Pin in style

(From left) Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber flaunt pin tops. Pics courtesy/Getty Images

In a stark move away from the oversized, almost baggy silhouettes (think boxy sweaters and mom jeans) of the past couple of years, fashion lovers are embracing the more risqué end of the clothing spectrum. And this time, they've trained their sights on the controversial pin top. So named because the top eschews traditional button closures in favour of being held together by a safety pin-like fastener, the style is unforgiving and leaves little to the imagination. According to fashion stylist Pooja Karanam, this shift can be attributed to their wearers' eagerness to embrace their femininity and own their bodies. "While supermodels such as Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner have been spotted wearing pin tops in bright colours both on and off the runway, the trend is now gradually trickling into Bollywood's closet with celebrities such as Katrina Kaif and Ananya Panday sporting pin top-style cropped tie-dye sweaters," she elaborates.

Pooja Karanam

It's natural to assume that this barely-there trend was created only for supermodel bodies; however, Karanam says that the beauty of the pin top is its versatility when it comes to layering. "You can team it with a cool camisole top, layer it over jumpsuits, or pair it with an oversized shirt. This way, you'll have a modest and yet statement-making look," she explains. When piecing your outfit together, choose a bright-hued pin top and wear this over a figure-hugging layer in a contrasting colour - colour-blocking is a sure-fire way to elevate your ensemble. Karanam also suggests wearing a pin top over a saree to create a cool Indo-Western, contemporary drape style.

If you do choose to dare and bare, secure your top with plenty of dressing tape. While light, flowing fabrics look more effortless, knit or thicker fabrics could offer more structure and coverage. Paired with high-waist skirts or jeans, the pin top can be quite wearable for most casual ‘dos.