and speaking of being dated... - YouLookFab Forum

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and speaking of being dated...

Maya

Veteran

I always see people on the forum and the blog casually mention things that they think are dated and I can't understand why, so I'm wondering how your perception of what is and isn't dated is shaped. Colors are especially perplexing to me. Someone mentioned on yesterday's post that peacock blue looked dated to them. I can't fathom the idea of a color being dated. Some colors are always more "in" than others but how can they just go out of style permanently? If a person is wearing a modern, chic outfit (whatever your definition of chic), how can the color suddenly make the outfit dated, especially if the aforementioned color is flattering on them?

Agrace's post on the hip-length cardi also got me thinking about this. How do you know when a style is just being pushed to the side for a moment, vs. when it is out of style?

And is it a no-no to wear something that truly flatters you just because a bunch of snooty people say it isn't "in" anymore?

The only time I ever think "dated" is when I see someone wearing an entire ensemble or a large number of pieces that have nothing to do with the modern world, like some of those people on WNTW who haven't bought any new clothes since 1986. Or something that is very clearly tied to a certain decade and not worn in a vintage way, like JNCO jeans or somesuch. Help me out here...

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I'm with you, Maya. If an item is genuinely flattering on you, i.e. if the fit and colour and style work for you as an individual, how on earth can it be dated? Personally I'd embrace anything that makes me look and feel great, latest trend report notwithstanding.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I have to run, but styles can definitely look dated. There is no doubt! Maya, of course you get that! Colours on the other hand never date in my book. If you look KILLER in a colour, it’s always hip and fashionable.

garmenta

From what I've seen, certain colors get associated with certain time periods and they can start to look dated. As much as I loved the jewel tones of the late 1980s and 1990s, I haven't worn them for a long time, and I'm so glad to see them return. And when a color from a bygone era shows up in a garment that has a shape from a bygone era--that's truly a dated look.

Maya

Veteran

I do get that in theory Angie, but I find people talking about items from 2003 as if they are decades old and not acceptable anymore. I can see something from 1995 or 1983 being dated easily, especially if it has no modern details or isn't reinvented in a funky vintage way.

That's why I'm not sure about the cardigan I posted in the other thread. First of all, it's only from 2004 or 2005, so it isn't old at all. What really confuses me is that I don't know if it looks dated to me because it really is, or because I'm so used to longer of-the-moment cardigans now. I can't differentiate between something truly being dated and something that is just being pushed to the side by trendier items.

I'm relieved to hear your thoughts on color. That is exactly what I was thinking. What good is color if it doesn't suit you? Half the time I don't even associate colors strongly with any time period. Like I said, some colors are always more "in" than others, but I never see any color completely fade away into oblivion. To my eyes, there is no such thing as a color from a bygone era. I have a cranberry colored sweater tunic, but nothing about it screams "70's!" to me just because that color was in at the time.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

This is an interesting topic Maya.

Everything dates, whether we like it or not, things move, change and evolve. Sometimes the change is rapid whereas other times the change is so slow you hardly notice.

There are certain items, pieces used in advertising campaigns or seen on celebrities, that are so of the moment they are dated to a particular season. I think the Louis Vuitton bunny ears are an example of this, or an it bag could be considered in the same vain.

Classics also evolve, however more slowly. Take a look at the perfect length of tops for trousers at the present and consider this against the cropped length of 90's, or how a black pointy toed stiletto which once was the height of fashion, became dated against a sea of round toe platforms and extreme heels.

Every level of fashion from Couture to the bargain basement is changing, there would not be a fashion industry without it.

marianna

Veteran

There was a thread where someone said that bootcut jeans look dated... which I found really interesting. I don't think they look dated at all. Just because we're seeing a lot of straight/skinny leg jeans right now, I don't believe other styles of jeans become obsolete.

Maya

Veteran

There is a good example: I would never consider the black pointy toe stiletto to be dated. It's very classic to me. So one man's dated could be another man's classic (well, one woman's).

That said, I understand that things date, but that's not really the issue. It's more that I don't know how things are judged as being dated or not. It is always spoken of with such an authoritative tone by everyone, rather than being an individual opinion or interpretation (as you see above). Once a certain amount of time has passed and certain items aren't even carried in stores anymore, it's obvious that something is past its prime. But when someone tells me something is sooo 2008, well, to be blunt, I think that's pretty stupid. I guess I reject the idea of things being dated in one season (I know, I am such a rebel). It seems so manipulative somehow...just rubs me the wrong way. I mean, it may be dated, but I can't let that stop me from continuing to use something that I haven't even had time to properly enjoy.

Maya

Veteran

Good example Marianna. I don't think bootcuts are dated at all. I don't like them anymore on me personally (except with Cons), but not because they're dated. I do admit I feel a little frumpy when all my friends are in skinnies and straight legs and I'm in my bootcuts, but that's just me being irrational. I don't believe for a second that they are dated though. Therein lies another example of interpretation.

Maybe I'm just looking for a specific list of signs that confirm whether something is dated or not.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I think you have to consider style versus fashion in this argument. The stiletto or the bootcut may not be the most fashionable but they are stylish.

As consumers it also links into Garmenta's thread, the fashionista will have worn a trend and moved on by the time a trend has filtered through to the high street.

What is more important to you fashion or style?

agrace

He he....it was me wondering if boot cut is dated, Marianna! I really think this topic is interesting and I've been posting about it b/c I have been thinking about it a lot. It seems to me the silhouettes have changed quite drastically in the last few years. At first, when skinnies came out I was not sure if it was a quick trend or here to stay and now it seems to be a more permanent alternative option to the ones we have depended on for years - namely, boot cut, straight leg and even wide leg. That plus the increased length and shape of some tops - it just seems the trendier silhouette has quite drastically changed and done a 180, just by my perception. Which leaves me looking at my old stand-bys and wondering how they might be perceived in light of todays fashion.

I'm not about to toss the things that look good on me regardless of trend, but I am curious to know about some of the more basics I have and wondering how they stack up.

This is an interesting topic that I will truly enjoy hearing what others think!

marianna

Veteran

Where does body type come into the equation? I personally feel that bootcuts are more flattering on my body type and I can wear them with more clothing options. When I wear skinnies I HAVE to wear a tunic length top and I don't always want to limit my options like that just because skinnies are the "it" silhouette. I guess we can say that bootcut jeans aren't super cutting edge, but I personally wouldn't say they're not stylish... or dated!

I've always liked wide leg pants, but the other day I tried on a pair and all of a sudden I just didn't like them as much anymore and I was wondering if I could get them tailored to be slimmer in the leg opening! A year ago I would have loved them without hesitation.

Maya

Veteran

I don't think any of you bootcut gals have to worry about your jeans being dated. I liked bootcuts best for myself too when I thought skinnies, bootcuts, and wide legs were my only options. Then I tried on skinnies with a wider leg opening, more like straight legs, and I felt much better in them. They are more flattering on me because a) I'm short and b) I do not wear heels. As for only wearing skinnies with tunics/boots/whatever, I am kind of feeling the same way about most of my jeans. They all have some restrictions.

When I first saw this picture debut on the Sartorialist, it made me SO want to look good in flares or bootcuts because this girl looks spectacular in them:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qjpw.....uJ1web.jpg

So don't think you can't look awesome or current in a wider leg!

agrace

Marianna - I am trying to figure that out myself (about body type). My girlfriend and I were discussing this today - she said she absolutely will not be wearing skinnies at all bc she said she feels ridiculous in them and she has tried them on. Looking at her, I thought to myself she would look fantastic in them but by her perception she is not touching them with a ten foot pole!

what you said about how you would have regarded the wide leg pants one year ago is precisely what I am talking about - I think being inundated with the new sleeker silhouette takes a toll and suddenly the flare leg, boot cut and wide legged pants feel different.

It is really interesting to me for some reason too b/c prior to this I have never really been affected by trends. But I consider myself a late adopter. Things have to pretty much be everywhere before I will give it a try unless I am wild about it by first glance. Most things I have to warm up to.

shana

Veteran

Maya, some of your perspective on this might have to do with your age. As a young'n, you can get away with wearing different styles of different eras (even from way back in 2003) and still look hip & cool & funky. As you get older, wearing outdated styles can sometimes make you look...well, old.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

The Sartorialist does look amazing in those jeans, as did the waitress in Edinburgh on Saturday who wore the same style, but these are skinny flares, with the flare starting at the knee break. It is this point of difference which keeps the look modern.

Would she look as good in a traditional flair which starts from the thigh?

Marianna, I sure there is no need to alter your wide leg trousers, I love to achieve a menswear vibe from wide leg trousers on casual days. Just look at the jeans Stella McCartney is wearing in look 42.
http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion.....25/Page,3#

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Everyone has hit the nail on the head. Such an astute bunch of lasses you are. I can’t add further value to this topic :0)

For the record, I wore my boot cuts a few days ago and felt fabulous. They will always be in style in my mind. They are similar to the ones shown in the sartorialist. I was wearing my old boot cut jeans which is why they are a little wider at the hem.

Julie, I need to add that your comments on this thread were particularly well articulated. You can write my blog post about this subject!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Oh Angie, that is such a huge compliment *grinning from ear to ear*

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

A very well deserved compliment, Julie! (And I edited “bog” to “blog”. Hopefully, YLF does not remind you of a loo).