Trends that are unflattering. - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Trends that are unflattering.

ElleH

Veteran

I find oversized clothes & flat pointy shoes unflattering. Elastic waisted pants, pleat front pants, baggy pants, shoes that make your feet look bigger & pants that make your tummy bigger. The woven sweat pants are still sweat pants. I hope these trends don't replace the more tailored ones & that flat shoes don't have to be pointy or I'm gonna look dated. I will look dated or large with large feet. And I don't want unflattering looks to grow on me just because I see them everywhere. That's like liking a song because it's played over & over on the radio. I didn't like booties as much as other footwear with certain clothes because they are not the most flattering but they did grow on me. I bet if I asked someone who doesn't know fashion but has a sense of what loos good on a body they wouldn't choose the bootie. I really hope that BF jeans & baggy tapered pants with sloppy tees don't grow on me.

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from bj1111

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Heh, we all have our 'will not' list. For me floral pants is foremost on that list, but to each their own. I actually got several compliments on my somewhat looser Cameron BF jeans at work today, so who knows, maybe the masses in general change their views on flattering every decade or so.

ElleH

Veteran

Maybe you actually do look good in them Mo. I just think that views changed by bombardment isn't what I want. I want what looks good period. Not what is "in".

nancylee

Veteran

I usually go with what works for me no matter what the trends say. That said, I try to keep the door open for something new....or something I think "won't" work for me. Sometimes you don't know unless you try it. But sometimes they really just aren't for you.

Here's a good blog by Angie on trends...and when to avoid them:

http://youlookfab.com/2011/05/.....on-trends/

unfrumped

Veteran

Elle I hear yuk on footwear especially. Within a range of styles, there are certain ones that I just think look better on my feet, same as some others look better on other feet. I kept my black loafer/slipper because I liked how it looked and felt and had not found a better pair. I'm resisting booties for the.most part- I got one pair forklifts at work and one imaginary lifestyle pair- except to say that one thing I look for in trends is that if something allows for. more comfort, and comfort is a bit clunky ( which I think is part of footwear comfort, though there are some exceptions) and if the clunkier look is "in" , then I might relax my "eye" for proportion and ride the comfort wave. I am trying more oxfords because they can work well for.my fussy feet with narrow heels- tie shoes stay on better-- whereas I might not wear with skirts on my own idea if they aren't also trending. I like the look.of some flats better, but some oxfords feel better, so it seems strategic to ride that trend for a bit.

deb

Veteran

I have been wearing oversized clothes and pointy toed flats since the '60's. They have always been part of 'my' style and have come in and out of fashion for years..

ElleH

Veteran

I wore them in the 80s Deb but for me now they are an 80s trend that I don't like. As I said I hope seeing them a lot doesn't change my mind. If I saw just you & a few other folks wearing it because it was their style I might not be swayed but when it's everywhere it grows on you. I remember switching to it in the 80s because my boyfriend thought it classier than my body con clothes. I was young then, though I'm still influenced by my significant other these days. I also have wide fussy feet so I size up. With pointy toes it's more necessary so my feet look huge. I can wear them with a heel without feeling like my feet are huge. When I was in Australia recently I noticed a lot of women wearing caftans with cropped leggings & platforms whether it suited them or not & thought that if they lived here they wouldn't be wearing that. It's just that it grew on them seeing everyone else do it where they live.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Imo being stylish is a combination of knowing what works for you (body & personality) with a dash of trend - without the trend part it becomes a look frozen in time.

Anonymous

Elle - your post made me smile because I have not found recent trends very flattering to either my style or body type. I just decided that this is not my year. I will shop again when clothes flatter me.

Thistle

Veteran

Honestly, fashion and what looks good is a construct of society. What was beautiful 50 years, 100 years, 1,000 years ago all vary greatly, but the human body hasn't really changed. We are social creatures, so it is not surprising our opinions on attractiveness change based on what we see. I secretly hope the Rubenesque period has a resurgence.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I consider myself very flexible on trends and while I may personally not embrace many, I can appreciate them on others... having said that I stand firmly in my belief that pleated pants are not flattering and I will never go back to that look. It took me long enough to get my husband into flat front pants and he really sees the difference as well...Losing weight recently means there is no room in my world for oversize and baggy...

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I've found many of the recent trends difficult, too, and sometimes a bit baffling. But I do my best to ignore the ones that just won't work for me and experiment with the possibilities.

And, of course, hit eBay a lot.

Laurinda

Veteran

I'll be sitting out the baggy pants/pointy toe shoe trends myself; but cheers to those who are enjoying them! The pendulum will swing in another direction before too long.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

This is why fashion and style is fun - and a very complex, dynamic and interesting place It's forever changing and our perceptions often change along with it.

I loved how Thistle put it. Very astute and rational. (And the the bit about her longing for a Rubenesque period made me laugh).

I really like what Tracey said about appreciating looks on others when you don't wear that look yourself. Heck! My job is 95% about that very fact. If I couldn't help others find THEIR look (often polar opposite to my own), I'd be very bad at my job.

I like Caro's perception too. Style demands a certain degree of "current" no matter what. But choose the "current" that works for you.

We are all entitled to our strong likes and dislikes. After all, fashion and style is a very subjective topic. I do believe it's *very* important to stay respectful to those who wear and love a look that for others are their "poison eye". No need to love a trend or silhouette when you just can't love it. Not at all. I have a few looks like that up my own sleeve - and it's a natural thing. But making others feel bad about what they like is not on either. We have to try to be as objective as possible in a highly subjective fashion world.

Deb, I love pointy toe shoes with you (I'm an '80s gal). They are not for everyone at all - to Elle's point. But they can look very ladylike and flattering. And they happen to be on trend at the moment and to my eye they look fresh - although I have had pointy toes in my wardrobe forever. If you prefer to wear round toes - go for it! You'll still look fab

As for oversized. There are degrees. I wholeheartedly believe that *some* relaxed looseness is extremely flattering - be it a top, bottom or topper. That's how the terms Casual Chic, Easy Elegance, and Relaxed Polish were coined. By the same token I believe that tailored looks are flop proof and always in style.

No need to follow trends that don't work for you. There are SO MANY trends that I will not embrace. RATE being one of them. That's why you have to establish a filter and go with what works for you.

There is no one way to be stylish. Style is a celebration of individuality that starts from the insideout. We are very lucky to be living is a world that finally celebrates ALL styles, ages, budgets and body types. Never loose sight of this liberating fact.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Elle - you've hit a nerve with me! So often I see people say, "maybe my eye needs time to adjust" if they don't like a particular trend or look. It's totally okay to NOT like a look and it doesn't mean you're wrong or out of fashion. I do worry that I can get worn down with seeing a look over and over again. I know that happened to some extent with the jeggings/skinny jeans, a look which I abhored for quite a while and find very difficult to carry off well with large size feet. Now I find myself with a pair of leggings AND a pair of skinny jeans! I try to balance the look by wearing tall boots only, but still. Worn down, I tell you!

Anonymous

Great discussion! I agree with so many points. Another thing that happens to me is when the trend I'm not keen on is *everywhere*, to the exclusion of everything else, and then I find myself buying it because there isn't much of a choice. Low-cut, flimsy and clingy knit tops, I'm looking at you! I'm so glad to see higher cut tops and woven blouses starting to come into fashion again.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

I feel the same way about the ubiquitous round toes ballet flat. To me, they make the legline look somehow...stumpy. I like the pointy ones! If I were going to try the baggy look I would pair with heels.

catgirl

Veteran

I see lots of looks that are unflattering on me but that I like and admire on others (pussy bow blouses, puffy sleeves, bodycon, pumps), Some are trends, others are more standard fare. I think the key is to distinguish between a true poison eye and what you just don't like on yourself. Otherwise fashion is no fun! I agree with Angie 100%. As an anthropologist by training, I know that being aware of bias is the first step in being able to see things more objectively - on the other hand, the whole beauty of fashion is that it's subjective and fluid. Like the weather in Alaska - if you don't like it, wait 5 minutes!

SIF, couldn't agree more about ballet flats!

ElleH

Veteran

Great discussion everyone & I hope you realize that I mean those styles are unflattering on ME. I have big feet. They don't look good in flat shoes & pointy flat shoes makes it worse. I also have a protruding tummy no matter how slim I get so pleats & gathers make it worse. I hope I haven't offended anyone. I just want to know that I can not wear these styles without being dated. I don't want to give in to it just to stay in fashion or because I got used to it. Angie if you thought I was trying to make others feel bad it is not my intention. I often don't answer people's questions on YLF just to avoid making them feel bad. I just feel bad that I might be dated soon unless I start to wear what doesn't suit me.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Elle, no worries! I assumed you meant unflattering for you.

I personally love the exact feature of pointy flats you hate - that they make your feet look bigger - because I have a thing about my feet being too small for the rest of me.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Hm, sometimes I need the second or third listen to like a new song but this is very different to NME says the Black Keys are cool, now I must buy there album.

One is listening to your own instincts and allowing your tastes to develop and two is not trusting yourself to make the right decision.

I think the same applies to my style too. I have grown to love some styles but have an unwavering dislike of others.

ElleH

Veteran

And the caftans in Australia looked gorgeous on a lot of women, just not all as with any trend. I just used that example because it was by traveling to another place I realized that what we like is often influenced by what we see which is seen mostly where we live.

I suppose in future I should just ask if tailored clothes & round toes are still in. It was insensitive of me to post my dislikes.

4babiesMe

I know what you mean. That's exactly how I felt about skinny jeans four years ago, and now I like them (and wish I could wear them). Out of my four sisters, I think I'm the only one who would even consider wearing them (IF I were a couple sizes smaller). I see some trends now, like booties or slouchy pants and my initial reaction is--nope, not for me, but then I see them more and more and they grow on me. I guess maybe I'm one who might end up following trends for that reason. I do think, though, that this is why we are often encouraged to find our own style. I think it's important to wear what makes us feel good and brings out our individual personalities. We can't all be clones of one another.

Lyn D.

Veteran

Elle, I live in Australia (and wear pointy shoes ) and I am NOT in any way offended!!
I love it when others talk about their 'poison eye' - it makes for lively discussion, and encourages me to really think about my own likes/dislikes and style direction.

ElleH

Veteran

I think I keep being unclear here sorry everyone. I actually like caftans & leggings.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

Interesting discussion - thanks for initiating, Elle, and participating, all. I guess we all have similar thoughts about various trends from time to time.

Kim

Veteran

Oh Elle, don't be sorry! We all have things we don't like and it's what makes us unique! (Just like all the others...LOL)

Mine is ballet flats with round toes. I *should* like them, they would be useful and I keep buying them but they sit unworn in my closet and I keep reaching for my Cons or my smoking slipper flats. (Do you wear a size 9, I could send them to you! LOL)

I have one pair of pointy toed flats that I found last year in a nude color and I LOVE them compared to the almond toe. Not sure why, but I'm a child of the 70's and maybe that as something to do with it. I also can't get my head around the pleat front trousers (but that's my own tummy issues talking) but I love my boyfriend jeans!

You have every right to not like something that I like, but don't be worried if you develop a taste for it later (or not). No sense in worrying about things like that! If you change your mind later about these things nobody's going to hold it against you either! (Sure is a good thing there is no such thing as Fashion Police, cause I can't count the times I've said "I'll NEVER wear that" and then a little while later I find myself thinking some version of THAT is not bad and I actually might like it...

Fickle creature am I!

cciele

Veteran

We all have our own sense of what is flattering and what is unflattering - whether one is into fashion or not. That's what I love - that people have different aesthetics!

Then again, I am happy that my SO likes the super baggy/slouchy style because he has to see me in them a lot

ElleH

Veteran

Thanks Kim. I actually wear a wide size 8 shoe but also ballet flats are never comfortable on me. I think it is because I have to size up in shoes for width so they slip off if they arent lace up, strap on or a boot. Sometimes the elastic ones stay on. T then the elastic hurts or they are still too narrow. I thought about me changing my mind later and posting WIWs, having to eat my words lol. My real concern about changing my mind though is me being blind to what is unflattering on ME because it has grown on me. I don't want to be blind to looking bad.

bj1111

Veteran

elle, this is so funny to me because i bemoaned the round toe trend. i bought one pair and felt so frumpy wearing them that i couldn't donate them fast enough. i hung on to my pointy pointies from about 2004-5. a bit extreme, but i will happily bring them out now.

every fashion trend with have adoptors and non. i hope i have the sense to pick the ones that make me happy or at least flatter (to my eye).