrinsically connected to body image. Stop telling women what they CAN’T wear. We can wear and do and be ANYTHING that makes us feel strong, powerful, passionate and in charge of our own destinies. I hope young women and women of any age don’t feel like they’re restricted by editorially imposed fashion “rules.” The only rules are there are no rules. Wear what you love, what makes you feel confident, and own it. Confidence is power, and it’s contagious. 👊🏽👊🏾👊🏿👊🏻👊🏼👊

A photo posted by Tamar A (@tamaranitai) on Jul 7, 2015 at 4:27pm PDT

Say what? I wonder if (my forever-hero) Oprah caught wind of that before the magazine hit stands. It surely doesn’t fit with the self-love ethos she projects on TV. According to People, Brooklyn writer Tamar Anitai posted a shot of the magazine page on Instagram along with a few words reminding women that we are fully entitled to wear whatever makes us feel confident. The Instagram community then began clapping back at the mag with the #RockTheCrop hashtag, showing just how fabulous women of every body type feel when flaunt a crop top. The magazine has since issued a statement:

“We support, encourage and empower all women to look great, feel confident and live their best lives – in this case, we could have expressed it better. We appreciate the feedback and will be more mindful going forward.”

Statement or no, Instagram hasn’t let up in sharing photos of beautiful women of all sizes rocking the crop. If you’re feeling low on confidence, peruse the hashtag on your feed for inspiration to pop on a crop top and take on the day.  

Excuse me @oprah …. Aren’t you supposed to be empowering women? I didn’t know we needed permission and a flat stomach to wear what we want. I’m wearing a crop top every day the rest of the month… I would have regardless 😝#cropgate #rockthecrop #tbt #croptop #effyourbeautystandards #celebratemysize #honormycurves A photo posted by @hi_priestess_ on Jul 10, 2015 at 8:25am PDT

I’m so thrilled that this terrible fashion advice has started such an amazing #bodypositive conversation and movement! I struggled so much with being a bigger girl my whole life. Only in the last year have I been able to embrace more of my body. I try my hardest to exude as much #confidence as possible but i still have my ups and downs. I want to say thanks to #Omagazine for write such a ridiculous piece because it’s definitely giving me even more incentive to #rockthecrop #stickinittotheman #killinit #ilikemygirlsbbw #fuckaflatstomach #honormycurves #effyourbeautystandards #goldenconfidence #confidentlycurvy #ifandonlyifiwantto

A photo posted by Amanda Joy Rae (@that_artsy_amanda) on Jul 10, 2015 at 8:52am PDT

Body shamming is no joke and having an article like this in the oprah magazine is very sad! So I stand with all the women out there and #rockthecrop regardless of size we can wear what we want! #strong#fitfam#sexy#curvy#stopbodyshaming#fashion#croptop#ombre#bold#proud#booty#curves#yes#noshame#inspire#strongisthenewsexy A photo posted by kayleigh amorim (@kayleighs_journey) on Jul 10, 2015 at 1:11am PDT

#rockthecrop #effyourbeautystandards 😁😁😁

A photo posted by Tonya (@teetons7) on Jul 10, 2015 at 7:34am PDT

READ MORE: 6 Body Positive Fitness Accounts on Instagram to Follow