Pix-Elated

58 Comments

• Sal replied 3 years ago

  I think I am more influenced by trends than I might realise.

  From Angie's list in 2020 I have added the straw bag (was a gift) and the Mom jeans.  I also think my bucket hat is trend led, and the wide leg crops (a trend I always love).

  For me probably accessories are a major one - bags, glasses and hats.  I am often updating my hats and sunglasses and can be adventurous.  I am happy to indulge in trendy pants and jeans and footwear if they suit me.

  I am less likely to choose trendy jackets and coats because they hang around in my wardrobe for a long time.  And my dressier outfits (remember these?) are usually classic.

  Fun thread Suz.

• replied 3 years ago

  I would say that my footwear is the category most representative of trends, followed somewhat distantly by denim ( not many of the trends suit me so I’m less likely to have the newest thing here) and pants/trousers.

  Curious that you see the Ripskirt as trendy . I see it as a very classic cut!

• deb replied 3 years ago

  Like Lisa, footwear and denim are the trendiest items in my closet. I am more comfortable taking a risk with these items.

• Karie replied 3 years ago

  Most of my trendy items are footwear. In footwear and pants I tend to go for trendy styles, but in tops and toppers I tend to go for more of a classic style with trendy colors and patterns.

• Irina replied 3 years ago

  My 2020 new items are probably equally split between trendy and classic. All pants are wide cropped, one pair of straight twisted seam jeans and an oversized blazer, these are my trendy pieces. Footwear this year is mostly classic but I don’t actually have trendy footwear, I got my first white pair of snickers this year :)
  i tend to look for trendy (interesting) tops and pants but my footwear and outwear are usually more classic and minimal.
  This year footwear:

  1 2 3 4
• rachylou replied 3 years ago

  I bought a utility... topper recently. Can’t say it’s a full fledged jacket. Anyhoo, I think I go for any sort of trend. All those things on Angie’s list are in my closet. I’ve been a lot less ‘shoppy’ tho for the past couple of years, so perhaps I might find a category that I lean into, in terms of keeping it up to date.

• Jaime replied 3 years ago

  Have not bought anything new in a long time, but have found some good stuff thrifting. Would I consider any of it trendy? Hmm, hard to say. An excellent vintage large collar top comes to mind. One pair of platform/dad sneakers that I have yet to wear, maybe I'll try today. Good question though - you are making me think about what is trendy now. I don't entirely agree that we are past trends, there are definitely some common themes on the internet/instagram/fashion world media I see. I just think that with the popularity of vintage and thrifting rising :) there is more room to be creative.

• Windchime replied 3 years ago

  Purchases of high-waisted, wide leg crop pants and jeans were inspired by the recent shift in trends, for sure.  I also bought a utility jacket and an oversized blazer.  I tend to intentionally add a bit of trendy costume jewelry every season.  It’s not a big investment, and it really helps keep my style fresh.  

• Sal replied 3 years ago

  I was thinking about this (at work as I was walking to the hangar) and thought how it is often how we wear things that changes.  Here are some examples.

  -wearing sneakers with smart trousers
  - tucking vs semi tucking vs untucked
  - cropping trousers or cuffing them
  - wearing ankle boots with dresses and skirts
  - sneakers worn with dresses

  10 years ago I think people dressed up jeans with heels.  Now people dress down smarter clothes with sneakers.

• Suz replied 3 years ago

  Sally, I think that's a really valid point. It's how the item is worn these days that is trendy or not. Might be the same item (see Lisa's recent comment about sneaker trends, on your other thread -- the supposed "trend" items actually being classics come back.") 

  Lisa, I'd put wrap skirts in that category. You're right , it's a classic cut but it is having a trend moment. 

  So, let me analyze a bit.  Sometimes the trend is a new-feeling item, something we genuinely haven't seen before (or maybe haven't seen in a generation -- like skinny jeans, at one time?) 

  Sometimes the trend is something classic that is enjoying a "moment." (It will still be wearable afterwards -- it will be "in style" but not "on trend.")

  And sometimes it's the way we wear it -- as per Sally's examples. 

  Windchime -- costume jewellery is a great way to play with trends for sure. And I love your new jacket! 

  Shevia, I was thinking of trends in the way Sally was using the term -- the "looks" of the decade, the looks we tend to associate with an era (though we may wear them before and after that time, as well -- and almost certainly will, because what goes around comes around.) 

  Rachylou -- a non-puffer jacket???? Now that is something!! 

  Irina, that is fascinating. So you and I are nearly opposite in that regard!
   

  Deb, that's interesting -- me too. 

• Brooklyn replied 3 years ago

  I think Sally’s right - it’s often the way we wear something rather than the item itself that reflects a trend.

  I think my biggest nod to the trends of the last few years has been to move from the long over lean silhouette to the fitted over volume silhouette. So some of my “trendy” purchases (eg the fitted turtleneck top shown below) are actually classic. But they weren’t trending in the earlier part of the decade when it was all long, loose tops. Same with swishy midi skirts. Early in the decade fitted skirts and dresses were more popular. I would also say my purchases of bootcut jeans, balloon jeans and wide leg pants reflect that broad trend even though they are not necessarily trendy (well maybe the balloon jeans are).

  Also I don’t think we’ve talked much about colour and pattern trends. Earthier colours are trending now. I’ve adopted that because those colours suit me. Also floral (in a big way) and plaid (in a less big way) but not dots (which are also trending I think).

  On the more specific trends:
  *I have purchased 2 wrap tops over the last 2 years. I love them but they haven’t been a huge success for me (for flattery reasons a V neck is not my best look).
  *My first pleated skirt. Pleats have been trending here for the last year or 2.
  *A long blazer. A bit classic but the length and colour makes it trendier at the moment.

  I actually think it’s harder to avoid trends than most people think! Even for those still wearing the long over lean silhouette (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that), I wonder if in fact their look has changed in other ways over the decade that is “trendy” eg the pants or jeans are high rise now, they are wearing earthy colours now or they are wearing floral or plaid or fair isle or some other trending pattern or colour. Or their footwear has changed. Sneakers are so big now.

  It’s an interesting topic!

• Bijou replied 3 years ago

  For me it is the addition of midi skirts that have a swoosh factor. I like these because I can dress them up with blouses and heels for work or make casual with boots and t shirts or knits to wear casually. The other trend I am enjoying is the return of polka dots.

• replied 3 years ago

  I've bought very little this year, aside from gear and sleepwear- but here's a few:
  Wrap skirt-normal for me, used to wear them all the time. And it's a midi. Not new to me, since I've worn all skirt lengths at one time or another.
  Snake print-new to me, though low contrast versions feel authentic due to texture/appearance of texture.
  Camo-new to me. Didn't like before due to strong hunting culture here, but do now cause low contrast and all the time I spend in the woods now.
  Tie dye-normal for me, but very picky about them.
  Blue-normal for me (teal), not looking to add more.
  Earth tones-would wear all the time if they were always available!
  Asymmetry- been wearing for a few years. Will probably add a skirt to the asymmetry stable when they make me return to the office.
  Birkies- not on the list but seem to be having a moment. Normal for me for hiking. And they're slides, which is normal for me, since I hate fussing with buckles.

• Liesbeth replied 3 years ago

  Excellents points in the conversation above. I think I'm also someone who prefers to look 'current' by wearing those long lasting trendy silhouettes that define a time period. Sometimes this is accomplished through specific items like the pleated midis I've also bought into the last year, or a long blazer. More often it's in the combinations and that, for me, is a lovely way to move my style forward: starting with something you like (eg I prefer classic tapered pants over trendier wide legs), then adding elements that move the silhouette into the current day (like loafers or any shoe that showcases the ankle znd fitted tops). I recently acquired an oversize denim jacket so I could lean into the nineties look more (as opposed to the classic vibe of my fitted denim jacket). It immediately shifts the rest of the outfit but that's probably also because my other purchases of the past two years or so have similar vibes.

• kkards replied 3 years ago

  Interesting, I’m not sure what exactly is trendy these days vs what’s current/updated
  but here’s my take...
  ~leather/leather like pants
  ~camo  (which i think has moved from trendy to common) joggers...are joggers trendy or have they moved into current?
  ~jeans...cream instead of pure white, jumpsuit, and these double yoke pair 
  ~rainbow sneaks ears, which I bought because durning the pandemic I realized I needed real sneakers that I could walk a mile in but that also looked ‘good’. And these made me happy and brought a smile
  ~quilted coat...quilted coats are classic but quilting was having a moment, so I’m counting this as trendy, but I know that I‘ll  wear it long after the moment passes 

• Stagiaire Fash replied 3 years ago

  Loving the positive posts that encourage a look inside our own closets, at things we already have & enjoy.

  My trendiest purchases of the last two years are some of my trendiest ever.
  By the time I got my white skinnies, that silhouette was on its way to being classic; I probably would not have bought them otherwise. I bought a pair of NYDJ pink skinnies at the same time. I thought they’d be easy to switch out when the whites are dirty or I’m sick of them, but in fact find the pink is sweet enough that a simple swap doesn’t usually work.
  My red flares are very flashy & trendy for me. I didn’t hesitate on this purchase because bootcut/flared is a style I always like, whether it’s in fashion or not.

  Those are big exceptions for me. My norm is to do as Liesbeth and others describe; combine things I have collected over the years (similar to the suggestion in a video Toronto posted) in ways that work now. I don’t know how long I will wear the pants, suspect that has to do with both where I am (Berlin has a very wide spectrum of fashion as opposed to most other places I’ve lived) and whether the styles become “classic”. My hunch is that I’ll be able to continue wearing the skinnies, but the flares will look dated in a few years, then fade in and out of trend for decades, as they have done since the 70s.

  From Angie’s list, there's not much I have:
  Bias-cut slip skirts. I love things cut on the bias, have owned a few skirts and dresses made this way over the years, don’t think I have any right now. Regardless of trend, the way bias cut makes dresses lie makes them so lovely I would always (almost—never say never) pick one cut that way over a straight use of the fabric.
  Headbands. Good idea! With showers at pools closed, I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with my hair after a swim so I can do something other than come right home.
  Polo shirts often don’t feel flattering to me.
  Wrap skirts. I have a couple that I consider extremely casual and fun to wear.
  Chore jackets. Don’t look like me. I can see getting a cropped cardi, but am not sure about the boxy cut, unless the fabric is less stiff.

  Fair Isle sweaters strike me as too much of a set thing for me to be interested

  A nod to the West is visible in my Western belt and Western-influenced ankle boots, both with floral patterns that can lean boho. Both were purchased more than two but less than five years ago.

  White boots not me

  Chocolate brown I have a skirt from the last 10 years that's that color that I enjoyed wearing last winter, but nothing bought in the last two years.

  Mom jeans make me feel like the cringey stereotype.

  Straw bags are cute, but I suspect any I got would fall apart too quickly.

  Wrap tops not a good style for me--usually much deeper cut than I'm comfortable with, and I'm flat-chested.

  Slingbacks and emerald green work for me, but I don't have any right now

  Modern track pants no thanks

  Looking at what others have posted, I like tie-dye, but have to be
  careful or I can look very cliche very fast. I am super excited that
  some of my midi skirts from way back when that were in my storage locker are on their way to me!

  ETA Jumpsuits! Bought these late last summer, have another in the cellar that I'll be able to wear again soon.

• lyn67 replied 3 years ago

  For me is continuing  the last 2 year's trends with  midi skirts, esp. pleated or A line, culotte or cropped wide leg pants and sneakers/slip ons and mules...(oh ETA and dots too, bigger scale, on skirts or dresses)

• RobinF replied 3 years ago

  I would say footwear is my trendiest category. I tend to be a late adopter of trends, maybe not until they have moved into classic :)

  I agree with Sal and Brooklyn that a lot has to do with they way we wear things and with color. I am more likely to experiment with color than anything else but always with lots of neutral to tone it down.

• lyn67 replied 3 years ago

  Just wanted to highlight what Sal said so well being the biggest and latest trends of them all   "10 years ago I think people dressed up jeans with heels. Now people dress down smarter clothes with sneakers". Easy peasy!:-)

• Vildy replied 3 years ago

  Great topic! Very enjoyable to read people's picks of the trends. 
  I'm very trend-sensitive because I think of clothing as ideas.  So, like Shevia, I will find something representative at a thrift. 

  But also, because I'm an early adopter of some things, will have been wearing them for years and then tire of them.  I was wearing ankle boots with skirts and dresses sooo many years ago because of a Marc Jacobs quote when asked how women should be wearing their skirts now (then): Like a boy.

  I do wear skirts and dresses with sneakers now sometimes mainly because of very fussy feet.  If all the young women are pictured doing it, then I don't feel I automatically look like an old lady with bad feet. :D  

  In one way, I think of my clothing as costuming but in the opposite way I don't want this to be too obvious.  Some years back I had new navy suede western influenced booties and a little girl tugged at her mother's arm and exclaimed, "Look, she has cowgirl boots."  I hadda give them away.  I have white cowboy boots with taupe reptile insets. I was going for mind over matter but can't bring myself to wear them, though still have them.   I do have and wear a slightly Western style shootie, one in teal and black reptile and identical in watermelon red and black.  The black just refers to the specks in the material and not actual black sections.  I have a white parade shirt with embroidered and appliqued black and red roses.  It never seems to leave the house except once last year my friend and I went to a little lunch that developmentally challenged young adults put on monthly and they are always themed. 
  It was Western and on the way back we took a bus and a fellow told us that "You ladies look like Christian cowgirls."  And on the street afterwards, people would honk their horns and point and smile at us.
  I guess partly the twosome nature of this. 

  I did  a lot of wide leg crops a couple years back.  Also some polo shirts (never my best look) and some of those oversize grey plaid blazers. I liked it all at the time until I woke up one day and proclaimed, Done. Gave it all away.

  I won't wear mules because I want sure-footedness.  I *have* worn them but got rid of them.  I do wear a lot of midi skirts because is my preferred length for awhile now.  I suppose I'll change when the whole world changes again.  I tend to think of trends as permission to wear them in a way that I like because I don't like to be remarkable. 

  ETA: oh!  I was looking back at some recent trend posts of Angie's and spotted the one on chain prints.  I detested these when first introduced but now quite enjoy the excess.  I pick them up whenever I run cross them. 

• Stagiaire Fash replied 3 years ago

  Vildy, with "clothing as ideas", I think you've enunciated my feeling better than I've ever been able to put it into words! That's a big part of why I prefer to get back into and remix pieces I've owned for years, rather than buy new things.

• Roberta replied 3 years ago

  I believe Fashintern and I were separated at birth. This year was The Year of the Jumpsuit, which I have NEVER before worn, but also cropped wideleg pants. I now own three pairs of white jeans, and three pairs of metallic boots (to boot). The other trend (?) I heavily indulged in was snake print - tops, pants, shoes, a belt.

  I am always a year late to trends, because i have to let them sink in for quite a while. If I like them immediately, it is usually because I recognize them from a previous iteration. Crochet vests will be back any day now.

• Vildy replied 3 years ago

  Chore coats.  I'm intrigued by them because I'm ultra-pragmatic in my thinking.  But I'm sensitive to sihouette, both mine and the garments.
  How do they look, I think, when I cram stuff in the pockets. Saggy bulges? Though I do like pockets for hands.  Also, I don't wear rugged-lite clothing.  I like the idea I saw in a book of Italian women wearing silken anoraks as evening coats.  That's how I like my rugged stuff. 
  I don't even do casual well.  My idea of casual is I that I leave a pretty shirt completely untucked over an equally pretty midi skirt.  Shipwreck Glam.

  But during all this current hoopla over chore coats, I found a French woolen shorter version in midnight navy and I love that one. Just exactly the degree of casual I can stand.  Well tailored and deluxe casual. :D 
  I also have 2 identical shirts/jackets, one that resolves to a blue and one resolves to a grey, with buttoned patch pockets and tab rollable sleeves that I wear as light summer jackets.  They're semi-sheer with finely striped material, part of the striping is a pale metallic, so they have a shimmer.  If they were in, y'know, plain khaki or navy they'd be chore coats or utility jackets.

• Joy replied 3 years ago

  This is a good question and one to consider. In the past two years I bought a midi wrap Ripskirt to wear casually in summer, a pair of sort of Western booties and a buffalo hide bag for Western influence. Cropped wide pants are the only ones I look at and have some.
  I have two pair of mules but neither feels safe on stairs and two old bias cut skirts that seldom get worn. I have replaced cropped fitted jean jackets with oversized ones. I have been adding some green but not emerald...deep forest, olive and citron are more my colors of green. Mint is ok.
  I love white boots and booties and have been looking for white Sorals on sale (they sell out fast). I could live in just white and metallic footwear.

• Runcarla replied 3 years ago

  I DO like knowing the trends and incorporating them into my style.  Sometimes it’s a specific item (wide leg crops, guitar strap) that is trendy, and sometimes, as Sal astutely identified, it’s a styling concept (fanny pack worn bandolier style, sneakers with a dress).  In fact, trending new items are often based on street styling modification of older, pre-existing items.  The cleverness of new ways to style and wear older things tickles my fancy.

  
  
  Current ‘trendy’ items in my closet:

  -wide leg crops
  -wide leg trousers
  -pleated skirt
  -chore jacket 
  -maxi puffer
  -panama hat
  -guitar strap for cross body bag
  -‘dressy’ backpack bag
  -combat boots

  Styling concept:
  -juxtaposition (sneakers with dressier items especially)
  -rolling regular jeans for a wide cuff

  
  

  
  
  1 2 3 4 5 6 7
• replied 3 years ago

  Suz- I apologize . I didn’t reread Angie’s list linked above . I had no idea wrap skirts were a trending look this year !

  As I read these trend threads ( yours , Sally’s) I realize that the older I get , the less my look is identifiable by what’s trending . I’m still an early adopter , but like to think I’m past too much experimentation now .

• Stagiaire Fash replied 3 years ago

  Lisa p, I’ve also been confused by the attention to ripskirts.

  Roberta <3

• nemosmom replied 3 years ago
  Another super-fun thread, Suz! Thank you!! Recent trends I've picked up that I love:
  
  
  
  camo, western, leopard/snake print - camo joggers, a couple of western boots (one is western+snake), and leopard skirt, coat, and scarf (not a new trend, but I like the low-contrast print)
  
  utilitarian - signature for me for my OITW uniform. Utility jackets, jumpsuits, pants, vests, RATE belts, cross body, outback hats - MAJOR love.
  joggers - an essential for me, both knit and woven
  
  earthtones - I may have gone overboard on adding earthtones after not seeing them in retail for so long. Especially chocolate brown.
  faux fur jackets - my muppet coat (as my DS calls it) is a favorite piece.
  
  combat boots - I missed them the last time around, when Docs trended in the 90s (back then I wore black leather "Robin Hood" knee high boots that folded down at the top, with ripped jeans+black spandex underneath, and a fringe-arm leather jacket. And mall bangs. Very large mall bangs - anyone remember those?!?) :D

• Roxanna replied 3 years ago

  For me the #1 trend by far has been earth tones, and the mix if warm earthy tones with cool, which feels like a modern trend. Earth tones have changed my whole style direction.

  Trendy purchases have been:
  - Mom jeans (which I NEVER wear because i hate jean waistbands digging into my middle!)
  - earth toned felted coats, which were trending last year
  - suits (I got a pale blue one, so double trend since that shade is on trend)
  - sneakers (retro Gazelles)
  - midis
  - fitted with volume, as Brooklyn said
  - cropped and shorter tops

  @Shevia, I find that I actually get my MOST trendy things thrifting! All my culottes and high waists have come from thrifting - often made in the late 80s/90s enjoying their second time around. My most trendy thrifted items have been:
  - flowy bronze silk high waisted wide leg pants (I couldn't believe my luck! to be worn with retro sneakers)
  - high waisted, wide-legged leather pants (also super on-trend that I wouldn't have wanted to spend $$$ on - these were $8)
  - midi skirts
  - flowy culottes
  - thick-knit cardigans (worn buttoned up, which seem to be trending again after being a classic)
  - white western boots (not thrifted, but gained courtesy of Lisa :) )
  - fair-isle sweater - thrifted an incredible handknit one in a unique colourway

• slim cat replied 3 years ago

  New prints for me : camo, snake, leopard ( pants, jeans and sleeveless top ).
  New shape for me : boyfriend and slightly oversized.
  New length : midi skirts ( one is ombre somewhat similar to what @anchie showed earlier in the summer :) ).
  Utilitarian pieces : love them but don't have enough now. Still looking.
  Sneakers : love and wear them everywhere. Would like to have one more pair in some new shape/color/style.
  Fabrics : got more linen pieces this summer.

• Roxanna replied 3 years ago

  I also wouldn't call the ripskirt trendy, even though it's a wrap skirt - it seems a more functional item to me. (Not that items can't be functional AND trendy - as I was arguing here last week lol - but the straight cut and utilitarian nature of the rip skirt make it seem more of a basic to me.) 

• Vildy replied 3 years ago

  Fair Isle.  I had thrifted a chenille sweater in almost navy but the yoke was in almost neon colors.  Cheered me up immensely to wear this in winter.

• Jenn replied 3 years ago

  Like Sal, I'm probably more trend-driven than I think. Because my wardrobe is small enough to wear through my essentials in a few years, those things stay pretty up to date (for example, my jeans are all high-waisted at this point, my cardigans are modern cuts). Updating regularly, even the type of moderate shopping I do, means I'd actually have to spend EXTRA time searching for dated cuts and colors.

  Trends I've added as statements over the past few years include:
  Maximal embroidery
  Leopard
  Jumpsuit (started out as a statement, but has become an essential!)
  Dark Floral
  Midi Skirt
  Wide Legs
  Wrap Skirt

  I've adjusted the WAY I wear pieces, as well. I agree that sneakers with dressier pieces (especially midis!) is THE shift of the decade. It wasn't that long ago, that doing that looked disconnected and dated, calling up images of 80s commuters or conservative religious dress not associated with fashion.

• replied 3 years ago

  Fashiontern - I'm not confused by or about the Ripskirt .  It is a fun piece found by Janet a few weeks ago, and several forum members liked it and also purchased it. It's a style made by a Hawaiian company (I'm sure you've googled this) as a activewear coverup piece. Nothing trendy about it.  A good, classic design that you might understand better as a forum trend .  

  eta:  I'd absolutely own a few myself if they weren't so costly in Cdn $.  (costly for me, that is) 

• Stagiaire Fash replied 3 years ago

  Thanks, lisa p! A "forum trend" is a good explanation. I missed Janet's post, but ever since Joy mentioned the skirts on one of my posts, I've been trying to figure this out.

• replied 3 years ago

  I remember "lemming" as a term when several of us bought the same thing too- but "forum trend" sounds nicer :)

• UmmLila (Lisa) replied 3 years ago

  I'm leaning into rib-knit tank tops, longer/wider shorts, and more long and voluminous dresses and skirts this summer. I have also appeared in public in fashion-y white leather sneakers a few times.

  I believe I am a few years late with the sneakers and the midi-length dresses. (e_e)

  (also I like kkards' rainbow sneaks}

• Irina replied 3 years ago

  Interesting, I haven’t followed “trendy” colors. I choose colors that I like and that are suitable for my complexion. I’m very happy to find earthy colors trendy, so more options are available in retail. I always considered leopard print classic and have it in my accessories.
  Last year I bought a “wild card” cotton jacket in pistachio. I only realized later it was a “trendy” color :)

• replied 3 years ago

  Lisa, your body type is perfect for these new looks.  (rib tanks, wide shorts, voluminous dresses) I'd kill to be able to dress like Anine Bing , for example, and probably am lucky  my body type makes those looks laughable on me or I'd be broke ;)  You make me laugh with your fashion-y white sneakers comment  :)  

• Suz replied 3 years ago

  So much great discussion. I think Brooklyn and Sally are really onto something with their comments about the way we wear items being more "trendy" than the items themselves (in many cases) and also with the shift of silhouette reflecting what we might call a long-term trend...the direction of fashion in a particular decade. Which we really can't decide in advance -- it's only hindsight that shows us what the long-term trends or "concepts" were. I like that way of looking at it, Vildy and Shevia -- fashion as "idea." 

  Will be back to respond more soon. 

• Suz replied 3 years ago

  Irina, the switch to earth tones definitely seems like a trend, but one that works for many who have struggled to find "their" colours for years. (Not cool toned people like me will struggle more. Ah, well -- that's okay. Everybody deserves their day, and denim blue is always available.) 

  Lisa, I know you look great in all those looks. The voluminous skirt thing is fun. I like a bit of swish. 

  Haha, suntiger -- you are right -- forum trend sounds so much nicer than lemming!! Thanks for that, LisaP! 

  Fashintern, what LisaP said about the ripskirt. Angie did a blog post on it, too. It's a useful item if your lifestyle lends itself toward it. 

  Jenn, that's a great point about a small wardrobe lending itself automatically to purchasing some trend items -- like it or not, when stuff wears out, you have to replace it! That's actually one of the key advantages of a smaller wardrobe, I think. Just when you are starting to get a bit sick of an item, it's past it's due date and you get to try something new. I love your newer "trend" items, by the way. You have built a crazy-wonderful closet! 

  Slim cat -- sounds like you have a beautifully updated closet!

• Suz replied 3 years ago

  "I actually think it’s harder to avoid trends than most people think!"

  Brooklyn, I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes people talk about trends as if they are something to be suspicious about. I guess that depends on how you define “trend” — but truthfully, I don’t see how you can avoid them unless you don’t buy anything new at all for ten years.

  It's just that we sometimes don't recognize them as trends once the style concepts becomes familiar to us...like outfit juxtaposition, for instance. 

  Bijou, those beautiful colourful midi skirts must bring you so much joy. Swish swish swish — there is something luxe in that feeling, right?

  suntiger — I completely forgot that blue was trending this year! Because I wear so darn much of it, I guess….love those booties of yours….

  Liesbeth — great point about your new denim jacket. One item can really tilt a look. Angie tried to get me to buy one of those last year but I resisted…not sure why…

  Kkards — a lot of your trend items are bottoms which makes so much sense since you wear bottoms so well.

  Fashintern, I love your red flares. Those are a fun pant! And yes, pink and white are not interchangeable by any means. One of those discoveries we never seem to make until after the (purchasing) fact…

  Lyn, midis are SO great. I’ll be sad indeed when that trend passes.

  Robin, sounds like we are on a similar wavelength with the footwear…

  Vildy, I always love your stories. You've had a rich and absorbing life in fashion! But I am scratching my head over the idea of you in polo shirts. I wouldn’t have pegged you as a polo wearer! But never say never, right? And, as you also said, it’s in the way it is worn, the “idea” of it…

  I don’t wear mules for the same reason as you. I like the look, but hate the idea of falling.

  Roberta — jumpsuits can be so much fun!

  Joy, you are the perfect candidate for white shoes and booties and may you find as many great ones as you can!!

  Carla, I like your logical way of categorizing by item or by styling concept. Perfect. Simple and elegant. I should try that for myself as well. Our lists would be very similar.

  Nemosmom — those trends all seem so “you” that it makes absolute sense you would adopt them!

  Roxanna — yes, I can absolutely see that — earth tones were a big switch but a great one for you! You really wear all colours well but this re-jigged your closet.

• Angie replied 3 years ago

  Suz, thanks for another great topic! 

  YES, to all the items you mentioned as trending from your recent purchases list. While wrap style bottoms are more regularly found as swimwear cover-ups - and a classic in that sense - you are right that the wrap skirt is having its fashion moment because of the throwback to '90s trends. Classics do have their trendy fashion moment, and I love that :)

  Sal makes an excellent point about wearing sneakers with dressier attire (like skirts/dresses) as one of the biggest trends of all. To Jenn's point too, about remixing things in new ways to reflect the current trends.

  Lyn67's point about the switcheroo from wearing jeans/heels to dresses/sneakers is dead right too. An antithesis of sorts.

  (Suz you can add hair, high rises, and the way you combine sneakers with suits and wear long cardigans with wide crops - to your trends list).

  I'm trendiest in my bottoms, toppers, hair, eyewear, and some dresses. I'm a lot more classic with tops, scarves, footwear, make-up, jewellery, and bags. Recent trendy purchases do show some trendier tops because they work well with the trendier bottoms. But my classics work well with everything, and I like to remix it all SIMPAT style.

  Showing trendy purchases that go back a few years (so not that recent) in Finds. I thought that might illustrate the point better: 

  body con tops, high rises, paper bag/pleated waists, cropped pullovers, wide crops, puffed sleeves, bias-cut skirt, BIG shirt, cuffed jeans, flared jeans, Mom jeans, meaningful slogans on tops, fuzzy jacket, aviator, pleated skirt, tiered dress, carpenter jeans, chore jacket  Dad sneakers, and LOTS of midis! 

• Suz replied 3 years ago

  Angie, all of that makes sense. I love how you are able to incorporate trend items so seamlessly into your closet -- it's a great example to us all. Your purchases definitely show the influence of longer term trends (if that makes sense) -- meaning the shift in silhouette. And agreed -- the way we wear it is also an important part of the picture. 

• Gaylene replied 3 years ago

  I think I fall into the Brooklyn/Sally/Vildy/Shevia camp of fashion as an ever-changing series of ideas about proportions, shapes, silhouettes, images, themes, and combinations. The “trends” emerge as designers and innovators experiment, copy, and refine ideas into specific items which can be sourced or imitated by the rest of population.

  The fun of fashion, for me is how to incorporate the “freshness” of a trend into something I’d actually find wearable. Right now the trends which I’m working with are pairing my sneakers with tailored, wide-legged pants, wearing chore jackets with flared, cropped pants, and experimenting COS-style boxy, voluminous looks. Despite their “trendiness”, dresses and skirts remain almost non-existent in my closet as are prints and florals. My recent purchases have been either boxy, cropped tops, ribbed sweaters, or wider legged pants. My low-heeled footwear is from my closet and I’ve resurrected many of my decades-old, cross-body leather bags which were hiding in my closet. My formerly essential T-shirts are gradually being replaced by closer-fitting sweaters and structural, woven tops. My new eyewear is a geometric, emerald-green, metal frame.

• Vildy replied 3 years ago

  Ah, well, SUZ,  I tried some polos when I was wearing wide leg crops and I was looking for an earnest feel. :D  They did look that.  I enjoyed them for a brief while until I couldn't stand them anymore.  Tried them when I was in my 20s, too, along with beefy oxford cloth shirts. Had a totally different figure then and thought *that* might have been the problem but no.  They *are* good for being sort of incognito, though. My husband used to fill in forms asking for description as Nondescript. 
  That's me in those style items all right.

• Suz replied 3 years ago

  Vildy, you could never be "nondescript." But I hear you on polos. I tried to wear them in my 20s, too. Weird thing is, they looked great on my mum (who didn't have a notably preppy style). 

  Gaylene, I love the sounds of your new specs!! Hope to see them one day when social distancing relaxes some...

  I am really with all of you who think in terms of fashion as a series of ideas....the more we think conceptually that way, the more likely it is we will pick trends that we like personally and that work for us over the long term, i.e. that we can easily incorporate into our personal style the way Angie does. 

• Windchime replied 3 years ago

  When I responded yesterday, I can’t believe I didn’t think of midi-length dresses and skirts, which are well represented in my closet.

  And I, too, have been wearing sneakers with dresses and skirts.  My middle-aged feet love the comfort, but let’s call it being on top of a fashion trend.  :)

• Preppy Pear replied 3 years ago

  These are some of mine from the last 12 months. My very favorite purchases are the midi dresses and long blazers. And yes to wearing everything with white sneakers. Right now, the trends make me happy.
  Also loving my midi shirtdresses to death, but not sure if those are really trendy?
  And I did join the Ripskirt bandwagon- it’s a YLF trend, at least!

• Suz replied 3 years ago

  Love those new dresses of yours, Preppy Pear. And I think the belted midi shirtdresses might not be a "trend" this year but they are still exceptionally stylish! 

• Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 3 years ago

  Are midi lengths trendy? I thought they’d been around for at least a decade this time.

  The only thing I can describe as trendy that I’ve bought recently are my cropped wide leg jeans. My life has been very utilitarian in recent years and I just can’t figure out how to fit many current trends into it without it feeling forced.

  I suspect everyone is right about the slow diffusion of trends in silhouettes and colors into all areas of retail, so we’ve all picked up items that fit the description without meaning to.

• Style Fan replied 3 years ago

  I like to keep my jeans and bottoms trendy.  I also love the high rise and wide-legged pants.  I jumped on that trend early. 
  Earth tones have always been the main colour palette in my wardrobe so I guess sometimes I am in fashion and sometimes I am on the fringe.  I definitely have been enjoying all the great colour choices out there.
  A lot of my purchases were utilitarian chic.  I have been enjoying that trend a lot.
   
  These are some of my latest purchases:

  Sanctuary Pants - Utility Chic
  BR jeans - High Rise Wide-Legged Pants
  Fidelity jeans - High Rise Pants
  Olive Boots - Combat Boots
  Body Suit
  Lululemon Midi Coat
  Hair Accessories
  Saddle Bag
  Chocolate Brown T-Neck Sweater
  Oatmeal Sweater with button detail
  Esser jeans - High Rise Wide-Legged Cropped jeans
  Chore Jacket - not shown

   

• Minaminu replied 3 years ago

  I have been trying ti incorporate new trends and stay true to my personal style, I purchased those items over the last 2 years and The majority seems to work well with my lifestyle.

  Jumpsuits
  Midi dresses
  Polka midi skirt (haven't worn it yet, not sure if this is due to the lockdown or the skirt itself)

  I'd like to try mum's jeans and shirt dresses, maybe they could be interesting shapes to add to my wardrobe.

• Jenni NZ replied 3 years ago

  I’m not sure? If animal print is/was a trend I bought my first piece in 2012 and my first shoes in it in 2015, so they’re not recent. Still wear both.
  Snakeskin is new to me since 2018 and I now have 3 pair pants and olive boots. (But I had bought black snakeskin pumps in 1984 which had lasted at least 13 years!)
  Camo is new to me since 2018, one tank which I enjoy.
  Maybe my shoes are where I buy trends?- several booties in recent years some a bit Western? And the black high-vamp loafers.

• Jenni NZ replied 3 years ago

  Oh, and maybe the earth tones esp bronze and rust, since 2018.

• Helena replied 3 years ago

  Hmm, I think the only items I've bought in the last year that might qualify as 'on trend' would be my circular straw bag, and my tan coatigan (which I annoyingly didn't get to wear this "spring" - fingers crossed that we get a fall!). However, these might be more "current classics" than trends ... frankly I have no idea what's trending :D

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• cindysmith replied 3 years ago

  I bought a big/boxy/oversized shirt recently. I own skinny ankle jeans, even though I almost never leave the length exposed; I tuck them into boots or cuff them over taller shelf ankle booties. I also own a pain of high-waisted cropped wide legs but have yet to wear them.
  I suppose any trends I seize upon are those that fall within my comfort zone.y comfort zone generally consists of a skinny leg bottom and an oversized top. I grew up in the 80s (hair bands) and became an adult in the 90s (Seattle grunge, industrial rock); it seems to have shaped my preferences for life, as I gravitate towards tough/RATE/heroin chic quite a lot.
  Im so glad Angie keeps emphasizing DYOT, because I'm reaching that "certain age" where I increasingly dress for myself, and care less and less whether I'm wearing trendy items. It's also so nice to have this community of supportive people to help me find ways to feel authentic to myself AND socially acceptable when a specific occasion requires me to be more polished and put together. (it took a whole fab community to help me dress for my sister's wedding and I'm STILL grateful for that one!)

• Zaeobi replied 3 years ago

  I don't set out to follow trends but I had a colour & style consultation &, ever since then, it seems the most flattering pieces for my body & lifestyle are what's on trend now. Case in point;

  - Safari (the usual utilitarian trend is too boxy on me, so I bought a jacket with waist definition & in an earthy warm beige colour instead.)
  - High-waisted Bottoms (I can't remember the last time I even bought low- or mid-rise ones!)
  - Two bags (this was actually born out of my practical needs as a teacher, to keep my essentials close to me as I teach whilst still being able to dump my bigger bag full of materials in my office.)
  - Softer bags (building on the above, apparently a structured style doesn't look that great against my soft curves, so I thrifted one of those pouf style dumpling bags, only to see those & bucket bags have been declared 'it'.
  - Circle bags (have been trying to replace a crossbody bag I bought back in 2013 that finally gave up the ghost, & now I see them everywhere! May buy one as a backpack re: the above, looking for curved rather than sharp edges)
  - Pantsuit (this was just because I prefer to stay covered with fabric than hoisery, & it seems maxi skirt suits aren't that easy to find. Also, my pear shape means a longer blazer looks better on me than a hip-length one.)
  - Earth tones Like in the safari look above, I switched to chocolate brown as my neutral because it's softer on me whilst still being deep enough for my colouring. Apparently dark brown leather shoes are in now, too!)

  It's a little annoying that all of the purchases I carefully planned out ages ago are mostly trendy now, but maybe that's because I've subconsciously been absorbing subliminal messaging? Either way, all I know is that this abundance of retail items that look OK on me won't last forever, so you can bet I'm stocking up whilst I still can! :D