Thoughts on items that out-date quickly - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Thoughts on items that out-date quickly

catgirl

Veteran

How do you decide what will last for you and what is too trendy? I was watching a Seinfeld episode and realized that Elaine's clothes look SO dated to me now, though when the show was actually running she looked super-classic in that rich-girl boarding school way. But could we have known then that the look would pass? And how willing are you to buy something that is going to be done next year? (Maya, I think I know what you'll say!)... Or is everything doomed to be passe?

I struggle with this issue often - I'm pulled toward trendy but often have no idea how to make it work for me in any real or long-term way. Or I have no idea WHY something looks dated, especially with shoes. Square toes vs. almond? No clue.

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I think if something looks too dramatic and flashy, or if you see it everywhere all of a sudden, it's probably a trend about to expire. I usually indulge in these trend pieces at fast fashion places - so I can still participate in the trend or jazz it up to a personalized interpretation, without spending the money I'm saving for my "classics" that will last me longer

MNsara

Veteran

I think I heard once (here?) about seeing what trends really seem to work for you and jumping into them on the front side of the curve -- so you get maximum fun before the items feel dated.

Hopefully by that time, you have fallen out of love anyway and are happy to move on.

I think this would mean adopting just a trend or two - not everything.

I feel so inadequate trying to predict any fashion future or longevity that I try to buy what truly appeals to me. That alone will help me to enjoy it longer.

Marley

Veteran

I don't know. Really - I don't know.

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

That's such a good question! For me I really think that adopting trends to suit is a matter of seeing it on YLF, on the streets and in the stores. I've never been an early adopter of trends because I need time for myself to figure out if I can make them work in an outfit and if they will integrate with everything else I have. I dont think any trend item is going to come and go within a very short amount of time so you have time to play with ways to make it work for you. Or at worst hang onto something long enough and it will eventually come back in again

Vix

Veteran

Extremes pop out a lot more, that's for sure. Jerry's look is still one I see on many a non-fashion-forward man.

I like what MNsara said/reminded:

> seeing what trends really seem to work for you and jumping into them on the front side of the curve

(it may be a variation of Kendall Farr's "cherry-pick trends" advice for women 40+ -- I know Angie's mentioned her)

I'm a fairly classic dresser, but the last couple years I haven't had any problems grabbing stuff like cardiwraps/flyaway cardigans + dolman-sleeved drapey tops because they are good for my shape.

Now that they are both more mainstream, I just have a "more for me" attitude -- but I know others move on once they get bored or see a look everywhere.

Scarlet

Veteran

Not a real answer, but there was a New York Times article recently about how Elaine's style is so IN right now. Fun read:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08.....038;st=cse

catgirl

Veteran

Scarlet, that is HILARIOUS! She's so out of fashion she's all the way back around to in! What goes around... Did you notice the oxfords in that photo?

Scarlet

Veteran

No, I had to go back and look. It made me realize that I had a couple years of wearing nothing but brown or black oxfords. That was in-between my long love-affair with granny boots.

Jonesy

Veteran

I try to evaluate a piece based on its trendiness, but also how well it fits with my personal style. For example, the military trend right now: olive green is one of my favorite colors, and I love rugged clothes, so I am stocking up on military-inspired items. I figure, even when they weren't trendy I wore them (olive green jacket, olive green pants, etc.), so I will keep wearing them when they are no longer of the moment.

With other trends, if they don't fit perfectly with my style, but I am sort of taken with them, I will try them out, but in a basic color (e.g., black) and at a lower price.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Your guess is as good as mine. I'm trying to buy better end stuff, but not so better end that I feel that I have to keep it for 10 years to get my money's worth. I do a mental 2-3year cost per wear calculation. Nothing should date that quickly, and if I get more than 3 years out of something I've scored.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I know this is not really helpful but for me it is about knowing your personal style and trusting your instincts. I tend to have an immediate 'love it' reaction to clothing and accessories and from there I will rationalise if I need the item. When I listen to my instinct I have been much more likely to wear an item once the craze has passed.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Even the overall shapes and fits change over time- so even your basics will have to be updated. Look at a TV show that is 10 or 15 years old- you can tell. Just don't spend too much money on trendy items, and you should be ok.

Anonymous

Another reason to keep a small closet and wear everything enough that you will have gotten your money's worth by the time the style passes and you are ready to move on to something else.

Stephanie

Veteran

I would consider that many items that we are seeing on runways now were actually 'in' not that long ago. When capes were in two or three years ago, I bought a decent one at BR, near retail price--something I rarely do, but I loved the look and I knew I would wear it. And I did. I wore it less (but still some) the last two years, and now I'm gearing up to wear it a lot again, since I'm seeing them around again. Something similar is true of fur vests.

I guess my point is: the number of 'trends' there are is really kind of limited, and even moreso if you just pick the ones that you really like. I don't think you have to wear absolutely every piece in your wardrobe all the time; if you have a good stock of basics, you can cycle in and out some other pieces (discarding when you no longer love them, after a few cycles).

Maya

Veteran

Fashion has to stay fun. If buying something trendy is going to stress you out and make you feel guilty and irresponsible, then don't do it. If avoiding a trend that you're pining away to try makes you miserable, then quit being a wuss and go for it. No one knows what the fashion industry is going to do so there is no use speculating.

Perspective is important to. I read lots of fashion and style blogs and YLF, even at its trendiest, is often much, much more reserved than most. There is nothing wrong with that at all. It's not a complaint/criticism. It's an observation, the point of which is to say that you'll never really be stepping too far out as long as you're staying within YLF territory.

Barbara

Veteran

If the trend in question is totally crazy, the possibility of me even buying a knockoff is remote. Fun with fashion is the goal, but veering into ridiculous style mode won't ever happen with me. My theory is simple: If you see a trendy item and like it, try it on and if you feel like a alien is staring back at you from the dressing room mirror, don't even consider it.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'm going to write a post on this topic next week.

catgirl

Veteran

Yay! I look forward to reading it!

bj1111

Veteran

ps: i have those elaine shoes in my closet from that time period. black round toe oxfords with a white tongue. worn twice. couldn't figure out how to wear them then, still can't.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

My thought on things coming back around is that usually when they do, there is a subtle change or update to it that will still make the original look dated if you held on to it all that time. leggings no longer go up to your bra, for instance, and boyfriend blazers do not have linebacker sized shoulder pads as they did in the 80's. Even the fabrication will change. Flair or bell bottoms never had stretch before. I've started to see that pretty much anything I owned befored dating my BF (9 years) is now dated. I guess maybe outerwear/coats or boots could avoid this but they are generally less trendy items to begin with.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I've recently lost a lot of weight, about 95% of my warbdrobe is less than 2 years old.

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Just saw this diagram on another blog.......ha ha!

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Jonesy

Veteran

I've seen that diagram before--it's very funny.

Maya, don't you think it's possible that there are different perspectives here, and a range of personal styles from more classic/conservative to more trendy/edgy? Maybe the classic contingent is more prevalent, but I think there may be more diversity of opinion than meets the eye :).

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I am looking forward to your post Angie. I am especially curious about shoes - how do we know which heel, toe, etc. is just out. Which shoes should be stored away for a revival - or is the answer none? (Can you tell I have a rather large old shoe collection?)