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Original poster

Anyone else miss seeing strangers' outfits?

17 replies

ToykotoLosAngeles · 09/08/2021 23:12

I was thinking today on the nursery run, as I passed the usual suspects on their way into Sainsbury's for 8am opening, that I've really missed seeing other people for inspiration in the last year. Said morning Sainsbury's crowd is normally in joggers and a hoodie, understandable at 8am. I commute by car, and the office is mostly men in jeans. I used to be out in cafés and restaurants - on days out with DH/DS I'd spot a woman in a coat, midi dress or boots I liked. I haven't really been doing city shopping days either, where I'd usually see a bag or shoes I liked on the train.

I'm just completely uninspired at the moment (and I'm definitely not using Instagram #ad #ad #ad). I might have bought into say bootcut jeans if I ever actually saw anyone wearing them! Even when I meet friends it's like neither of us can be arsed so we're in some combo of ancient skinnies or leggings and a stripy top.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
tigertreats · 09/08/2021 23:15

Yep. Like what's even fashionable now ? What are people my age wearing etc
Weird !

Babyfg · 09/08/2021 23:28

I was thinking exactly the same! Like before all the lockdowns I would see something I liked (on Instagram or magi one or on tv), but didn't really commit to buying into it until I'd seen a few people with similar and still liked it (not in a copy cat way but a ohh that does look nice on a real person in the street or oh I don't think I could pull it off like that ultra stylish person on front of me).

But I love people watching in general

Iamthewombat · 09/08/2021 23:42

Time to restart the shopping days. I recommend going into your nearest city around midday on a Saturday or Sunday. You can see it all then. People doing the ‘day to night’ thing on their way to bottomless brunches. People coming in for shopping. I’ve noticed that women are making more effort lately, think everyone is fed up of being casual and wearing elasticated waists! I also like to see what the shop assistants are wearing in the nicer clothes shops.

Divebar2021 · 09/08/2021 23:49

Through out lockdown I walked weekly with a stylish friend and we talked about clothes for about 70% of the time. I’ve since resumed working in my office 1 or 2 days a week in Central London and have whole heartedly thrown myself into dressing up - in fact to be honest even if I was just going to the library or to get coffee I would think about what I was wearing. No way would I be going out in some old thing I didn’t feel inspired in. Shops have been open ages - you need a day out and a look to see what’s out there.

Original poster
ToykotoLosAngeles · 10/08/2021 07:27

I've booked a day off this week, just me, to go shopping in either Bath or Bristol. I can't wait!

OP posts:
Original poster
ToykotoLosAngeles · 10/08/2021 07:31

I know shops have been open ages but I have a 3 year old with me on my days off and DH has asthma so I've been waiting for his second jab before getting out unnecessarily. He's done now though Grin

OP posts:
LunaTheCat · 10/08/2021 10:00

People watching is one of my favourite pastime - preferably sitting outside in a nice cafe in a European city.... sigh

Freshprincess · 10/08/2021 10:05

There was a thread about nails and someone said white was fashionable and I realised I’ve no idea what’s current fashion because I’ve only been to the supermarket or pub gardens for months.
I need to go out out.

Original poster
ToykotoLosAngeles · 10/08/2021 10:10

@Freshprincess

There was a thread about nails and someone said white was fashionable and I realised I’ve no idea what’s current fashion because I’ve only been to the supermarket or pub gardens for months. I need to go out out.
This is exactly the kind of thing I mean! Someone could tell me that those combats with dangly tassels all over were back in and I wouldn't be able to argue against.
OP posts:
BatshitCrazyWoman · 10/08/2021 14:48

I love to people watch, so have been sitting in cafes doing that since they were open inside. Plus my work commute into central London. Most people seem to really dress down now, though, which I find disappointing. Looking a bit scruffy seems to be in 😂

GingerFigs · 10/08/2021 14:55

Dressing down is disappointing. I'm one of these people who like to dress up when I go out, whether that's shopping or out out.

Iamthewombat · 10/08/2021 15:09

@BatshitCrazyWoman

I love to people watch, so have been sitting in cafes doing that since they were open inside. Plus my work commute into central London. Most people seem to really dress down now, though, which I find disappointing. Looking a bit scruffy seems to be in 😂
You need to visit the north. The glamour! Actually it is quite surprising and nice to see. It’s the bottomless brunch influence: you can see people dressed up all day. I also noticed that when A levels ended earlier in the summer, there were loads of young girls in town, glamming it up and looking as if they were having a great time. I might not wear the same stuff as a 17 year old but it gave me an idea of what shapes and styles were current.
newnortherner111 · 10/08/2021 17:34

I don't miss seeing most people in the UK who had no style or pride in their appearance even before Covid, and even less now.

The French and Italians have many failings but at least they have style.

RockaLock · 10/08/2021 19:05

I know what you mean, OP.

I don't really follow any "influencers" on Instagram either, because like you say, it's all #ad for the same 6 brands, but I have found a couple of accounts that do some people-outfit-watching for you.

parisiensinparis is one, and something like londonersinlondon is another - I much prefer the Paris one though! I'm sure there are many more along the same lines.

Floisme · 10/08/2021 19:16

Same here. I don't follow influencers either as I much prefer getting my ideas from real people and I feel massively out of touch. Like I was in a public toilet on Saturday evening and there were all these young women, who last time I looked were going out in jeans and sweatshirts, changing into these teeny skimpy clingy outfits and high heels Shock I feel like I've emerged from under a rock.

Original poster
ToykotoLosAngeles · 11/08/2021 12:10

@Floisme

Same here. I don't follow influencers either as I much prefer getting my ideas from real people and I feel massively out of touch. Like I was in a public toilet on Saturday evening and there were all these young women, who last time I looked were going out in jeans and sweatshirts, changing into these teeny skimpy clingy outfits and high heels Shock I feel like I've emerged from under a rock.
Yep. I'm sure literally a few weeks ago I was seeing 20 year olds out in what was basically expensive loungewear and now we're back to going out looking like a member of Girls Aloud, apparently!
OP posts:
Weredone · 11/08/2021 12:13

There are lots of very stylishly dressed people in Glasgow and Edinburgh at the moment! I hadn’t been into the city for ages and I was so shocked at how out of touch I was with fashions and trends at the moment. I think lots of them were students but they looked amazing- I got so many ideas.

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