Getting a crop top was the scariest Forever 21 visit of my life. I didn’t do crop tops. I never have, and maybe that made me weird, because I was 18, but there was a good reason. I knew they could never look good on me. Yeah, that was just me giving excuses for my chicken self, but I stayed with it. I knew I could never go into a party with my stomach showing for everyone to see. Boys would run away, and I would never gain my dignity back. There was no reason to try and be someone I’m not. T-shirts were my best friends.

However, I bought it. I don’t know why, but I did, knowing the danger. Maybe I just wanted to be prepared. I didn’t even think about it for the next couple days and the first week of classes. The dreaded day came, though. The first party I went to, I closed my eyes, slipped the shirt on, felt the breeze against my stomach when I walked outside, and tried not to take the pain like a toddler getting her first shot. I put it on because all my new friends had them on. It was a norm, and I was just trying to fit in. That’s it. What happened that night, however, changed my views. It changed me.

I put on that crop top feeling insecure and unattractive, and as I walked around during that late summer evening, I heard no snickers. I saw no strange glances. I felt no embarrassment. I was wearing a shirt. That’s it. Many other girls were wearing crop tops too. They thought -- no, they knew -- they looked good, and it didn’t matter what kind of bodies they had. They wore crop tops because they wanted to wear crop tops.

Guess what? I thought I looked good too! Yes, I am not a model, but no normal person is! As the night wore on, I realized how awesome it was! First of all, it was comfortable. There was no fabric squeezing my sides, and I could actually breathe! There was an air current actually touching my skin, and it felt good! I thought I could spread my arms, run, and feel like a superhero (didn't do that, because I still wanted my dignity)! It was liberating to say the least. I never was so free, physically!

I was never so free mentally, either! I was not looking over my shoulder to see someone laughing at me or judging me. No one was! It was phenomenal! I didn’t care either. No one was commanding what I should look like since I wore this outfit. The shirt was for my enjoyment. I did not need people telling me how I looked, because I was content with the way I was.

I ended up buying ten more (whoops). However, as I searched "Crop Top" on the internet, I found something truly horrendous.

Excuse me? You know how hard flat bellies are to get? I go to the gym as much as I can and that feat is still impossible for me. Every girl should wear a crop top! There are no rules stuck on their tags! Every girl should show off what they have and smile about it. For you girls who are still unsure, everyone can #RockTheCrop. Look that movement up. See how beautiful every woman is. See how beautiful you already are!

They’re so comfy too! You get to not be constricted!

Crop tops are for us, not for any one to judge! We are our own eye candy. Look into the mirror and say “Damn, I look good.” You look good! You do! I told my story because it really was a great experience. You walk around with your belly out and it is nothing new. This magazine answer would have been the reason I would never wear a crop top to begin with, but it is time we stood up!

Wear one because it is on sale and you had an extra five bucks.

Wear one because it's hot.

Wear one because it's cold and you want to be hot.

Wear one because you have not done laundry in a couple days.

Wear one because you like pretending your bare belly is a drum.

Wear one because you and you friends want to have a great Friday night.

Wear one for pajamas because of that crazy Friday night.

Wear one because you want to, and no one should tell you how to dress.

Make an excuse to wear a crop top. Run around in it. Laugh in it. Have fun in it. Realistically, it is no different than any other piece of clothing, because you can do everything in every type of outfit. However, this one has a little twist to add to your life, and you should find any excuse to not care and show off your belly for one day. Join the movement, and #RockThatCrop!