Trendy Queen Basic Crop Top Review: Worth it?

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The ‘Truth’ Test

I kept seeing this Trendy Queen top all over TikTok described as the ultimate “SKIMS dupe,” so I bought three colors to see if the hype matched reality. When I first pulled them out of the package, my immediate thought was, “This looks like clothing for a toddler.” It looked incredibly small.

However, the moment I put it on, I understood the appeal. The stretch is aggressive. It expanded to fit my frame instantly, hugging everything without feeling like a corset. It sits right at the intersection of “gym wear” and “going out top.” I wore the black one for a full day of remote work and then straight to a spin class. It held up surprisingly well, but if you are expecting a heavy, premium cotton feel, you will be disappointed. This is definitely a synthetic blend designed for stretch first, softness second.

🏗️ Build & Design Audit

Let’s break down what you are actually paying for, because the product title is a soup of keywords.

The Fabric Blend

The label says it is a mix of Polyester and Spandex (some variations claim Rayon). It feels cool to the touch and has that “slinky” bounce to it. It is not the dry, rough texture of a standard Hanes t-shirt. It feels smooth, almost like a swimsuit material but with a matte finish. This is good for durability but bad for breathability if you sweat a lot.

The Cut

This is a classic “Baby Tee” cut. The sleeves are very short (capped), and the neckline is relatively high. The most important thing to note is the length. It is a true crop. It hits right at my natural waist. If I raise my arms, my midriff is fully exposed. The hemline is simple stitching—it’s clean, but on the white version, I noticed a few loose threads after the second wear.

⚙️ Real-World Performance

I tested these shirts in three specific scenarios to see where they actually belong in a wardrobe.

Test 1: The “White Shirt” Transparency Test

This is the dealbreaker for most cheap Amazon tops. I wore the white version with a nude bra. I have to be honest: it is not 100% opaque. In bright daylight, you can see the outline of the bra. It’s not paper-thin like some dollar-store shirts, but you cannot wear a black bra under the white top. The darker colors (Black, Brown, Navy) are completely opaque and feel “thicker” because they absorb the light better.

Test 2: The Gym Workout

I took the grey version to the gym for an upper-body day. Because the sleeves are so short and fitted, they tend to bunch up into the armpit when you do overhead presses. It was slightly annoying to keep pulling them down. However, the shirt stayed flat against my waist during planks, which was a huge plus—it didn’t flop over my face.

Test 3: The Washer/Dryer

I washed all three on a cold cycle and tumble-dried low. I measured them before and after. There was very minimal shrinkage in width, but I lost about half an inch in length. If you have a long torso, do not put this in the dryer. Hang dry it.

⚠️ The Downsides (Critical)

Here are the problems I ran into that the 5-star reviews rarely mention.

1. The Armpit Bunching: Because the sleeves are cut so short and the fabric is so stretchy, the material tends to gather in the underarm area. It creates a bit of friction. If you have sensitive skin or chafe easily, this might irritate you after a few hours.
2. It highlights bra lines: This is a “second skin” type of fit. If your bra has lace, embroidery, or any texture, this shirt will show it. You need a completely smooth t-shirt bra or a seamless bralette for it to look smooth.
3. Inconsistent Sizing: I bought a Medium in Black and a Medium in White. The Black one fit perfectly, but the White one felt tighter and about half an inch shorter. Quality control seems to vary between dye batches.

📊 Pros/Cons Table

🥊 Head-to-Head: Trendy Queen vs. SKIMS Fits Everybody

Everyone compares this to the SKIMS Fits Everybody tee. I own both, so here is the reality.

The Feel: SKIMS feels more “buttery” and soft, almost like it melts into your skin. The Trendy Queen feels more like athletic wear—smooth and slick. SKIMS wins on texture.

The Fit: Surprisingly, I prefer the Trendy Queen fit for casual wear. SKIMS is compression-heavy; it sucks you in. Trendy Queen just sits on top of you. For a 12-hour day, the Amazon option is actually less restrictive.

The Price: You can buy five of these for the price of one SKIMS shirt. Unless you need the brand name, the Trendy Queen gives you 90% of the look for 20% of the cost.

🎓 Expert Verdict

After two weeks of wearing these on rotation, I plan to buy more, but I will stick to the darker colors.

You should buy this if:
You want that Y2K “Baby Tee” look to wear with baggy jeans or cargo pants. It is the perfect basic layer for people who like high-waisted bottoms. If you need a cheap, durable gym shirt that shows off your arms, this is a solid pick.

Skip this if:
You are self-conscious about your midriff or have a long torso. This is short. Also, skip the white color if you don’t want to worry about your bra showing through. If you prefer natural cotton against your skin, this synthetic blend isn’t for you.