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Original poster

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

588 replies

KrabiBeach · 08/04/2023 12:55

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)

OP posts:
Thread gallery
34
ProstituteHair · 10/04/2023 11:43

Notanothernewname · 10/04/2023 11:34

A white tshirt is classic, a white shirt is classic,a black tshirt is classic. A black jumper whether v neck or roll neck is classic. Even a black cardigan is classic. A pencil skirt is classic. These are things you can put with anything. You can put your white tshirt with your pencil skirt and cardigan and you have an outfit swap the tshirt with the shirt and you have a smarter look.

A classic spans the test lf time. It's timeless and a style staple.

Is it though?

It was James Dean that gave the idea of a 'classic'white T and 501's.

But it was James Dean that looked beautiful rather than the t-shirt.

missmoon · 10/04/2023 11:53

Margaret Howell sells polo necks that have a lot of give in the fabric around the neckline, so it doesn’t feel like they are constraining. I couldn’t wear them until I discovered the MH style. Wish there was a cheaper version!

FancyFanny · 10/04/2023 12:14

I'm thinking a denim skirt might look quite good this summer- it's so hard to find one that doesn't make you look frumpy though when you are older as it would need to be below the knee to cover veiny knee-backs and maybe not aline as unless you are a size 8 it adds too much width. What do you think about fitted longer length pencil shop- although will then wonder if I can get in the car or run up stairs and step over small walls and other practical things with this shape. Oh the dilemmas 🙂

ProstituteHair · 10/04/2023 12:15

I do have a couple of Margaret Howell polo's @missmoon.

They are good.

But they're not perfect.

OP posts:
Original poster
KrabiBeach · 10/04/2023 12:52

Sorry that link was so long!

OP posts:
Daffodilwoman · 10/04/2023 12:55

I really don’t like the strappy slip dress with a t -shirt underneath look.
To me it looks like you have spent the night with a one night stand and have had to shove a t shirt under what you wore the night before.
Don’t get me wrong I’ve done the so called walk of shame in my youth. Perhaps that’s why I won’t wear this look.

bellabellaIzzie · 10/04/2023 13:02

I expect most will stick with the long dresses trainers combo. If last week, when it was warm, is anything to go by.

mybeautifuloak · 10/04/2023 13:03

Notanothernewname · 10/04/2023 11:34

A white tshirt is classic, a white shirt is classic,a black tshirt is classic. A black jumper whether v neck or roll neck is classic. Even a black cardigan is classic. A pencil skirt is classic. These are things you can put with anything. You can put your white tshirt with your pencil skirt and cardigan and you have an outfit swap the tshirt with the shirt and you have a smarter look.

A classic spans the test lf time. It's timeless and a style staple.

Yes these are all classics but the style of each of these is either on trend or not. A tight rib black cardigan has been seriously out for years. It's making a comeback. It has recently been more an oversized cardi. A white shirt may be an on trend oversized shirt or a tightly fitted shaped shirt with Lycra. Not on trend. The style is what makes these classics current or dated.

Original poster
KrabiBeach · 10/04/2023 13:09

Forgot to add to the list of ideas...

  • bomber jacket! Cropped with wide leg jeans / trousers or normal with dress.
OP posts:
Highdaysandholidays1 · 10/04/2023 13:19

@FancyFanny Vinted is a great place to search for maxi denim skirts as lots are holding on to them from last time around! I am not wearing midi anything except black dresses as I don't like the midi look, I'm short and it's not flattering on me.

Black dress/light coloured denim/cotton jacket (khaki, dusky rose, even white, interesting shape, not just your standard blue short one) plus trainers is a different easy look to do. Sometimes I even add a plain scarf (oh yes) if the dress is low cut, just wind it round the neck. Not floaty, am confident enough this works for me to ignore the fact scarves are apparently 'out'.

Trainers, I have black, black and white, white and pale pink, to mix in with the white (different brands, all cushioned though, Vans too flat for me).

I'm in my fifties, I'm not trying to look trendy but I don't want to look dated. I'm selling stuff on Vinted then buying one or two new things- so far I've spent about £30.

Pestispeeved · 10/04/2023 13:29

I did the long denim skirt with a front split in the noughties. If you buy one, sit down opposite a good friend and get them to tell you if they see thigh chub, knicker gusset or an ok sight.
My fave denim skirt this year is https://www.zara.com/uk/en/zw-the-denim-skirt-p09863256.html?v1=226025943&v2=2187660 this one

tomfromloveislandsbeard · 10/04/2023 13:35

KrabiBeach can you add to your list

For people who love florals, wear a floral top with jeans. The 'jeans and a nice top' look is seriously back as seen at Other Stories, Zara and H and M and I am here for it.

Puff sleeved, cropped, sweetheart neck, ruched, cap sleeve, boxy, whatever works for your shape as long as it's with thick denim non skinny jeans.

verdantverdure · 10/04/2023 13:43

For those that ignored the question and high jacked the thread, maybe for your own sanity you should stay off S&B

I don't think anyone did.

We answered the question.

And replied to the responses.

Some of which betrayed a surprising lack of fashion history knowledge regarding the long heritage of dresses and trainers.

My niece today is wearing an outfit straight out of the 90s. Button through floral strappy midaxi over a cap sleeved white t shirt and trainers. The other day she had a fluffy crop jumper over a midaxi slip dress with trainers. It's like having a time machine to my teens. Grin

Original poster
KrabiBeach · 10/04/2023 13:52

@tomfromloveislandsbeard thank you that's a great shout! I think I was mainly thinking about hot weather days, so not when I would be wearing jeans, as that is when I was feeling stuck for an alternative to the dress and trainers.

However, you are so right about lovely wide leg high waisted jeans with that type of top for a Spring option too. Saw a lovely one in & Other Stories recently.

OP posts:
Original poster
KrabiBeach · 10/04/2023 13:53

@verdantverdure not sure what your responses were without looking back over, but some people have definitely derailed the thread!

OP posts:
OldHouseLover · 10/04/2023 13:56

I'm not a fan of the floral midi / white trainers look so never bought into it & certainly won't be now.

I haven't worn skinny jeans, in fact any jeans, since 2020.

I was a big fan of the ME+EM side striped wide leg trousers & have a couple of pairs but now they're becoming v overdone & M&S's millions of dupes have killed them off for me this year too.

I have bought wide legged cropped drawstring jeans in COS which I've been enjoying wearing.

I also have sezane long flared jeans in v dark blue which i like with a tucked in navy silk shirt & block heel

more casually im wearing sezane straight leg in mid blue which I wear turned up with a navy round neck cashmere jumper, navy wool socks & BA&SH / Veja collab trainers. An M&S stone coloured classic rain coat over it if needed. It's a perfect casual spring daytime look for me

In summer I will wear ME+EM flared mens style trousers with a matching blazer & white t-shirt
Or tapered cropped trousers with a silk shell top
I'm contemplating their 'perfect chinos'

And I have a navy cheesecloth shirred maxi dress to wear with leather sandals

WeAreBorg · 10/04/2023 14:26

KrabiBeach · 10/04/2023 10:17

A SUMMARY - thus far.....

for those still following the original 🧵 thread!!!!!!!!!!!!

More up-to-date ideas to replace the floral midi, white trainers and denim / biker jacket:

  • stick with the floral midi but wear with Dad trainers, colourful sports sneakers or chunky sandals. Add an oversized blazer in linen or otherwise
  • stick with the white trainers but wear with your wide leg trousers, t-shirt and cropped jacket
  • or wide leg trousers and white tank
  • Wide leg trousers and shirt tucked in / half tuck with those white trainers, Dad trainers or with chunky sandals
  • plain or abstract printed dress with colourful sports trainers or chunky sandals
  • t-shirt dress with colourful basketball high tops
  • linen or demon maxi skirt with chunky sandals and t-shirt
  • bias cut silky skirt or dresses with colourful sports trainers or chunky sandals

(Unfortunately I won't be wearing bias cut as I have a serious mum tum and- don't feel they flatter me, but I love the look).

  • save denim or biker jacket to wear with wide leg trousers, not over dresses. Ensure denim or biker jackets are either oversized or cropped.
  • invest in linen or other oversized blazer (possibly as part of trouser suit). Can be mixed and matched as above.

Thank you, this is super!

Please do quarterly style updates

sunglassesonthetable · 10/04/2023 14:29

more casually im wearing sezane straight leg in mid blue which I wear turned up with a navy round neck cashmere jumper, navy wool socks & BA&SH / Veja collab trainers. An M&S stone coloured classic rain coat over it if needed. It's a perfect casual spring daytime look for me

Nice 👌

Daffodilwoman · 10/04/2023 15:18

I predict a rush on long denim skirts 😀

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/04/2023 15:19

Black polo necks have been my winter uniform since the late 80s, pretty much, so I see them as a bit of a classic.

Straight leg rolled up blue or black jeans also a bit of a classic imo.

Basic biker jacket.

Trench coat

Converse and DMs feel classic to me (although I personally no longer wear the latter)

Re telling people to stay off the S&B I think no to that. It’s called style and beauty, not fashion. And most people on here are here because they enjoy thinking about clothes, not necessarily the latest fashions or the most expensive handbags.

Ooolaaaala · 10/04/2023 15:20

Pestispeeved · 10/04/2023 13:29

I did the long denim skirt with a front split in the noughties. If you buy one, sit down opposite a good friend and get them to tell you if they see thigh chub, knicker gusset or an ok sight.
My fave denim skirt this year is https://www.zara.com/uk/en/zw-the-denim-skirt-p09863256.html?v1=226025943&v2=2187660 this one

Love that Zara skirt - nice twist

NatashaDancing · 10/04/2023 15:22

I'm not convinced about the midi floral dress and athletic shoe type trainers having been around for decades.

I remember once noticing, possibly mid to late 90s, that apart from me and one of the secretaries who was 10 years older than me, that no one else in our department even wore "summer clothes" let alone summer dresses , far less floral summer dresses.

The sudden approval of the floral dress as being high fashion was a bit amusing, given how often it's been disparaged in the past.

Anyway my most recent purchases are this https://batsheva.com/en-gb/collections/batsheva-x-laura-ashley/products/laura-ashley-x-batsheva-waverly-dress-in-blue-manafon?variant=43238764773625 and this
https://frontiers-woman.com/collections/coats-jackets/products/bebeth-jacket

And for my birthday next month I'll almost certainly be getting another dress from Palava.

https://palava.co/collections/womens-dresses

None of these will be worn with white trainers.

Laura Ashley x Batsheva Waverly Dress in Blue Manafon

Tea-length cotton poplin dress with square neckline and pintuck details in Laura Ashley's archival Blue Manafon print, a woodcut style print of Potentilla flowers with leafy foliage. Ruffled bell sleeves and bottom hem. Belted waist. Zip closure on bac...

https://batsheva.com/en-gb/collections/batsheva-x-laura-ashley/products/laura-ashley-x-batsheva-waverly-dress-in-blue-manafon?variant=43238764773625

Floisme · 10/04/2023 15:50

I stand corrected about black polo necks disappearing. I just thought I remembered first seeing pics of Steve Jobs and thinking I hadn't seen that look in ages. Admittedly that must have been quite a long time ago as he's been dead around 12 years.

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