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How to look trendy

60 replies

Samb79 · 31/12/2019 14:30

I’ve just turned 40. I thought I’d hate it but in fact I’m quite excited about finally being me and doing stuff I’ve always wanted to do!
However, I’m in a rut with clothes and have zero style. I buy cheap because I’m skint for the most part, and I buy generic really.

How do I begin to develop a style? Where do I look?

OP posts:
lexiepuppy · 01/01/2020 19:58

@Samb79
Glad I could help out a little bit! 🤩

ladybee28 · 01/01/2020 20:11

OP, the thing with 'trendy' is that it changes and evolves all the time, so unless following trends and fashion is something you enjoy and comes naturally, it's always going to be more of a stress than anything else.

The great thing about @lexiepuppy's list, and what I THINK @damnthatanxiety was trying to get at, is that it's not 'trendy' as such, because it's not based on a come-and-go fashion. Instead it's full of classic, stylish basics. Fab, solid, simple foundations.

I'd recommend you start there – and don't underestimate what's already in your wardrobe!

Literally AIM for plain, simple outfits at first - like the basic blank canvas to work with, or the foundations of a house.

Once you've got them, then start to just play with accessories: hats, glasses and sunglasses, scarves, jewellery, watches, gloves, belts, bags, shoes...

They're cheaper, more versatile and re-usable than clothing items, and don't mean you need a whole wardrobe rehaul as soon as some twenty-something instagramming fashionista decides that baggy crotches are back 'in'.

You'll notice something of your own personal style emerging from the type of accessories you're drawn to – the ones that you add to your basic outfits and think: "Ooh, I feel like myself now!".

A simple 'white tee and jeans' foundation will look totally different on me vs my best friend. She'll add big diamond drop earrings, lots of eyeliner, a brightly coloured handbag and heels, while I'll roll up the legs of my jeans and add a bowler hat, little backpack, my glasses and a long cardigan.

You could wear a white tee and jeans every day for a week and style it completely differently each day with your accessories and extras. So I'd really recommend starting there if you're just experimenting with what looks and feels good to you.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 01/01/2020 20:16

Whilst I agree with that list of items the trouble is it's a bit generic.

We had a department Christmas party and all got ready at work, it was honest comical how many women looked identical, curled their hair, black biker jacket and skinny jeans with boots.

damnthatanxiety · 01/01/2020 21:39

We had a department Christmas party and all got ready at work, it was honest comical how many women looked identical, curled their hair, black biker jacket and skinny jeans with boots.

^^ and this is exactly my point. Wearing a cookie cutter uniform is NEVER stylish. Biker jackets have become the mainstay of 40+ something women who have no fashion creativity.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/01/2020 21:42

And what do you wear, Damn?

Loveislandaddict · 01/01/2020 21:45

To look trendy, you need to find clothes that suit your shape, and colours that sypuit your skin tone.

Look at the Styled by Susie Facebook page, and get an analysis done.

damnthatanxiety · 04/01/2020 17:08

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I wear whatever I want. This winter it has been mostly some variation of smart track type pants, combat boots and a leather bomber jacket. Also I might wear black ankle length jeans with brogues and a shrunken blazer. I just wear what I want. But as I said, I keep track of what is selling and tweak my wardrobe accordingly to keep it current. It's not about 'jeans' or 'tartan' or 'fake fur', it is about how it an item or look is currently being expressed. Keep an eye on that and work it into your style. Don't slavishly follow exactly what others wear. Especially as we get older, we are better off having a personal style that adopts elements of what is in fashion. If you turn up at a party wearing exactly what others are, you are doing something wrong.

damnthatanxiety · 04/01/2020 17:08

...when I say 'wrong', I mean within the context of 'it's only clothes'. It really doesn't matter.

peaceanddove · 04/01/2020 17:53

I have the Balenciaga sock boots in black and they instantly make any outfit look slightly more edgy, on trend. I also have a longline, grey leopard print coat which always makes me look like I've made an effort and am naturally glamorous (I'm not). A vivid lipstick, nicely applied always looks cool. I'm currently rocking a Shellac manicure in a dark navy which is infinitely more stylish than any tacky nail art or French polish.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 04/01/2020 17:59

Damn - I also wear exactly what I want, and have also never turned up anywhere wearing the same as somebody else. I don't imagine your leather bomber jacket looks terribly more stylish than my leather biker. I've never slavishly followed what others wear and don't intend to, although I also don't give a fuck if I look 'current' or not.

greenfieldsaroundhere · 04/01/2020 17:59

Hi Op
I am 42 and also in a style rut.
"Rocking "2 stone of overweight so living in sweatshirt and jeans (one pair left and not buying more until
I get back into the old size)
I don't have anyone whose style I admire really
That is also a problem.

greenfieldsaroundhere · 04/01/2020 18:15

I remember reading threads on here before as well about how to look "expensive"
Since watching a documentary about fast fashion I don't buy it any more and am already on eBay/charity shops more

I would be interested in how to look more "together"

damnthatanxiety · 04/01/2020 18:55

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie jeez, calm down. So you wear a biker jacket. So they are standard issue for women over 40. Who cares??? .....don't get worked up because someone has pointed out that biker jackets are not particularly on trend. Especially don't get worked up and then forcefully state that you don't care! As we both agree, wear whatever the heck you want.

missfliss · 04/01/2020 19:20

Wow.

Biker jackets have become the mainstay of 40+ something women who have no fashion creativity.

Insulting much.

Not the over 40s bit. Being over 40 is great. I far prefer it to my 30s. Happy to look it.
No fashion creativity though?

Speak for yourself.

666onmyhead · 04/01/2020 19:32

If you can spare a whole day, preferably with a trusted good friend who has a good eye, spend a day shopping and trying on. You need someone honest or you need to trust your own judgment!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 05/01/2020 00:25

You were rude and insulting and then described yourself wearing a leather bomber jacket as though that somehow elevates you over all the dumb 40 something women. I'm sure you're lovely in real life but you really don't sound it on this thread.

baileysandamincepie · 05/01/2020 08:35

Re the leather biker debacle, Remus and damn you both make valid points. Personally I think the disagreement really demonstrates how this sort of thread is pointless without pictures. No one item is trendy or not, it's all about the styling, the other clothes which make up the outfit, fit on the person wearing etc.

I do agree a little more with damn in that trendy may not have been the correct word for what the op is after. To me, trendy means wearing the latest fashion looks, so at the moment, e.g. high waisted wide leg cropped trousers, oversized masculine cut blazers, hiking style or clumpy chelsea boots with massive soles. You may not like them, othey may not suit you but the ARE trendy.

I feel what the op means is more about style, and she probably has no desire to look "trendy", just a little more up to date than she currently does.

PenelopeFlintstone · 05/01/2020 08:49

How trendy do you want to be, OP?
I'd just like to look 'Mum Trendy', if you know what I mean, so that list of basics would probably be good for me. You?

baileysandamincepie · 05/01/2020 09:14

I'd just like to look 'Mum Trendy you've opened up another can of worms with that phrase, this should be fun!

Palaver1 · 05/01/2020 09:35

I would term mum trendy as not dressing to young , ..inappropriatly there is that saying mutton sheep lamb cant remember Confused

Samb79 · 05/01/2020 09:54

@palaver1 @PenelopeFlintstone
Well I’m a mum and I’d like to look a bit more together so if that’s what Mum Trendy means then that is what I’m looking for!

OP posts:
Inliverpool1 · 05/01/2020 10:30

I’d rather be mutton than mumsy it’s a very fine line.
I have a red joules coat lined with fun naughtical stripes I obviously bought whilst having some sort of breakdown because I wouldn’t be seen dead in it, but the play ground is full of them.
I feel a bit sad when I see beautiful 25 year olds dressed like they think mums should,
Such a waste

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 05/01/2020 10:58

When we were teenagers, 'trendy' was an insult for girls with blonde perms in icy pink lipstick, whilst we wore leggings, grandad shirts, flat caps and Woolworths PE pumps.

I honestly think the moral of this thread is that people either need to have the courage to wear whatever the check they like, or they need to find pictures they like and try to recreate the look. Talking to strangers in the internet, minus pictures, probably isn't very useful.

However, if I was investing in a few things to lift my wardrobe, for me they'd be:lift
New AllSaints biker because I'm a 40 something sheep
Funky trainers (mine are Paul Smith but I also have a couple of pairs of Stan Smiths which are probably what the 40 something sheep are wearing)
Jeans - for knows what's allegedly in, but I'm currently liking straight ones rolled up a bit)
Jumper - I quite fancy something thin and drapey, so maybe All Saints again
I'm also really enjoying a faux leather mini recently, with trainers and a turtle neck (obviously this isn't w orn with the biker. I wear it with a long coat)

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 05/01/2020 10:59

Sorry - various weird typos there. I hate writing on my kindle!

Palaver1 · 05/01/2020 11:16

@Inliverpool1
I really think that a 25 year old should dress as they please.
I do think that when you hit the mum role so to say your sense of dressing does tend to shift a little .
This can be seen even with the fashion setters.
You are still unique,quirky .
If you have children lets say at 16 by the time the child is 16 ..18 you can only just get away with wearing the same fashions as the young daughter.
So if I at 53 I wore a lets say jeans jacket which is quite universal what I would wear underneath would be slightly different to a much younger person .

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