I'm Singing a Different Tune These Days... - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

I'm Singing a Different Tune These Days...

Gaylene

Veteran

All this talk of "slouchy" has obviously influenced my style goals without my knowing it. More and more I'm passing up on my skinnies for a looser pair of jeans this days and relegating my slim pencil skirts and shrunken jackets to the back of my closet. And I think there is more to it than my just wanting to indulge and make merry over the holidays.

Somehow those skinny, body conscious looks that I wore constantly last season just seem so unexciting now. I'm not really going for the full on over-sized, baggy, slouchy look, but clothes with a touch of ease and volume seem more appealing these days. Sizing up instead of sizing down just seems to be the right choice more often than not.

Is this happening to anyone else?

Dressing

30 replies

Latest reply was from rholmes27

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

You don't even need to ask me Gaylene! It is so liberating to not be squished into clothes.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I still like both. At the moment I just wish I could wear a jacket, it's 100F ++ here today.

Raisin

Veteran

I've been doing this for a long time too and I'm so glad to hear it's "in fashion" now! I must tell DH that I am now fashionable, not just a "grandmama" (his words, not mine).

Emily

Veteran

I guess I am in the minority, but I don't feel as fab in slouchy looks, especially bottoms. I like flowy, boxy tops, but with slim bottoms or tucked in to a pencil skirt.

Raisin - my DH always says my waist-surrendering tops make me look like a grandma, too must be a man thing.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Well you know that this is a subject I been thinking about too, Gaylene. I'm still into my pencils, though, but this year the new ones are ponte. That said, I hate sizing up (it's hard on the ego), and I still like my skinnies with tall boots on snowy days. Unlike my smaller-calved sisters, I'll never been able to tuck slouchy jeans and zip my boots!

Can't wait to hear your new song...........

qfbrenda

Veteran

I'm with Emily on this one. I'm glad so many are enjoying the trend but I feel like I finally figured out how to find clothes that fit me properly. Now fashion is telling me I should have stuck with things a size or two too big. I guess I just won't listen because I like things that fit well. I'll enjoy the over-sized look on others.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

I "feel" your slouch, and, yes, I have to agree that I love the "looseness" going on. But, since I still have quite a few skinnies, I do hope that I'll get excited for them in another season.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I bat for Team Looser Fit too, Gaylene.

The only body con thing I wear these days is a turtleneck - my skinnies are tailored. I passed on ALL my jeggings. Not wearing my body con dresses (of which I have three) and pencil skirt at all. And my tailored fits are looser than the norm.

That said, today I am wearing a tailored tomato red pencil skirt with a loose persimmon pullover (with cream booties, nude hose and charcoal coat) because I fetched my Papa from the airport, and he MUCH prefers ladies in dresses and skirts!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

That's so sweet that you dressed for your Papa Angie

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Shannon. My Papa appreciated my ladylike outfit. He is very generous with his compliments - dear Daddy of 80 years. I love that he has an opinion! I'll wear a flared skirt on Xmas Eve, but it's back to gold jeans for Xmas.

Gaylene

Veteran

It's interesting to see the diversity here.

Shannon, that's it! Liberation from muffin top and pushing my body around to fit into the smaller of two sizes. I also think that having a bit more ease looks more elegant and sophisticated.

Caro, I'm not really feeling I dislike my more body-con clothes; it's just that I don't feel quite as fab in them these days, if that makes any sense. More ho-hum and predictable.

Raisin and Emily, that "grandmama" look does scare me a bit, too. Although I'm definitely in the right age range, I'm not sure I want to reinforce that point.

Beth Ann, it's amazingly difficult to size up, especially since I just dropped a couple of sizes last year after getting serious about losing some extra poundage. Somehow, it seems like I'm putting it back on, even though the scale doesn't indicate it. I know that size is just a number, but…

Brenda, I'm not into that over-sized look at all (see "grandmama" fears above); I'm still a tailored fan through and through. It's just that shrunken, very close to the body fit that REQUIRES stretchy fabric to be able to move normally that I'm moving away from right now. I want to be able to move in regular woven fabric garments that don't have lycra.

Vicki, yes, the guilt since I just went through a major wardrobe overhaul after losing weight last year and now want something different. I'll still wear the skinnies just to salve my conscience a bit.

Angie, I think you are behind this. You lead and, though some of us resist for a while, eventually our attitudes start to change! And your comment about wearing a skirt to meet your Papa brings to mind my wearing a skirt when I visited my Grandmama. She hated to see a woman in jeans, and it made her so happy to see me in a "nice skirt and top". If you love someone, that's really not much of a sacrifice.

Thanks for all your comment. Back to wrapping presents...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I do think it takes repeated exposure to make the eye adjust to new looks, and then suddenly without realizing it what was just right is now too tight. At least that is how it is for me. Angie, if you are reading - enjoy your Papa, you are a lovely daughter to dress for him.

MNsara

Veteran

Amen, Gaylene! I thought it was just my age (54.5) when I decided last summer that I was NOT going to wear very fitted anything anymore. But maybe it was the subtle influence of BF jeans. (Well, that and the extra 5 pounds that I can't shake, and I think go with age and stage. . .!)

I have adopted the attitude that at 54+, it's better to err on the side of extra room, than too snug. So, I've ebayed many, many pair of denim and many, many blazers/jackets that just felt constricting.

I'm just hoping that polyester elastic-waist pants aren't just around the corner . . . . :-\

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I've been feeling it, too, Gaylene. I do have one pair of jeggings I still enjoy wearing; they are just SO comfortable (not sure why, exactly, but they are...something to do with the fabrication). And I have been tempted to buy another on ebay from the same maker (they are reversible and come in a taupe with python on the reverse side). Yet I haven't pulled the trigger. I suspect some part of me is wondering if they would get enough wear to justify the relatively modest cost. So even though I have been hankering after coloured jeans (still don't have any) and patterned jeans and more TAUPE, and these would fulfil all those wants in one swoop, still I haven't budged.

And apart from that one pair of jeggings, I have mostly been reaching for my slouchy trousers, my wide leg trousers, and my slightly looser jeans. My tailored jackets are not snug, and I notice I'm wearing a lot more sweaters this year - some oversize, and others not oversize but on the looser side. Also, I have a few boxy sweaters that I wear with great pleasure.

I am smiling about Angie dressing for her papa. I dress for my mother, too. She loves tailored, classic outfits and was THRILLED with my Theory wide leg trousers. (Unlike Angie's papa, she does not have a poison eye for trousers, but she does not like me in jeans.)

Anyway, I think you are right; we are subtly influenced by Angie's leadership as well as by what we see all around us. Over time our tastes change, and this is natural. It is all part of the progression of style. It can be tough to let items go if we feel we haven't given them enough wear, but I suspect most of us here will get better at guesstimating an item's longevity in our personal closet as we go through this process a time or two.

Anonymous

Gaylene, I'm right with you! I bought a new pair of jeans (that are wrapped, so I can't show you the fit). They are skinny jeans, but a good two sizes up from the smallest pair I could squeeze into. I. AM. SO. THROUGH with squeezing my squish into tight jeans! I agree that the number on the tag messes with your head a bit, but as long as we stay vigilant, we won't *grow* into our larger clothes this winter.

Vildy

Veteran

I just got rid of a shrunken cardigan yesterday. I had that What Was I
Thinking moment.

I never care about the size number on a tag. I try on anything I like that looks like
it might fit me. I have clothes that are 4 and clothes that are 14. How does this
possibly correlate with anything logical.

Joy

Veteran

Claire, you put a voice to my biggest fear...that I'll grow into those larger sizes. It's happened before. My leggings are scrunchy and I've got more straight cut jeans than skinnies, but pencil skirts are still a favorite because skirts with volume make my legs look like toothpicks wearing shoes. I'm loving being able to have a variety of fits to choose from.

Anonymous

No, not catching the bug just yet. I am a tailored gal all the way and yes, I am too worried of getting too comfy with my diet. Too hard to tell if my clothes are getting tighter.

Deborah

Veteran

I'm with Caro, I am loving both. I enjoy having a choice of fits that I like amd that like me:)

Gaylene

Veteran

Shevia, I think that is what happened to me; my tighter fitting clothes now seem too snug. My first reaction was I must have gained weight, but the scale hasn't really budged. But, obviously, my eye has changed.

MNsara, I totally agree that age is a BIG factor. My body-conscious outfits have always been more fitted than tight, except for those skinnies. The skinnies were a big departure from my straights and bootcuts, but, after losing weight, I wanted to try them. My harshest critics--my two grown sons--surprised me by OKing the look. But I'm starting to feel weird in them.

Suz, that feeling of hesitation is exactly what I'm feeling these days. It is funny, though, how something that felt so fab just a few months ago now seems just OK. I know you've been one of the early adopters of the looser fit and I've been quite adamant about resisting this trend, so I just found it interesting that I've started to move in that direction. Tiny steps, but steps, none the less!

Claire, Joy, and Zap, you've hit on one of my fears. RIght now, I use my skinnies as my benchmark-- start feeling snug, time to cut back on the wine and goodies. But, it does feel good not be squishing into the smallest possible size. I've never worn shapewear because it feels so constricting and uncomfortable, and, to be honest, I get the same feeling from some of my closer-fitting garments. Having a bit more ease tailored into a garment is really comfortable, but is that a good thing when I'm reaching for that second glass of wine?

Vildy, logically I know that size is just a random number, and, like you, my wardrobe ranges from 4s to 12s (with the odd UK 14 and French XL for good measure!) but it doesn't seem quite as much fun to ask for a larger size when I'm in the dressing room. Sending the salesperson for a smaller size was SO satisfying. Crazy, I know, but true.

Deborah, it is nice to have a choice, isn't it. Having said that, maybe it's just I'm getting tired of that skinny, tight-fitting look that has been all around us for the past few years. A bit of tailored ease just seems fresher and more modern, somehow.

rholmes27

Oh it's a fine line I walk with this one. I love the idea of not "squeezing my squish" *thanks Claire* into anything, but I am petite & I feel like if clothes are not fitted, I look like I'm matronly ( the grandmama thing some posters mentioned. I love being a grandmother but don't want to look like a stereotypical one).

Mona

Veteran

Gaylene, I think I feel the same way. I am not worried about gaining weight in looser fitting clothes but I do find that they are a lot more comfortable and I feel more fab in them as compared to more fitted clothes. Repeated exposure definitely plays a part and off course, we all listen to Angie's invaluable advise. I got a chunky pullover in ivory the other day, and wondered if it is too fitted. i am going to post another thread about that.

Anonymous

I can see the freedoms. lol. I am one who hates to fight with her clothes, especially because growing up, my mom would hate for us to be fidgeting with our clothes. She saw it as a sign of nervousness and insecurity. So all of that rearranging drives me nuts, especially with work clothes, oh no! I do not like oversized, unless the garment was cut and designed to be oversized ( To me, sizing up on an item does not achieve the same result as buying something that was designed to be oversized, and it has nothing to do with the size on the label. For example, the lemming sweater was designed a bit oversized and at that natural size, the neck fits more sharply. Once you go more oversIzed, the neck starts to flutter and I don't like the effect. Just my humble opinion).
My clothes are tailored but not painted on. It is when they start to look painted on that I slow down on the ice cream:)
I'm just sitting this one out and will wait patiently.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm laughing at Claire, nodding at the rest of you, and smiling at Zap and Gaylene

Thanks, Shevia! My Papa is doing so well! A few years ago he wasn't doing well at all, but he has drunk from the fountain of youth at age 80. It's AMAZING.

Gaylene and Suz, it's so worth dressing for your beloved elders whom we respect. I know my Papa REALLY appreciates it, so it makes my heart happy - as well as his. As it does yours :).

Gaylene

Veteran

rholmes, Claire really captured that "squeezing the squish" feeling didn't she. I don't think I'll ever try on a pair of smaller sized jeans without thinking of that phrase! LOL And I do think that there is a happy medium between oversized and skin tight that ought to be the sweet spot for those of us who are old enough to be grandmothers but aren't ready to embrace the polyester-rich, elastic-waisted granny denims.

Mona, repeated exposure, and Angie's influence, has obviously had an influence on my reaction to skin-tight clothes. It just came as bit of a surprise, though.

Zap, I totally agree that garments that are DESIGNED with volume have a totally different look than clothes that are just sized up. You exactly described what I didn't like about the lemming sweater when it was sized up; that enormous neck just didn't do it for me. The same goes for slouchy pants; pants that are designed with a lower crotch fit much differently than pants that are just too big, IMHO. I also think that, at my age, anything extreme can look quite odd. The painted on look can make me feel like an aging hooker, while too much volume can make me feel like a frumpy senior citizen with a diaper butt. It's that tailored look with a smidge of ease and drape that I'm liking; to my eye it looks elegant and sophisticated these days. That is why I think those skinnies are not going to see much action in the upcoming months, but I can't see hopping on the oversized bandwagon either. But "ease" is not sounding like a four-letter word anymore.

Angie, I'm sure your Papa is having fun visiting with you and Greg; I know that my husband and I adore visiting our sons. We get treated royally and we are so proud of the men that they have become and the lives they are leading; I know your Papa must feel that same sense of pride and joy when he is with you. Enjoy your time together.

Kari

Veteran

Emily, I'm with you - I really haven't found a way to make this look for me at all. I don't feel remotely fab in the slouchy trend, and I'm totally okay bypassing it as I'm not really attracted to the look either.

Gaylene

Veteran

Kari, I'm not liking the slouchy, baggy look for me, either. But it's the tailored look with a SLIGHT ease and drape that seems more attractive to me these days. This kind of tailoring still shows the shape of my body, but not every curve and ripple. I've found that a bit of ease completely eliminates the squishy muffin top above my pants, fabric flows over my curves instead of wrinkling and pulling, and the overall effect is just a bit more refined to my eye. The stretch gives me movement, but isn't part of the fit, if that makes any sense.

unfrumped

Veteran

I hear you on that. I have to balance that too loose can be frumpy on me or too fitted is too youngish or worse.

Do think you are feeling style trends, or that you could have a long run in this direction?
For example, I am happy now with several straight skirts and hope I don't tire of the look in just a few months or year. I'm hoping I can vary the " fittedness" of the look via the tops or jackets. But also I keep coming back to the idea that I should not over- do on a single "look". I actually love flared or twirly skirts but just have not had much luck there this year.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm ... I like to mix things up. But definitely my go-to casual, knock-around look is now volume on volume. Boyfriend jeans plus an oversized top. For smart casual, I might go slouchy bottoms and tailored top, or oversized top. Or skinny jeans and oversized top to balance. For very dressy, like Christmas eve, I'm thinking of going bodycon, pencil skirt with fitted peplum top. It does feel like more work for me to pull together a bodycon outfit at my age. Oversized clothing feels so comfortable.

ETA -- and I completely agree that clothing that's designed to be oversized fits better than buying tailored clothing and sizing up. I have a pair of plaid pants I've worn twice, I took the latter approach. They just don't fit right. I'm passing on them, even though I purchased them in mid-October (only).

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