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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
Comfies · 08/04/2023 21:16

I've got a good friend in Altrincham who said they were seeing more trainers lately and fewer skinny jeans these days. So I do think the whole 'overpaid stripper' look may be on the decline there.

We always laugh when she comes to see me (London commuter town) and people are so unmade up. She says she would never go out in Altrincham even in the day with so little make up or tan as she feels she would stick out like a sore thumb.

Stillwearingskinnys · 08/04/2023 21:22

I will still be wearing my floral dresses and white trainers 😊

LivingDeadGirlUK · 08/04/2023 21:22

KrabiBeach · 08/04/2023 20:33

They're nice @LivingDeadGirlUK but wouldn't suit me as I need straight / wide leg style. Those wouldn't flatter my tummy.

Because I'm not a 5'10 model they kind of bunch up at the ankle which looks quite cool and makes them look wider if you see what I mean.

Fancylike · 08/04/2023 21:34

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 08/04/2023 13:49

I’m not a floral person (love them on other people but not on me) and last year had a fab gingham midi dress from Monki that I loved so much I got in three colour-ways. I think I’ll stick with those, and spotted they have other colours this year too.

I pretty much always wear trainers so won’t be changing that - but I have switched to a more chunky “dad style”. Converse are too flat for me as I have PF but one of my friends recently got some of the platform (flat-form?) ones and they look great on her, like a modern twist.

Your Monki dress sounds lovely, would you mind linking?

magicthree · 08/04/2023 21:35

MissMarplesbag · 08/04/2023 13:55

Change to single colour dresses and coloured or black trainers for a more updated version of the look.

Ha, ha - that's what I wear, nice to know I am ahead of fashion trends!! Floral dresses look lovely on others, but I prefer plain or checks on me.

magicthree · 08/04/2023 21:50

KrabiBeach · 08/04/2023 14:29

Well of course but that's the nature of fashion. It's ultimately all bollocks!!!

Surprised some of the posters here are reading the Style board!

We're not - just reading the threads that are trending Grin

Ooolaaaala · 08/04/2023 22:00

highfidelity · 08/04/2023 15:37

Am 47. There have been variations of this look for decades - I was wearing this 10 years ago, and 10 years before than, and in my late teens when grunge was all the rage - there is always some version of a floral dress, jacket and trainers. (In my late teens, I wore floral dresses with biker boots.) I have pictures of my mother wearing Laura Ashley floral dresses albeit with espadrilles or clogs in the 70s. Skip back further, floral dresses were worn in each and every decade. Floral dress are nothing new, and a timeless classic. As for colour block dresses, again, these have been around forever too.

The only thing that really changes is the cut of the dress. Fashion trends work in cycles, but there will always be staples that are adapted and reworked to look fresh.

Show quote history

Yes remember early 90s bias cut slip dresses - tight white cap sleeved T shirt under with Adidas trainers

highfidelity · 08/04/2023 22:07

Ooolaaaala · 08/04/2023 22:00

Yes remember early 90s bias cut slip dresses - tight white cap sleeved T shirt under with Adidas trainers

Show quote history

Funnily enough, have been looking through old photos and was about mention bias cut dresses - I had a few Ghost (back when Tanya Sarne was still at the helm), one really beautiful one from Kate Clarkson (purchased from Koh Samui n Covent Garden), and a floral print one from Whistles that I wore with coloured Converse high tops or white Reeboks. (Never wore Adidas trainers as the fit was never right). Also had some bejwelled/heavily embroidered cardigans that I wore over the dresses when I needed something a bit fancier than a denim jacket.

Am gutted I no longer have any of these items, the cardigans in particular.

verdantverdure · 08/04/2023 22:21

Fuck fashion.

Style is eternal.

Invisimamma · 08/04/2023 22:24

90s and early 00s fashion seems to be coming back round and t-shirt dresses were the thing then so I think we'll be seeing more of those. And strappy dresses with or without a plain coloured t-shirt underneath.

Thirdcatisabitmuch · 08/04/2023 22:28

I'm keeping the non floral dresses, but will be looking for prints/stripes with maxi length rather than midi and pairing with a substantial sandal. Last year I had a few walking style sandals and leather fisherman/gladiators which will probably work this year too.

Also separates- bit more of a faff but maxi ish skirts/linen wide trousers - in brights - with funky tops/tees - white trainers will still be allowed with these outfits.

Add some cat eye sunnies - latest purchase - and I'm summer ready baby

MonkeyHarold · 08/04/2023 22:31

I'm a little older than fifty five. I do not own a floral dress of any length. I would not wear trainers with a dress. I have a huge amount of clothes and shoes. It is very likely that in the spring I will think about the huge amount of clothes. I will look at the huge amount of clothes. I will wear a white or striped t shirt, skinny jeans, leather biker's jacket and Converse. Some days I may swap the Converse for Vans or trainers. For variation, on occasions I will wear khaki or camouflage trousers with a khaki or camouflage t shirt and khaki trainers. I might be spotted in a tracksuit. I will sometimes accessorise with largish hoop earrings, probably not the tracksuits though.
I cannot do smart casual. I can do very casual or drag queen.
I don't expect that was much help. 😄

LilQueenie · 08/04/2023 22:34

skinny jeans and tshirts or dresses with leggings. I like seeing trends but I don't abide by them.

MultipleVeganPies · 08/04/2023 22:41

I think you are right OP

What I see is baggy jeans, wide leg trousers, cargo pants with fitted or cropped tops

Also spaghetti strap dresses with white T underneath

Long denim skirts

Trainers that are not white or fisherman's sandals

And also shorter hair, bob style/straight cuts coming back

mybeautifuloak · 08/04/2023 23:01

verdantverdure · 08/04/2023 22:21

Fuck fashion.

Style is eternal.

No it's not. The tweed outfits worn in the 80s would look ridiculous now. The shape of things change. Lapels on men's suits change. The placement of buttons. The width of trouser legs. The basic concept may remain but the details change. Otherwise you end up looking like the crazy woman who wears the stuff she loved in her heyday. Dated and a bit cringe.

LondonLovie · 08/04/2023 23:08

I'm loving the fact that wide leg linen is in, worn with a nice T or vest top. Cargo 90s trousers also looking inspiring for the spring. Oversized is in, and I quite fancy that trend, ditching summer dresses for something more urban. I like the big blazers (Zara has some nice neutrals).

Niftythrifter · 08/04/2023 23:10

This is because of John Lewis declaring the floral midi is dead I think. I think it’s good if people stick to what they like such as the floral midi as it will send a clear signal that it’s the consumer who gets to decide what’s in and not a shop. It’s normally the job of a shop to respond to the needs and wants of a customer not the other way round. I say rebel against the so called demise of the floral midi!

CarPoor · 08/04/2023 23:47

Tanaqui · 08/04/2023 19:01

Fascinating how many people have come, yet again, to the style board to say various variations of wear what you like, despite the OP specifically asking for followers of trends! Seems to happen all the time at the moment.

OP, last year I saw a lot of fashionable looking youngish women wearing long straight ish skirts, often floral, with sweatshirts over, or above knee skirts with a flounce or ruffle trim, but more fitted, not a-line, with tight tops...looked great, although I don't suit the latter look any more myself!

Style does not equal trends. Andr one guardian article does not equal fashion

I think these days we have to be much more careful when it comes to fashion, buying clothes that will last and suit us for long periods.

The trend cycle in recent years has increased pace. Trends are much more rapid than in the past and I think it's important to yes wear what suits you and buy clothes that will look good for years to come not just what is on trend, or just blindly listen to some magazine article.

It's perfectly valid to say, no I will be sticking with this look. Maybe make a small change, updated hairstyle or change in accessories. But it's not viable to change your entire wardrobe to suit arbitrary trends and isn't environmentally conscious. We shouldn't be buying anything anymore simply because its on trend, and I think it's important to rebel against big corporations trying sell is trends or the idea that if you wear something that isn't brand new its old fashioned, frumpy, cheugy etc.

LilQueenie · 09/04/2023 01:39

CarPoor · 08/04/2023 23:47

Style does not equal trends. Andr one guardian article does not equal fashion

I think these days we have to be much more careful when it comes to fashion, buying clothes that will last and suit us for long periods.

The trend cycle in recent years has increased pace. Trends are much more rapid than in the past and I think it's important to yes wear what suits you and buy clothes that will look good for years to come not just what is on trend, or just blindly listen to some magazine article.

It's perfectly valid to say, no I will be sticking with this look. Maybe make a small change, updated hairstyle or change in accessories. But it's not viable to change your entire wardrobe to suit arbitrary trends and isn't environmentally conscious. We shouldn't be buying anything anymore simply because its on trend, and I think it's important to rebel against big corporations trying sell is trends or the idea that if you wear something that isn't brand new its old fashioned, frumpy, cheugy etc.

Show quote history

Id rather be confident and comfortable in myself wearing my own style looking cringe to judgmental fashion followers than change who I am to please them!

verdantverdure · 09/04/2023 06:10

John Lewis, fashion journalists and fashion in general are not the boss of me.

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 09/04/2023 06:20

I cant stand linen trousers or cargos 😫

AuntieMarys · 09/04/2023 06:49

After years of being reasonably " on trend" and certainly presentable, I have decided in my 60s that I loathe buying clothes, dislike most trends and get more excited buying a pair of hiking boots then anything else.

mybeautifuloak · 09/04/2023 07:02

IfOnlyOurEyesSawSouls · 09/04/2023 06:20

I cant stand linen trousers or cargos 😫

Then don't wear them

mybeautifuloak · 09/04/2023 07:11

@CarPoor Style does not equal trends. Andr one guardian article does not equal fashionI think these days we have to be much more careful when it comes to fashion, buying clothes that will last and suit us for long periods.
The floral midi with white sneakers and no doubt a denim jacket or leather biker ARE a trend. Just a dead one. People who can't let go of a dead trend always declare it a 'style' rather than a trend. Truth is it's been around for the long period you demand. It's just no longer on trend. You stick with it if you want. We all know the people who are slow adopters. They are still wearing skinny jeans. There have always been versions of this person are still wearing whatever was on trend in their hey day. They are the ones who look dated

Whathappenedto · 09/04/2023 07:15

@CarPoor I completely agree, I find it so frustrating. On the one hand we have a huge crisis looming over our heads and deeply affecting people around the world. On the other hand, SKINNY JEANS ARE OUT! BUY NEW JEANS NOW!
But the most frustrating thing is myself and my own fallibility, because I fall for it! I love clothes, style, fashion etc, I love expressing myself through what I wear, and at the end of last summer I wore beautiful Indian blockprint floral midi, grey converse and my boxy denim jacket, and I felt like a twat and deeply uncool. And then I ended up buying some baggier jeans because my old jeans started to feel wrong.

This summer I will be wearing my old beautiful floral midi because fuck it, but I will also be wearing denim shorts and long sleeved cheesecloth type tops and Bretons because that's just what I wear every summer, and I like the contrast between having my legs out and my top covered up, plus, less suncream to apply!