Where are you on the classic vs. trendy scale? - YouLookFab Forum

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Where are you on the classic vs. trendy scale?

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Another fun question--where are you on the classic vs. trendy scale? I'm arbitrarity assigning 1 to classic and 10 to trendy (no value judgement on the numbers). One is if you primarily like classic cuts and items and wait to adopt trends until they become fairly classic pieces that look like they will survive the test of time. Ten is if you are an early adopter and love trying out the latest trends. Five is if you equally love classic and trendy pieces and have them in equal amounts in your wardrobe.

I know there can be some negative associations with both words (ie classic=conservative or boring, trendy=fashion victim) but I think both can be equally stylish and I want to know where you stand. And does your personality fit with where you are on the fashion scale?

I am not sure where I stand, but I am guessing a 8! I am much more of a risk taker (lately) with fashion than I am in real life!

Dressing

31 replies

Latest reply was from RandomThoughts (Andrea)

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I'm probably a 6 or a 7 ... I'm like a polkadot fashion victim right now; and I love pussy-bow blouses. The rest of my clothes seem pretty classic!

Diana

Veteran

I guess I'll say 7 or 8, but in reality I think I am somewhere off to the side of the line. =P Just... different, I guess.

Tanya

Veteran

I think about 8 would be a fairly good guess for me. I love adapting new trends, but there are some classics (such as wrap tops/dresses) I will never tire of.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I'm not sure... I don't see classic as being the opposite of trendy, so am confused by the scale itself. I can articulate my position better by saying that I like my garments to have a non-conservative fabrication or detailing when the cuts are classic and I like unusual (but not necessarily trendy, in fact probably NOT trendy) cuts more than I do 'basic' true classics.

Abie

Veteran

I'm unsure. Maybe a 6 or 7...

I feel like I wear a lot of classic shapes. I wear bright color and pattern which is very on trend right now but some of these things I've worn for a while and don't really consider them trendy colors/patterns. Recently I've added more trendy footwear which I think edges me back in the trend direction.

I think I have quite a bit of retro and some boho leanings too but I don't know how those rank on a classic/trend scale.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I'm a... 3? I am sloooow to adopt trends, unless they are trends I've seen as "classics" before. Like rugged boots... pretty much standard for working men at one time. Leather jackets and vests? Seen those since the middle ages, I my mind reads' em as classic. Midi skirts, seen 'em before when modesty was a bigger thing.

I slid myself a little up the scale because I do have a few exceptions. My favorite colors are not exactly classic, but they go in and out of fashion. Artsy trends like photographic prints also have my heart because great art/photography will always be great and artsy. Thus they always seem current to me, even if the look doesn't count as classic.

nancylee

Veteran

I'm probably about a 3/4. I'm usually a pretty slow adopter, but I do adopt eventually!

(I had to adjust my number downward when I saw how low everyone else's numbers were....this may still be too high)

Anonymous

Is this a trick question? Just kidding. I find it hard to answer... maybe a 2? Even though my friends think I'm getting a little trendy, most trends that appeal to me are just classic items that are having their day in the sun. Like Rae said, I have seen these things before: animal prints, hi-low skirts, brights, color blocking, loafers, stripes and florals--even pattern mixing. In a way, I'm dressing much like I dressed in high school. Yikes, is that a bad thing?

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I mix both trendy and classic items within the same look, however my wardrobe would not function without the classics so I'm plumping for a 4.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I tip avant garde, not trendy. I think I'm around a 2/3.

rae

(website)

Veteran

I seem to remember a thread from way back where the YLF collective eventually decided that there is more than one style scale, and that they all sort of radiate from classic. That might explain why Diana and IK and I are tipping toward classic even though none of us have heavily classic styles.

Anonymous

I am a 2-3.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I also don't see Classic as the opposite of Trendy and we had an excellent thread about this about a year ago.

As per Jules's analogy on that thread (and Rae reiterated it), Classic is like the sun, and all other styles are like planets orbiting around it for guidance, inspiration and energy - be it trendy, romantic, androgynous, bohemian, sporty, arty, punk.

I LOVE the classics. I LOVE trends. On this particular scale I average at a 5. My look is all about mixing up trends with the classics.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Interesting answers!

Lyn--I'm a polka dot fashion victim too! Interesting how polka dots are a very classic print but right now are considered trendy!

Diana, Dana and Rae--I would love to see/hear more about this radial diagram with the different scales! Intriguing!

Tanya--I agree, me too!

Manidipa--I'm like you--I like classics with a twist!

Nancy and Julie--I think you two are well balanced and epitomize how to look hip and stylish without necessarily being trendy!

Abie--about retro and boho--maybe it would be considered trendy if you just started wearing it when it came back in style recently, but classic if you've been wearing that style all along!

Claire and Mary--I think being classic is great too! And Claire, about dressing like you did in high school--isn't that fun to revisit items/trends you loved before but now are having their day in the sun again? Is is a lot different wearing the trends the second time around?

Angie--thanks! I would love to see a link to this thread if anyone can find it!

Meredith1953

Veteran

I am really slow to adopt trends. It took me till a few months ago to buy a pair of skinnies and I just bought wedges like a week or so ago! I put myself at around a 1 or 2.

rae

(website)

Veteran

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....other-side

Here's the link - I think we may need to draw up a matching diagram.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

I guess I lean toward the classic side although I do like trendy items, so I mix and match. I'd like to think I'm a 5 on the scale, but maybe a 4.5.??!!

Jjsloane

Veteran

I think I'm about a 4 or 5. I like both but do not find them mutually exclusive.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I read this thread at the office and thought about it a fair bit. I started a blog so I could review my pics and see what patterns emerge.

I suspect I am in the 5 range as well. I do adopt trends that I like but I also gravitate towards clean lines and simple design (with the exception of my infatuation with ruffles).

I found the topic and comments to be very interesting.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Mandipa and Angie as not seeing classic to trendy on a scale. I would argue I'm neither. But if you're asking whether I'm quick to adopt trends vs sticking with tried and true silhouettes, I would put myself at about a 4. I'm not the first gal on the block rocking the latest new thing. But I also eschew the true classics. Button downs (blech). Pencil skirts (no thanks). Pumps (I own one pair - yet to wear them). Even the suit I just bought is as far from classic as I could get with still being deemed professional.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Hmmm....I'm probably about a four.

Anonymous

I'm a one or two. I wear very classic stuff, with some fun jewelry and slow, very slow to adapt to trends

nancylee

Veteran

Thanks, Natalie.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I have no idea. I guess I like to style classic elements in not conservative and expected way. For me new trends allow me to try something new and avoid being bored. If Angie set herself as 5 then I maybe 3?

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I've given this quite a bit of thought and have decided it all depends on what the trends are at any given time. I'm adopting quite a few trends right now (florals, slouchy trousers) but there have also been seasons where I personally don't care for what's trending, so it would be less then.

So I guess I'm going to have to pass on giving myself a number.

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

I was going to give myself a 7, but I am re-calibrating according to other responses in this thread and right now I would actually give myself a... 10 (!) Maybe not all super trendy, but I've been drawn to the weirdest things lately. I was actually just in Forever 21 today and tried on these detached collar sheer dresses. I am really interested in trying very different silhouettes and patterns lately and am just craving putting my spin on current trends. I love the spread we have here!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Fresh from the thread where I admitted loving oxfords, slouchy tapered pants, etc. I still initially thought I was about a 5/6. I think the terms need more definition - I will read the thread from last year, because it is interesting to see how others interpret this.

Sarah A

Veteran

interesting read! I am putting myself at a 1 or 2, mainly classic stuff for me. Maybe mixed in such a way to be a bit interesting or trendy if I like the current trends. I am curious if this will change as I spend more time noticing trends since they are something I probably never noticed before a few months ago.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Jyoti--someone brave enough to call themselves a 10! I also think of Annagybe and Cocolion in the same vein.

I think it's fascinating to see where people peg themselves in terms of how quickly they adopt trends. I also think it's great that no matter how classic or trendy we dress (or a mixture), we all look fab and stylish in our own way!

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