So what are we wearing instead of floral midi dress and white trainers this Spring?

[KrabiBeach]

Like many 35-55yo women I've been wearing a floral midi dress with trainers every Spring/Summer for the past few years. I always buy dresses with pockets and love the comfort, practicality and coolness (temperature-wise) on a sunny day. Easy to layer under a denim jacket, biker or blazer and wear with any white trainers or converse etc.

It was inevitable that such an easy outfit would become so ubiquitous that the fashion world declared it "dead".

I'm gutted but I am a follower of style. So yes, I know it's shallow but this is the Style board so.... What other outfits fit the brief?

One journalist in the Sunday papers suggested trouser suits are the new floral midi dress and trainers. But I don't think a trouser suit would work in a hot day like a flowery dress would, no matter how much you keep it casual with a t-shirt and trainers - it's still too hot surely?

If you're a follower of trends, what will you be wearing instead of floral midi from now on?

(Article for reference: amp.theguardian.com/fashion/2023/feb/10/john-lewis-declares-death-of-the-floral-midi-dress)

It's all about shirts and wide jeans or chinos for me.

And trainers.

No it wasn't. It was a clap back at all the people coming in saying 'wear what you want, fashion is stupid', when the OP had clearly said she DOES care about fashion and was looking for ideas. If you're not interested in current trends or fashion, maybe don't comment if you have nothing of value to contribute in this context.

Christ, the level of reading comprehension on Mumsnet is ridiculously bad sometimes.

Most people I have seen in floral skirts so far are wearing bias cut ones. I bought one to try and looked terrible in it.

I do think skinny jeans have become a classic tbf. Before Kate Moss wore them I hadn't seen that shape for years, 20 yrs or so on they are still a very popular style.

Haven’t RTFT but it’s funny that trouser suits are apparently in because after sending back loads of beautiful summer dresses that just don’t look right with my proportions (sob), that’s kind of what I’ve gone for this season.

Relaxed chino-type trousers and linen wide-legs with a silk vest top, Breton or pretty floral collared shirt and linen jackets. It helps that I’m always on the cold side and prefer to cover up.

Uniqlo have got some linen / cotton trouser suits in although I've not tried any. Much more versatile than a dress I think.

This is awfully controversial isn't it ? 😄

I like dresses and trainers, I think it still looks nice. I rarely wear a dress though as I always feel cold. So use leggings or jeggings with a dress or tunic and trainers or flip flops.
I like the leggings and tunics too but since I got a yellow lab I can't wear leggings as I end up looking like his litter mate!

It's ok to do trends, it's also OK to cling to them if they work for you.

What's not ok is a mad determination that the trend that works for you IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE A CLASSIC.

It seems to be skinny jeans and midis with trainers that trigger a passionate response from the adherents. It's absolutely fine if you want to wear either of those, but do understand that you are absolutely tapping in to a zeitgeist and then refusing to move on.
Totally agree with you, and I'm someone who never packed my skinnies away. 😂

The benefits of having a jean cut that works for you rather than a particular outfit uniform is that it's fairly easy to style them as your personal style evolves. It's not on trend, I don't mind, and I style them differently now than 15 years ago, but will take my skinny jeans to the grave with me.

Declaring the trainer/floral midi look is a classic rather than a trend that's run it's course is a bit like saying "but maxi skirts and sandals are a classic" as you're wearing the tiered maxi, Sienna Miller/Kate Moss at a festival look with the chunky circular belts and gladiator sandals.

Maxi skirts will always be in and out of fashion. Sandals are obviously a staple
They're also something that people will wear regardless of trends if it suits them and their personal style. Clinging to the summer uniform of the mid 00s whilst shouting loudly "It's a classic!!!' isn't going to make it a classic look.

Me too it would be much nicer without that bit. Fat Face also have a similar one but again the big frilly tiered bit at the bottom.

I like these Muji linen shirts. The ironing will be a PITA but Dh likes ironing, so may do them for me. Will wear them with chinos. https://www.muji.eu/uk/product/linen-stand-collar-shirt-white-162122648-24?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&fbclid=IwAR056dF_Tu0tF1NAVRomtVICcPD6giI2NoTI8ntVjAZoQzMJx9IAf8j9PPk

Ugh sorry for that link. Not sure how to shorten links.

Frilly bits on the bottom of dresses and skirts annoy me. It's a really quick way to make sure an item dates. I prefer skirts to trousers, but find skirts tend to have annoying trendy nods more than trousers.

If anyone can recommend somewhere that I can buy a nice pair of linen joggers that can be styled dressed up with nice sandals or down with converse/sport sandals please could you share a link.

The shops are full of floral midi and maxi dresses, and it is a look I like. Sadly, spring so far has been far too cold for anything other than jeans and jumpers, and temperatures are plummeting down to low single figures this week, so I won't be cracking out the dress and trainer look just yet.

Skinny jeans aren't a 'classic'.

Skinny jeans were never a classic.

Unless worn by Patti Smith.

Skinny jeans, a breton and daps was a uniform

Much as midis and trainers are.

It's a uniform that seems to work for people.

And that really is OK. I'm not in the business of denigrating people's clothing choices.

But don't pretend it's something it's not.

Who decides what is a "classic" look then? If skinny jeans aren't a classic what jeans are? Straight leg? Bootcut? Wide leg? Boyfriend? Mom jeans?

See I read that article here on MN, then last week I went into John Lewis where you cannot move for floral midi dresses. To the extent that every single individual retailers' clothes looked like they'd been made by the same brand. The whole place was awash with florals. It was actually really dull and has put me off them more than any worries about trends.

But if the floral midi is 'over' JL's chief buyer is really, really shit at communicating to her staff.

I would say it's the jeans that are the classic garment but that the dominant shape comes and goes. Same with white shirts - always around but the shape. fit, sleeves, size of collar etc etc changes.

I actually don't think there's such a thing as a classic style- fashion is always changing and some things re-emerge as fashionable again after a break but over a longer time things move on- nobody thinks Victorian style massive dresses and hats is a good look anymore, everything gets left behind at some point.

I have a friend who always dresses in what she considers a classic style- she never wears trainers or fashion fads- she always wear high heels, pencil skirts or shift dresses, fitted blazers, tailored trousers and blouses, ball gowns for evening wear and hats for christenings etc. Think old style Chanel era style. I actually think she just looks dated not classic because very few people dress like that now.

And just to correct my own post upthread, I meant cargo trousers not combats, Duh.

@magicthree

Don't you ever give up? Why is it so important to you to prove your point, it really is irritating as you have hijacked this thread.

Because others are trying to prove the other point but failing. So I respond to that. If you answer me, I give a respons back.

Gosh my thread pushed a few buttons!

I agree, although I do love a pencil skirt!

This is a combination that we keep seeing decade after decade indeed. And it suits most people, doesn't it? Botg for men and women as well.

I feel for you op, S&B will soon become unusable at this rate. Hope you've found some it helpful.