First skinny jeans, now they’ve come for the floral midi dress

[TheOGCCL]

www.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/feb/10/john-lewis-declares-death-of-the-floral-midi-dress

I’ve not owned one myself but have heard enough people extolling their virtues and seen how flattering and easy to wear they are to highly doubt they’re going anywhere.

Are you bored of them yet?

I stepped away from the flowery midi as am 68, and floral stuff can be very ageing and milk-maidish. I still wear a Levi jacket, bought in 2005, as and when.
Trainers? Nike Airforce in black. Cool as fuck, but I only wear them because Nike Lahars don't grip my heel. They're not for dresses IMHO, only RM Williams' boots will do. I bought mine (seconds) at the RMW outlet in South Australia, and even then they cost an arm and a leg.

@JennyTheDonkey I really don't care what other people wear but seeing groups of women in these dresses, white trainers, denim or leather jackets and a cross body bag makes me wonder if people have any independent thoughts, it's such a uniform and really done to death. Have a bit of imagination.

I'd add 'leather biker jacket' to your list

I don't mind Nike airforce but find the black ones look orthopaedic

@puppacup Then I saw the white trainers worn with them and thought that ensemble is going to be one that we look back at and think, why?

It was a thing in the 90s though so clearly people are not thinking why. Also comfort.

Yes. It was a thing in the 90s. And then it was no longer a good look until about, I dunno...2012 when it reared it's mumsy look again.
That's the point. It's a trend. It came. It went. It came back. It's gone again.

Oh dear what will I wear this spring/summer? I love a floral midi. Not the very pouffy ones with large sleeves, but the sleeker ones worn by the likes of our future queen. Theyre so comfy and versatile. Trainers, flip flops, even boots can be ok. Stick a jumper and jacket on top if it's cooler. The only thing I'll draw a line at is floral midi and demin jacket. I do feel that has become a cliche

Please let there be non tiered, non flouncy and non patterned dresses this summer.They have been thin on the ground for years.

I Don’t think that JL’s decision is really going to change things that much in the same way that skinny jeans are apparently over yet lots of retailers are still stocking them.

I agree it's overdone but who cares if it works for you. What made me laugh was John Lewis being an arbiter of fashion! Middle class middle age style yes fashion no

Flattering = good fit overweight people.

AWFUL for everyone IMO

After living in black leggings and a jumper for the whole of lockdown, I’m delighting in poncing about in bright floaty dresses with puffy sleeves and a frill.

I wear them with white trainers or big clumpy black boots. IDGAF if I look like Little house on the prairie. It’s just more joyful than lockdown.

(Tbf mine are more prints rather than floral but still, I like them). I love seeing the riot of frills and bright colours at work. So much more interesting that black, blue and grey suits.

Heaven forbid fat middle aged women enjoy wearing something colourful and roomy that has pockets, with a pair of comfortable shoes.

I took my daughter shopping this weekend. She bought parachute pants and a crop top. She looks like I did on the 90s. I had a moment’s nostalgia for the 90s trends that were everywhere. But I can’t wear on trend crop tops now. Trust me, no-one wants to see me in a crop top.

Anyway. I’m learning to see. If JL doesn’t want to sell me pretty dresses, I’ll make my own.

I bloody hope the big baggy sleeves are going away as well! I really struggle to buy dresses that don’t drown me, I’m 5ft 3 and a size 8. Oh and in my mid 50s, those huge floral midi dresses make me look like a clown. And personally I think they are very aging on anyone over 50.

Never liked them, never bought one and, as someone who really enjoys watching what people wear, I'm bored out of my mind from seeing them. But for all that, I think a retailer who tries to tell customers what to buy deserves to get their arse kicked.

No one has to wear them if they don’t want to. I’m not going to flounce around in a jumpsuit or even trousers. I’ve had several major abdominal surgeries. My stomach has sagged as a result. I’m chronically ill and overweight because of illness, also tallish. I can’t even wear trousers or a skirts due to the scarring. Dresses my only option. We are not all the same. It doesn’t mean i begrudge what suits short, thin, well people.

Agree, and only wear with the with rolled up jeans or trousers that show some ankle.

This.

They've been proclaiming the death of skinny jeans for nearly a decade now. They're really not going away. People like them, like how they look in them, and - most importantly - keep buying them.

The internet gives the customer more sway - and there will always be someone who will sell what customers want.

Also, people don't want fast fashion, are more clued up to the idea that changes to trends are pushed by an industry that wants to keep selling (especially if you have to buy different shoes, accessories and tops to do with a different shape), and have less money to spend generally

TL:DR - don't worry, you'll still find what you like

I was late to the party with trying the look but bought a floral midi dress last year (it's not really very midi on me because I'm short) and wore to a school event with white pumps and a denim jacket. I said to DH it's basically the uniform for mums, and despite being the most unobservant person imaginable, he immediately noted that about 90% of the women were wearing similar!

I hope the dresses don't go out of fashion completely because I live in hope of finding another one that fits! 🤣

I feel in the last decade or so comfy clothing is much more available and I'm all for it. I could never find nice boots for example without a bloody heel. I don't think wearing midi/ trainers/ cross body is a cliche it's just practical which is why it's so popular and will remain so.

I have never thought JL are the leaders of fashion, they are now on par with Debenhams IMO. Wear what you like and whats suits you and screw what you are being told you should wear.

I went to an event recently, in a female dominated industry, and the room was full of these dresses with ankle boots, like a uniform! Its the first time I thought 'that look is so dated'.

I love skinny jeans but recently did some people watching in a busy city and, without exception, every skinny pair I saw was worn by a middle aged+ women.

I'm going to embrace the mum jeans - they are comfier too :)

I’m in my early 40’s and they can take my skinny jeans but they’ll have to prise my midi dresses from me. Do we know if it’s just floral ones that are now banned?

When I met up with friends last year, we all turned up in midi dresses, denim jackets, and trainers.

I have always loved a floral dress but never succumbed to the floral dress plus white trainer/denim jacket/crossbody bag uniform that was popular a few years ago.

I don't intend to ditch mine anytime soon.

I’ve just bought two floral dresses and want more. As long as I can still get them in the shops I’ll still buy them as I don’t care what’s in or out of fashion. Just might be harder to get them now - whether it’s fashion or music I’m always late to the party!🫤

I hear what you’re saying, but when the shops are dominated by one particular style it actually doesn’t give people a choice does it? Trying to buy a dress that isn’t a floral midi dress seems to be quite tricky!

I like the look but never wore it myself.