https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 14:05:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash/page/2#post-858866 Mon, 25 Feb 2013 03:28:44 +0000 Carla 858866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, and other late adopters...like Dianthus writes, middle of the road can still be stylish.</p> <p>I never got into skinnies, but always liked a slim straight leg. I'll just cuff the straight leg, and call it a 'boyfriend'. </p> <p>Slouchy or oversized isn't going to work for me. I felt weird using the term body con, and then came across the term 'body honouring clothing' and had a light bulb moment. Slouchy is not body honouring to me. Maybe slouchy will be something that is softly draped and body contouring?</p> <p>This forum is great for learning about fashion, and then making a conscious decision about whether or not a particular trend is useful and makes you feel good and projects the image of yourself that you want to project. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash/page/2#post-858850 Mon, 25 Feb 2013 03:06:37 +0000 DonnaF 858850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ummm, are you folks actually FINDING tons of slouchy bottoms and the like? At my price point (and I don't shop at F21) and petite sizing, all I see are skinnies, esp. ankle length ones! I am waiting for soft tapered baggy pants to appear. My crotch hit so low that pants will look slouchy when they're not! I figure these new fangled pants in regular sizes will give me a nice scrunch since my legs are so short.</p> <p>FWIW, I avoided buying clothes for over a decade, maybe closer to two, because low rise skinny pants/jeans simply do not flatter me and I didn't have the time or energy to spend a zillion hours in a search that I figured would be futile. I also do not look good in soft, flowy knit tops, especially empire line ones, so that was another deterrent. I am pretty good at just saying *No*!</p> <p>Now, I'm learning to pick and choose. I now have a peplum top and two zipped peplum jacket/tops. I just bought a flowered jacket. I like booties (but not mid-calf or high boots). I would at least try full skirts but worry that they would look too twee at my age, and want to try what I call jammie bottoms, knowing that they have to fit *just so*. Bigger shoulders look like they may be trending, and that appeals to me because they would make my waist and thighs look smaller! Pointy shoes have my fussy feet worried, but I briefly tried on some Tildons at Nordies, and I was aghast that they seemed comfy and worth a try. </p> <p>Just gotta be sure I don't look MDAL as I turn 60 in a couple of months. . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash/page/2#post-857711 Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:45:54 +0000 bella 857711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this is a really helpful insight. I bought my first skinny jeans in spring 2008 and was already tucking them into boots in the winter of 2008-2009. When the new trends came around, I was feeling that it is high time for some change. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash/page/2#post-857708 Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:35:41 +0000 anya 857708@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am late to the party but wanted to add my humble imo. I think too that fashion trends wax and wane but this is no reason to abandon who we are. I read ( perhaps here ) there are some flop-proof ways to look current while sitting out trends. Fullskirts are not your cuppa? Wear pencils and perhaps update them with one in a fun/ yours/ trendy color or pattern. The new trouser silhouettes are not your thing ( well, neither are mine) but i wear my shinnies and bootcuts with peplum tops/jackets and that is trendy but "me". Not a pattern mixer? Perhaps a little colorblocked item floats your boat. And so on and so forth. In my case ,while i don't like slouchy 80's bottoms at all, i love slouchy sweaters and severe/delicate pointy toe thin heel look. So , i'm not concerned at all. I look at kate spade or parabal gurung and i see there's enough trendy tailored for us who want to sit out the slouchy phase.<br /> More, i have my greatest fashion icon. My mom. In her 50's not skinny and still looking stylish, not dated and not frumpy without feeling the need to go overboard. She's a clothes lover ( and a tailor) but she adds trends in drops. Like this autumn she bought a beautiful jersey a-line dress, but in a grey and white graphical pattern. That was her nod to the black and white graphic and bold pattern that's going on. One trendy piece per season ( Shoes , that is a whole other story ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash/page/2#post-857701 Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:26:05 +0000 Mander 857701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that this kind of rapid change, coupled with the perception that many trends are not flattering on me, is part of what fuels my fashion frustration. Skinny jeans and leggings still seem wrong to me, unless worn under tall boots, but I do find the more body-hugging silhouette to be (counter-intuitively) more flattering on my rear and my thighs than the slouchy look. But if I don't fit into whatever is trendy at the moment, then it becomes very difficult to find things that I like. This is part of why my attempts to define my own style and clean out my closet have been so slow-going. I might know that really, I want to get rid of X thing, but I can't find anything better to take its place in my wardrobe, so I just put it back and keep wearing it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857614 Sat, 23 Feb 2013 09:18:57 +0000 anne 857614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Janet, I can empathize and have been feeling the same way. You beat me to posting about it. And to make things worse I have been on the forum since it began in 2008 (and reading the blog before that) and I find it hard that things I embraced even five years ago are not in anymore!! I was told so often to only wear low vamp , as shoes and hem everything to knee length, to pick 2 examples. Also, as someone who doesn't have a big clothes budget, it is a struggle just to keep a wardrobe that isn't wearing out. But I have felt for a while that much of the recent fashion in the shops and on YLF isn't really me at all.</p> <p>I guess I am you but way more extreme. You as everyone above has pointed out, always look cool and stylish. I increasingly look frumpy! (not that I have been mulling on all this - have been too busy with other stuff) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857254 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:40:17 +0000 catgirl 857254@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Totally sympathize! I remember when I first joined and there was so much analysis of outfits regarding proportions and belting and waist surrender was a whole new concept. The only difference for me is that I eventually learned that bodycon and waist definition were not my style whether they were trendy or not. These new styles have been where I've headed the last year or so anyway, with BF jeans and slouchy trousers. For me the issue is colors! White and pastels do not float my boat. Just thankful to have stocked up on what I love. </p> <p>You know how to wear what you love, and there's no need to be fashion forward at every moment when you can look fab and current in what you already have. I don't think your bodycon/skinny looks are going to be "out" just because other styles are more "in". </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857247 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:33:21 +0000 cciele 857247@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your mom was quite wise :)</p> <p>Thanks for posting about your realizations, Janet. I think you struck a nerve with many YLFers. I think most of us are constantly trying to figure out where we fall style- and trendwise. There's constant growth and (re)evaluation.</p> <p>Like you, I am pushing 50 and go through periods of self-doubt on what I wear. Is this too short? Tight? Young? I wanted to look current but not dated, not MDAL. It can get pretty confusing, especially when we get differing opinions here and IRL. In the end, though, it's about dressing for yourself. Continue on with your journey -- we're with you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857185 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:48:37 +0000 Janet 857185@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So many great points here! Zap, I LOVE your post. </p> <p>Angie, I have been fretting a bit lately, but as I've mentioned before, I think some of this is being brought on by some fears in other areas of my life that manifest themselves in an area I can control: what I wear. I think I've been spending a little too much time on my fashion hobby lately, which is not to say I regret my YLF time, but I've been getting a little out of balance. I need to keep the fun in it. Last night when I had this "whiplash" realization, I eased up on myself, and the tension started dropping away. </p> <p>I have been trying some things out of my comfort zone in order to test the waters, and it's mostly fun, really. I think I'm having a little challenge reconciling the style I want to have with the increasing realization that I am pushing 50. I think I've been doing a pretty good job of refining my goals, and I've also been mindful I don't want to get in a rut. I might be fairly happy for a short while wearing slim jeans, booties, a silk shirt and a leather moto everyday, but it would get old quick. </p> <p>I have definitely been using this forum as a bit of a sounding board for my questions and frustrations, and it is certainly not my intent to be the Debbie Downer of the forum. I truly hope I have not been wearing on your last nerve! </p> <p>I'm finding my balance while exploring. These last few years that has been a big theme for my life. To stretch while not straying too far from who I am. In my jewelry box, I keep a lovely note my mom wrote me when I was maybe 10 or 11, and there are a lot of wonderful things in it, but one of the things she wrote was, "Belong to the group but keep your individuality." I think it fits quite well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857180 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:47:06 +0000 Angie 857180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nice thoughts, Zap! I really enjoyed reading them and am giving you a hug. They make so much sense to me. </p> <p>Dana, I was careful to say that you *hardly* wear colour. But you can slap me around if you like </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857163 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:34:11 +0000 ironkurtin 857163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, of course I wear color! Just not a LOT of color. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857147 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:25:42 +0000 Anonymous 857147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have many thoughts on this, so we'll see where I end up as I write this.</p> <p>I have concluded I kind of do my own thing, whatever that is. As I was talking to Mochi last time we met, I have been somewhat style conscious for my entire life. I have gone from dark and almost goth in my teens, to preppy chic in my 20s, to corporate gal in my thirties, to whatever it is that I'm right now, as I approach 40. However, I have never abandoned my bootcuts, my A line coats, my pencil skirts and my knee high boots. Why? </p> <p>Well, first and foremost, my family has always placed a huge, perhaps over the top emphasis in individuality and resistance to conformity. That concept was applied across the board from the big stuff, to more mundane things. As far as fashion, my mom actually hated it when we came home asking for whatever the latest trend was. She would tell us girls that being stylish had nothing to do with following trends, that there was no need to be a fashion slave and that because such and such was wearing whatever sneakers or top or what have you, it did not mean that we had to run and get the same thing. I guess that kind of stayed with me. That's why it has never been my plan to jump on each and every trend, I don't have the funds, the time and the energy to jump on everything. That also makes me a very late adopter.</p> <p>Also, I think that discerning what trends to adopt and what items to continue to wear, irrelevant of trends, denotes refinement and self assurance in one's style. I do a lot of people watching, both at home and abroad, and the women whose style had wowed me over the years, had a certain timeless look to them. It is almost as if I could see that woman again in 20 years, she would look as exquisite, current and fashionable as she looked today. I have not been able to pinpoint what is it that makes them so " fabulous", but I don't think that jumping on every trend is the way to get there. Sooo, since being trendy is not my personal style aspiration, I am not too concerned about it. However, I don't want to look dated either. So, I prefer to infuse a little bit of trendy with my core style.</p> <p>As far as the comments on whether or not I have seen the current YLF trends, IRL, some I have, some I haven't. To be frank, I am yet to see the first slouchy skinny or the first extreme pattern mixer. BF jeans are very few and far between. Granted, I do not move on the most avant garde circles. So, just because I have not seen it, it does not mean that it has not gone mainstream. I just have not seen it.</p> <p>Also, although I love hanging out with you gals here, I try to keep my cool and not go off buying and trying everything I see here. I cannot afford it and it would probably look out of context IRL. My real world does not know about UWP, SUP etc. Further, my professional development depends on my ability to blend in with the world of corporate America. I also need to fit with the world of a young profesional in a very dry career, and with the world of a person with a very simple life and who is around people that cannot tell between Tarjay and Philip Lim. Some of you are very lucky in the sense that you either work independently, are in creative fields or wear uniforms at work. I work from a cubicle fellas!</p> <p>If blending IRL causes me to be behind the trends here and in the fashion world, oh well, what can I do? I'd love to show up on the latest looks but again, I would look sadly out of place.</p> <p>Janet, I think you have impeccable style, which is very unique to you. If you stay true to that, you will never look passe. We can sit this one out. I don't think the slouchy look will work on me, anyway.</p> <p>Thank you for reading my novel:)</p> <p>ETA: to add picture of who I want to be when I grow up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857143 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:14:55 +0000 Angie 857143@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To be fair, Dana - you hardly wear colour. And neutrals are always available :)</p> <p>Also, as an aside, I think some of you might be confusing body con fits with tailored fits. </p> <p>Here are the facts as I see them: </p> <p>- Tailored Fits are ALWAYS IN STYLE. </p> <p>- Body con fits are not as on trend as they used to be, but they are still trendy. It's not a fad that will disappear overnight. The concept of a fashion fad is somewhat dated. </p> <p>- Looser fits are trending, meaning that is the general direction of fashion forward silhouettes. By LOOSE, I mean looser than body con, so tailored and oversized. Do not exaggerate this fact by thinking that only baggy clothes are fashionable and in style. That's simply not true. </p> <p>Janet, please listen to me. There is a recurring theme in your threads over the last few months - a fear that you are being left behind in the fashion game because you feel that you can't or won't wear this or that. I keep on trying to reassure you that this is simply NOT the case. Very far from it. You are plenty trendy and stylish and will continue to be. The countless positive feedback on your threads keeps on confirming that - just in case I don't hold enough clout. Please let go of this notion!! You will still be as cool as you already are.</p> <p>Furthermore Janet, that body con frock was revolutionary for you. It made you accept and love your curves (although we always did!!). Continue to wear the look and smile at your admirers! We are living in a very democratic era of fashion and style. Keep on embracing this liberating approach </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857129 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:51:06 +0000 ironkurtin 857129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ignore what you don't like and wear what you do!</p> <p>I smile when the forum gets a little worried that they'll be noting to buy (less color next season!) because I have literally never, ever, run out of things to buy. Maybe it's my superpower.</p> <p>There's always the season AFTER next, and whoosh, it'll be here before you know it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857124 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:48:32 +0000 Echo 857124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Any extreme in fit is trendy at some point, whether that means leggings and skinny jeans at one end of the spectrum or slouchy or harem pants at the other. But one thing is certain: good, tailored fits are a classic, ALWAYS. Straight leg pants, things that fit your body but don't cling, etc. I think that slouchy styles will be of shorter duration as far as trends go, simply because they are difficult for many people to wear. They didn't last long in the '80's, and I am not sure the new trends are a whole lot more wearable. The best default is tailored clothing and styles you know already work for you and your body. Part of being comfortable in one's style, IMO, is knowing that we don't have to run out and participate in every trend. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857112 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:17:10 +0000 Atlantia 857112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just bought my first pair of skinny jeans last month, so I am a WAY late adopter. And the only reason I rock the slouchy look is because I'm losing weight and my pants get saggy.<br /> I totally know what you mean about whiplash, Janet. Just know that because this is a fashion forum, it moves faster than most day to day fashion out in the "real world." I'm in MD/DC/VA, too, and I haven't seen the slouchy look take off. I think us Washingtonians are too uptight for it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857111 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 20:11:11 +0000 texstyle 857111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another one right here with you Janet! I don't mind BF jeans and some slightly slouchy t-shirts but overall I don't want to look larger because I'm wearing loose, flowy clothes. I try to work hard to keep in shape and I don't plan to hide that fact. I prefer clothes that skim my body but not that are form fitted. I loathe high waisted pants or skirts, can't stand pleats (OMG are they REALLY coming back?), I don't like "boxy" anything and rarely wear anything considered a tunic. And the pointy shoulder pad thing is downright absurd to my eye. But I'm no trend setter. </p> <p>But I DO feel oddly better now. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857074 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:58:43 +0000 unfrumped 857074@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, I SO hear you and I am way more behind than you.</p> <p> I feel I am currently moving in 2 different directions--more fitted pants plus some trendier not so fitted--and then might miss the boat again when that changes. What isn't working so well are my kinda wide-ish but not wide trouser legs.</p> <p>I first found YLF last Jan after I'd already determined to start a style and wardrobe makeover and was doing a major wardrobe review and purge. I had only adopted flat-front pants a couple of years ago and was still mourning my pleated trousers—into which I always tucked my tops, BTW, but quit doing that with the lower rise pants and had to buy tops that were longer. I have never owned any skinnies and only last year bought my first jeans in dark washes and in some more fitted styles, not anything close to skinnies but still much more fitted than some of my peers! So I was just warming up to trying looser tops over narrower pants when the next thing I hear is oversized BF jeans! And then the slouchy and pleated pants when I just gave mine away (though they were different, of course).</p> <p>I am still trying to hone a workable strategy In which my wardrobe does not have to turn over so often or so completely as to be impractical, but still has some freshness to it. And to dress my body type most of the time regardless of where the trends are going. Keep focused on which fashion shifts are most useful to me and which to pass by. And to bypass changes that are more work than fun!</p> <p>What I can relate to in Suz's comments is that I think I'm a mixture--I am finding I<br /> like more change and being at least somewhat current a lot more than I thought, and am having fun trying to see what some of those changes ought to be, and shouldn't plan on as long a life for a lot of my clothes, but I don't like to feel as though I have to change some of the things that really work for me if I'm not ready to, and I want to devote almost as much time &amp; energy to being sure I always have a core of some itmes that have several years of life in them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857071 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:56:18 +0000 rachylou 857071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No, I agree. I think things are insanely crazy. The fashion shows seem constant to me. I don't know how far ahead we are now... Fall 2013? 2014? 2050?</p> <p>My current plan is to do what I think is Fall 2013 for Spring 2013. Hehe. I don't care if the goods won't be out in the stores. Where there's a will, there's a way! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857050 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:36:42 +0000 Rinoa 857050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ahh I feel the same about the looseness! I've just started on choosing better fitting clothes for the first time, and then Nordstrom personal shoppers and the like tell me to "embrace the looseness". I think I could pick up a more relaxed sweater though, we'll see. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857034 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:24:00 +0000 rae 857034@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a late adopter, too, Janet! Nothing wrong with that. I loathed skinny jeans for many moons, and now I can't imagine my boots without them. Also fine if you never like the trends. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-857030 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 18:17:22 +0000 Kim 857030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm pretty sure Angie's not going to send the Fashion Police after you so you're good to go! LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-856971 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:22:25 +0000 RoseandJoan 856971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, if you purchased nothing this season you would still have a rocking on trend wardrobe, just because one trend does not appeal does not mean you lose fashion brownie points. </p> <p>In foodie terms, slouchy trousers may be the new superfood but that does not mean I have to eat it and my diet will not suffer as a result. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-856966 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:15:29 +0000 Aziraphale 856966@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, I totally understand. I'm often late to the party too. The skinny jean trend actually started nearly a decade ago (I checked Wikipedia; it says around 2004) and I know for sure that my first reaction was, What? No! I had been really enjoying the bootcut/flare trend of the late 90s/early 200os, because I felt the wider leg opening added visual weight to my lower half, which I liked. When I first tried on skinnies, I was horrified. It took me quite a few years to warm up to the trend and figure out a way to make it work for me. </p> <p>Of course now, I don't want to give them up...but there is room in my closet for tight AND loose pants, right? </p> <p>Anyway, my point is, trends are just trends. You can take them and apply them however you like. You can have a mix of body con and waist-surrendering looks in your wardrobe. You can forgo a trend altogether if it doesn't appeal to you or if you can't make it work. </p> <p>I know EXACTLY what you mean by fashion whiplash, though. Also love your term "calf-sucking skinny legging styles" -- that described them perfectly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-856936 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:37:02 +0000 citygirldc 856936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm either ahead of the treads or far behind. I usually do my own thing and try keep a few items of clothing updated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-856928 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:25:03 +0000 rute 856928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>we all have different times! I'm slower too! It take more time for me to love the new trends! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-856902 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:57:15 +0000 Suz 856902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been surprising myself in the opposite way. </p> <p>I always thought I was a conservative dresser. Certainly, all I bought were boring, practical, and (frankly) frumpy basics, and I expected them to last for years. </p> <p>I figured that I would continue along that path forever. </p> <p>Well, here I find that I'm enjoying embracing new trends as they come out. Not ALL the trends, obviously -- there are some things that just don't work for me personally, either my body type or my colouring or my lifestyle (stiletto heels, anyone? Neon brights?) And some things that just don't tickle my fancy all that much for me, personally - even if they might in theory look good (i.e. peplum tops) But I have discovered that I actually LIKE to own a couple of the latest trends. </p> <p>Nobody around here wears slouchy trousers. They aren't in the stores. I have no idea what people might think when they see me. And you know, it never even occurred to me to wonder! I must really be caught up in the YLF bubble. I only care about what you guys think!!</p> <p>ETA: my peplum top example is instructive, though. My peplum tops might be your slouchy trousers. There's no need to wear every trend. As long as we are adopting one or two we're going to look current. You always look terrific, Janet - I don't think there's any need to worry that you won't look up to date. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-856901 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:57:15 +0000 Jules 856901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet I am absolutely in the same boat, and we have a somewhat similar shape as well. Mine is also slowly changing since I'd done having kids and seem to be slowly losing weight/regaining pre-pregnancy weight distribution. I fairly recently embraced skinny jeans and am still figuring out the variations (ie/ under tall boots is a no-brainer in winter, but can I work them into spring/summer?). It's actually easy for me to go back to sizing up and dropped crotch since I've tended to do that my whole life be - but, people were always telling me my clothes were too big, and I'm not convinced the look is as flattering on me as perfect, well-fitting pants (which are "only" super hard to come by!).<br /> To be honest I also don't find the boxy look flattering on everyone. I am trying to figure out if it's just a matter of "you must be tall and slim to wear that!" which seems to be a default reaction to every new look, both on my part and the media's - I mean I felt that way about skinnies (vs bootcuts) when they first came out and now I feel like skinnies are more flattering than the new look so is it just that my eye needs to adjust? I don't know yet, but I'm definitely a late adopter! And sometimes it seems like a lot of work to stay on top of things and find that perfect pair. I love the look of certain slouchy trousers, but if it's meant to be, and is a trend with staying power, perhaps it will seem easier next season/year when the trend has filtered down a bit and more cuts and fabrics are available.<br /> Until then, your sister in skinnies and other slightly body-con looks </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-856886 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:46:30 +0000 modgrl 856886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I saw this coming a while ago... just as I was getting comfortable with wearing belts and showing my waist, waist surrender looks started coming down the pike. These were tough for me to get used to at first but after a while I realized I could pull off the look if I wore waist surrender tops with skinnies. And then the whole volume over volume thing started.... and then midis... and flats?!? What?! All a recipe for disaster for apple petites! I am not doing voluminous pleated track pants right now. Maybe I will warm to them over time as I see how others style them. Maybe not. I lived through the 80's. I didn't like them then. I'm thinking they aren't going to work for me now either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-whiplash#post-856884 Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:43:44 +0000 Janet 856884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sara, I haven't seen it in play locally AT ALL, but I suppose the Baltimore-Annapolis-Washington area isn't exactly the cutting edge of the fashion world. Even in the stores, I'm still seeing mostly slim cuts. The Leith pants and only one or two higher-priced items (DVF pants, for example) were the only baggy/slouchy bottoms I saw yesterday in the mall. I suppose that will change as the season progresses, but the mainstream spring retail lines don't seem to be flush with this look at all. </p> <p>I am concerned about how many high-waisted cuts I'm seeing. High-rise is really difficult for me, and I have been enjoying lower- and moderate-rise styles.</p> <p>Kim, I hear you! It took me a long time to try on a pair of "skinnies" which were really only straights now that I look at them. Now my straight leg jeans look tame in comparison to the calf-sucking skinny legging styles that came along in their wake! </p> <p>Nancy, I knew you were on the same page with me. I start to overanalyze these things sometimes. I don't want to summarily dismiss a trend that doesn't float my boat from the start, but sometimes you just can't force yourself into something! I have been enjoying the slightly oversized top look, so I think I'll keep playing with that and keep trying to find a compromise trouser cut, like dianthus mentions. I'd love something with ease and drape but not *so* much baggy and slouchy. Just a bit. </p> <p>It's a trend I'll participate in, but only in a moderate, modified way. After all, isn't that what Angie says about style? It's adopting the trends that appeal to you, in a way that works for you! I feel a lot better about this today. </p>