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?

@Sooverthemill I did wonder if they would look outdated really quickly!

I've realised I actually have some chunky Birkenstock type sandals already plus some ancient beige Teva type sandals so I will give them a scrub and see how I feel wearing them before I commit to anything else.

Can anyone recommend anyone on Instagram or a blog to follow for someone who is not thin but also not plus size?

The plus size accounts generally seem to be very large and into bright dresses which I just won't wear but then I really don't know what would suit me from the other accounts as a size 18, 5' 1", huge boobs and a belly!

@CornedBeef451 I've followed Erica Davies for years on her blog then Instagram - her style is more maximalist than mine but I'm trying to wear more colour and she's great at pulling out good combinations. Or completely the other way Alexis Foreman is extremely stylish and very minimalist, only wears black/white/neutrals but proof you don't have to be a size 8 Scandinavian to pull off that look.

@VenusClapTrap I love that slim trousers/ oversized top look (but it doesn't love me back, sadly), so definitely a thumbs up. If it's on the Raey Instagram account it's a pretty safe bet!

@Zinnia thanks for the suggestions, I will check them out.

@CornedBeef451 annacascarina is I think size 16 but always says don't worry about the size label but buy what fits you

It's funny how we were discussing the death of skinny jeans or may have been another thread & then on the Raey site I saw the big jumper & narrow leg stuff. I love a big jumper.

I saw a whole load of skinny jeans for sale in Weekday clothing.

@Maireas

I saw a whole load of skinny jeans for sale in Weekday clothing.

You forgot to mention all the mom and straights and bootcut and extra wide🙄

Looking at the 'new,' stuff being showcased by different shops anyone noticed strong trends?

Cos, as always, is large silhouette, often top and bottom, some deep v necks. Straight trousers, wide legs, only tapering is on sweat pants, over sized hoodies. One body con dress but with a bizarre amount of material around the waist so a large informal fold.
Amazing pleated dress, fitted around the back of the waist with the top loose allowing a glimpse of spine. Boiler suit with similar cut.
Midi length strong, little in the way of jewelry, informal bag shapes.

Yes, @MrsMaizel, but my point is that they are still selling skinny jeans.
Therefore not completely out of date.

I'd not heard of Weekend @Maireas but apparently they are Swedish company, reflecting youth culture shipping to 97countries.
Of the 84 items in their new women's section not a single pair of skinny lots of straight legs, mom and the odd wide. Headline photo was a great pair of bright, straight slightly tie dyed trousers. The times are changing, but stores will be shifting old stock. (Can't wait to see my menopausal stomach in a 90s style body again, I'll be weeping at my teens the way my mum did about pedal pushers and Mary Quant dresses)

Indeed, @TeardropImplodes - Weekday is very Scandi and very fashion forward. They did seem to have a lot of tie dye.,..also crop tops which I could only possibly wear with a vest underneath or a cardi on top .
I did buy a nice bag. Which maybe as fashion forward as I can get. I hear you about the MQ pedal pushers. My mum was the same about my budget version of Vivienne Westwood pirate style.

I’m sure you can still buy skinny jeans everywhere…it’s been a major trend for 10 years and there will be a transitional period. The nice thing now is you actually have a choice of styles to try. You’re not stuck with one long flappy style and that’s that. About 50% of jeans wearers in my town have switched I would say. A disproportionate amount of skinny jeans wearers are women with babies… not surprising they haven’t leaped on a new fashion they’re probably too knackered. They tend to favour skinny jeans, a fitted T shirt and a pair of Havianas. If they swapped the T shirt for something big / oversized on top like a mannish striped shirt the look would be immediately more modern. Or kept the T shirt & flip flops and swapped the jeans for a wider leg, that would update it too.. you don’t have to change everything. The different styles certainly work better for what I like. I’ve gone from having 1 or 2 pairs of jeans to having about 10 pairs now that there are different styles on offer ( not all bought new incidentally ). If you’re wanting to specially look at “trends” I would probably look at Weekday before I looked at Cos ( as Cos are pretty consistent with their own “ scandi / Japanese architect aesthetic” ) Monki are another Scandinavian fast fashion brand. Arket are higher end and better for people who need a waist.

I've not worn true skinnies for a while & don't think I ever wore the skintight jegging look. I was just looking at the Raey knitwear paired with their slimmer straight leg & can see myself liking that silhouette for A/W as opposed to baggy o/sized jumper with loose fit jeans. I fell like I'm going full circle 😆

feel not fell!

I was disappointed with Monki because it all seemed to be polyester, although that's common now. Weekday had more natural fabrics, it seemed.
I quite like Cos, although the colour palette doesn't always suit me.

@Maireas

I now only have cotton items from Monki - an oversized sweatshirt that I’ll wear with my white Elizabeth Hurley jeans a la Raey, a striped shirt dress, jeans and a couple of jumpsuits. I don’t go for polyester much either although if I love something I would get it. When I was a size 18 Monki were a bit more accessible for me. ( and they seem to have expanded their size range since). Although I have a couple of things also from Weekday I’m really trying to get away from fast fashion. I’m not necessarily recommending them for quality but as a good barometer for what’s “ fashionable” if you cared. I don’t mind H&M either but they’re a bit more ubiquitous.

Yes, I'm the same. Trying to go down the more sustainable route.

One of the reasons I miss going into the office is I used to have a wander round H&M every week or so. I very rarely bought but it was really useful for keeping on top of what was current and how they were styling it. The website's not the same - there's too much to take in.

@Floisme agree I miss seeing what (fashionable young women) in my office are wearing

My Arizona Love sandals arrived today! I love them!

I still love my skinnies but have been wearing wider leg jeans in the summer and they just look nice with sliders/Birkies etc but I’m at a loss at how I’ll style them in Winter.

Really not sure I can wear boots and a big coat with wide leg jeans without looking like a tent/bag lady! 🤣 How will people be styling them?

@brokenbiscuitsx I wonder the same. Also what about shoes?

I feel like skinnies may have a mini revival in winter when people remember how convenient it is to just tuck skinnies into boots.

Lots of ways to style non-skinny jeans in winter

(I’ve kept one pair of skinnies for wellies though)

@gilbot I love that last look with the long coat.

I’ve got boyfriend & mom jeans that are not that wide so I’ll wear them with some kind of short boot… yet to be determined. As for “tucking them in” boots @Blueskyemily Do you mean knee boots? That’s a big fat no from me. I’ve got a pair of cowboy boots I bought in Texas I might wear under a straight cut, slightly cropped pair of jeans. I would like a pair of long boots for dresses and skirts though. Because I live in the South East we don’t really have very long hard winters… you could easily wear trainers in November/ December without too much trouble. I’ve also got a great pair of Dr Marten lace ups shoes that I really don’t wear very much so I’m going to play around with those and the wider legged jeans.

( I’ve also kept a pair of skinny jeans for wellies but that’s just for muddy walks and quite frankly I did enough of those last year to see me through for a while… I’m keen for culture now)