Some things change and some don’t…..WiW 1991 and 2023 - YouLookFab Forum

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Some things change and some don’t…..WiW 1991 and 2023

Sal

Veteran

A friend gave me her old photo albums to look through and I found some old pics from 1991- I am about 21 here. I hadn’t seen these photos before so it was definitely fun.

Aside from the good collagen and youthful figure (sigh) I actually don’t think my style has changed all that much. The black is a mini dress but the rust linen jacket (I adored this) and the cream blouse seem classic and I would wear them now.

There were lots of photos of friends - and whilst I never saw or see myself as a classic dresser- I am more than I realised and my friends were in more fashionable trendy looks than me at the time.

Here’s three recent WiW to compare -
The vibe isn’t that different.

I love a bold pattern or bright colour but I also like monochrome and simplicity.

Look three features a new to me second hand bag and a hair refresh.

Do you think your style in your early 20s is similar to your style now?

Thanks for looking.

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Brooklyn

slim cat

Veteran

Pretty pictures - love rust jacket and gold earrings with LBD!
I like all your current pics - can't choose a fav . Hair looks fab -especially in the #2 with black top/shorts outfit.
My dressing in my 20s was half and half - lots of boy-ish looks
( including my older brother sweater ) before graduating and more feminine after getting a job. Jeans and graphic tees were still favorite looks for home and days off.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

You were adorable in your twenties, but you look absolutely fab now. I can see the throughline, though, which is interesting, given that I don't consider you a classic dresser either.

My 21-yo son commented the other day that he loved getting his hair cut by women my age or older. I asked him why and he said, "Because they remember the 90s." So maybe part of this is just that things have come full circle since we were in our early 20s. (I'm just a couple years younger than you...I turned 18 in 1991.)

I do see some similarities between how I dressed in the 90s and how I do now. I used to love shopping at the import store for long, flowy skirts, which I wore with t-shirts and Chinese Mary Janes. I couldn't resist a good floral or tapestry pattern and, in particular, had a yellow and black jacquard duffle bag that I carried all the time. I wasn't as particular about my color palette than, but many of the shapes and impulses were the same.

I LOVE all three of your "today" outfits, btw. Can't pick a favorite. Your hair looks better than in your 20s--natural and healthy.

Tanya

Veteran

How fun to look at those old photos! I can the elements you mention. Love the current looks very breezy and effortless.

Ad for my early 20s, those were in late '90s and I did the whole "90s thing. I remememebr lots of grey-out outfits and some serious platforms.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Tanya-there was a lot of grey.

Jenn- I wonder if when styles don’t appeal to me- as in the 90s - I go back to the classic.

I can see you as a student in those looks - the texture and creative looks would be a constant.

SlimCat- graphic tee and jeans is always a good look.

Here is one more that is more 90s and could be worn today. Don’t like my shoe choice here- I am in the double denim. Don’t ask me about the pose!

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Suz

(website)

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Sal, you are a beauty, then and now -- and I absolutely see the through-line in your style. It's magical. That natural simplicity, not really "sporty" but easy and relaxed. There's a classic element but worn lightly, easily. With a hint of glam.

jussie

Veteran

You are not all that different now to how you were back them! Still unmistakable Sal. Yes I am definitely seeing a classic/natural style that runs through both eras in your choices.
Hmm I suspect I always wore a lot of print. I was fond of florals with black backgrounds in the 90s and noughties. I still like those… but I only have one in my wardrobe atm.
I always enjoyed experimenting with colour and print, but mainly shy away from different textures and silhouettes. I think that’s always been the case.

MsMaven

Veteran

I like the colors you wore then and now. As far as the 90s, I'm having a hard time remembering what I wore. Certainly more classic--I didn't like the small print longer dresses so many women wore.

Early 20's Jackie Kennedy style. Rarely wore pants, mostly skirts and dresses to college and to my part-time job. By late 20s my MIL accused Mr. M and I of looking like hippies! Well, there was a certain influence--longer hair, granny glasses, peasant dresses as we called them.

I don't see much connection between my clothes then and now. I almost never wore black in my 20s. Still, I do see a tendency to lean toward a more classic style in all eras.

Irina

Veteran

Oh, you looked so cute, Sal! And I think that true style is consistent through one’s life. I wore black, very little pattern and loved an interesting cut of a garment. I remember wearing big shoulders, baggy pants, it was an end of 80s and early 90s when I was in my 20s.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Wow I can recognise you so easily between now and then! Gorgeous rust jacket.
Yes, I will always be an 80s girl, which is why I do love that some of those colours are back.
It was my best decade in a way. Romance, including with the man I married. Uni then first jobs, flatting, travel, new clothes after starting to earn money!
Of course becoming a mother of 3 in the next decade was also wonderful but let’s just say much harder work!

Bijou

Veteran

Sal, you have hardly changed which is not surprising, given your natural beauty and healthy lifestyle.

My early 20's style was essentially wearing lots of black with boots as my favourite footwear. Do I have clothing in my wardrobe that I would have worn then? Absolutely, but my style choices are far broader than then. My "poor student" financial situation also dictated my limited fashion choices.

These pieces in my current wardrobe are very similar to items I was wearing in the 1990's. I had patent Doc Marten boots that were very similar to my current boots, a black leather moto that was my going out jacket, dark floral dresses and bias-cut dresses and always a plain black satchel handbag.

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Janet

(website)

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YLF then and now!

I certainly have some preferences and common threads that run through my style lifetime.

1. 1980 - I still love argyle
2-3. 1983-88ish - teal and burgundy have always been favorites — I vividly remember that burgundy velvet jacket in pic 8, I had it in black too, so clearly I was into duplicating even back then!
4-5. 1990s - yup, more black and burgundy — midi lengths, and I would like those shoes (and my 25yo figure) in pic 5 again!
6. 1992 - give me a white tee, mid-length shorts and a black patterned backpack and I’m good to go for casual!
7-8. Early 2000s. Still attracted to prints with these blue/green colors but the prints are less boho for me these days. I still like that chocolate brown velvet with the turquoise and brown patterned blouse in pic 8 and would wear a variation on that now.
9. 2008ish. I would wear that black pinstripe shirt with the cool silver closures all over again, if I fit into it and still owned it! The rock’n’roll theme prevails.

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kkards

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Mostly what I see is your fabulous (and I’m guessing) contagious smile that’s still going strong.

Yes there’s a strong through line between what your wearing then and now….I’m sure it’s in part do to the current fashion cycle, and in part to the fact that you are true to yourself

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sal, you are so charming, lovely, and adorable! A mop of delightful hair and kind smile. FUN pics

You like what you like, but the versions today are current renditions!

To answer your question: definitely similarities that date back to my teens. Lots of colour, whites, pearls, flats, and adding the "soft and pretty". Elements in my style today.

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Angie - I can see you as a colourful teen (there was scope for that in the 1980s!)

kkards - I agree that the current fashion cycle is not too different to the 90s - if I picked my style in the 80s or even the 00s there may be less similarities

Janet - I can see the similarities with you too - I guess it isn't surprising that we have our core style and adapt it for the trends of the time - you still have the same vibrant smile in 2023

Bijou - I can see the 90s influence on your style - probably more than on mine - and yes I agree we had smaller closets then - that rust jacket was so well worn over about four years it fell apart - and those gold earrings popped up in a couple of ball photos too - they were my go to!

Haha Jenni - you are an 80s person - I can see that! And it obviously was a formative time in your life!

Irina - I can picture that look! And I see the 90s influence on your style too - there is thread running through

MsMaven - I wasn't into the long ditsy florals so much either- and I do love Jackie Kennedy style - I can see how influential that would have been

Thanks Jussie - interesting what stays true and what we mix around with

Thanks Suz - there was more of a through line than I expected - and more classic than I thought

Thanks all - it makes me realise that I am never going to have a very precise hairstyle or be drawn to certain looks - and that's fine - embrace your own individuality

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You looked great then and great now and I do see the through line. The vibe is the same . I am now completely distracted trying to remember what I was wearing in the 80s/90s!

Minaminu

Veteran

What a fun discovery! You were very fashionable in the 90s and can see how you've grown into today's stylish lady

Anonymous

Very similar! Love seeing the old pics!
The flowy pants outfit I posted was very similar to ones I wore in the 90s, but I've been through A Lot of different styles over the decades, many of which I've revistited.

Helena

Veteran

I think Jenn and Suz nailed it ... Fantastic then and even better now!

I definitely have a through line in my style too ... The more things change ...!!

April

Veteran

My early 20s were in the mid 80s. As a dirt-poor college student, my wardrobe was whatever I could thrift for 2 bucks plus whatever else I owned. Lots of black and white to make more outfits go together. I borrowed clothes from friends, including big-ticket items I didn't own then (winter coat, snow boots). I went to college in Philadelphia so you can imagine I needed winter gear.

Perhaps that was the origin of my current "I own too many coats" reality.

Of my four female college besties, three dressed in Extreme Prep - never my style cuppa and even less so now. Their idea of daring was when I wore a shetland sweater without a button-down shirt beneath it.

lyn67

Veteran

Great picties, I now have a GF pretty much looking like you in these picties:-). I think I tryed many new things but always loved/wore the most some very simmilar ones- in and out my style- according to what was available at the very moment!:-)

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Aww,you were cute,still are but more sophisticated now.
Has my style changed,hard to say as l didn’t really have any clothes in my twenties.l think that’s probably why l have taken a while to establish what’s me and what isn’t style wise .

Sal

Veteran

Thanks Cardiff Girl - I think that can be true - it can take a while to find your style

Lyn - thanks- it is amazing how some things stay true

Haha April - I think the US is much preppier than NZ - it is a style here but doesn't have the "baggage" that goes along with it - and weren't you daring to not wear the shirt underneath!

Helena - whilst I don't have a large closet now it was tiny back then - so much repeating - I really did have a minimal closet - but it was easier to carry off some things with a 21 year old figure

hereforthecake

I agree that you don't look all that different now, to be honest. Such fun to look back at these though!

Sal

Veteran

Thanks hereforthecake!

Brooklyn

Veteran

You have hardly aged at all! Lucky thing! I can see the through line. Natural, breezy style.