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Struggling with 2014 and trends

catgirl

Veteran

I am feeling a bit lost among the slew of successful 2014 looks lately. In particular, I'm confused about how to stay current and still feel like myself. It took me forever to find formulas I like that work for me, and now it seems those are suddenly verging on being wrong.

I'm not really concerned with being on the forefront of the latest trend right now - I just want to wear what I love. What happens when that is not current any more? Do things really switch around that fast? Or am I just going through a patch of bad luck in finding things that work? It's not even shopping - it's finding anything I like out there that isn't just more of what I always like.

How much are you willing to push your boundaries to stay of the moment?Maybe it's time for a break from fashion for me!

Dressing

41 replies

Latest reply was from krishnidoux

Lyn D.

Veteran

I hope not Una- we love your style!

I think we have an advantage in the Southern hemisphere, in that we have plenty of time to soak-up new trends through you guys.
We get used to the latest, and can tweak into our own comfort zone at a slower pace.

cciele

Veteran

Well, as far as I'm concerned, you look current! But I've never thought you skewing toward supertrendy, just picking up a few trends here and there that work for you.

Fashion-wise, we seem to be in a place where everything moves so fast that everything goes -- at least, I remember some wise YLFers saying something like this, and I agree. For example, you look good in tunic over skinnies. Skinnies have been "in" for awhile, and aren't going anywhere. And with the movement toward a fluid look, I don't see anything dated with that look -- with the caveat that, of course, certain details can mark the year of a certain piece of clothing.

I think the visceral, "not for me!" reaction some people have to seeing certain trends -- e.g., mom jeans, pajama jeans, flares, birks -- bleeds over to outfit comments and K/Rs. So I'd think about what makes you feel good and have fun with fashion!

Neel

Veteran

Honestly I don't worry about trends! Trends come trends go. But style stays.

I say don't stress, have fun

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks Lyn and Cathy! I don't mean to seem as discouraged as I probably sound, just a little lost and befuddled with how to keep a personal style and stay current.

Lyn, what an interesting point. Curious to see if others say the same!

I think it's different for someone who, say, IS all trendy as their style - they are automatically defined by the trends of the moment. Or if classic, it's a matter of modernizing the classic pieces which are mostly around in some form. But for those of us who have made up our own oddball descriptors (and Cathy, I count you in here!), I feel like it can be a bit foggier along the road!

Gigi

Veteran

I think that your style is outside of trends, Una. I guess if I were in your shoes, I would keep my current faves and just look to add new things to the mix—the flares, for instance. I will also say that I think that being on a fashion forum can make things seem more urgent than they really are! It takes a while for things to catch on in the real world. On the forum, thanks to Angie, we see things as they're just getting going. I would take your time and stay true to your style.

rabbit

Veteran

I'm kind of new to this, so my perspective might be less informed. But as far as I can tell, trends are like waves, or butterfly flaps. They percolate throughout the ocean and air-currents and hit different areas at different times. Some places they make a big splash, in others hardly a ripple, and it takes time for even a trend with staying power to spread through the majority of consumers in an area. It might spend years with one specialized group before a larger more mainstream group even tries it.

I enjoyed the book 'Bellweather' by Connie Willis which was a fictional/humorous/quasi-historical look at fads and trend forecasting. It got into chaos theory, and the idea of a 'bellweather' or lead sheep who wasn't super cutting edge, but just a little ahead of the flock as the kind of person who influenced others to adopt a trend or spread a fad.

So I think ultimately 'what's trendy' really depends on where you are standing. And who you are consciously seeing and aware of being seen by.

Basically my feeling is, if something you like comes by on the conveyor belt of fashion, grab it, or taste test, or ignore. As to when to let go of a look? For me, I'd personally rather that I do it when I'm tired of it, not when someone else is.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

http://youlookfab.com/2013/01/.....t-for-you/

I found this helpful

krishnidoux

Veteran

Alaskagirl, I'm glad you posted this because I presently feel like you. It's annoying to feel out of phase, yet dressing in your best, cherished items.

In my case, I attribute most of my funk to growing my pixie. The in-between shags I must endure do not mix well with a lot of the items I used to love (ex. turtle-necks, striped round collars, harem-like or slouchy pants...).

Therefore these new 2014 trends - fluid, oversized, boxy jackets, cropped tops and flats in particular - do not agree with a proportionally bigger and unstructured head on an already smallish, stout-ish body. And I suspect these trends must be tricky for a lot of people. If you are one to like shape and structure, elongating lines, you are out of luck this spring.

I think it is not that you are not "current" anymore, but rather that you might be experiencing some difficulty (with reason!) integrating these trends into your personal look for this year, whereas it wasn't the case in the previous years. Could it be?

I really enjoyed reading Rabbit's comment, so poetic and expressive, made me dream a little.

Deborah

Veteran

A couple of thoughts. We are part of a community here that is exposed to current trends virtually as they happen. As such it's easy to feel pressure to keep up with what we are seeing. Yet, on the street, so to speak, or in my real life, those trends are very slow to make an appearance.

I'm in a place where I don't feel I am trend driven and have developed a liking for a quite specific aesthetic and I don't mind if it's on trend or otherwise as long as I like what I see and how I feel. When I feel the need to change it up a bit I find myself looking to footwear and accessories. Also updating or tweaking silhouettes within your chosen aesthetic can perhaps keep things up to date.

I love you or style and it never looks dated to me. You have developed quite a signature style which I never tire of seeing.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Una, I'm with the others as far as loving your style and thinking you are good at choosing things that suit your body and your personality very well! I agree that trend tweaks can be much easier than larger shifts, and I already see you playing with those, so I don't think you're in any danger of looking like you've been left behind.

I do know what you mean, though. I'm not big on many of the spring trends this year. You see what I came home from Boston with: structured black jackets! I get caught up in seeing what's new too, and feeling the pull of the new, but I just have to remember to stay true to me. Style transcends trend, and you have style!

kkards

Veteran

Is it that you don't feel current or that you don't feel trendy? Because to me, these are different. To me, current is much more about evolution and subtle tweaks and changes. Trendy is much more being of the moment and quick hits. Does that make sense? I like your look is still very current, but I understand that with work clothes it can be more of a struggle to stay true to a style and to stay current.

Jjsloane

Veteran

Confidence and a beautiful smile are always in style and on trend! Don't get hung up on what you think you SHOULD wear in 2014.

leopardluxe

Veteran

I pretty much agree with what others are saying. I wouldn't worry about trends. Just stay true to wearing what you like and feel good in. Adopt new elements if you want to that are considered trendy but don't otherwise focus on whether you look "2014 enough."

I have never once looked at someone and said "gee, she looks very this year" or "she simply does not look trendy enough."

I think the opposite is sometimes true and it's more of a "head to toe look" thing when someone's outfit looks a bit dated (as in, wow, that woman's whole look is very 80s --I observed this last month when I was at Long Beach flea market. Large padded shoulder jacket, acid wash mom jeans, camper type boot and a mullet haircut. The whole look would have been considered the epitome of stylish in 1983. But hey, the woman wearing it seemed happy and owned the look -- so bully for her).

As someone as style savvy as you are (participating in this community and wearing what is flattering on you, experimenting with new trends, etc.) I don't think you ever run the risk of looking like you just walked out of 1980 (or any other era/trend/fashion victim scenario).

So have fun with it. If fashion starts to stress you out, it's time to rethink how you're thinking about it, imho. It should be a source of fun and inspiration and other positive things. Not something that stresses you out or makes you overly self-critical (there are plenty of other things in life that are plenty good enough at doing that)

viva

Veteran

"If fashion starts to stress you out, it's time to rethink how you're thinking about it."

Totally agree with this.

ETA: I don't want to look at someone and see "the current styles"; I want to look at someone and see her style. With you, I always do.

ironkurtin

Veteran

If it ain't broke don't fix it. You have tools to recognize what you like and how it should fit, and that extends through all space and time.

Helena

Veteran

Hi there, thank you so much for posting your feeling on this as I have been feeling the exact same way! And you are far trendier and edgier than I am!

I think like Deb said, on this forum we are exposed to so many looks and trends that it can feel overwhelming at times. And then I look around at my normal life and see that if I'm not wearing yoga pants and have a piece of jewelry on, I'm looking pretty good! And then I'm like, what's the point of this anyways!!

I think if you add one piece per season that speaks to a trend, you're current. I think what's important is to KNOW what's on trend, not necessarily to wear it all. If you know, then you are making decisions based on what's modern, picking and choosing as you see fit. What I like about the forum is that I feel connected to what's new and fashionable (and I get joy out of seeing the fashionistas putting amazing looks together and also interacting with such a positive group of women!). But truthfully, I wear very little of it trend-wise. I do tweak what I wear a bit (e.g. semi-tuck!) and take inspiration from some members, but I don't even try to actually incorporate too many of the trends; they just don't make sense for me.

Stay true to yourself and THANK YOU so much for sharing again, as I feel 100 times better because of it

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I think you can be current without being trendy, if that makes sense. There are always seasons where the trends don't suit our particular style aesthetic or body type, so then it becomes a matter of wearing what we have and love in a current way - skinnies in a current wash, handbag in a current shape,etc.

I also like what Deborah said about us lucky Fabbers knowing and seeing trends quicker and more frequently than what we see in real life.

You're looking fine Una

Parsley

Veteran

My advice is just not to sweat it, Una!
You always look current and there's no need to grab onto trends that don't sing to you. Just wear what you love, and don't pounce until something calls your name.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I love what Cathy said. She absolutely hit the nail on the head. (Good job and thanks).

Una, truly, you are concerned for no reason. You lack nothing in the trendy and current style dept. FAR from it. What you lack at the moment is the confidence to continue to wear and purchase what you like. You are perhaps still a little overwhelmed by life, and these feelings are bleeding into your style life. Not sure, but that's my guess.

Proceed on this leg of your style journey. You still have killer style, look plenty on trend, and are VERY current. Please stop the worry and enjoy the good thing you have going. That's a YLF order.

love Angie xo

Peri

Veteran

I know what you mean because I don't feel like I am ever "in style". Mostly because of limitations like shoes or not being able to wear things tight, I can try a look but just never get that last detail right.

For instance, I was so happy to see flares and wide legs showing up in stores now, but of course, my shoes aren't right, and now I've bought all these tunics, so I'm still not on trend, don't look quite right. The way Goldenpig could do the Flora Mortis T was so much better than the way I can do it, I almost think I shouldn't try.

Well, this hasn't gone where I thought it would! So it isn't really what you mean...you look fantastic and have nailed a certain look, and wonder what to do when that look is slowly replaced in the style world. I never nailed a look in the first place. Hmmm.

But I sort of feel it. I love bright colors and look ill in these icy and skin toned pastels that are all over the place now. Bright colors are not the look du jour for sure...but I'm sticking with them and really don't care.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the others una - you have great style, seem very current without being overly trendy, and look fantastic in the clothing choices you make. Not to mention we'd miss you terribly if we didn't see your fab posts.

I'm definitely not one to stay up to trends but sometimes I admit feeling a bit of pressure to do it - but it's my own pressure, no one else. This spring the only real purchases I've made that seem slightly on trend is a cream colored handbag and a couple of almost pastel tops. Otherwise it's been the usual white, gray and black slouchy tees and the continual quest for more stylish but comfortable shoes.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Una, you have great and current style. You don't need to worry about adopting trends that don't speak to you. In short, what everybody said.

But thank you for asking the question because I have loved the responses and want to read the book that rabbit mentions!

karymk

Veteran

I have a lot of your same sentiments Una. It feels like a hamster wheel sometimes. Maybe it's time for a little Normcore? That might be the reboot we need.

Mellllls

Veteran

I feel these days there are trends and then there is everything else. nothing is truly "out" like the past. does that make sense? or maybe i think this because i am getting older and less fashion fun.

rae

(website)

Veteran

That can happen when one has a strong Personal Style. It supersedes the trend! trend! trend! fashion monster.
You do look current!
PPP - the dry spells make up for the times when you want everything in sight.

unfrumped

Veteran

Just emphathizing and hoping to encourage you and be encouraged myself.

I would say the majority of posts are about some "new" purchase (s), but that is partly the skew of posts--people are not as likely to post, here's me wearing the same thing. I LOVE Asingh's posts of remixing her wardrobe items in new ways, because that seems so real to me and I'm trying to to more of that.

So while I do think the forum leans toward new-adopters and maybe even high-shoppers, it's partly a statistical fluke as well and I take comfort in the likelihoood that a lot of people are still regularly wearing outfits/items they got last year or the year before, or before ! Or I can hope

Fit, fit, fit. That's what I'm trying to remember. Whether classic or trendy, I am working on that "know it when you see it" great fit -recognition because that's what I'm likely to love and want to put on. Mostly flattering plus some of that just- flattering-enough, but then has to have a special feature--super comfort (fit and fabric) interesting detail, special benefit (works with certain proportions, for example). And quality, though those are related. So trends have to measure up there or I need to pass by.

And continue to use internal compass of, do I really like this better than what I'm wearing? Trend adoption for me needs to be related to "aha!" improvements in fit or silhouette. For example, there are some styles of shoes that are current now that I think look really dorky on my feet (even though they are comfortable, I might add, which is kind of a dilemma!). They do not meet my "foot flattery" standard (admittedly internal suger-poison eye).. So I will not buy just to be able to think, I am on-trend. That to me is having my own style sense. But OTOH if I have some shoes that are comfortable but to me are looking dated and also not so flattering, then a goal is to find something that ticks the right boxes for me--again, sure, I clearly am influenced by external fashion shifts but I try to tell when I feel it's something I want to do --admitting I do want to have some sense of being updated--but not feeling pressure to discard a look that's working and I still like.

I'm also finding that too much trend is not "me". . It is fun to find that balance and just the right touch. And will continue some trends even when waning on the fashion scene if they really fit me.

Vix

Veteran

Hi AG --

Others have already done the heavy lifting re answering so I can be lazy.

As you know I was floundering this spring (yes, those of us who skew modern classic at heart can have trouble even with minor updates, ha!), hoping I could look intentionally current-ish when desired.

And you said to me, "You have such a strong personal style aesthetic that I see you as modern at all times... Not sure if that makes sense but it's what I get from your outfits. I see all of these as completely within modern style and 2014."

So I'd like to reflect those words back to YOU, since they're true from my perspective.

But then I want to ask -- *what* elements of current style do you feel you aren't tapping into? Because from here, I'm not seeing what you're feeling.

I know my struggle was a nagging feeling that I had to flip my wardrobe ratio from where it was -- mostly tailored with a few slouchy/oversized pieces -- to the inverse. But by weeding some items out and being careful with combos, I feel like I'm where I want to be style wise.

Now I KNOW you have a capital C Closet. Do you need to spend some time *in* it vs trying to add to it?

I wonder if trying on combinations -- and yes, that means with the shoes you'd wear with things -- and playing with proportions would help you get from her to wherever "there" is?

deb

Veteran

Una, I am not finding anything I love right now so I have decided to coast. I am wearing more structured shirts now for some reason. The same ones I wore two years ago and they feel really good. Could it be the season change for you?

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, Una! You have put voice to my feelings. There are some trends that I've worked in, but my style gestalt is not what's in right now. On the one hand that's ok - I'm on a mission to be me (which sounds hilarious) - but I also love The Game.

But I can't really swing with bfs, perforations, and metallic shoes... I mean, I have the metallic shoes but I'm just not 'getting' them.

And here's the other thing: The mega trend is a lack of mega trends. So while I can tell I'm not in, I can also tell I'm not out.

That just makes the brain implode.

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