What happened to S&B?

[janlevinson]

I used to browse this topic regularly several years ago and I enjoyed the recommendations of Ash high tops, Net A Porter sale items and high end make up, amongst other things. Loved reading what LetThemEatCake had been buying.
I've been having migrating over to here again recently after a long time away and it's all Roman Originals, granny sandals and things that "wash well".
WTF happened?
~lighthearted~

S&B threads certainly have become a little dull.
But then so has fashion since covid. Elasticated waists or saggy jeans, hoodies and trainers like a uniform everywhere .... yawwwnnn.

Yes I guess it is odd to come on this board and say it doesn’t matter/ wear what you want. But on the other hand internet trolling is so out of hand maybe people are just trying to be kind and supportive.

I used to spend way too much time on S&B and made some really wonderful friends off the back of the avid and wise threads.

I still laugh when I recall some of the handbag threads and the infamous 'but you could have bought a bench' comment.

I don't tend to look on here much any more but guess I just don't come on mn as much any more in general.

Still a very avid shopper though

I loved the Wise and Avid threads years and years ago and used to occasionally contribute. Most of the posters were just lovely. I didn't quite feel the same about the Vogue threads. There was a strange undercurrent there. I'm not sure what it was but I never joined their crew. For me, fashion and style is a joy, a treat. I've spent far too much of the past year in running gear and I'm excited to get back in the saddle again.

Some parts of the country are just dressier than others. I was working on a project related to food and supermarkets some years ago, and the team always commented that shoppers in the Midlands and North were dressed very formally and wore full makeup and heels to buy the milk and veg. It looked odd to our London design industry aesthetic, which was very casual; people would have loathed the idea of being over-dressed. Probably both tribes spent similar money but on different things. I would not spend much on an outfit for a wedding, because I don't do dressy (and prefer vintage formals) but jeans can cost x10 M&S price (not all of them... I do scour the sales).

And PPs who've said that fashion is currently in a norm/cottagecore mood have nailed it. The outfit in the "abcess" picture upthread could be worn at any age, but would only look good on a fairly slender body. It's IMO quite a ritzy Italian version of middle-life glamour but the fabrics need to be top quality and the jewellery/accessories are what lifts it above Tesco or TU.

I don't get the "which do you prefer?" threads at all though.

What you wouldn't have got on S&B a few years ago are the "what age do you think I am" threads They need to get in the bin!

Oh Jesus, the how old do I look threads should be banned, for the op's own good! They always end really badly.

Not to mention they perpetuate the belief that we should all be aiming to look as young as possible.

I can report the Midlands has fully embraced lockdown dressdown, even at the supermarket!

I wondered if it was a swing to austerity, the old hemlines go down when the economy goes down thing. If I had my early 1990s student wardrobe with me of long Monsoon and Laura Ashley dresses and baggy tops and jeans, I'd be right on trend. Basically understated anti-fashion is in fashion. So it's not at all surprising that you might put a look together from unusual shops.

The debate is you can be on-trend-comfortable or non-trend-comfortable and some posters seem to insist on being blind to the difference. "My granny wouldn't even wear that shapeless dress and clumpy comfort sandals". This leaves S&B arguing over very nuanced aspects of what is stylish or flattering.

@BlairWaldorfLovesShopping

Not to mention they perpetuate the belief that we should all be aiming to look as young as possible.

Yes. The nice comments which those threads get (amongst the jot so nice!) congratulate the op for looking younger than their years as if it’s an important life achievement and we’re all left with the feeeling that if we look our age then we’ve failed at life, when in reality the vast majority of people look exactly their age and there’s nothing wrong with that

This has been an interesting thread from all sides.

I have started a thread in Site Stuff, asking whether MN would consider separate sections for the dedicated style afficionados and the rest of us who have some interest in style but in a more ordinary kind of way.

Style & Beauty www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/4246667-style-beauty

I've just posted this on your site stuff thread Lily as I really disagree with two sections:

Well it's up to MNHQ I guess but, as they say they're going to keep an eye on this thread, I would like to register my strong disagreement with splitting up S&B.
I don't normally have a high end budget but I still like to look at a full range of stuff.
I think the current focus on comfort is very much a sign of the times.

I've also posted, saying that generally, I like the diversity on here BUT, I think this thread has proven that there is unfortunately a divide on this board where some fashion experts / officionados are beginning to feel frustrated at the perceived lack of style on here. It would be nice to be able to post on here without fear of judgement from those people. As you may have guessed, my confidence is fairly unshakeable on this subject, but at least one poster on this thread has said it makes her feel unwelcome on the board. Where is she supposed to post about clothing and skincare if she feels as if she isn't welcome here? So, if it comes down to it, I'd rather split the board than risk scaring off the people who aren't on op's, and other posters on here, special fashion wavelength.

Suggesting there be two style boards seems such a petulant reaction to this thread.

Practical, not petulant.

I think it's a bit much to post in support of an op who was lamenting how sadly unstylish the board has become and then call people petulant for trying to find a solution

I would rather the board stayed as it is, but then, I'm not the one posting about how crap the board is.

Op: I hate the board now
Other posters: yeah me too
Another poster: ok let's change it then
Serpents: that's so petulant

Ah lovely, another day of chastisement from the self appointed Head Girl of the S&B board.

I like S&B as it is, for what it’s worth. Fashion has been somewhat lacking recently I think, as no one is going anywhere. I am not sure I have been buying any less, but I sure as hell haven’t been wearing most of it, unless it’s been leeshure wear!

@Serpenta

Ah lovely, another day of chastisement from the self appointed Head Girl of the S&B board.

Yeah, I'm not backing down on this one. You can get as personal as you like 🥱.

I don't mind if you back down or not, But don't expect other people to cheer your endless lecturing.

If you're not interested in a topic then scroll on past. I'm not interested in make up or most skincare but I wouldn't dream of calling for a separation.
If people are rude or sneery - and I'm not suggesting the op is - then call them out. Setting up a new section is just pandering to it.

@Serpenta

I don't mind if you back down or not, But don't expect other people to cheer your endless lecturing.

Not in the slightest

Some people are really missing the point. It's not about some of us wanting an exclusive/ luxury /designer whatever division, it's about how SO many posters come on S&B these days saying they don't care about fashion or what people think, wear what you want ad nauseum. It's completely pointless and it's killing S & B.

@Peanutbuttercupisyum

My most annoying is the need for “natural fibres”... who cares?!! I want cool, on trend stuff that makes me look thin, I don’t care about natural!!