How to look more modern

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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?

I wear a narrower leg in bad weather but not skinnies. I don't get the S&B obsession with tucking jeans into boots.

I meant ankle boots. I was just musing that it's a style which seems popular in winter. Probably wouldn't call it an obsession

Apologies for trying to join the discussion though, I'll leave you fashionistas to get on with it.

I'm sorry Blue it wasn't intended as a dig at you - it's something I'm always reading on S&B that's all. Please stay and I'll shut up.

I would call the jeans in the third pic skinny though. They're very slim.

@floisme thanks and apologies, I came back to the thread after receiving a couple of snarky work emails which put me in a bad mood so probably overreacted a bit!

I love Jo Ellison of the FT - if I could look as half as chic as her I’d be very happy. I always pay attention to her boots / jeans game.

Blueskyemily
And a for after work.

I really like the jeans & boots combo on @Divebar2021's photos but I struggle to get that look. Firstly, I feel like my both of my jeans are just too long to look nice when rolled up enough to show the boot, plus I get cold easily so worried about draft in the winter . Is it acceptable to flash a sock in between the boot and jean? And do I have to buy a whole different, slightly cropped pair for the winter?

I do have some lovely boots which I'd love to display more...

I flashed my socks last winter. Just a narrow streak.

@Pigtailsandall

I don’t really wear full length jeans very much although I’ve just bought a pair of Massimo Dutti jeans from a charity shop I’ll keep long. Otherwise I’ve lobbed the ends off a pair to make them the right length for ankle boots. If you wear longer boots under them you won’t have that sock conundrum although my personal preference for short boots is boot, flash of skin, trouser… unless everything is black in which case I would take a view depending on the weather. Clear as mud 🤷‍♀️

@Divebar2021 thanks. Can I ask where you (and anyone else) get your cropped jeans? I find that the few I've tried on make me look dumpy, though I am fairly tall

My only cropped jeans are from M&S, the others I just roll up. I don't like them too short though - just a sliver of ankle on show for me.

@Pigtailsandall I have lots of cropped jeans ( in my defence I am 5'1) and I get them from Boden ( one pair old), Boyish (4 pairs) , Agolde, (1 pair but I am getting another in the autumn), fat face (2 pairs) , hush (2 pairs) , Baukjen ( 1 pair 'Gail'). But H&M, zara, river island, whistles, gap etc all have brilliant versions. My advice is find out which fits you best then go to eBay

Oh and cropped Levi 501s and wedgie are good and I seem to have 4 pairs ( I'm checking my entries on Stylebook which helps)

@Sooverthemill thank you! Do you have a favourite pair? I can't stand stiff denim and I'm pear-shaped with a bit of a tummy but still a defined waist so I find jeans hard at best of times. I had some lovely gap ones but they wore through in the crotch really fast

Can I join this tread an ask for some advice please? I’m looking towards autumn/winter and my work wardrobe, how can I make it more current when the dress code is smart/casual but no jeans or trainers? What shoes would work best with wider leg trousers?

@Pigtailsandall I'm so sorry that my most favourite pair are the Agolde Riley cropped and the boyish ( "Tommy")which were expensive. But I also love my hush ones and the fat face. I buy when stuff is in the sale or on eBay. I have a tummy too but am a rectangle I think otherwise. Honestly I would either go to a shopping centre and try on tons or order in lots and send back what isn't right

@ByThePool2021 loafers? Chunky platforms? Look on Instagram and Pinterest.

@Pigtailsandall I have bought Topshop jeans in the shorter length then I would usually buy if that makes sense, if I want a cropped option. Not bought any since they moved to asos though.

Always flashing my socks here. Too cold 75% of the year this far North for anything else and I like cropped trousers and jeans. My sock habit needs reigning in!!

@thedevilinablackdressmy DD has started knitting socks. She's going to make me a snazzy pair

Nice! Enjoy Soover

ByThePool I'm still not back in our office and even when I am, our dress code is uber relaxed so this may not work for you, but anyway with wider trousers in summer I wear mainly birkenstocks, brogues or plimsols in either canvas or leather (but not trainers cos I don't like them).
In autumn / winter I switch between brogues and solovair lace ups (similar to Dr Marten shoes) and, with narrower or tapered trousers, I also wear flat, chunky lace up ankle boots. I have one pair that's slightly higher and I wear them with the ankle length trousers (until it's too cold for any gap, even with socks).

I rarely wear dresses or skirts these days but, if I do, it'll be with flat, knee boots. (I wore ankle boots for a while but got bored with them and went back to my knee highs.)

@Floisme I am the same with flat, long boots. I do like the boots to come up above the hem of my dress or skirt, but I don’t think I will ever stop wearing them irrespective of what is considered modern.

Maybe that is my problem actually, I have become too classic in my dress and it’s starting to feel ageing.

I think you can be a classic dresser and still look modern, but I don't think classic equals timeless. Even if, let's say, you only ever wore white shirts, the shape of a shirt changes over time, as do the sleeves and the collar size, or just something as simple as how you tuck it in.

I don't think either that it's a case of following every trend, I think it's about picking the ones that work for you. E.g. I've really enjoyed the cropped trouser trend because I have good ankles but, even though I always wear flats, I don't own any trainers because I don't like them.

That’s very true, I need to make sure I’m paying attention to those smaller details even if my overall look is fairly consistent.