I haven't forgotten Traci, nor am I "getting bent." I don't believe I ever asked anyone to change how they dress or what to think. I asked some questions to challenge some of the comments I read in the blog because they seemed to be at odds with the sentiments I have read based on classic styling.

Kari is absolutely right. Trendiness and age have nothing to do with each other. Vera Wang is trendy and she is older than my mother. She looks great. Angie is 40 and looks fantastic. Same with Cathy (cciele). Anna is, I believe, in her mid-30's. Lots of very fab trendy gals over 35 sporting trendy looks and looking good doing it.

Kari, Michelle, and Marianna are all closer to my age, and yet all of them are quite a bit more classic. Always elegant and modern, but not trendy (though Kari is perhaps a bit more trendy than the M's). I also disagree handily that there is an age majority on YLF. We have a wide range of ages from those in their early 20's through those in their 60's and all seem to have a pretty healthy representation here. Whenever I post I am speaking with this audience in mind.

So I don't think your age/trend comparison really works. Unless you think all of us look like we are "trying too hard," which is an opinion you're certainly entitled to. But an opinion I do not share at all.

But for what it's worth, as I said, I am not asking anyone to change how they dress or what works for them. I know style is about personality and lifestyle (and so many other things). But that's not what this is about. I am not a classic dresser but I appreciate classic looks, including head to toe classic. So I am simply curious as to why the inverse is so frowned upon--by both classic and trendy dressers alike.

Maya, I really resonated with your last comment. It was as if you were in my head!

Here's a different viewpoint all together. It's *grossly* generalized so take it that way :). People like to be considered trendy, but don't like the word (for a myriad of complicated reasons). In the same breath, they do not want to be labeled classic because it's thought of as boring. Think back to countless comments of readers aspiring to a look that's "classic but with a twist". The twist makes them feel special, but heaven forbid trendy. People like to think that they are deep, when in actual fact there is nothing wrong with being a simple person who is not deep. In fact these are my favourite types of people. Style is a celebration of individuality and self expression - too classic and you are boring, too trendy and you are trying too hard. Well, ironically, everyone is trying to hard if this is how we think about it! Keep the judgments aside, wear flattering clothing and have fun with your wardrobe - that's worth the effort.

Almost a birthday girl, Kari!

I always referred to " the twist " to mean my own individual stamp or piece that made the classic look my own... my twist:)
I don't mind being classic, or trendy as long as it is unmistakably taylor:) Hope that makes more sense.

Maya, for what it's worth, like Taylor I'm always just looking to tweak an outfit with all trendy or some trendy or all classic elements to represent "me".

Personally, there are a lot of trends I would like to embrace but my body type does not always accommodate what my mind desires. Sometimes even if it does, my wallet doesn't! So, say, if I did get a pair of skinny cargoes, it would be a disaster ad I'd end up looking like I'm "trying too hard". And of course then there is the age factor. I guess it is more hesitation and mental block towards embracing short lived, non-tried and tested, established trends and less frowning upon.

This conversation is taking the fun out of the very thing that brought us all together in the first place.
Live and let live.

I'm sorry some of you are finding this question offensive or un-fun. I don't really know why though. I think it's important to have your thoughts challenged--that's how I grow and develop my own style, personally.

Maya, I feel I must clarify that I wasn't offended by your question or any of the other thoughts voiced on this thread. I always find conversations you spawn rather stimulating and enjoyable as they really draw out everybody's perceptions and thought processes.

Hmmm. After reading this and the other thread, I realized that I define "trendy" a bit differently, I think. A few years ago, minimalism was really in. I considered that trendy. It looked very stark to me and I didn't really like it on me. But Caroline Bessette Kennedy was a whiz at it. I find the Mad Men look very trendy now also. I guess to me it really is about how ubiquitous it is...maybe this is a wrong way of looking at it.

All I know is that Emeril Lagasse gave me a lightbulb moment for dressing the other day:

I am just a plain flounder, dressing in some necessary, practical but not exciting stuff...then BAM, BAM, - accessories, color. And no, I won't wear parsley on my head.

LOL @ Isabel the spice wearing flounder!!! I think I'd be a tilapia - maybe macadamia nut crusted . . .

I google the word trendy, and I like these two lines:

Not trendy - Oh, my god I love this shirt! I don't usually shop here, but hey' it Rocks

Trendy - Hey, its a shirt that I have seen people wearing. Eh, so it's not really my style,but I'll be cool!
hmmm..... there is more:
http://www.urbandictionary.com.....erm=trendy

Renatat, what a brilliant idea to google it ! Though I am not sure that I agree with the fact that "hoochy mama" across the seat of you pants is "trendy". That was funny. So then do different "genres" define it differently ? It was interesting how the urban dictionary tied it to music, too.

Mo - just your pick of fish and embellishments show how much more exciting you are than me ( at least I didn't pick farm raised trout with lemon juice ) !!!!!