How to look more modern

[Nightmarenextdoor]

I went to a trade event at the weekend (creative industry) and was really aware of feeling not quite right. Maybe it was the heat, maybe the weight I’ve put on over lockdown or maybe I’m dressing like I did 18 months/2 years ago and everyone else has moved on.

I like simple comfy clothes but with a bit of an edge - thinking maybe I’ve lost the edge!

Any ideas how to update myself a bit?

[KirstenBlest]

What were you wearing and what were people that had a bit of edge wearing?

[Divebar2021]

Where do you normally shop?

[Cowbells]

I went into London the other day as everyone else was leaving London during rush hour. I was the only woman in heels on the concourse. I got obsessed by staring at all their feet. Every single other woman seemed to have got the white trainers or chunky flat sandals memo.
So...not heels!

[Divebar2021]

It isn’t necessary to dress like everyone else so if you want to wear heels then carry on. However I would say flats are very much the most popular style - minimalist ballet flats as well as the shoes you mentioned. Jeans are wider legged - either cropped or full length with a mid to high rise. Tailoring is softer, wider legged and pleated trousers, blazers which can be quite oversized. Dresses are longer midis in either a plain fabric or smaller print. They can be quite loose with statement sleeves or collars. Skirts are also longer midi styles. Both can be paired with trainers or chunky sandals. I think you can make smaller changes to what you already have. I’ve lost weight so I no longer want very loose dresses so I’ve had them altered by a dress maker to be more flattering on me. They’re still a modern shape though. I like the higher waisted trousers on my shape and I either tuck or French tuck ( ie half in and half out) a T shirt or oversized shirt. I add a flat type of shoe or trainer. You could add a summery straw type bag but I’ve bought a bucket bag as an updated shape for me. Having something oversized whether a sweater, sweatshirt, shirt etc and styling the sleeves etc is more modern than everything being fitted. Wearing tonal outfits is also modern although I’m not sure head to toe white is going to survive contact with the enemy for me. I love the styling at Raey on Instagram which is made up of modern classic styles and is my go to for inspiration.

[Divebar2021]

I like their looks because they’re not too “ trendy trendy” and I can recreate them from preloved sources or the high street.

[Nightmarenextdoor]

Thank you this is all really useful. I think it’s just little details like @Divebar2021 has said.

I was wearing loose trousers and a t-shirt with Havaianas both days but I think they were just slightly the ‘wrong’ style - Tbf i did grab one of them in Tesco in a hurry as the weather had thrown me! I got the other pair from TKMaxx and my t-shirts were from Next.

I think I could accessorise a bit more but I hate too much fuss or discomfort and would feel an idiot in a statement necklace or something, too try hard.

I’m not sure what other people were wearing that was different, I think maybe it’s more how they’d put it together 🤔

[TheBullfinch]

I think everything's just become more relaxed now.

Turn your jeans/trousers up if they're long. Do a French tuck or tuck in all around if your jeans/trousers are high waisted.

Wear flat shoes/sandals/trainers.

Wear neutrals.

[Floisme]

Interesting. I've been wearing looser /wider leg trousers for a while and I never wear heels anyway so those changes haven't really touched me. But I've got a linen blazer that's been one of my favourite things these last few summers but doesn't feel quite right any more - it's too fitted and kind of tidy.

And I've no idea what people wear to work now, let alone in a creative industry. Are there any photos online of the event so you can look at their outfits?

[ChardonnaysPetDragon]

It's difficult though, the long period of WFH and the hot weather make me stuggle with what to wear in a situation that's one step up from casual.

[Nightmarenextdoor]

@Floisme that's a good idea actually, off to stalk their Instagram!

Its frustrating, I felt like I'd finally got an idea of my style at 48 and I really don't want to be a slave to trends but I think you do need to be aware of them - especially in an environment where people expect you to be interested in how things look.

[SchrodingersMat]

Are heeled boots still ok (when it’s cooler) or are they dated now? Flats make my legs look dumpy!

[ILoveShula]

It depends on the boots @SchrodingersMat. if you wear them with confidence, then they will look fine.

[SchrodingersMat]

They’ll have to be prised off my cold dead feet @ILoveShula

[Divineswirls]

They probably have heels to change into once they get to where they're going if they're going to be wearing heels that day.

No one wears heels much on the commute.

[ILoveShula]

Good for you Schro.
I'm the same. I wear what I like and feel ok in.
In clothes that don't bother me.

[Monoxide]

Meem does some clothes that are slightly different. meemlabel.com/

Also Trayslounge on Instagram. She’s a fashion editor so her clothes are what I presume creative professionals wear.

[Ellllle]

Instagram and observation.

Although to be honest, if I put on weight then I never feel quite right.

[elizabethdraper]

I have not idea if these are modern but i would consider them edgy'ish

They are so comfortable, i live in this style - scandi clothes
lagenlookclothinguk.co.uk/

[Cowbells]

@TheBullfinch

I think everything's just become more relaxed now.

Turn your jeans/trousers up if they're long. Do a French tuck or tuck in all around if your jeans/trousers are high waisted.

Wear flat shoes/sandals/trainers.

Wear neutrals.

Definitely agree about everyone looking way more relaxed now. I was so surprised. Even women clearly off for a night out were in trainers. And lots of commuters in cropped wide legged jeans.

[ILoveShula]

The lagenlook ones look a bit too big for me, but I like Forgotten Tribes, Sahara, Rundholz, Two Danes, Lucy&Yak dungarees etc.
I get some things from the high street that have that vibe.

[sadperson16]

Lagenlook tend to swamp a short dumpy old creature ( my good self)
I have a black beach maxi skirt I bought from Sainsburys years ago...it looks like Granny wear but the damn thing refuses to die.

[ActiveMilk]

I love those LAGENLOOK dungarees.

[Divebar2021]

Trays Lounge on Instagram definitely has a modern edge without being to “try hard”. I saw her in Covent Garden recently in a blue and white striped oversized shirt and shorts… she looked good.
I don’t think commuters are changing into heels… they used to but they’re not really now. I was out in Soho recently and no-one was really wearing high heels… I saw one woman in a very high pair but that was it.

[dameofdilemma]

I'm a big fan of jumpsuits - wide leg, cropped, short sleeved if workwear or sleeveless (but not thin straps) if non-work - they can automatically look modern just by virtue of not being a dress or skirt.

Midi dresses don't quite look right on my short frame and I find some of the styles around now a bit prissy. Voluminous sleeves also don't work for me.

A neat, well fitting jumpsuit in a neutral colour/pattern, that can be dressed up or down with accessories/sandals/trainers, works for me.

Always wear flats. I'd last 5 mins in heels.

[Nightmarenextdoor]

Luckily I've never been able to walk in heels so I'm winning with that at least!

I do like jumpsuits and they're so damn comfy, agree they feel very 'now'.