I just don't like the current clothes fashion

[Jourdain11]

I've been on a few clothes-shopping expeditions lately - trying to replenish my Covid-depleted wardrobe - and I've come away virtually empty-handed because I cannot find any clothes I like or which look good on me. I don't know whether my perception is weird, but the current fashion seems to be for women to wear clothing shaped like sacks! Some women look amazing in it, but unfortunately I am not one of them.

Am I being weird about this, or does anyone else wish they could find clothing with some semblance of shape? Even dresses seem to be either shapeless or like something out of Little House on the Prairie!

I'm not very 'girly', but nor do I wish to dress in a duvet cover with holes for the arms and neck 🤔

I'm a size 10 and 5ft 3 with a long body and short legs. High waisted jeans don't make my legs look longer. They make my backside look bigger. I've spent much of the summer looking for a pair of white, mid rise, straight or slim cut jeans. Now given up....

I'm having a nightmare getting jeggings that fit atm. I'm fat and tall stand this current trend for ankle grazing jeans just makes me look like I've lost my horse.

Goodness, that seems weird to me, but whatever.

@exLtEveDallas
Would you show us some of the items you chose from Shein? I've never thought over 25s would look good in their clothes. Not asking for pics of you wearing them. 🙄😁

@LoisLane66 Most of the stuff I bought was on sale so I’ve looked for ‘similar’. I bought tops to go with straight legged trousers, and I like things that pull in at the waist or under bust (I have a mum-pouch that I hate). Can only post 3 pics, but everything I got was in this sort of style, long and short sleeved.

It’s the sizes that annoy me! I’m getting a bit so struggle to lose weight, I can go in different shops and the sizes vary from 16/20 in getting something to fit! Problem is the likes of Debenhams, BHS, “I am sounding old now” Dorothy Perkins amongst other have all gone now.

I laughed out loud at this. I have yet to see anyone who looks like they've not stepped off the set of Prisoner Cell Block H (new era)

Completely agree. I wanted to give my wardrobe a post-lockdown overhaul but I’ve struggled to find things I like.

I’ve just turned 35 and was also worried it was me going from young to ‘not so young’. I put some weight on during lockdown and I’m still one dress size bigger. But when trying on the current styles, they looked so bad it was just funny… I looked so frumpy and/or like I was playing dress-up as a milkmaid.

I know lots of people love the floaty/balloony floral dress and white trainers style but it looks ridiculous on me (and I love dresses). I’m short, 5’1 with an hourglass/now turning into a pear-shape figure, and I need clothes with some shape to them or else I look like a sack of potatoes - even more so in the current beige-sludge colour palette!

So much stuff is really thin or made of weird plastic fabrics too.

One current style I do like is the high-waisted loose trousers. I didn’t think they’d suit me, but they’re great! I’ve had loads of compliments, and feel really comfortable but still ‘put together’. They’re ideal for work too (which involves a lot of sitting at a desk/WFH and sitting on trains or planes). Because I’m so short the mid-calf length ones come to a ⅞ or ankle-grazer length on me which (I think) is more flattering.

I’m now pretty much wearing a uniform of loose high-waisted trousers, mainly from M&S and Vila, with cotton blouse-style tops from Esprit or tshirt tucked in and either sandals or (not blinding white and not clumpy) trainers.

I also have some high-waisted shorts and midi skirts (also from M&S! I never used to shop there but I really like it lately…) If this is me turning frumpy and middle-aged then so be it!

@AnnieSnap you look great!
I have to admit I like a few of the current trends.. light weight loose fitting trousers with simple T’s (mostly H&M) or “midaxi” length skirts and dresses which at 5’3” I find sit nicer than full on maxi. I’m definitely finding that some things in my wardrobe look dated (eg skinny jeggings, fitted jumpers or tops) but I’m embracing the looser styles and enjoying the comfort factor. I went from a size 6 to a 10 during lockdown, so I’m not big, but not teeny tiny either.

Thank you @MrsRinaDecker I’m with you on your choices. I love a midaxi dress too. More flattering than foot length IMO

@Maireas I have friends who can never be bothered to return stuff they buy. I get loads of brand new hand me downs! They've more money than sense.

With children it's because they've got loads from the next sale and then their children didn't fit it at the right time.

Well if it benefits friends like you, or charity shops it's no bad thing, but it does sound like over buying. I buy stuff I want or need - sadly I've more sense than money!

You are being entirely reasonable. I feel the same way. Those dresses with multiple tiers are heavier around the legs than lightweight trousers, linen or the really summery polyester/viscose ones.
I do have a non-tiered midi dress from the M&S/Ghost collection bought last autumn but it's very lightweight.
M&S have brought out some smarter work wear which is more fitted but alas, the baggy boom has not gone bust just yet.
I found 3 unworn dresses in my 'other' wardrobe a couple of months ago, bought maybe 6/7 years ago from QVC. 3/4 sleeves, scoop neck, skirt has gathers from under bust seam and pockets. The hem is looped under (think it's called a balloon hem) and colours are cobalt blue, slate grey and lime green. Good weight with stretch and falls about 2" below knee (I'm 5-5)
It's amazing what you buy and never wear ...I guess we all have something that hasn't seen the light of day for years.
Happy hunting 😉

YANBU. I am starting a new job in September and need to update my work wardrobe- it's a nightmare!

Went to next inthe hope of getting some trousers- lots of awful stretch material, 'skinny' fit etc. I am not very tall and despite being fairly slim, such items look ridiculous on me - I just want some plain, standard trousers - it's not

Ffs posted to soon!

I meant to say, it's not a lot to ask.

Dresses are a nightmare are the moment- long, flowy things which I don't have the height to pull off.

I remember when next/matalan/M&S could supply me with an endless work wardrobe but not anymore !

YANBU. I think the fashion trend changed during the pandemic towards a more minimalist, relaxed look, preferably with no need to iron (so either something straightens by itself or crumbled stuffs which will always look crumbled). A lot of high street shops which catered for a different style went bankrupt or struggling so they can't offer much.

Personally I have always liked the minimalist, oversized style, but it does require configuring your wardrobe in a certain direction and it also falls better on a certain body frame. Went shopping with my mom last week and she really struggled to find anything wearable!

Little house on the prairie!? I recommend having a look at PLT fashion

I’m not into the ‘little house on the prairie’ look, which is big collars, lace, layers and ruffles. I do like streamlined loose, midaxi. There are plenty of those out there.

You need to shop differently. I never shop from high street outlets, never have. I love the smaller independent shops, so much nicer. I tend to buy in the sales, and a lot of these shops have 50% off summer stock.

Big collars, lace and ruffles are my worst nightmare.

But a loose, long dress worn with trainers is right up my street.

YANBU. I went on my first post-pandemic shopping trip about a month ago and came back with one loose-fitting t-shirt for days when I'm bloated with an endo tummy! As a pear-shaped size 6/8, I like fit-and-flare-style dresses that emphasise my small waist and hide my large bottom. I am really missing Dorothy Perkins which used to do a great line in age-appropriate, smart but flattering clothing. I've found a few lovely items on Ebay and in local charity shops but for the most part I'm re-wearing my old clothes from my late teens/twenties and hoping I don't look like mutton dressed as lamb!

I saw a striped LHOTP dress in Tesco with ruching but the square necklines seem quite low and I would feel exposed

I agree, I've been a few shopping trips and have felt so uninspired. I've a few events I had to get outfits for this year and it's been a nightmare. I hate ordering and returning so I like to be sure it's something I'm almost certain I will keep but not this year I have tried on and returned almost every item I have ordered.

I definitely get what people mean about changing shops/clothing styles from 20s to 30s. I'm 34 and while the clothes I used to buy from Zara, H&M, etc. would still fit fine, I don't necessarily want this style anymore.

M&S I get a few bits from, but the last few times I've been in I haven't seen anything I'd actually want to wear. All weird necklines, ruffles, etc. I laughed at pp's pink ruffled dress pic that they would have refused to wear as a 5-year-old! I, too, was a child who hated ruffles and party dresses. I think most of my childhood wardrobe consisted of leggings, shorts and t-shirts.

I think the midaxi dresses are gorgeous on lots of women, but I can't pull them off. That said, I've just ordered one in a sale, so it will be an experiment!

I just have a weird body type and I don't think I look good in ultra feminine styles. (Genuinely can't really describe it properly, but 'unfeminine' would probably not be inaccurate - probably could demonstrate best with a photo but I've never posted me in a photo on Mumsnet and I feel funny about it!) But not do I want to just go around in sports gear. So frustrating!

I'm 5'3 with no hips & I can't wear heels of any sort so I struggle with the rent-a-tent look. Most dresses look like a sack on me but I've found Oasis, Zara & M&S (their Nobody's Child label which you can only buy online) are pretty good. I bought another M&S dress recently in the short length & I just about get away with it. With Zara you have to have a good look around but they do have some nice bits at the moment. Also Oasis "cherry" jeans fit well and are a straight leg. If you put me in a pair of the cropped wide leg jeans everyone is wearing at the moment I look like I'm going wading! 😂