What is "in" vs what people are actually wearing

[RampantIvy]

I often read on here that no-one wears heels, skinny jeans are dated and short bodycon dresses are out.

I went out in Leeds last night, and all the young girls (I am an old gimmer, so I am talking late teens, early 20s) were either wearing short bodycon dresses/skirts and tight tops with heels or skinny jeans and heels. I felt a little out of place in my jeans, jumper and trainers.

Miaow! If you were to meet me you would put me down as one of these women - skinny jeans, chunky boots, grey jumper with intarsia stars . But there is no need to be sneery - I don't think I'm edgy at all. I happen to like these clothes and think that they suit me. Don't forget that what you perceive to be stylish is also caught up with what is in fashion .

In my unfashionable corner of the midlands I see younger people both in the baggy jeans, crop top baggy jacket, but also still in skinnies, trainers and hoodies. I have also seen young people out in the centre of Birmingham in the evening in the styles described as being seen by a poster in Leeds.

When I’ve seen people out in London (smarter restaurant) then you get people dressed for dinner, eg fairly smart.

Near where I live (Bromley/Beckenham) you get a mix of fake tan, obvious makeup/body con/cropped good at night and heels. You also get similar young women dressing in DMs, grunge looking clothes with cargo pants and lots of corset ties. In Hackney it’s grunge clothes with cargo pants.

@RampantIvy I took @Schlaar's remark to mean that she was poor and didn't have the budget to update her wardrobe every time fashion changed. I may be wrong though.

It just goes to show that it is difficult to understand tone in the written word @shinynewapple22.

Thank you everyone for your views. It seems like there is quite a mixed bag, and it isn't specific to areas, but lifestyle. So, when being told that something is "dated" we can take it with a pinch of salt, especially if the shops are still full of said item and loads of people are still wearing it.

I was about to say the same thing! I see plenty of women in skinnies!

University students here have universally adopted the scruffiest look they can find! Joggers/wide leg jeans with big (often very dirty) trainers, and baggy sweatshirts and puffa jackets with the uni logo on. Accessorised with unbrushed hair and definitely no makeup. For evening events they go with pretty much the same only with bright glittery eyeshadow in green or pink. Hair might look a little less unbrushed for an evening event. Dressing up and heels a definite no-no.

Fifteen years ago they were all in full faces of makeup, designer handbags, little dresses and perfectly curled hair for a 9am lecture! Now they can be at a ball and still look like they just got out of bed.

Fair enough, and why not, it’s comfy, cheap, gender neutral etc.! (though my memory of the 90s is that we might have been wearing grunge, but we still brushed our hair and had a shower occasionally 😂)

My nearest out out city is Liverpool. You could turn up looking like a drag queen and still not be overdressed.

You could also wear a long dress, boots and a leather jacket and not look out of place.

jeans, sparkly top and heels are a middle age mum favourite so don’t think they’ll be going anywhere soon.

I don’t think skinnies suit me, so I like the wider leg styles around at the moment.

But just wear whatever makes you feel good. Confidence is always a good look.

Apparently this winter's in thing are moon boots. My daughter has them on her Christmas list. Got to be the actual "Moon Boot" brand though, no other brand!

She said they have to be worn with leg warmers!

I had these when I went skiing in the 70s/80s

My mum had a pair of moon boots in the 80s. I think it was worn with a jumpsuit with a sparkly belt. I can’t remember whether the moon boots were born at the same time or not though

This time round, it's Moon boots with legwarmers and then either skinnies/athleisure leggings or miniskirt (+/- thick tights)

I mean in theory they sound great I don’t know how many pairs of £200 ugg boots. I’ve managed to ruin with exactly that outfit but then getting caught in the rain

Cords are back 😆

There is something to be said for wearing what you feel comfortable in and not following fashions but there is also something to be said for keeping up to date with trends to avoid looking dated. We all grew up seeing middle aged and older women stuck in a fashion and makeup/hair rut where they followed fashion until they got to a point where they felt their best....and then stayed there. After a while, it looks bad. Really bad.

Yes, getting stuck in a fashion that has passed is bad.

Style OTOH is timeless

Style may be timeless, but stylish people update their look to ensure they stay stylish.

Agree. Sticking to outdated clothes from your heyday would by definition not be stylish.

Are women supposed to hit a certain age and then preserve that current style for the rest of their lives?

In SW London lots of the mums on the school run are still in skinnies or leather leggings (myself included). In my office the younger staff are definitely wearing a straight or wider leg.

Cripoline dresses and tight set perms no doubt

So why do it?

I think it all looks so dreary. My SD is one of these - wants that big ass look so wears these huge sweatpants. I was a student in the 1970s and fashion was so exciting then.

I was a student in the 1970s and fashion was so exciting then.

Fashion is only ever as exciting as you make it.

There's absolutely no obligation to follow fashion.

I bloody love fashion, always have, I also love clothes (the two are not mutually inclusive).

It's just fun every-day creativity.

Don't like it? Don't Don't!

Don't do it!

I meant.

Bloody autocorrect.

I’m early 20s and people my age definitely go for wide jeans/cargo trousers over skinny jeans.