I don't have time to read the comments right now - so I apologize if I'm repeating what has already been said - but sometimes the trends turn into the currents and eventually turn into a classic - such as skinny jeans. For me, I really have no idea when I try out a trend if it's going to die as a trend or move onto a current, etc. etc.
I do like to check out the trends (I like the new and different!) - but it's hard on my budget so I've been doing less and less of it. It's a decision based more on economics than anything else!

I have been doing some wall painting, and pondering...just chiming back in to add that Shannon I think you tread the line very well. You always look like you have an eye on fashion but interpret it to suit you.

I also thought that as forum members we should not feel obliged to stick to our "look". I would hate anyone to feel pressured to keep wearing their signature style or being cutting edge or a vintage queen if they wanted to move on with their style.

I didn't read all the comments, so this may not be anything new . . .

I actually had this feeling a while ago. I am just not a trendy person. I haven't been since the metallic gold hammer pants . . .but those are their own story!

I think it is a little about age and more about confidence. Being trendy means you are buying into the "latest and greatest" therefore, you must fit in. Having the confidence to go your own way, to be true to you, means you have the faith in yourself to do so, but also the knowledge and experience to know what the true, authentic you is that you are styling.

kiwigal just used a term that is perfect for this discussion: interpret. it's how each of us interprets trends that help us create our own unique and individual styles. I suspect that if each of us were handed the same five garments, in our appropriate sizes, we would each come up with something unique in how we accessorize or whatever to make the pieces our own. Merely tucking, faux tucking or no tucking is an interpretation. Great a thoughtful and useful discussion. Thanks Shannon for initiating this.

Well, there are trend setters, who are the early adopters of trends, and then there are trend followers.
The early adopters have guts. Those are the people I most admire.
I think I'm just an average "current" person.

Kiwigal - I couldn't agree more - the variety of styles and choices on YLF is spectacular and "cheers" for not all being the same!

Marley - such a wise comment regarding trends turning into the classics. Skinny jeans would be a perfect example indeed. And don't you hate when budget gets in the way of experimentation? Lol!

Thistle - thank you so much for your thoughts.

Nenraskim - interpretation plays a HUGE part in each person's style doesn't it?

Smittie - here's to the trend setters!!!

So Shannon now you are in my head I was actually thinking this same thought when I wrote my post but decided to try and keep it to one line of thought.

You are at exactly the placewhere I am at. I want to wear items and exhibit a style that transcends trend. I desire a style that could be described as Quiet Dressing with Impact. The "quiet dressing" is my limited and monochromatic colour palette and the "impact" is in the dramatic and interesting design elements.

I want garments of excellent quality that I will love and wear for a number of years. Today I am wearing a grey coat (quite classic) that I bought before my son was born - he's 12. I believe it looks as modern and current as when I bought it.

There is nothing wrong with Trend, it's just about what works for the individual and what feels like 'you'. Denise (Cocolion) is my poster girl for trend. But she does trend with edge and sophistication, making it uniquely her. But for me, wearing what I consider trendy items actually makes me feel uncomfortable and conspicuous.

You ask if it might be age related? Well I think it might be more confidence related, at least it is for me. I am at a stage in life where I honestly do not mind what other people think. I don't feel any need to fit in, or conform, I just want to be me. The funniest thing is me attending a wedding. I can guarantee I am not dressed like anyone else at the wedding BUT, I feel totally comfortable in my skin. I don't do that to simply to be different, i just wear what is appropriate but still me.

Also, too much stuff overwhelms me. I love walking into my closet, knowing everything in there 'works' and it takes only a couple of minutes to select the items I'm going to wear today.

Thanks for starting this conversation.

Always interesting to see how different people interpret these ideas. As mentioned above, current is informed by trends - once the trends disseminate and settle down a bit some stick around and some wash away with the next rain. I go by my eye and assume that given that I look at clothes quite a bit I will go for things that are current and good for me now - trendy or not.

I've always think "trendy" as describing clothes for the junior market and sold through retailers like H&M, F21, Aritzia, etc and "current" more applicable to clothes sold by retailers like CM, BR, and then better bridge - upper price point /designer label market. Just my way of separating the wheat from the chaff. I have little interest in the trend of the moment , and even when mini-trends like, for example, zippers at the sides of sweaters, and sweaters with faux shirt-tails underneath are all over the place, I get mad at myself for buying more than one. And I've done that.

Because....as someone above me pointed out in another reply, I don't want my clothes to be identified as so 2014 (or whatever time period) . Being current and aware and looking it IS important to me. Being trendy (in that I am wearing crop tops and culottes and creepers) - no. Colour trends aren't really that important to me either - I buy what I like. I suppose the only area I'll dive into a trend is in jewellery and footwear. I just think at my age, it's a slippery slope from looking current to looking like a fashion victim. Trendy is fun if it suits you and your look.

As I was getting yet another haircut today (hello short with a mini pompadour for fun) I was saying to this new stylist I'm trying - I don't want to look like everyone else. I don't want to look mainstream, or identified as part of an age group by my clothes or my hair. That doesn't mean looking younger, per se, it means not looking "typical". I hope to achieve that not through being trendy, but by picking the best of what 's current that works for me. Have I achieved that? Heck no. But I'll go down trying.

Lisa you articulated exactly how I feel with your words "

I don't want to look mainstream, or identified as part of an age group by my clothes or my hair"! There is a short hair cut that so many middle aged women have around here and I am trying to avoid that lol

Ok, this topic comes up every so often on the forum.
And here's my very blunt take on it.
General response seems to be ERMIGAWD I don't ever want to thought of as trendy, how gauche.
Honestly most people in my day to day life have no idea about what's trendy. My boss the other day was asking about a messenger bag for her husband. She said specifically not hipster. But hipster is dead. Slouchy beanies, plaid shirts, and beards on guys, pretty mainstream for the millenials, in the city. But I just came from visiting a rural area, I don't think I saw a single typical hipster. City versus burbs versus rural is a very different cohort.
When I had more time for fashion, honestly with the exception of Jenava and Amy, the only people in my real world who noticed my trendiness were salespeople in stores.
People, but not all, will notice if you look nice. Everyone has different taste, so some will like, some won't, some won't care at all. On here and in real life. Some are slow to adjust to trends and some start them. Some want to blend in, some want to stand out.
Fashion magazines are dying, so they're not influencing trends. No one can predict whether trends will percolate up from the streets or trickle down from the runways. Many blogs (besides YLF) are struggling to maintain their audience; besides many on here have previously stated that they look at no other blogs.
I'm just saying if you asked twenty people in your real life if object X was trendy, you would not get any sort of consensus.
So find what makes you happy. Enjoy the process.
And to quote Angie, Have Fun

I actually had to sign back on to correct my comment about how trends were for the younger crowd and purchased at lower end stores- and that current looks were sold by "better " stores and under better labels . Not true - and too generalist . Just wanted to clarify that before someone jumped all over it. Everyone has a different framework for working with trends and everyone thinks of them differently. The thoughts here on this post are absolutely interesting .

Deborah - me too with the hair. It's my biggest " worry" , relatively speaking. With hair , I prefer to be ahead of the curve , not pleasantly in the middle of it. Whereas with clothes , not as much. Luxury and quality trumps trendy every time for me. Hair is so different.

Anna, as I said before, I don't think trendy is something bad, you're the best example for it. But for me with my small wardrobe it would be exhausting to set trendy as a goal when the thing that helps me getting dressed the most is cohesion. And I agree that most people don't recognize trendy - cue in my dad asking me if I needed money to buy some fitting jeans...

Astrid funny story re your dad!

Anna, I have no issue with 'trendy', it's just not my personal preference. In fact I am in awe of yourself and Denise and how you rock what I consider to be trendy. I get frustrated reading popular mainstream blogs and seeing every blogger wearing a variation of the same thing. One minute it's this current jacket that we all must have, then a skirt etc etc. I spend a lot of time looking at and for non mainstream style blogs. And then many of the stores carry what's currently 'on trend', so availability of the styles or aesthetic we prefer can sometimes be difficult to find. Then there is the journey that is working out what our style is. What we do like, what we don't and that is fun. Because this is Shannon's thread, I will use her as an example, I have so enjoyed watching her style evolve in what has appeared to be seamless and organic manner, and I have enjoyed seeing how much fun she had had doing that.

Actually I just looked up the defintion of Trendy...
"very fashionable or up to date"

Shannon, I'm right with you on aspiring to be current rather than trendy. I've never been one to want the latest of anything, be it clothes, household items or technology. I simply don't live my life in the fast lane, I suppose. I don't think it's age-related, more a personality issue.

I agree very much with Marley that economics comes into it, too. I certainly couldn't afford to jump on to every passing trend, even if I wanted to.

Deborah's comments also struck a chord with me in that I, too, am happy with a cohesive wardrobe that works effortlessly together. I don't want to stress about my clothes, neither do I worry too much how others might judge my style. I just wear what I feel flatters my body and colouring, and use my own judgement as to whether something is definitely too dated to stay in my wardrobe.

You have your own style down to a fine art, managing to look current and chic as well as completely comfortable with your look. That is the key, I think.

Wow, a lot to think about.
Thistle said: "Being trendy means you are buying into the "latest and greatest" therefore, you must fit in. Having the confidence to go your own way, to be true to you, means you have the faith in yourself to do so, but also the knowledge and experience to know what the true, authentic you is that you are styling".
BUT this can be true on the reverse, too! For example what if craving the new+achieving the real confidence (at your specific stage of own style evolution, if not age, or else:-)) to try on and incorporate more trends and and still feel be true to yourself? Just saying:-)

I for myself, when buying (and keeping) a clothing item which is considered trendy, I do not buy/keep it because it is trendy alone. I buy/keep it only if it fits me, is even more flattering and comfy than an older version I have it my wardrobe. I also have to be able to incorporate it successfully in my existing wardrobe. So am not a trendy person, but I try trends(at least in the shops:-)).

Every time I have not considered something from above, I have failed badly:-(. I was there and done that. Tried a few trends seeing them on our fab forum members working so beautifully, but decided they are not me, so abandoned them early. BUT you have to try things on to know if suits you (and your style) or not, isn't it? If interested in fashion and having fun with it- trying fashion trends, has to be forgivable:-).

For ex. I bought lot of mix-media tops and toppers, knitted toppers, diagonal sleeved tops, tube skirts not only because they were on trend but firstly because they are polished but comfy and even more flattering on my body than the older versions of some items I have replaced them with. So I say, always keep an eyes on trends:-).

"For example what if craving the new+achieving the real confidence (at
your specific stage of own style evolution, if not age, or else:-)) to
try on and incorporate more trends and and still feel be true to
yourself?"

I agree wholeheartedly, lyn67.

For some reason, the word "trendy" has all sorts of negative baggage associated with it. And yes, I suppose if you just routinely embrace every trend simply because it is a trend, maybe there might be a case for thinking that is shallow or letting the marketplace define you or not having confidence or whatever. But to me, that is a very narrow consideration of the word.

What if you have the confidence to play with fashion? What if you like to try new things? What if you honestly feel new and current trends might fit with your style? Those things could be true of someone who considers themselves trendy -- someone who is interested in the changing waves of fashion and adventurous enough to try them.

I'm not going to get into what's trendy or what's trending because I'm not an expert, and frankly I am not a fan of those "this is in" and "that is out" kinds of statements. Maybe that's where I ultimately land. I'm just open -- show me classic, show me current, show me cutting edge. I want to look at it all! Then I'll choose what works for me.

Wow, this is alot to digest. I definately like to keep an eye on what is trending. It is like Anna said, no one in my real life can recognize whether something is fashionable or not.
I have commented that flared jeans are coming back in style, people around here just can't imagine anything other than their skinnies. Most people don't really care either.
I like fashion, I will continue to adopt those "fads" that I like, and some will become classics, others wont. Its about fun.

Shannon - I just have to say your thoughts are always insightful and resonate with me. To be trite, I do think life boils down "to thine own self be true." The follow up for me is Coco's "elegance is refusal." I do think for some of us personal vision is the key to our sartorial happiness. There is absolutely nothing right or wrong about following trends or not. It's about what makes each of us happy and comfortable in our own skin. But your words really speak to me because I strive to express my personal vision in my wardrobe choices. When I get caught up in the marvelous looks on the forum or blog, I often make mistakes so for me, the ability to stand back and admire but not buy was key to finding balance on YLF. Finding designers who "get me" -( waves to everyone) Eileen Fisher, Vince, Theory, Helmut Lang - has helped me start to build a versatile, authentic, harmonious wardrobe. I am always open to change and evolution but I try and now ask myself do I love this for me, does it fit my style goals and persona (buy) or do I just find this awesome on everyone else (pass). For the professional princess of darkness - elegance is refusal!!

I was trendy when I was young (under 25) but found my own style after that, and my style has evolved again after I hit 40. My inclinations now are to be more myself with everything I wear. I do that by:

• Embracing black. I've always preferred this color and used to try to branch out but now I accept that it's me. I wear black trousers and black tops to work every day, with either black toppers and colored accessories, or colored toppers in a restricted palette (dark blue, dark green, red, wine, grey) with colored accessories. If I try trends here, I try them with the toppers and accessories. I stick to classics for my black pieces. I find it reassuring and empowering to know my black pieces will always look pulled together and professional.
• Using denim as my window of opportunity to try new things. The only non-black color I wear regularly as a main piece is denim, which I love. When I'm truly sick of black, I pull out my jeans. Somehow with jeans I feel like I can be as trendy as I want to. Recently I wore jean released hem culottes, a fluid top with a partial tuck, and ankle-strap sandals. I couldn't believe stodgy old me embraced three trends in one outfit but I looked good and felt good. Sooo much better than my pre-YLF uniform of yoga pants and flip flops.
• Venturing out of my comfort zone for pieces - I am shy and find it hard to shop in new places. Recently forced myself to go into Forever 21 and Zara to look at fast fashion trends and evaluate what could work for me. Ended up really enjoying the experience and these types of stores make it really easy to see what's "in" as they are all about the trendy items. I picked up some cheap items but more importantly came away with ideas for making/getting other on-trend items (in fact, I came home and made myself a beautiful silk kimono jacket from some silk i've had forever, after seeing the F21 poly kimonos everywhere during my shopping trip)

Well now, I love me a good trend, a right proper fad. I like to know what's going on, be where the people are at, see what's occupying the multitudes, and stay conversant. I want the proverbial Rubik's cube. I want Sage The Gemini on my playlist and buffalo plaid everything. I want to be like my friends. I think shared experiences are important and meaningful at the mass level.

But I don't simply want what everyone else is having for the mere sake of having it. I don't have Angry Birds downloaded to my giant smartphone. That would be a waste of computer memory for me. A trendy thing has to capture my personal imagination as well. I've never owned an iPod, only Nanos. Also, Apple products form my entertainment system; I don't compute with Apple.

Now I must say, I think age has a lot to do with wanting to follow the trends. Or more specifically, living in a fishbowl, like highschool, is important to the development of persuasive trends. Fishbowls can be cross pollinated, but all trend following is local and immediate. It is much easier to elude such fishbowls as an adult; it is impossible to do so as a teen.

In terms of fashion trends/fads, I'd also like to say I agree with Anna. The way I describe it - I see fashion floundering at the moment. We are in want of a fishbowl. Haute couture is dead. Fashion mags are dying. The blogosphere does not a fishbowl make... A bubble for the bloggers themselves maybe, but not a fishbowl... There are a lot of fake trends and trends people can't get off the ground. I, at least, am hard pressed to identify a really serious fad of late. Hard to jump on a bandwagon that isn't there.

Culottes, btw, I don't think are *a* trend. As in being a fad, being trendy. I think they are *current,* as in a long term trend. Trendy fads are more specific, IMHO, by definition: like 'feathers'...

Hey all - I'm in training all day today but promise to get back to this thread tomorrow