Do people really follow fashion?

[needmorecoffee]

was poking through a magazine the other day and the 'problem' this woman was having was what 'pieces' to add to her wardrobe. 'pieces'? Do people really plan a 'wardrobe'?
I just buy new t-shirts when the old ones wear out. I loathe shopping and own very few clothes. 2 skirts(both ankle length), one pair jeans, one pair cycling leggings, 4 black t-shirts and 2 mid thigh length blouses plus 3 cardi's. Most are years old.
I figured being over 30 exempted me from fashion?

I just buy what I like. Have very basic wardrobe too.Agree about the ver 30 thing. I have no clue as to what is in fashion or not.

My MIL witters on about 'fashion' all the time. Apparently none of my furniture is fashionable or the food I eat. The mind doth boggle.
She once said I should get rid of all the black clothes cos its not 'fashionable'. Everythig I own is black I think! And I spend my days being covered in drool by a disabled toddler.

There's fashion, and there's style - 2 very different things. And if you don't care, it's not necessarily a problem (though see this thread for opinions on grooming) . It might only be a problem if you want to be fashionable and don't feel as if you are.

I'd like to be 'tidy' possibly but given the no money thing and the drooly toddler I don't think its going to happen. I sometimes thing if you took me to Harrods and dressed me in designer stuff I'd still look like a scruffy hippy
Rarely bothers me ubtil MIL starts going on and on and on about it.
But apart from shopping and hospital appointments I don't go out. No pubs/cafes or restaurants cos of dd.
Just get the odd twinge about looking like a bag lady some days.

I'm 25 and i don't follow fashion either. tbh I couldn't afford to even if I wanted to I find the idea of wearing something just because it is in fashion ridiculous. Some of the trends recently are horrible. I wear what I want to wear, if I see something I like and can afford it I buy it. I wouldn't pick something that would be seem as out of fashion a month down the line!

I am a mum of 2 so live in jeans, vest tops, chunky cardigains. Very rarely wear skirts as I hate my legs lol.

I quite like the idea of having a capsule wardrobe where I could mix and match without too much thought but still look good. Problem is with two young kids jeans are the easy option!

read that thread and now feel very glum. I don't own any makeup and cut my own hair.
I guess I'm not entirely happy with my Waynetta Slob appearnace.

I can completely see that with no money, and a drooly toddler to look after all day, fashion is not exactly going to be high up on your list of priorities. I guess what you can do is, when you do need to buy more clothes, even if it's just a t-shirt, think about your body shape, and what would be most flattering to it, and don't just automatically buy whatever comes to hand first. I mean things like wearing v-necks if you are generously norked; avoiding cap sleeves if your arms aren't your best bit, etc. And maybe shop online if it's difficult for you to get out round the shops.

needmorecoffee don't feel glum! I have my hair cut about once a year. I couldn't do half the things on that thread as I don't have the money.

thats the problem with cerebral palsy toddlers. They drool. And its shows. I sit all day with her on my lap so have a large wet patch over the left norkage area!

I have two friends, completely different ,but both plan their wardrobes - one is a larger girl who by necessity has to hunt out good,interesting 'pieces' (makes me laugh,that phrase) and she dresses brilliantly and very imaginatively as a consequence - she is just brilliant at choosing stuff,especially in sales or places like TK Maxx ( that places does my head in - far too confusing) and charity shops. She has a fantastic page on Flickr if anyone's intererested,showing her clothes. The other friend is pretty well heeled and had a personal shopper somewhere smart and gets them to pick her business clothes - she's my only friend who has stuff like Jimmy Choos.
As for me - I have basic things, no dresses,except for a vintage 50s cocktail dress, a few skirts,trousers,jeans,a few pairs of boots,converses,flip flops,cardies and many t shirts.
First friende is always wanting me to add colour and pattern but I resist !

one thing that has me pondering is how people (mainly in magazines) no longer say 'skirt' or 'shoes' or what have you but always always say the label' My 'jimmy choos'. I didn't know that was shoes for ages then thought it was cockney rhyming slang!
And handbags! Who needs more than 1?

Don't be sad, Needmorecoffee - think of it as a long-term project. There aren't many people around who can afford to just go out and buy loads of new clothes all in one go, whatever the magazines may imply.

MaryAnnSingleton - I'd be interested in seeing your friend's page.

Have to say, my wardrobe's pretty plain too, though because I work, I do have to be fairly presentable on a day-to-day basis. I do love clothes, but being a size 20, can't really indulge myself as much as I'd like, so stick to plain, hopefully classic, stuff, but also hopefully not too boring.

Message withdrawn

lol at Jimmy Choos being rhyming slang ! JackieNo,will go and find link !

ok, it's www.flickr.com/photos/buttercuprocks/

I peruse my wardrobe sometimes and think 'what I really need is...an A line brown patterned skirt,'or whatever ,and I know I will wear my tops more if I had this thing, or 'piece' if you will to go with it.
But 'piece' does sound like designer ponce talk.

Yep, I follow it. I love matching colours, patterns and shapes together, and yes I guess I do plan my wardrobe. Always think what will go with something when I buy it.

Not an avid follower of latest trends, but do adapt it to my age. BUT, I have a degree in fashion, so guess it is part of my personality...BUT dislike lables or logos and will not wear anything with a label orlogo on the outside.

Unfortunately am currently too fat to fit into my lovely wardrobe after the festive excess

Thanks MaryAnn - wow - she really does look amazing. And she must have an enormous wardrobe. I shy away from patterns of any sort. I think I possess one dress that I haven't worn in years, and is now too big for me, that has pattern.

I am afraid of pattern too - I have a nice shirt which is very boldly patterned (not by my friend's standards !) which I really have to be in the right mood to wear !

I think I need an actual wardrobe. My clothes are in a pile in a whicker basket.