Watching Leanne - YouLookFab Forum

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Watching Leanne

Irina

Veteran

I’m a big fan of comedian Leanne Morgan. I started to watch her sitcom right away once it was released on Netflix. She is funny and she is my generation! Fun fact (to me) we were born a few days apart!

But this post is not about the show. I was thinking about Leanne’s outfits in the show. She is beautifully dressed and I liked most of it but there were no trendy items as far as I could see. No barrel leg jeans in sight! And I thought that maybe it is typical for a middle class middle aged American woman in (what I assume) small town (Knoxville, Tennessee)?

Although her sister in the show wears a bit more contemporary clothes. I’m interested if anyone else noticed.
I live in the middle of the largest Canadian urban centre. My experience fashion wise is different. I used to work in the area where lots of young professional women work and live. And yes, they wear trends and more fashion forward items. I’m so use to seeing trendy and/or interesting outfits at an office or on the streets that I don’t even think it is something out of the ordinary. And of course, I’m a part of the fashion related forum
How about you? Do you see and able to recognize trends where you live? Does the fashion environment have any impact on you style?

Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from Carol

Dee

Veteran

Well, I live in the 2nd largest urban center in Canada, with its own distinct french culture. Its fairly style conscious and quite fashion forward and although, I live in a suburb just outside the downtown core, I still notice plenty of people wearing various trends and plenty of stylish outfits when I'm out shopping at the malls or going to a café. Its an area with lots of working professionals so perhaps that plays some part in it too.

LJP

Veteran

Honestly - I have almost no exposure to trends/real fashion/polished looks here in Winnipeg. I live in a suburb, and mainly travel between home and work. Very fascinating life, I know . The only time I see anyone dressed in a fashion-forward way is when I might hit the mall to drop in on Brown's, Aritizia and Lululemon. The women who worked at Club Monaco were always inspirational, but that store closed recently. I'll see the odd young girl (and that's what they are- not more than 19-20 ish) come into the gym in barrel jeans, full length/puddling jeans, Sambas, crop tops , flip flops etc, but that isn't very often. The women in the office are decidedly NOT into fashion, and wear very basic pieces. I'm never downtown which is where I imagine I might see more interesting clothing. Winnipeg is a pretty large city, all things considered, but not exactly the height of fashion.

Not familiar with Leanne - will have to check her out! (although I'm not the best audience for that kind of show).

LJP

Veteran

I was thinking more about this while out on my bike , and she reminds me a bit of Jean Smart in Hacks. Now Jean is in her 70's and playing a role, but she is always elegantly dressed and groomed. Looks great in golf clothes too ! There is something to be said for eschewing trends and sticking to beautifully tailored classics - and Jean's twist is adding a crazy print and crazy accessories, but again, TV. I like to think that if I were working in a professional setting, I'd be dressed much, much differently, with less of an eye to trends.

Irina

Veteran

Dee, does your location impact your style?

LJP, I wondered if I would dress differently without the office restrictions. After almost a year retired, I can say yes but to a degree. I care less if my choices are judged (and doubt anyone pays attention to what I wear) but there is no sudden change in personality. It is highly unlikely that I will be dressed too classic or too sporty.

JAileen

Veteran

I’ve never seen the show, but she looks familiar. Maybe I saw her on another tv show.

I live in the Intermountain West, in an urban area with 500k people. I’ve never seen anyone wearing barrel jeans in real life. I suppose we’re just not fashion forward here.

Knoxville has population of around 200k. I wouldn’t call that a small town.

Dee

Veteran

Yes, people here do dress up more, so when I head to our shopping mall or meet a friend for coffee I definitely make an effort to put together something that feels current like my barrel jeans. I am, however a fairly classic dresser, so not very fashion forward or avant garde but I do try to dress stylishly for these types of outings. Not sure if what I answered is what you were after.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I haven't seen the show, Irina - and will look it up! Sounds interesting. On that stand up comedian note, I HIGHLY recommend the show Hacks, if you haven't seen it. The female leads are phenomenal, and so is their major generational difference (Boomer and Gen Z).

As for Tennessee - it has its OWN very identifiable style - particularly prevalent in Nashville. That might be how Leanne is dressing. I'll have a look see!

I live RIGHT in the urban centre of Seattle. Between the locals and the tourists - I see it all, and I can dentify most trends. Prevalent local Seattle looks are three-fold:

Goth, pierced, grunge, rocker and lots of tattoos
All forms of athleisure
Gen Z's uniform of big baggy bottoms and toppers with tiny tight tops

I can't stress the tattooing enough. People here are very tattooed. You see it come through even more in Summer.

The street style in Seattle has zero impact on my own style - oh goodness, Irina - not sure if I've answered your questions!!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't know Leanne but a funny show is always a good thing to know about in these times! Maybe her style in the show is regionally southern vs. "small town" or otherwise. I have always thought that women in the south of the US tend to dress colourfully and in mostly classic styles, but that might be a stereotype.

I live in a suburban neighbourhood of crunchy granola land on the wet coast! I am very influenced by the environment, but by that I mean the actual weather and topography, not the fashion choices of Victorians.

On the streets here (and to a large extent in Vancouver, too) people wear:

1. Gear. Goretex. Biking/ hiking clothing (for all kinds of activities.) Rainwear.

2. A style I don't know now to name but classify as a little boho, a lot undone, and mainly RATE. Sometimes hearkens back to the Hippies -- mainly seen on older people (actual hippies) and on Gen Z (who thrift the look). Not unlike this person: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/0.....ed_article

3. Young women can be seen in baggy jeans, tight short tops, as per Angie's comment. Very uniform, pastel or neutral tops, light blue jeans (esp. in summer). Sneakers. Like they are all wearing versions of the same outfit.

4. Also, some goth/ semi-goth here, as in Seattle, but not as much because we are less urban.

So. My style does not conform to any of these examples and is not influenced by them at all, except where it comes to weatherproof footwear and rainproof coats. The thing is, for my daily life, I always aim to have stuff that functions as gear but does not look like gear -- except for dedicated gear-type activities.

I always dress with the weather and my activities in mind and that increasingly means flat shoes, flatforms, or similar. Pants or shorts more than dresses (though I love skirts and dresses) mainly because I bike for transportation. And so on.

I do not get my inspiration from the people I see around me. But when I lived in the east, I was inspired by people's outfits on the streets, and when I travel I sometimes am inspired in that way.

Indigoprint

Veteran

So interesting that you would start this. I had only seen some "baby "Leanne" online and was enjoying her humor. I did not know until your post that there is more to watch.
I live in a tourist community north of Chicago so I really notice trends during the season.
But since we are a community of artist's I am able to see a nice variety of fashion throughout the ages.

Irina

Veteran

My questions were:
do you actually see any current trends on the streets of your city/town?
are you influenced by what you see?
Thanks for anyone who answered!

Echo

Veteran

I live in the upper Midwestern US, and trends take much longer to get here than on either coast. Having lived in Boston, I could see the difference starkly when I returned. In many cases, trends never make it to rural areas, either due to lack to media exposure, socio-economic conditions, or lack of shopping availability.

I tend to be very aware of trends, even if I choose not to engage. And the way I dress, overall, is VERY different from others in my area. That's okay. Anyone who knows me knows I am "different." Whether they choose to view that favorably or unfavorably is up to them.

So, in short, no, I don't see any trends here. At all. Jeans and t-shirts, jeans and sweatshirts, jean shorts and t-shirts are the norm. I once wore a VERY casual ensemble (many years ago) of leggings, a long, belted cardigan and Uggs, and visited my mum (in a town slightly larger than the one in which I live), and I could HEAR the people around us saying, "She's not from around here, is she?" So, no, no trends at all here.

Runcarla

Veteran

My town is small (pop. 17,000) and the demographic is skewed towards seniors/retirees and artistic types, and augmented by tourists year ‘round, but mostly in the summer. This summer I’ve noted more folks ‘dressing’ and less black tights with baggy tops and a baseball hat. It might be the heat ‘cause I’m seeing loose linen dresses (midi and maxi length), loose linen bottoms (cropped and long) and co-ordinating t-shirts or tank tops. Lots of sandals, Ecco style leather sneakers, straw hats, and straw bags or cloth totes for women 50+. Summer style seems very ‘coastal g’ma’ this year. Solids. Stripes. Not many prints. The 30-40 yo’s are in sleeveless jersey knit maxi dresses with their long hair piled in a loose bun on top of their heads. Lots of tats in this age group. Also, this is the group I’m seeing in jorts! The teens and 20’s are in that uniform of baggy jeans or low slung cargo pants and tiny tops, or cut-off jeans. Footwear is almost uniformly white athletic socks and Birks, Crocs, or Ugg slippers, long hair. French braids - which have been popular since last year. I’ve seen mothers and daughters in matching Birks - but mom has a pretty pedi and daughter is in grubby white socks!

It’s mostly too hot for denim, but when I do see it, it’s been light blue. Not seeing distressed denim, but yes to frayed bottoms. Not seeing barrel leg silouhettes, but wide legs, and wide leg cargos. Seeing lots of long sleeved button downs worn open as a layering piece - white, pale blue, chambray, blue and white striped, and olive, plus some lime and some hot pink.

I’ve been influenced by the baggy bottom trend, and my one pair of (black) linen pants are in rotation. I’ve also been influenced by all the pale blue I’m seeing, I prefer a shorter hem length than maxi - but still knee covering - so I swim against the stream in that regard. My style probably skews more classic and slightly retro (?) than the environmental norm.

We’ve been 45 days without rain, and everyone is tanned!

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Sisi

Veteran

Interesting questions, Irina.
Yes I do see trends where I live. I work in Milan and I sometimes meet a friend for lunch downtown. More or less the area where the Sartorialist usually "catches" his victims ... You can imagine. But I also see trends in the small ancient provincial town near which I live.

I think the environment has a (subconscious) impact on my style. I have always worked in corporate environments and grew up in this small conservative town. I think this explains my being mostly modern classic.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have not seen Leanne but will need to check it out — I need a comedy palette cleanser sometimes!

I live in the mid Atlantic, almost equidistant to three cities — Baltimore, DC and Annapolis. I can see it all in the course of a day! Annapolis is more preppy, maritime-influenced, old money, but there are also young artsy types here. DC is more urban but still skews a little traditional. Baltimore is urban, eclectic and almost anything goes! I notice that trends pop up in Baltimore before the others. We are only 3 hours from NYC by train, so I feel we’re only just behind NYers, trend wise.

I do see people here wearing wide legs, barrel style pants, white maxi skirts, and all the other trends of the season. I’m maybe a little influenced by this because it makes me feel less conspicuous in a trendier item, should I choose it. But more and more, I’m increasingly confident in building my own style that I plan to keep evolving, both with and without trends.

RobinF

Veteran

Here in Michigan, I don't have much access to what people are wearing fashion-wise. I drive to work and am the only woman, no fashion there. The most I see might be when my nieces from New York or DC come to visit. I personally am more influenced by YLF than I am by anything I see in my area.

I am not familiar with that series, might have to check it out. I have been to Knoxville to a wedding. It's a college town so I would think that could influence the fashion there.

Lisa

Veteran

I don't see the major trends in my area.

In general. NC is a very casual state. Closer to the mountains you'll see lots of outdoor gear. By the beach areas it's all beach wear.

In my area, which is a rural small town it's casual, tees and shorts in the summer. Swap shorts for jeans and add a hoodie or cardigan rest of the year. Flannel/plaid, boots, sneakers are common year round. Athleisure is also very popular year round. Also, layering is key, we have big swings in temperature during our transitional seasons.

My current style certainly reflects the area. My love of graphic tees and jeans (or shorts) fits right in with the norm!

Now one thing that is NOT casual, is going to church or other services. Also any event. People get dressed UP for that. I recently went to afternoon tea and wore a dress and fascinator and fit right in! I'll have to post photos soon.

Edit: Here's the afternoon tea outfit post.

tam

My home - Florence, Alabama - two hour drive south of Nashville. While the population for the Muscle Shoals area is around 100k with small town feel, the area is home to designers Billy Reid and Natalie Chanin. I often see people in interesting fashion sitting next to people in nontrendy outfits having lunch or dinner. As for Leanne - the show - I've seen a few episodes and I would say any of those ladies outfits can be found on real life ladies in my community.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I live in Albuquerque, which is relaxed, but I also consider it a city. One of my tests for whether a place counts as a city is looking at the teenagers. If their style is all over the place, that's usually a suburb. But city kids have their own rules. For example, a young man here would never wear dirty sneakers--they should be up-to-date and shining. A young woman will have definite ideas of what her tank top should be--nothing prissy, no thank you.

Trends are not big--jeans and sneakers is fine most days. But I would say you will do better looking a little tough. If you are dressed like a twee indie rocker, this won't do. If you are dressed in work boots and a shacket, you will do fine.

Ket

Veteran

Tam, loving these new-to-me designers. Thank you for sharing!!

Ket

Veteran

I live in a small town outside of the Denver metro area. I am seeing fairly mainstream trends for women. Wide leg jeans, mostly worn with fluid ease. Oversized tees and sweatshirts. Chunkier tennis shoes and loafers. Cropped tees and tops. Cardigan sweaters. Initial necklaces. Stretchy chokers. Minimal "clean girl" makeup. Very little color. It's white, cream, baby blue and baby pink, light denim. It's all very 1990s. I still see women wearing a variety of styles, but the mainstream trends are popular and dominate the scene.

The other trend is athletic. Leggings worn with the latest on-trend in hoodies, tank tops, and sneakers is very much the uniform here of wealthy stay-at-home wives and mothers. Not knocking it; I actually like dressing that way to some extent though don't currently. It's just interesting to observe who wears what.

I still see some yoga vibe styles, hippy styles, some western styles. Little punk too. Still seeing Doc Martens occasionally. Lots of hiking gear in general. (We live in a highly popular, highly saturated outdoor destination location.)

Since my style veers pretty bohemian, artsy, and vintage, I honestly will stick out like a sore thumb, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. I want to be true to myself, but I also like keeping up with trends to a certain degree. Guess I'm feeling my age at nearly 42...

elena

I live in Richmond, VA, a small, artsy city 100 miles south of DC. I moved here from the DC area last year. The contrast between those 2 places is interesting. I lived around DC a long time and never thought there was much “style” there other than maybe urban streetwear. People tend to be a bit conservative in dress and there’s also a tendency among the professional/federal worker class to think of fashion/style as frivolous and not for those who want to be taken seriously. I never found much visual inspiration in how people dressed.

Richmond is a totally different story! There’s a much larger creative class and a vibe of self-expression through clothes that I really love and appreciate.

To answer the questions: yes, I do see some trends here, though I have yet to see a barrel jean in the wild. It’s probably too hot still, and I expect they’ll start to appear in the cooler weather. I’m looking forward to it!

A big trend around these parts is ruffly, girly, and kind of twee looks. Like blouses with 3 bows in front, tiered skirts, puffed sleeves, etc. I associate that trend with younger women. A certain type of southern lady of any age will also wear that kind of thing, maybe in bold colors or prints. This is not a look I ever saw in DC! People here do tend to dress with a point of view, and choose to have a style, and even if it’s not one I would choose, I appreciate the effort!

We also have loads of creative-looking people wearing thrifted stuff, with tattoos, bold hair colors, face jewelry, etc. This spans all ages, and again, I really love to see it. There’s a certain cool, arty style that older women wear that I like very much, and it often includes visible tattoos, chunky or interesting shoes, clothes in architectural shapes, interesting color combinations and jewelry, etc. I’m not sure that’s a trend as much as a style, but I like it!

There’s generally a bit of a weird vibe here - at least once a day we’ll see someone who makes us say, “well, you don’t see THAT every day!” It’s very fun.

In general, more sophisticated or “fashion y” trends are not as prevalent, though wide leg pants/jeans are commonplace and are mainstream at this point. I don’t see that much that I feel specifically inspired to copy, but the local vibe of creative, expressive dressing I do find very inspiring. It makes me feel more comfortable taking a few risks or having fun with clothes, which I felt a little reluctant to do in my DC area community where I felt I’d stand out too much if I “made an effort” with my clothes.

Irina

Veteran

I learn so much from you all. I only traveled to a few places in Canada and even less in US. It’s fascinating to find the difference between not only rural/urban but also geographical areas. Thanks you all!

LJP

Veteran

I find it interesting that barrel /horseshoe jeans are not the uniform of choice for young people. I wonder if it was a trend marketed specifically toward women over 35-40. The cut itself isn't really a natural evolution of denim we've seen over the decades (loose and long, to slim and straight and back again ) and it's kind of interesting to consider where this weird shape came from. I have several pair in different shades of blue, white, black denim, and still haven't made up. my mind about them and wonder if they are simply a trend I've been marketed to and fallen for......and will cringe when I see them in photos 10 years from now .

Ket

Veteran

LJP, that's a really fascinating point about barrel jeans! I too haven't seen young people wearing them much in my area. I remember the barrel leg shape being decently popular in the 1980s and maybe early 90s? So I wonder if it was a fringe trend that the Gen X and early Millennials (like myself) veered toward? I haven't been able to actually try them myself. Old Navy had a pair but the waist was so small when I tried them on I could barely button them up ha! I moved on to finding flare jeans after that. I don't know that barrel jeans will cause cringing. I doubt they will, however, have the staying power of the skinny jean. :}

Bijou

Veteran

In my city which has a population of over 2 million people, you see everything. I find that the more affluent areas are likely to have more expensive designer outfits and inner-city areas are more likely to be trendy and fashion forward because they have the city bars and restaurants.
There is a strong beach culture which is reflected in what people wear, given we are on the west coast and have long, hot summers.
The central business district (CBD) and shopping area is going backwards as more people work from home. When going into the CBD for work meetings I have noticed that since Covid, more city workers are dressing in smart casual clothes, with far less formal suits being worn.

judy

Veteran

Irina "Do you see and able to recognize trends where you live? Does the fashion environment have any impact on you style?"

When I lived in a busy...and youthful...Seattle city neighborhood from 2000-2016, I did see trends and was a bit more influenced by the style around me. Maybe we are to some extent always influenced? Now that I have returned to New England and live in a suburb, people here tend to dress casual and conservative with only the occasional standout that catches my eye. I feel a bit freer in that there is no pressure to keep up with anything. And I'm enjoying the relief. I still wear what I want.

LJP "I find it interesting that barrel /horseshoe jeans are not the uniform of choice for young people. I wonder if it was a trend marketed specifically toward women over 35-40. The cut itself isn't really a natural evolution of denim we've seen over the decades (loose and long, to slim and straight and back again ) and it's kind of interesting to consider where this weird shape came from."

About the trend of barrel leg, I recall it being started by the company B Sides, was it ten years, five ago...? Time! So easy to lose track of. They had this Lasso jean with side vents and from the front it made a horseshoe shape of your legs. I think they are really cool, and I love baggy jeans, but I never ended up buying them. Here they are: https://shop-vestige.com/colle.....-in-indigo Here's a better link: https://bsidesjeans.com/collec.....louch-crop

Ket, "I remember the barrel leg shape being decently popular in the 1980s and maybe early 90s?"

Yes, I had a pair of slightly cropped striped barrel leg Esprit pants in the 80's! Loved them. It all gets reinvented anew doesn't it.

LJP

Veteran

Interesting comments, Ket and judy. I have no recollection of seeing barrel cuts any earlier than a few years ago at most. Probably at Anthropology and then again on a few IG'ers. Judy, I am also nodding at the freedom from not feeling any pressure (internal or otherwise) to keep up with trends. I either like a trend and WANT to try it , or simply don't like it and don't care about it.

Jules

Veteran

Living in the same environment as you, we see the same trends. What may be of interest is that we have family outside the city (Newmarket, Barrie) and I find my kids and I adopt trends earlier than our respective peers. For example a couple of years ago at Thanksgiving my sister in law noted ‘ok, I guess jeans are getting wide again’ based on our outfits. I was the first to adopt skinny jeans as well, even though it felt late to me. To be honest I probably shop and turn my wardrobe over more frequently than my in laws, but our kids are same age and the big trends do seem to hit mine first. Of course they probably do have their own micro trends at their particular schools etc. It’s interesting as they are all very much on the same social media.

I haven’t seen the show yet as we don’t have Netflix currently but I listened to Leanne Morgan on Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang.

cat2

Veteran

I live in a very techy area and still see a lot of normcore. But there also seems to be more people paying more attention to their wardrobes, watches, etc. So we did our anniversary dinner recently and only one family wasn’t dressed for the occasion. I also spend a lot of time in the adjacent city; the downtown is starting to fill back up with the chino, boat shoe and fleece vest set. Note the big change from Birdies to boat shoes!

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