What 5 things would make me look more current

[JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome]

I’m late 40s and would just like to look a bit more fashionable. I dress fairly casually and do have some nice things, having been buying less but spending a bit more on individual items that last. I just would like to feel a little bit edgier though.

What would you say are 5 key pieces that could help do this.

I’m tall (5’9) and a size 10. Tend to wear neutral colours.

Leather or faux leather trousers
Waistcoat
Khaki/camo jacket
Silk dress/shirt dress
Alexander McQueen handbag

Satin cami midi dress or satin midi skirt with t shirt
Slouchy cargo pants or jeans
Baggy blazer
Small cross body bag worn high like a bum bag
Strappy flat sandals or trainers (not all white)

Wide leg jeans or one of the more current style jeans and to be honest I would go mid range for these as whilst they might be more up to day things can change in a short matter of time and todays current can look out of day.

One of the Uniqlo bags that have gone viral and which are cheap. Unless you go for the more established classic bags then there seems to be a new trend designer bag every month or so, for that reason I would swerve designer bags for a quick update.

1. The general wisdom is that a fashion silhouette normally stays current for a surprisingly long time while trends (including trends that fit the silhouette) come and go. To be honest, these are such strange times that I wouldn't bet the house on anything to do with fashion right now, but I think it's still the best guidance we've got. So currently the silhouette is wide and oversize - trousers, blazers, loose fitting, unstructured dresses (not necessarily floral - I could see that changing) etc. It doesn't have to be your whole outfit.
2. Shoes. People who are better at this than me say this is the quickest way to update your look. More clumpy at the moment, often flat although platforms and chunky heels are around too. If you like trainers, this is your time but you probably know that - picking the 'right' ones is a minefield and I'm not going there but there are lots of other threads about them.
3. I don't know if you wear specs but, if you do, I can tell you from personal experience that these are a great way of fooling people into thinking you have a modern outlook. I've been wearing plastic, cats eye frames for over a decade but next eye test, I'll probably switch back to metallic and maybe rounder.
4. Hair. I don't believe in fighting your natural hair but, if you happen to have curls or waves then again this is your time. (Hurrah!)
5. This is bad and I shall probably be quite rightly told off but I'd be tempted to add something that is more likely to be a passing trend e.g. a satin midi skirt or the Uniqlo bag mentioned upthread (if things haven't moved on already). But don't spend a lot.
6. I know you said 5 things but, in case you don't wear glasses, I think mixing up formal and informal looks right at the moment, e.g. a smart blazer over a T shirt rather than a button down shirt - that kind of thing. (Or is that just me?)

Forgot to say that, although the general silhouette is wider, in a parallel universe, very young people are back in Extreme bodycon. So there you go

This is all great advice thank you. I do own various bits that it would seem are on trend so I just need to be better at putting them together.

Going to look into a pair of wider trousers I think and the cross body bag and some alternative to white trainers...I pinched my teens clumpy black loafers from HM and I love them but feel like a bit of an imposter in them.

I love that formal/informal look - trainers and a blazer is my perfect combination when I want to look put together but not too try-hard.

@Floisme you clearly know your style stuff and always give good advice, I really enjoy reading your posts

Oversized shirt
Clumpy sandals
Wider trousers/jeans
Tuck your tops in
Bum bag worn cross body

Where do you get a baggy blazer?

Hi OP

think you can’t go wrong with:

1. a smart / casual blazer
2. a tank top that goes well day or night
3. good pair of white trainers
4. a long patterned skirt
5. a pair of sunglasses.

why don’t you try stitch fix? They’re great at putting trendy outfits together for you and you can choose to purchase after you try!

WizardinTraining what a nice thing to say, thank you!

I think the formal/informal thing is great. So many ways to do it - joggers with a blazer or a pretty blouse, fancy skirt with a T shirt etc etc. I also like it because you can play around, mixing and matching things you've already got in your wardrobe so it's a trend that doesn't have to involve buying loads of new stuff.

Flosime you are so wise!

Another admirer of Floisme here! I now have some new ideas for how to put together what I already have. Great thread.

Which is the Uniglo bag please?

glad to hear re khaki - just bought some!

I disagree with some of the items here as they have to suit you and be something you’ll wear rather than not!

I agree if it suits you to a satin a line maxi skirt and cargo pants.

Its quite funny if you look at a Vogue trendy items which list cinched blazers skirt suits etc.

I agree with the baggy jeans and cross body bum bag, also baggy sweatshirts in eg lilac.

glamour says low rise waists, sheer (saw a nice green sheer shirt at Oliver bonas), party bags, cobalt blue boudoir detailing, summer black, full on drying, Full on fringing (seen the fringing a lot at festivals), candy floss pink.

hair is textured layers, blunt collarbone cut, soft curved bob, wispy fringes, pixie cuts.

Makeup I’m not sure on but I do recall buying and seeing Barry M neon nails.

For me, yes I’ve got one or two baggy blazers:jackets but I don’t like them that much and double breasted doesn’t suit me. See also cut out clothes.

In addition to formal / informal, I find a high / low approach makes dressing more interesting. If you exclusively wear nice mid-range brands you may look contemporary but you run the risk of also looking bland. It’s much more fun to mix something staggeringly luxurious or extravagant (new / pre-worn / hired) with your Primark joggers. And if you build up even a tiny wardrobe of extra special pieces they’ll elevate everything you wear with them.

Dunno about five things - for me it’s more about proportions and fabrics and embracing imperfection.

I disagree with some of the items here as they have to suit you and be something you’ll wear rather than not!

Sure but the op didn't ask what would suit her and, in any case none of us know the answer to that.

What she asked for were some tips on what's current. I can't speak for anyone else but I didn't only suggest the trends I happen to like myself because I don't think my own taste is relevant.

I imagine the op will follow up on the trends she likes the look of, and ignore the ones she doesn't.

I quite like backofthewardrobe70 for this sort of thing on Instagram. Simple silhouettes and she gives you different suggestions for styling the same item eg for work and going out.

I get what you’re saying. I suppose for me in the past I’ve bought the “current” items and then only worn once or twice or not at all.

I did list on the sites I visited what they say is current though. Which gives a good general idea.

Agreed with you here. I visited and now buy the odd piece from Daughter of a Bohemian (based in Hythe but does online). She does really nice one off pieces but also tops which are similar. I got some sequinned joggers and a handkerchief top. Then my friend who lives near her shop and her 14 year old DD saw me in the handkerchief top and both rushed to get one too. Not cheap but not super expensive but classy enough to look classy.

I don't have 5, but one thing I have bought this year that my teenage and young adult DDs approve of is a crochet top. The wear the little crop top version, but I went for a long sleeved one.

Given that there are over 650 on ASOS at the moment I guess that is pretty up to date.

Silver leather trousers, apparently

To stick to the OP:

1. Wide legged trousers/ jeans (Zara has loads of lovely wide legged trousers at the mo in all colours)
2. waistcoat
3. Cross body bag
4. flat chunky sandals with the above
5. Something in crochet : a top/dress.

Hello oh wise fashion ones, can I ask what you would wear a waistcoat with, especially during the summer please? I’ve seen a nice linen one but don’t know what I’d wear it with, it’s slightly oversized so worry that I’d look swamped with wide leg bottoms. Thanks all x
ps I bought the Uniqlo bag after reading this thread ☺️

I know you ask about fashion but I think your eyebrows, make up and haircut are the biggest updates.