Surviving A Trend
Happy Friday ladies. Your insightful comments yesterday got me thinking about trends and current fashion. And in case I haven’t said it lately, you are the best and I thank you for sharing your wisdom here. Today I have some thoughts on how to survive an unflattering trend.
Trends are the general direction that fashion is going and usually last 3-8+ years. Some women are energized by change and love incorporating new looks, into their wardrobe. Other women love classics all the way and their look stays relatively the same year after year. Most women fall somewhere in between, including me because I believe a touch of trend helps keep us looking current.
A few comments from the community yesterday:
“I know ruffles are big this year, but I am tall so I feel they can make me look silly.”
“The cute little ruffled tops and dresses would suit a child, certainly not a mature woman.”
“I’m tall and feel silly in the ruffles that are so popular this year.”
“The current trend of “angel-wing” shoulder ruffles feels ridiculous on me.”
“If I wore something as a child or teenager, it’s not appropriate now.”
“The days of walking into stores and finding lots of choices are gone. Looking for clothes that look well on the older me takes more time. š® It means looking at the inventory with a different eye. ”
Vogue has just declared that the puff-sleeve trend is here to stay, and yet many of us are not embracing it. So how do we survive an unflattering trend that seems omnipresent?
- Stay in your lane. It’s more than ok to sit a trend out.
- Try different retailers…this is where online shopping shines.
- Go through what you own and put things together in new combinations that feel fresh to you.
- Take better care of what you already own.
- Buy better quality in styles you love.
- Avoid shopping.
Brands tend to give us more of what sells well and apparently that’s puff sleeves, ruffles, and shapeless tiers that could be worn by a 5-year-old right now. These styles are particularly unflattering for my silhouette and I feel goofy in them so I’ll be sitting these out for my wardrobe.
The other thing that came up yesterday was how our bodies have changed and the ways we allow that to limit what we’re comfortable wearing.
We’re aging, it’s a fact, and we’re lucky to be doing so. That doesn’t mean we’re crazy about our crepey skin, ropey veins, sagging knees, or wobbly upper arms but we must learn to love the body we have and dress it strategically. We also need to give ourselves permission to wear what we love, no matter what others think.
Trends are a bit like fast food. They’re easy to find, may feel good initially, but are ultimately never healthy for your wardrobe. I chose to tread lightly with trends and will continue to do so.
Just for a laugh, here are a few upcoming 90s trends I will be sitting out. Scrunchies, bike shorts, low-rise jeans, jelly sandals.
Thanks for reading and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I agree 100% on watching out for buying trendy clothes. I love dresses on my late 70s body. In early spring I bought two new dresses to be worn in the summer. I tried them on after Memorial Day and thought to myself “what was I thinking?”. I had purchased a pretty, orange “angel wing sleeve” dress that looked absolutely ridiculous on! Even my husband gasped when I showed him! We recently moved to Florida and I miss the department store up north that catered to senior women. I don’t want to look old and dowdy, but trendy clothes at this age are a trap. Angel wing sleeves really accentuated my elderly upper arms, lol!
“We also need to give ourselves permission to wear what we love, no matter what others think.”
I find that as I’ve aged, giving myself permission to wear what I love is so much easier to do than it was in my younger years. Then, I was a working professional in a VERY male dominated field, consumed with making the right impression and being heard while ALSO trying to fit in with the non-working mothers in my friend circles. I am now approaching retirement as the sole female on a huge team of engineers, with adult kids and a wider circle of friends…and honestly? I no longer care what other people think about my style choices. I want to wear beautiful fabrics, colors and slightly eccentric accessories because I LOVE them and enjoy them. I still wish to present myself as well put-together, but I want comfort and grace and ease. If a particular silhouette or style gives me this but isn’t perfectly flattering to my curves or diminutive stature, I’m going to wear it anyway and smile like a Cheshire Cat because it makes me happy!
I love your approach to fashion Angela! Thank you for sharing.
I agree wholeheartedly! I am also classic but like to work in a trend or two here and there if I find something that suits me. But I have never been a ruffle girl and I never will be. Iāve always felt silly in them. One great thing about getting older is that you no longer feel the pressure to dress like everyone else. For a long time the way most women I knew dressed was pretty much the same as me. That has certainly changed in the past couple of years. Iām fine with that but I wonāt be joining the crowd of ruffles and tiers.
Stay in your lane. Love that statement!! Thanks for your sensible outlook on trends and fashion.
My 70 year old sister wears any trend that the younger generation wears. She is 70 going on thirty. I notice she often looks like she is trying too hard and I don’t want to be that person. But I also like a little trend. It is a fine line and if I don’t feel it, I don’t wear it. Ruffles-OUT! Bike shorts-DEFINITELY OUT! Low rise jeans-š«£! Jelly sandals-hated them then hate them now. Thanks, Jennifer for giving such great tips. They really help!
I too, never want to look like Iām trying too hard!
I agree about staying true to our style preferences and personally air towards classics that are not dated. Some items in my closet are over 20 years old but are still fashionable. Shoes, bags, hats and skirts among the most timeless pieces. I’ll go with a few trendy items but shop conservatively as they wind up being donations or consignment store things. Personally, Boho pieces such as palazzo pants, hobo bags and silk blouses are my favorites. The oldest pieces in my closet are Escada silk skirts that are as in style now as they were in the 1980s. Business suit attire pieces are retired but can be worn now as they were back when. Quality vs. quantity is my motto!
Can’t go wrong staying with the basics – dark jeans, white shirts etc. if you want to go with what’s trendy, try an accessory.
Like our hostess – the off the shoulder top is cute (& cute on her) but I can tell I’d be uncomfortable in it, so I wouldn’t feel confident.
This is great advice! I’m lucky to have an average size & build that enables me to wear a variety of styles, but I don’t like to buy things that will be out of style next year. My approach this year is to skip shopping unless I need to replace something, and wear what I have. I am waiting for pants to migrate back down to at least the ankle and all the bare shoulders to go away!
Jennifer, well said! Often I try to find accessories that might be on trend that are not expensive to perhaps take part in a trend. Since trends come and go it does not bother me too much to not participate. I like the wide leg pants this year ( not super wide ) so thatās fun but not most of the other trends. Love your comment about dressing like a five year old!!!! So true!!! We are aging and grateful! In this season of my life I will do as you say ādress strategicallyā and enjoy my life!!!
I totally agree! One positive about maturing is that I know if something isnāt for me.
Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, doesnāt fit anymore šš
I am enjoying all the thoughtful comments – this topic really resonates with mature women1
About 2 years ago I acquired an awesome off the shoulder blouse. I loved the way it looked. But I noticed when I tried to wear it, every time I moved my arms – for instance, driving or reaching for something, the elastic would slide up my shoulder!
This meant I was constantly pulling the sleeve down to the proper off the shoulder level. Has anyone experienced this?
Iām a classics gal and have learned to accept that. Trends tend to not look all that great on me and I donāt feel comfortable in most. I remember a quote from years past that has served me well, ā clothes should never wear you, you should wear the clothesā. Makes sense, I think we should be seen as the whole package, not outdone by our outfit.
Well said! My post breast cancer, post pandemic body and end of my 60’s body must be respected and accepted. This is good advice about clothing it. Thank you.
I still love off the shoulder tops when Iām in Florida! I have to be careful with ruffles/ruffle placement! Ruffles donāt work in my bust area. Long puffy sleeves, especially on white button ups, are good for me but short puffy sleeves donāt work unless Iām much thinner and my bust is smaller š. Iām currently rethinking my closet. Cleaning out stuff that doesnāt suit me. Iād really like my closet to be filled with less but with stuff I love. I seem to be looking at cost per wear too.
Agree! Shirt puffy sleeves do not belong on anyone older than 8! š
Thank you for speaking fashion sense to our āmatureā sisters. The off shoulder tops look as bad or worse now than they did in 2017! Ruffles and puffed sleeves are a hard NO for any woman over 40, or at least a woman who wants to be taken seriously. You look great in your jeans, t-shit and summer blazer. Those cute sandals and your accessories pull your fabulous fashion look together with style!
I guess I am one who stays in her own lane.
I will try different styles but know what is me and what is not.
I give much credit to those who wear the newest trend. I am too conservative for some of the new styles and will stick to what is me.
Has the half tuck gone away yet? That’s one I’m sitting out.
Nope, it’s just changing proportion. Now people tuck in one side and leave the other hanging out.
You look good in the off-shoulder top!
I “stay in my lane” as you wrote so the puffs and ruffles are out for me. Your point about trying new places to shop online is really helpful. I found that to be a great way to find a place (for pants in particular) with sizing that actually fits nicely. Sizing is all over the place in retail stores. I’m thin and straight and follow the sizing charts. WHBM is accurate for me.
Thanks for the post.