Footwear has been my way to try to stay current in the last couple years, I think. I am hard on my shoes and increasingly picky about comfort, so updating to new silhouettes kills three birds with one stone.

Otherwise I don't really aim for trendy, although I will pick up trendy colors if they're ones I like already, just to grab them when I can. I usually avoid trendy silhouettes just because I don't feel like they suit my personality or current life situation.

Bottoms- pants & jeans. I keep my tops and sweaters mostly plain. Second category is footwear. I try to add a bit of an interest to outfits through footwear. Bought and enjoyed this summer a pair of leopard pumps and black mules. I change my glasses once in two years. Would like to update outwear more but truthfully it is not easy to do. Between finding what would fit me, colors that I wear and practicality, my choice are slim in that area.

Angie, I’m aware from the way you use the word, it does not have negative connotations for you, but for many people, it does. You can’t expect everyone to agree with you.

Oh great observation!
I’m also not wearing jeans but for maybe part of a day here and there. So I need to update somewhat but can’t get multiple pairs each year.
Dresses, no- I wear seldom BUT do watch for when I find sleeves, length.
Tops, not so much because I go for flattering fit, sleeves, neckline. Don’t reallocate participate in top trends much.
I’d say pants— not exactly trendy since I try to dres my body type, but wear all the time and for work , so have to tweak fit, length, quality.
Footwear within my feet limitations.
Jackets- yes. And like the prior poster, need to watch out for over- buying as though they’ll always be classic and in style, since I’ve noticed that is NOT quite true , plus small fit changes occur.

Since my wardrobe tends to be built around neutrals, shoes are definitely my go-to item to refresh an outfit. A close second would be toppers/outerwear, as the bulk of our weather is cool or very cold, and I end up wearing a topper AND a coat most days.

Bijou, this is a great question, and for me it points to a major wardrobe planning gap I have, which is to ensure I have some aspect of my wardrobe that I keep really current ... Must ponder what that should be for me ...

Angie, thank you very much for your reply. Interesting to read about which items you choose to refresh, and which items "stay relatively modern classic." (I really like that phrase. ) I have sometimes wondered what you would recommend US to do on a daily (?) or seasonal (?) basis in order to look current. But I guess this would be different from person to person. And you do give us a lot of ideas and inspiration in your highly appreciated seasonal trend reports.

I must admit that currentness is not on my mind every day. I don't evaluate every single outfit I wear from a "Does this look current/trendy?"-perspective. It makes sense that a stylist does this. But for me, there are often more important questions to ask, like "Is this suitable/decent/practical for the occasion/activity?" and "How is the weather (and temperature) today?"

Currentness is something that I primarily take into consideration:
● When I go shopping for new items
● When I do my seasonal closet edits
● When I dress for special occasions where I will be watched by many people, perhaps while giving a speech, an interview, etc.

This is a really excellent question. I am always a little nervous about trends, because 1 I like to buy things on sale and 2 I like things to last for quite a while. I fear that Trends don't really fit in with that sort of wardrobe planning. But I also worry that I'm getting stodgy instead of classic in my old age, so I look for new silhouettes. This year it was in pants: I bought some flares, I bought some kick crops, and I am about to buy some wide leg cropped pants, which is a very unusual silhouette for me.

I might be a little trendy in my eyeglasses, since I have six pairs, and they're all quite different. I also like to see what colors are trendy, so I review the Pantone report very closely every season.

The Cat, YES. That's my point. That a trendy refresh is personal, varies from person to person, and there is no right or wrong way to do it. Furthermore, some seasons you feel trendier and more committed to fashion than others seasons. Life events and your environment can change the way you view fashion too.

FashIntern, I came on strongly in my last comment which was unwise, and of course, feel free to disagree with me at any time. I'm very sensitive to others negatively judging those who want to be trendy, so that's where it comes from. I understand that trendy can hold a less than aspirational goal for many. My clients, friends and family illustrate that daily.

Mine is jeans and casual and casual pants as I wear them nearly every day all year round. I also try to stay on trend with footwear as I have come to realize how important it is for an outfit. In my present climate I need to add toppers as they play an important outfit role.. And can change an outfit. Good question.

Fashintern, I too grew up with "trendy" being a negative thing. It's only been in the last few years that I feel better about using that word; it has lost some of its negative connotation for me thanks to spending a lot of time on YLF. I do generally perfer "modern" or "current," though.

Bijou, for me, jeans silhouettes are probably the most important as far as looking current. Jeans are the backbone of my style since I work at home. I wish I could wear more dresses like you! I am different sizes on top and bottom, which makes it hard.

After jeans, it would probably be footwear.

I generally wear pretty classic tops, so those don't need frequent updating.

My circle of friends and acquaintances do not seem to pay attention to trends, and looking current is not at the top of their list. Hence, I feel no social pressure whatsoever to look up-to-date which is nice. OTOH, a number have indicated that they pay attention to what I'm wearing or look on Sundays with curiosity so I feel that I need to look somewhat put together.

I bought the pointy toed mules below a couple of months ago, and I must say, I feel so up to date in them. I may try with footwear, but my right foot isn't up to much; cool footwear is mostly aspirational. These mules join my red, blue, black patent, and rust Dansko clogs.

I tend to pay more attention to whether something is apt to look aging/matronly on my particular body and coloring; I'm too old to have something look ironic! This means I avoid Lands End, Foxcroft, and some Eileen Fisher due to cut and many NYDJ, Eliza J, Caslon, and Halogen prints. I also avoid orthopedic looking footwear other than Dansko Pros.

More than trendy I like to look intentional and aware, which definitely involves a large degree of trend spotting, and then mixing in what seems right for me. My hair is in transition because I realize I like it to look geometric rather than soft, but it is definitely a huge style factor for me. Shoes too. Then I think bottoms because I can work with a lot more silhouettes than with tops. Jackets during the part of the year when I can wear them (about 5 months). Patterns when they appeal to me and I can find them second hand or local. Great topic!

Hmm. I interesting post Bij. For me, I don’t have any particular category that I focus on keeping current- however I can identify that my shoes tend to be more “classic” than trendy..... not that they are super old but more that I’ve always gravitated to plain styles like ballet flats and plain chelsea boots. I’d like to up my game in this area. Expensive though!
Because I shop quite regularly, I would think most of my stuff isn’t likely to be too severely dated, just because I don’t hold into most things for all that long... I have a handful of older tops and dresses that may not be current, but I think that’s about it.

Bijou, what a great question. It makes absolute sense that you'd focus on your beautiful dress collection as the essential area to keep pristine and up to date. I do think that the "joy per wear" factor can never be dismissed and those items or categories of item that tend to bring us joy will be easier for us to justify spending on.

"Trendy" used to have negative connotations to me, too -- but now that I stop to think about it, why? Because even as a 14 year old I was following the trends. Not buying into them willy nilly -- no way! But picking and choosing, you bet!

I think staying "current" or even "trendy" is a valuable style goal for those of us whose core style is classic. Without the "modern" classic can quickly look (and more important, feel) stodgy, boring, dull, and even uncomfortable at times.

My core style sensibility is extremely classic...with a bit of prep, a tiny bit of punk, a bit of retro. And I'm (ahem) part of the grey-haired well over 50 age group. I am in no way trying to deny my age, but neither do I want to appear less energetic and lively than I feel. So "trendy" has come to be a plus in my fashion vocabulary. Caro from Oz (forum member) always said she feels that following trends or being current has become even more important, rather than less important, to her as she ages. I'm with her.

Phew, that got long. Anyway -- I like to maintain currency especially with:

• Haircut (and colour).
• Denim (since I wear it so regularly).
• Footwear.
• One or two seasonal "must haves" assuming one or two of them speak to me. (If not, I let that go.)

My toppers, tops, dresses, accessories, and bags tend to be much more classic. I love a great collection of blazers and blazers, as much as denim, are a wardrobe essential for me -- but mine are mostly pretty standard in cut and style -- or at least, the ones I wear the most fall into that category. I do love the drama of a colourful or patterned coat, but it's often in a fairly classic style. In fact, I'd say I purposely look for wardrobe longevity in most of my coats, blazers, and dresses -- with a space for a trendy wild card or two.

What a great question Bijou! You certainly have some amazing dresses. I enjoyed reading the replies.

Number one on my list is jeans. I need a current/trendy pair of jeans in my wardrobe. I would actually say that I like to have jeans (or bottoms) that are a bit fashion forward.

Number two is my hair. I wear my hair shoulder length with bangs but I depend on my stylist to update it. She might add layers or take away layers but she seems to update my hair with small tweaks.

Number three is accessories. Lately, I have been wearing more gold fine jewellery and layering necklaces. I also have been wearing multiple rings.

Wow - so many amazing responses here! It has been a delight to read them and it makes sense for us to pick and choose the item that will add that certain current aspect into our style!

Suz, i can agree with you on keeping current, and haven’t used that term as an insult or heard it used that way, because it doesn’t have the meaning of being based on ephemeral, surface-level things the way “trendy” does.

FashIntern, trends aren't ephemeral anymore, actually. Fads no longer exist. Fashion and style are inextricably linked, but not the same. Fashion is wrapped up in trends, and is a component of style. Style is the sum of its parts. That's why fashion unites us, and style sets us apart. 

Gigi, if something is trendy - it's on trend. Either fringe or mainstream. Something can be current but not on trend. Moto jackets are current - but not on trend. Current and Trendy items are Modern. And Modern Retro is Modern. A look or item is Fashion Forward when it's ahead of its time. A look is avant-garde when it's beyond what's on trend, but not dated. It can be confusing. 

Angie, a blog post on all those terms would be brilliant! With visuals. Nobody parses it as well as you do and personally I find the distinctions really helpful in updating my own closet.

So....just brainstorming for myself...at this moment....

• Leopard print is trendy/ on trend.
• Moto jackets are current.
• I could create an 70s influenced outfit with full length bootcuts, a silky leopard print blouse in earthy tones, and a suede moto jacket and be modern retro.
• "Mom" jeans were fashion forward about 5 years ago. Now they're current. I am not well-versed enough in fashion to know what's fashion forward right now. (I'm not a trend-setter but a trend-follower.)
• As for avant-garde, that seems like its own category and has a lot to do with cut and structure. We think of certain designers as having an avant-garde flair.

Angie, I second Suz's request, I would find that helpful too!

In my mind there is a distinction between "trendy" and "current" as well, though I'm having trouble putting words to it. Being "trendy" doesn't feel like a compelling goal for me personally, but the idea of keeping "current" seems like a sensible thing to aim for.

For me, I don't really care if my clothing is on trend (though I'm happy to incorporate trendy items if they tickle my fancy -- hello silver tassel slides that I wore the whole month of September!). But I don't want my look to be dateable to a specific time frame -- like I don't want people to glance at my outfit and go, "oh that's so 2013." I guess that's a way of saying that while I don't care much about wearing current trends, I don't want to get caught wearing past ones!

I really had to think about this one. For me, it's toppers first, then tops, followed by shoes. For instance, I don't really follow trends in jeans, because I have definite likes. Right now my preferences are on trend, with high rises ascendant, which is delightful. I'm having a field day buying jeans. But I prefer skinnies, not trending, and will keep wearing them. Dresses over pants, not trending, but I love the look and will keep wearing it. I wear dresses of all lengths, except maxis, over jeans and pants. At 62, I've seen a lot of trends cycle through, and will only partake a second—or third!—time around if the trend suits my current body and lifestyle.

Oh it doesn’t bother me AT ALL if someone says “Oh that’s so 2013”...if I was wearing the outfit in 2013!

I love trends, and my goal is to incorporate trends in my look. I am very unsuccessful though!! It is so unnatural for me!

But anyway, I will say that like LaPed and a few others, I do not have a category of things I like to keep updated. I just pick a few things at random.

I've been thinking about this and I'm not really sure, but for me It’s probably footwear and denim. Handbag and outerwear are next in line.

I haven't had time to read all the replies, but this thread really got my brain juices flowing! With perfect timing, as I am struggling because I want to totally redo my whole wardrobe (when I know that isn't necessary). I'm feeling stressed and usually this comes out in my wardrobe angst.
Anyway, this post helped me determine what I should be focusing on, since I don't have unlimited resources (money) on my upcoming trip to the USA.

I think for me, the items I tend to focus on keeping up to date are:
- hair cut and color (without either, I feel less than positive about myself)
- footwear
- toppers

I would LIKE to find on my upcoming trip:
- animal print booties
- a new blazer, perhaps longer than I'd normally go for, in a navy print (see my post just now)

I think these two key items would sufficiently update my fall wardrobe, but I know I'll want (and get) more than just those two things. That's ok, if they serve their purpose.

Very interesting topic, thanks for asking the Q and for all the replies.

Angie, I agree, a blog post would be most helpful on this!

Suz, you are dead right. You got it! (I'd say Mom Jeans are trendy, though).

COS is consistently avant-garde.

Footwear for me! The rest of my style is fairly consistent and doesn't change that much year to year. But trendy footwear really ups my style game.

This thread is fascinating. About the “trendy” - I am not a trendy dresser. I would love to be able too be one, though. Often, I see someone on the street and I admire their trendy, soo cool outfit. But I can’t do trendy well at all. I can do classic, polished, dressy, dramatic, retro and even a touch of avant-garde. I know how. But not trendy! When I try, it doesn’t feel authentic, I feel like a fake and ridiculous, IYKWIM. Wonder why that is... And again, I love many trendy outfits and admire people who do newest trends with such an ease. There are quite a few here on YLF.

You know, I'm finally thinking about buying some COWLNECKS ! Most people I know say they're comfy, warm and stylish ! You'd be a fool not to have at least a dozen loose neck sweaters instead of those stupid, choking, UGLY turtleneck/rollneck/poloneck things ! They're yucky and they smell bad too !

*Evil cowlneck turns away from keyboard and grins sardonically at the real Cee who's desperately struggling against ropes in chair whilst shaking head and making muffled protests through gag*