I don't have much to contribute to the discussion, which hasn't already been put in a very eloquent manner already (I particularly like what Michelle wrote), but I just wanted to say that I'm glad you started this discussion, IK. This is something that we'd all do well to keep in mind when making choices, whether it's about fashion or something else. Sometimes, it makes good sense to do what's easiest and follow the herd. It would simply be ridiculous to reinvent the wheel day after day. In the end, though, it's important to stay true to yourself and not lose touch with your values, point of view, etc. The world's a much more interesting place with some measure of variety rather than total homogeneity.

I think this 'look, in sooo much more attainable at almost all price points and sizes these days. I can't, in my recent memory--which is just a little beyond last weekend--remember seeing so many different high boots in stores as I see now. How else would you wear them--time for a challenge??

Patty, I love to wear my knee high boots with tights and dresses. So that's another way to wear them.

Argh! I've just bought skinny jeans and tall boots- why do I always take so long to follow a trend?! By the time I've built up the confidence everyone else is over it!

tonib, you're a doll!

Re. Walnut Creek: Ok. I went to school out that way, so I can talk smack out it. And I have to tell y'all, the other evening I was on Telegraph in Oakland where some folks were seriously talking about how to avoid coming off like all the other Blackhawk people, Blackhawk being a place lumped together with Walnut Creek and other spots as "The Valley."

The Valley is, simply, widely acknowledged as frightening even by people who live there. I mean like this one prom night party I went to... not that I didn't have a wild blast... but it was in this gated community where there was wall-to-wall carpet in the garages and all the parents were off at Club Med and all the kids were running around inside off their heads like they'd been infected by a zombifying virus.

So yeah, people are on guard for early warning signs like a Range Rover, tan slacks, and highlights.

Speaking of Europe, after our trip to Italy, DH refers to my skinnies as "Euro jeans". He hasn't really pegged the skinnies+boots look as ubiquitous in the US, perhaps because where we live, there are so many different "uniforms", including mom jeans and white sneakers, that the "lemming" look is not really a uniform at all. But he did notice stylish Italian women (and men) wearing all sorts of skinny pants and leggings so now he is paying more attention to skinny pants as the more "Euro" look.

IK I have to say thank you for starting this discussion, it has been a fascinating one! (Hope I didn't offend anyone, either!)

I'm laughing out loud at the references to Walnut Creek. I lived there for 12 years and both my kids were born there. I had a hair stylist that worked half his time in WC and the other half at a salon in Oakland. I asked him why he split his time like that and he said that he made more money in WC but he could be more creative in Oakland. In WC, the women were most concerned with looking "pretty" and the women in Oakland were most concerned with looking "different and edgy". I have to say there was a definite degree of sameness in the WC uniform. But I also spent a lot of time over in Oakland and for all its diversity, there was a uniform there, as well. There is a uniform here in the eastern part of the Seattle area. And there was a completely different uniform down in San Diego.

I have no problem with uniforms and I tend to be a uniform dresser for the most part. But I also strive to set myself apart.....All the moms wear puffer coats for the morning walk to school and I also have a puffer coat...but mine is slightly metallic gray. So in the sea of black puffers, I am the shiny one. I think there are ebbs and floes with fashion trends and I beleive we have hit the peak for the skinnies with boots trend and people will be mixing it up going forward. But its not going away....its flattering, comfortable and those boots cost a fortune!

I think of all the uniforms available, the skinnies and boots combo is great. Easy and stylish. And allows enough variation so that people can express themselves. I see it everywhere and I admit that I still like it and I'm glad its going strong.

Walnut Creek...I lived/worked there for more than a decade...and I have to say that I think it's getting a bum rap. Don't you mean Danville, Blackhawk or Alamo? The WC folk I hung out with were more the arty type, really independent individuals. What do I know, I'm a redhead!

Hey IK thanks for getting this going...really interesting input from everyone.

Rachylou: I totally cracked up at your description of Walnut Creek (where I worked many years ago) parties! It totally sounds like a John Hughes movie.

Sheila - I agree that the uniform between the Danville/Blackhawk/Alamo side of WC was a much different uniform from the Pleasant Hill/Martinez/Concord side of WC! Indeed, very much like a John Hughes movie!

I haven't read the whole thread but I don't really understand all the fuss, to be honest. If I found a woman on the street dressed with jeans like mine, boots like mine, my coat, my scarf and my glasses, she still wouldn't look like me because we have different bodies and faces. It's as simple as that. I don't consider the skinnies+boots as a super cool formula -let alone my creative formula-. Seriously, it's such an easy combination, especially when it rains, and particularly flattering (at least on me). I feel no pride when I wear it myself, so I feel no offense when somebody does. Women, YOU are unique and can't help it. As much as I love fashion, clothes don't define me as a person, and I don't think they define you either. I'm the same woman when I wear my favorite high heels and cocktail dress and when I wear my comfy pajamas, and so are you.

It's not surprising to see such a hot topic show up active again on the forum! And it's very nice to see other posters jumping in to say, yes, Walnut Creek is a very special place in terms of uniformity. FWIW, i live in Pleasant Hill across the street from the Martinez border (a couple of miles from John Muir's house!)

In principle and theory of course what others wear should matter not to anyone else. But in practice it can and does, i've found........i've worn my curly/wavy hair layered and let it air dry a little messy for decades. I can even say at this point it's something of a trademark. When i moved to P.H. from Berkeley a dozen years ago, my (wonderful!) long term hairstylist had moved out of state and it seemed sensible to find someone closer to where i lived.

I went to the first stylist, explained how i liked my hair cut and how i cared for it, etc. She listened attentively, pulled out the scissors......one hour later i had a blunt cut, little below shoulder length, long layers around the face, blown dry straight.

Okay - just a fluke. I tried second stylist. i explained how i liked my hair cut and how i cared for it, etc. She listened attentively, pulled out the scissors......one hour later i had a blunt cut, little below shoulder length, long layers around the face, blown dry straight.

Beginning to get nervous, but really - what are the odds? Must be bad luck. Researched salons and went to third stylist. I explained how i liked my hair cut and how i cared for it, etc. She listened attentively, pulled out the scissors......one hour later i had a blunt cut, little below shoulder length, long layers around the face, blown dry straight.

Now i cut my own hair. But honestly, to me, when people can't even imagine doing things differently even when a person sits there explaining to you how they do not want the 'standard do' - i'll admit it's scary! Not to mention very frustrating if you don't want to go along with the herd. And i would like to add that these days i do see more variety in clothing, hair, makeup and so on around here than i did in the early '00's.

It's so interesting to see everyone's different takes on this topic, and how strong the opinions are held. Kudos to IK for starting this thread! steph