Do we now think we’re in Little House in a Prairie? Can somebody explain the fashion?

[sodoffputin]

I went into my local clothes shop earlier today. It’s called ‘Iris’ (there are a few in London, but not sure about elsewhere) and usually it’s quite handy and has quite a few things I like - eg. a selection from Ba&sh, things like that. But I had to say something to the staff because look at the dresses in these pictures - this is just a small selection of similar stuff they are now selling. Have you ever seen anyone wear such dresses in recent history? What is happening? Can any fashionistas explain this please?

Its part of the Cottagecore trend

This look IS basically 1980s Laura Ashley and it’s huge - there’s a big vintage market for vintage Laura Ashley dresses. It’s sometimes called Cottagecore ...

Those dresses are too expensive for me but I absolutely love the style!

I have quite a few, from shops such as Yours, Simply Be, Asda and my bargain £23 one from M&S.

I'm not a jeans or trousers person, so I just love this style, they're comfortable, they suit me, and finally a style of dress that is very "Me"

I used to dress my DDs in similar styles when they were little.

I am mid 40s and, in recent years, I’ve generally worn a lot of day dresses from shops like Maje with belts and boots. Midis or above the knee - do I’m in the market for dresses, on the face if it. But now, there was hardly an item in there that my kids would not disown me for if I wore it. And my husband would be like, “What the hell are you doing?” Yet this is a shop aimed at women in their 40s, I would say. This is the mystery.

@sodoffputin

lucillelarusso Yes, that seems to be the look they’re going for. Who signs this off?

The Devil Wears Prada Monologue Transcript

Miranda Priestly : Where are the belts for this dress? Why is no one ready?

Jocelyn : Here. It’s a tough call. They’re so different.

Andy Sachs: (snickers under her breath)

Miranda Priestly : Something funny?

Andy Sachs : No. No, no, nothing’s… you know, it’s just that… both those belts look exactly the same to me. Y’know, I’m still learning about this stuff, and uh… (giggles uncomfortably)

Miranda Priestly : This… “stuff”? Oh, okay. I see, you think this has nothing to do with you.

You… go to your closet, and you select… I don’t know, that lumpy blue sweater for instance, because you’re trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back, but what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean.

You’re also blithely unaware of the fact that, in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns, and then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent, wasn’t it?… who showed cerulean military jackets. I think we need a jacket here.

Nigel : Hmm.

Miranda Priestly : And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores, and then trickled on down into some tragic casual corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin.

However, that blue represents millions of dollars of countless jobs, and it’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry, when in fact, you’re wearing a sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room… from a pile of “stuff.”

I'm 55 by the way.

“Its part of the Cottagecore trend”

It must be something? Is it about ‘getting back to basics’ or something along those lines? Growing your own food?

I sort of like the second one. Though I don't think I'm the target market, I've never spent that much on a dress in my life!

Ha ha....my first thought was that Target dress challenge.
Little House is one of my favourite series of books ever and I love it when Laura is a teenager and is trying out hoop skirts and fancy bangs (fringe) with her hair.
These dresses will look beautiful on a tall, thin woman who has long flowing hair.
Unfortunately I am 5 ft and dumpy.... which was a lot like Laura I believe

There is a good piece on BBC style if you search prairie chic OP. What you have said is one element (rejection of capitalist values, move to cottage living & grow your own).
Another interesting point made was this latest resurrection was first observed in 2018 on Instagram, believed to be a rejection of the heavily stylised/male-gaze Kardashian look. Main takeaway for me was prairie pops up every couple of decades or so as an anti-fashion statement.

Oh ok, I was actually joking about the growing your own food, etc, but I’ve just Googled ‘Cottagecore’ and it is indeed just that There’s is a book about it and all sorts of ways to embrace the lifestyle.

I had no idea this was even a thing and I’m a reasonably domestic type.

I wear my Little House on the Prarie dresses with various jackets, sometimes a jumper or sweatshirt over the top and a bit of the cuffs showing. I wear ankle boots or leather Converse boots. My DH doesn’t get them at all but I feel liberated in them, myself, comfortable and it feels really good to wear something I really like. They are fun to wear.

I'd look absolutely foul in any of those dresses, they are so frumpy they'd age me 40 years and I don't need any help in that department. I reckon a skinny 25 year old with flowing locks and some trendy accessories might get away with it, but that's it.

A poster in SAB posted this dress yesterday so definitely in fashion:-

www.freepeople.com/uk/shop/embroidered-fable-midi-dress/?color=001&type=REGULAR&quantity=1&cm_mmc=rakuten--affiliates--Skimlinks%20%28Variable%20Pricing%29-_-1&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=rakuten&utm_campaign=Skimlinks%20%28Variable%20Pricing%29&utm_term=820878&utm_content=1&utm_kxconfid=v3sdm8r4u&ranMID=43247&ranEAID=tv2R4u9rImY&ranSiteID=tv2R4u9rImY-w9hzkCC8INaiFgo3DUeRJQ

It's not really my style, I've got a shorter version though.

vintage Laura Ashley dresses have been in vogue for at least 2-3 years - my US friend sold one 2-3 years ago on Poshmark.

Cottagecore is the name basically.

I'm a fashionista supposedly but no way I'd spend that money on these dresses especially as I lived through the 80s!

This look has been around a couple of years now, and I'm desperate for it to be over. It's so unflattering, and something about the old-fashioned look really emphasises how cheaply made and poorly cut they are, plus they don't look flattering on either my tall and willowy DD or on my own busty frame. (I know not every fashion is for everyone, but this is all the shops were selling when we went round them on Saturday. Variety, please!)

They are ghastly.

Kate Middleton has a lot to answer for.

I forgot - I did buy 3 dresses like this last year (but sans the embroidery). All from New Look.

actually very good in the heat and if you can't be arsed to shave your legs and look good with bed head hair and minimal makeup. I wore them with a tarnished gold obi tie belt.

Neighbour friend told me the style really suited me .

@neverbeenskiing

YANBU. I'm trying to shop online for clothes for an upcoming holiday and I've pretty much given up! Why is it that finding dresses that don't have massive collars, voluminous puffed sleeves, frills and a bloody gingham print is an absolute mission?? I don't get it.

The alternative is booking a holiday to Pennsylvania and going Amish......

I know not every fashion is for everyone, but this is all the shops were selling when we went round them on Saturday. Variety, please!

Exactly this! I get that some people like the prairie look and that's absolutely fine but I'm genuinely struggling to find midi length dresses that don't have puff sleeves, tiered skirts or frilly collars. It seems that this style is now the default!

I actually love the black one.

I guess I prefer to see that than the skin tight and showing off all the bits clothes that has been the fashion these days.

To be fair to the Duchess of Cambridge, she would look good in sack cloth and ashes.
I always think she wears nice dresses , nothing like these granny cast offs!

@MerylSqueak

Lamb dressed as mutton

I’m mutton and I wouldn’t wear those!

I saw a pair of 'balloon bottom jeans' in Sainsbury's the other day ; they were hideous , but if it was a toss up I'd rather wear them than any of these dresses!