As we head to 2017 ... what items definitely need to stay in the past?

Helena

Hi all,

For some reason I started looking up articles about dated items that need to be tossed. I am wondering what you ladies think - are these dated, classic, or still stylish? What would need to be added to the list?

For women, some items mentioned were:

square-toed shoes a la late 90s
infinity scarves (I just bought a huge knit one for winter and I don't care if it's dated; it's warm and stays on!)
wedge booties (a la Toms, I believe)
waterfall cardigans
elastic waisted jeggings (definitely passed this one by the first time!)
bubble necklaces
cowl necks
rounded-toe pumps with that hidden stack/platform at the front (no idea what that's called - do you know what I mean?)

For men, some items mentioned were:

Square toe shoes (the one item on both lists)
Long cargo shorts
the first wave of dressy sneakers (many looked vaguely like bowling shoes!)
boot cut jeans
dress shoes with jeans (I don't see why this would be out, if the jeans and the shoes are relatively up-to-date?)

What say you YLF???

7 years ago

Dressing

52 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

rachylou

Veteran

What's a bubble necklace? But anyways, I'll be back with my Declarations

7 years ago

Helena

Veteran

I think they are those colorful statement necklaces that came out when statement necklaces became a big thing. I think J. Crew got them going?

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7 years ago

Anonymous

I didn't know what a bubble necklace is, either. I don't have one.

7 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

I'm with you on infinity scarves. IDC IDC IDC they stay because I don't have to fuss/fidget, they keep me warm in winter, and the lightweight ones aren't too much in spring (which is often in the 80s around here).

I've never been big on square toe shoes/boots with one exception: harness boots. Those are more of a classic sort of piece than many square toe shoes/boots seem to be. Snip toe shoes/boots are ok to me because they're at least elongated to offset the squared off end.

I like cowl necks in theory, but I never could figure out hiw to wear them without fidgeting.

As for the round toe hidden platform pumps: I've seen them called frump pumps LOL

I wish I would quit seeing all the newscaster women wearing all those "statement" necklaces that remind me of the necklaces in little girls' dress-up kits, you know the ones, yes? Plastic gems fashioned into some sort of breastplate looking thing that completely fills out the void of a scoop neck?

And I've seen shredded tops and sweaters are out and IDC IDC IDC IDC but i do like the "reconstructed" styles I'm seeing recommended instead. Both are interesting to me.

I'm seeing sheer maxi skirts are out, and I'm glad. I didn't understand the point of those. I mean, I'm not mad at anybody that wore them, I just didn't understand it.

7 years ago

always trying

Veteran

I love my wedge Toms and intend to wear them until I tire of them. They are so comfy. I have two infinity scarves that, although I don't wear them often, will keep them until I no longer see them in stores or when it is ME who decides when to stop wearing them. I thought cowl necks were just trending this year. I guess I am not current on current tends,,but i shall not worry about it. I really do not pay attention to those articles about what is "out". Read 10 different ones and you get 10 different opinions. I think one should just rely on their own fashion sense.

7 years ago

Anonymous

I hate thin garments that force women to layer. What if I want to be warm without layering? I ought to be able to purchase a thick sweater or whatever. It's really annoying. My 18-year-old DD thinks so, too.

I like round toes because they're more like the shape of my fussy feet. I'll wear them no matter what. I'm not fond of square toes. I like pointed toes, but they don't like me back.

7 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

I like infinity scarves from a practical perspective. When you're running after small children, they don't fall off. They look a lot nicer than, say, a sporty neck gaiter... but maybe fleece gaiters will be the next big thing.

I don't have any of the others on that list, except for some cowl-ish tops. I like a baby cowl, not a huge one.

Long cargo shorts makes me laugh. Haven't we been trying to get rid of those forever?

I'm seeing an awful lot of jeggings out there -- they just don't call themselves that anymore. It's always "yoga jeans" or "anywhere jeans" or some such euphemism.

Personally, I'm done with too-low rises and distressing (although that's not really new to this year, just an ongoing critique of what's on offer). Also, it looks like things are moving away from drape (waterfalls and cowl necks, etc) and back towards boxy/structured, and that makes me happy.

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

In my professional opinion, none of these items are dated - but I would scrutinize those '90s square toes for both gals and blokes. They have a good chance of looking dated - and not fab enough to look Retro or Vintage either.

7 years ago

Anonymous

So, for men, you know those pants that have zip off bottoms? Those. And some of them have a double zip off at different short lengths. Those too.

For women's styles I will never say never to anything!

7 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

I am glad that Angie chimed in and rehabilitated most of those items. I agree about shoes with very squared toes but nothing is going to stop me from wearing my infinity scarf that I knit at least 8 years ago. It is warm, comfy, purple and I love it.

7 years ago

Sal

Veteran

There are items on the list that I struggle with - but in the most part I do not mind them on others.

I struggle with an infinity scarf - combination of my short neck and bust I think - I like them on others. I never wore platform pumps even when they were highly in fashion! But I do like a cowl neck

I am with BC - I am a little sick of very thin knits for summer or winter that require layering to be decent. They wear out quickly, it makes choosing a bra harder than it needs to be...

Here men (especially younger men) have really lifted their game fashion wise. Lots of great hair styles, facial hair, sharp footwear, great shirts etc.. Middle aged men are also doing so, although I am a bit over seeing men wearing "league shorts" when they are not playing sport.

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7 years ago

Helena

Veteran

And the moral is ... Dont trust a list telling you to get rid of your old stuff if the source just may be trying to sell you new stuff! Trust YLF instead!!

7 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Shredded jeans. I'm over them. I've been over waterfall cardigans and bubble necklaces for years.

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

There you go, Helena and Joyce.

A little clarification, here. You might be over something, but that doesn't mean it's dated for others, or "generally" dated. I gave a general point of view.

7 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I've actually been seeing quite a few cowl necks when online shopping. I've been scouring websites for one in my size!

7 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

Ha! My husband wears both cargo shorts and pants that zip to shorts!

7 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

I do agree that the larger necklaces have had their day.
To a lesser extent waterfall cardigans, and I still have some that I enjoy and wear.
My daughters still love skinny jeans, and Hubby doesn't get my love of wide pants at all

7 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Thanks everyone!

Quite right Angie - there are items which are maybe not as trendy anymore, but that does not mean they are out of style per se ... and of course, something which is a part of someone's personal style can always look fresh, because it is authentic to that person.

What I was thinking of was more non-negotiably "done" items ... sort of how pleated mom-jeans were, pre "norm-core" of course! There really was no way to wear them and look stylish - although I'm sure there were women who even wore those with authenticity and looked beautiful!

I suppose the reality of today is that fashion and style are so personal and varied, that it becomes very difficult to make the same blanket statements we could have made even 10 years ago.

Laughing about the shorts comments ... especially the zip off leg ones ... I had those for my son to avoid fights about whether it was shorts or pants weather ha!

7 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Ok, I'm thinking actual shoes from the 90s should go, but square is ok if that's part of your personal style. I'm not feeling bubble necklaces...definitely it's a year for pearls. The cowl neck is coming back, but in a slouchier way re. the body of the sweater. Waterfall sweaters are out as a centerpiece, but not unusable. Infinity scarves can't be out - they're basic - but definitely some of mine have lost their cool. Like my 'cheesecloth' ones.

Long cargo shorts were never good for men... in fact no adult man should wear short pants off the beach and out of the woods (and maybe not in the woods either)... hehe

What?! Did I not warn about my pronouncements? Man leg is not ok. Man is not boy. Mwahaha. Mwahaha!

7 years ago

Sal

Veteran

It's almost when something is sooooo out that it comes back in again.

There is a cycle

- early adopters wearing an item, still fringe
- fashionable
- ubiquitous/ mainstream
- thrashed, those in the know definitely not wearing
- lingering on/less available in retail
- definitely out of fashion

And then we start again. I haven't given examples for the last three stages... Some things peak so highly they are inevitable t

I'm not usually an early adopter, and as a relatively classic dresser I don't follow every trend. At the moment I would see 1980s baggy pants falling into the early adopter category, and maybe white leather sneakers and cold shoulder tops falling into the middle category.

7 years ago

El Cee

Veteran

For now I will be holding onto my cowl necks and cardigans... coziness is key these days. Besides... Kiwigal/Sally has a good point: "It's almost when something is sooooo out that it comes back in again." Really want some (late) 1980's baggy pants. Hammer Time!!!

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7 years ago

Kaelyn

Veteran

Distressed denim. It doesn't need to die off completely, but it needs to CHILL. As a member of Team (mostly) Polished, I'm fed up with finding jeans that look perfect and then OH, GREAT, THERE'S A HOLE IN THIS.

7 years ago

Helena

Veteran

El cee, I have hammer pants!! Ok they are jammies but still ... And sooo comfy and hilarious looking

7 years ago

Cee

Veteran

I dunno about cowlnecks deserving to be on the list, even though I much prefer either a turtle or crewneck collar.

OVER-sized cowls were the collar is actually larger than the rest of the jumper/sweater is a bit much.

Hmm... As for my vote Jeggings, " distressed " jeans and muffin tops !

7 years ago

minimalist

Veteran

I have a pair of those hidden-platform round-toe booties, like them just fine, and have no plans to retire them.

Skipped shredded jeans entirely, and they looked dated very quickly to my eye. Waterfall cardigans were always only loungewear and only on strict probation.

A well-meaning but somewhat $#!+-stirring aunt left me everything, including her hoooo-boy *extensive* collection of dramatic statement necklaces bought during travels and from favorite local artisans. The bibs and, hmm, are some of them in the bubble category? are selling very (through a service with outlets on etsy and ebay) at very solid prices, so I'm glad that the memo that they're passé hasn't circulated. (Clarification: none of these were sentimental; at least, nobody in the family had seen her wearing them.)

Thanks for posting this, torontogirl. It's good to take inventory and re-evaluate with a critical eye, and keep what we like decisively.

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7 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I'm adopting Kaelyn's idea of a CHILL area instead of trying to apply IN and OUT labels.

My CHILL area will include anything that makes me yawn when I see it in the shops or on a fashion blog--shredded jeans, platform sneakers, and statement necklaces. My THRILL area is for trends which make me feel excited about fashion again--sweeping, mid-length culottes, taller boots, and structured wool coats. My FILL-'TIL area is for items which I'll happily wear 'TIL I find something better to replace them because they FILL a need in my wardrobe--oversized cashmere wraps, fashion sneakers, and anorak-style jackets.

Thanks Kaelyn, for getting me sorted.

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Actually ladies, large necklaces are very on trend.

7 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

My mind keeps straying to non-fashion items.
Fashion wise, shredded jeans are the only thing that I feel have been overdone.

7 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Hmm, I don't really wear a lot of these things anyway! Cowl necks, IMO, completely depend on the item. I see them in slightly different versions every winter season, so I don't see them as dated unless the rest of the item is somehow dated.

As for "long cargo shorts", I must be misunderstanding. DH wears cargo shorts, and they sure aren't short-short. They aren't culotte length or anything, but they come maybe to the knee or barely above it, and I think they look fine. I'd much prefer those over, say, the cut-offs from decades past.

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7 years ago

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