Is it OK to be "not trendy"? - YouLookFab Forum

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Is it OK to be "not trendy"?

Anonymous

I know this is a fashion blog, but I primary follow it for the "ensemble" sections and other advice. I am aiming to be simple with my wardrobe and only have a nice selections of 8+. Is it bad that I want my 8+ to be versatile, classic pieces that mix and match? I like warm neutrals with classic patterns (stripes, plaids, dots) and just want to make sure that I am not going too far off the railroad here...I tend to not like embellishments, take a loooooooong time to warm up to new silhouettes, and hate black/white/navy/grey on me (which is pretty much everything offered).

I like following transcona shannon's posts, b/c its really similar to what I am feeling right now.

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

Deborah

Veteran

It is perfectly ok to not be trendy:). There is such diversity here and Angie encourages us to be ourselves and do what works for us. I don't consider myself to be particularly trendy and I am also aiming for a smaller, cohesive wardrobe. Good to have you along here xx

kkards

Veteran

Absolutely. I think the trick is to make sure your pieces get tweaked periodically so that they stay current and modern.
Angie's got some good blog posts that may be of interest to you.

http://youlookfab.com/2012/10/.....ess-items/

http://youlookfab.com/2013/01/.....t-for-you/

This one is older, but the general advice is really good
http://youlookfab.com/2007/08/.....k-for-you/

Lyn D.

Veteran

I think alot of Fabbers are aiming to be 'stylish' rather than 'trendy'- especially the 50 plus group in which I belong
Welcome- you are in good hands with Angie's advice, and Shannon is an excellent member to follow closely!

Susie

Veteran

I agree with the others. I do think it's important to take a critical look at the classics to be sure that they still read as current/modern which isn't the same as trendy. A personal style, executed with a cohesive wardrobe, is what a lot of us seem to be aiming for.

Nebraskim

Veteran

I hope it's OK to not be trendy as I've not been trendy ever. Trends contribute to a contemporary feel to a wardrobe, but style is different and personal. A recent featured style blogger is deeply into "retro" looks and that completely informs her style. But even as she embraces the retro and classic, she interprets that with a modern vibe . So she does not look vintage, but she looks individual. FWIW, I feel my style is classic, collegiate and sporty. so I can integrate something trendy (for instance the on-trend gingham shirt) into my current look fairly easily. I also feel that being "on-trend" is different from trendy. The former feels longer lasting; the latter feels more short term, fast-fashion.

Helena

Veteran

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. The great thing about watching the trendier folks on YLF is that you can find little ways to add a bit of the latest into a more classic look (as evidenced by the famour semi-tuck!!) just to keep it fresh.

christy

Veteran

Absolutely it's okay not to be trendy! Or at least I hope so...my style is very modern classic. I like to be sure I'm current and I update my modern classic pieces. But I think aspiring to a look that's classic and timeless is a perfectly admirable fashion goal.

viva

Veteran

Completely agree with the above. I am a 50-year-old YLF-er and happily partake in some trends, but I have also learned here to make sure the balance of my closet is classic and modern. There's room for all on YLF, but Angie makes sure that whatever our focus, we know enough to keep our choices relevant.

Gaylene

Veteran

Of course, it's OK not to be a trend follower in the sense of wearing everything that is currently the rage on blog sites and in the stores, but I also think it's good to be aware of trends, especially if you are interested in fashion as I presume most us would be on a fashion forum. For example, knowing about trends can influence your decision when you are deciding which of two classic sweaters you want to add to your wardrobe; being aware of what is happening in the fashion world helps you decide which sweater is most likely to keep you feeling stylish for the next few years.

Adding a trend that appeals to you and suits your style every now and again can be fun, but it is also good training in helping you understand how to make different shapes work for your particular body and incorporate those looks into your personal style. That kind of information can become invaluable when your body, and/or lifestyle, changes.

rachylou

Veteran

It's ok to not be trendy and ok to be trendy, IMO. I think we all need each other as foils. We make each other look good

It's even ok to be a character, like my history teacher who wore the same pair of pants and two shirts for 20 years and is probably still wearing them. Lol. Of course, you have to do that for 20 years for it to become Style...

deb

Veteran

Of coarse, you should be happy and comfortable with what you wear. I agree with Lyn, stylish more than trendy is what I aim for.

shedev

Veteran

Sure it's ok. Athletic type sneakers worn with just about everything are very trendy right now, but I feel much less fab in them than boots. Birks are on trend but they aren't a great fit to my feet. I wear some older pairs I have, but I'm not buying these trends. My preferred shoes of booties, cons hi ness, and strappy sandals are not as strongly trending, but they are also are not dated. They fit well with the styles I wear, so over all they are stylish.

cciele

Veteran

It's perfectly fine not to be trendy and stick with the classics! But as Angie has mentioned, it's good to occasionally refresh your classic pieces to keep your look from being dated.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I don't think the majority here are trendy, to be honest - but current, that is different.
I agree with Gaylene that being aware of trends is good, even if you don't wear them, they can inform your decisions.

karymk

Veteran

Yes its okay not to be trendy! I think it's more important to stay "current" if you like classics, which sounds like you do. Current cuts in your personal style category will do everything in making you look like you belong in the here and now. You don't compromise a thing stylewise, you just are tweaking what you already know works.

Gigi

Veteran

If it's not OK not to be trendy, then I'm in big trouble! I'm the same way as you...it takes me a really long time to warm up to new silhouettes. (I don't like change in general, in any area of my life, ha ha.) As others have noted, it's absolutely fine to have a wardrobe based on the classics; just make sure that your classics don't look like you stepped out of 1980 or something but are contemporary with the current scene.

I was just reading last night about how French women generally have very small wardrobes. I have a friend who has spent quite a bit of time in France and says that it is generally true. So they are careful to make sure that everything mixes and matches with everything else and that the pieces all fit impeccably. The one difference between your system and the "French chic" one, from what little I know, is that the French chic wardrobe is heavily based on the neutrals you dislike (black, white, gray). But the mix-and-match principle is the same.

I used to have a very small wardrobe, of about twenty pieces (for four seasons), and the nice thing about it was that it wasn't a chore thinking about what you wanted to wear for a given day. I do sometimes miss that! I hope that someday I can get back to that; for now I am having fun experimenting and trying to "find" my style.

Barbara

Veteran

I do follow fashion trends but most certainly am not a slave to them! Staying current is fun and keeps your wardrobe fresh and modern. Be particular about which trends to try and ignore what doesn't work for you and your lifestyle.

DonnaF

Veteran

Other than teenagers and some twenty-somethings, IMHO most women aren't *trendy*. What I've learned here is that even *classics* can look dated. Take blazers, for instance: How natural or padded the shoulders, width of the sleeves, width and shape of the collar, stance, and closeness of the cut will date it. The changes don't happen overnight, but if you find an '80s blazer in a thrift shop it can certainly look *off*! I am one who holds onto her clothing forever, so I am still developing my eye. . .