Feeling like I'm swimming against the tide

As I see all the pattern mixing, and florals and brights and pastels, I have to chuckle that I have been moving away from all these things these last 2 years. I have ditched many patterns in favor of solids and my multicolor closet has largely toned down to green, red, blue and purple with neutrals to support the colors.
Maybe I am finally feeling the need to 'grow up' my wardrobe and that is why I'm drawn to a slightly more subdued look? I don't know . . . but I definitely feel like a fish out of water this spring and only hope that I'm honing my own look and not getting stagnant.
I came here with clothes that hadn't been purged for years and no knowledge of current shirt hem lengths, etc. I like to think I've learned a lot but hope I am not heading into stagnant waters again.
I will keep watching . . . but at a distance from this season's trends! You all let me know when I'm starting to get out of touch and dated, okay? I'm counting on you!

14 years ago

General

16 replies

Latest reply was from Michelle

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Mo, I think it's great that you have such a strong sense of your own style and what works for you that you don't have to chase down all the latest trends. Keep on staying true to yourself--you always look fab!

14 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I think you have really honed your style, Mo. I've really enjoyed seeing your style evolve--the Willow and Clay outfits being one of my recent faves. I do think that it's normal (at least for me) to regroup and take a step back after incorporating some changes. I feel like I've been doing the same thing--watching from the side lines and taking a fashion breather. I'm a late adopter anyway--that's another reason I'm kind of sitting here on the side lines : )

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the reassurances! It's hard to know when you are being true to your style and when you're just being stubborn and not moving with the times lol.

14 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

Mo, I think the things you are referencing are seasonal trends, and not the times moving along without you. Florals and pastels pop up every. single. spring. (much to my irritation). I think one only becomes behind the times when you don't update for a long time - like, to the point where you are deprived of fabric technology like spandex in your jeans. Ok, that is an exaggeration, but it sort of illustrates the point. You can stay current without following trends, but not without a periodical refresh.

14 years ago

taylor

Veteran

Mo, I totally get you! You are not living in the 90's fashion wise...just because you aren't embracing florals,prints and brights doesn't mean you aren't stylish and current...and it doesn't mean everyone who embraces each new trend is!

You have your style likes and dislikes down and that is what Angie wants for us to find out about ourselves...what really make us happy, and confident when we are wearing clothes we love...you already know!!...others are just starting their fashion journey.

I can assure you nothing would make us less confident than wearing something we aren't comfortable in just because other people are wearing it! You have great style...embrace it!

14 years ago

(website)

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Good point, Rae. I just know I was very happy with my style years ago and didn't really bother or notice that it needed updating as I went. That's the fear - you get so in your groove you get left behind! But, yes, the knowledge I now have, and the idea of capsules and purging and wardrobe management should all help me not go back there again.

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Taylor! I know you have impeccable style, and it is all your own, and I love that! Okay, I'll calm down now hee hee. I think Rae made a valuable point about refreshing being the key. I used to hoard until it fell apart. Not anymore

EDIT: and I definitely agree that wearing a trend does not necessarily equal style, but I just don't want to get to complacent, I suppose

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Wow and I am finally starting to feel like fashion is going my way for the first time in a long time. Polka dots are everywhere and are socially acceptable for those over age 3 again!! Hurray. I have always been a fan of black and white graphic prints. Those never got purged from my closet. Fashions are cyclical, things go in and out. I think it's important to focus on your style and what feels right to you. You can pick and choose the trends that you want to add to your wardrobe each season, but you don't have to participate in every one of them.

14 years ago

Jem

Veteran

I'm with Modgrl! I love all of the brights and patterns, but other seasons, not so much... Fashion is supposed to be fun, so when the current styles aren't something you like or are comfortable in , there's no sense in trying to follow them. Plus, look at all the money you are saving...

14 years ago

morethanbeige

Veteran

Great topic, Mo. I think for me, fashion is a bit of both pushing my comfort zone and developing my own style. If I push my comfort zone too much, I feel ridiculous and if I develop my own style without outside input too much, I can get stuck in a 90s (ahem...or earlier) rut. And I never know when it's time to do which one!! And so I bump along until I feel I've gone too far in one direction. But I'm evolving and that's the fun of it. And I try not to take it too seriously.

I have a friend, who got her hair colored and she really doesn't like it. She asked her son (14?) what he would suggest. He said "Mom, I can't tell you what's wrong with it, all I know is that it looks awful." She was laughing when she told me this and we both had a good giggle. I want to keep that sense of humor about my fashion!

14 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

Mo,
You have honed your own style beautifully! No need to worry about being left behind or fretting about not wanting to participate in trends you don't enjoy. The seasonal stuff will come and go and you will STILL have style and that is developed by knowing what you like and adapting it in your own way to flatter YOU!

I am pretty simple in my dress and although I am branching out more with color and pattern and silhouettes (hello skinnies!) I am never going to be cutting edge and frankly I don't want to be. So I will be right there on the sidelines sitting out many of the trends this season.....or I can get a "fix" with a scarf that participates in the color pattern part of this season's trends.

Coco Chanel said "fashion fades, style is eternal". Amen to that.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think, also, the brights (on the whole, except for specific colours and maybe as bottoms, e.g. your red jeans) are probably not your best colours. Ditto for me. So it's okay to sit it out and wait until something comes along that tickles your fancy again.

13 years ago

Anonymous

You are right Mo. It's ok to sit the trends out. I don't have the money, the time or the figure to incorporate all of the trends, as they come in!

I think I do my own thing also. For instance, some items that are trendy now I've been wearing for years: Black and white prints, polka dots, floral prints etc, whereas I will never be seen in an orange or a neon anything, no matter what!

I agree with Taylor and others: You honed in your style. That's what Angie wants us to do!

13 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

I have nothing more to add except I think you're on the right track! Nothing wrong with sitting out trends that don't mesh with your style.

13 years ago

Beth

Veteran

No way, Mo. I've watched you really hone and define your style so well. Sitting out these trends in no way makes you complacent...in fact, that you're so aware and questioning makes the case that you're growing in the right direction for you.

And I know exactly what you mean about hoarding. At one point right when I found YLF, I realized that all of the clothes in my closet were "old friends." Old friends are the best, but not in your closet.

(Disclaimer: I'm also sitting out the maximal, floral, pattern trend!)

13 years ago

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I could well be wrong about this, but it sounds like this particular trend cycle is rife with fashion pitfalls for the uninformed. So easy to wear patterns that don't work for you, or colours that should never be within spitting distance of your face, just because they're out there and seem fun. My guess is that, if you know what works well for you and wear it with confidence, you'll stand out for all the right reasons.

13 years ago

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