A Shift in Style

[Pinkshoes71]

As I type this it sounds quite obvious but I will carry on anyway. Every Autumn / Winter, my go to feel good and comfortable no brainier outfit is coated skinnies and a slouchy jumper. This has been the case for a number of years with small tweaks ie ankle boots have got chunkier etc. yesterday I dressed in this just to walk up to the local pub and it was just wrong. I am in my fifties, peri menopausal and have gained weight but it wasn’t any of those things. Changed into straight jeans, trainers and plain cashmere jumper and felt better. I just feel a bit what happened?? Obv styles and trends change but it wasn’t really ever trend led anyway. Anyone else felt the same? Sorry probably a bit obvious like I say, just mulling it over really.

I had done the same thing a few weeks ago @Floisme and it wasn’t until I tried an old coat on that I realised that the proportions looked totally off. This was despite it being in a rather 1940s style (wide rounded shoulders, round neck, no lapels) and I probably thought it was timeless when I bought it. If it had been longer it might have worked, but it was just below the knee.
Your so right @Mariposa123 What is sold to us as a ‘classic’ today will still look dated in 10 or 15 years.

The difference in size between these two pairs of boots is remarkable! My new pair goes much further up my leg than my original pair, despite still being an ankle boot.

Yes, I think it is a bit of a con being told to invest in classic timeless pieces. In 5 years time we’ll be buying a whole new wardrobe, and what was once timeless will then be dated.

same I’ve noticed with jewellery. I’ve really got into wearing gold Huggie earrings. However I do remember 10 years ago thinking only old ladies wore them!

I'm the opposite ! I've been wearing straight leg jeans for a couple of years and recently bought some fleece lined jeggings (so skinny style) and it was like coming home . They look a lot neater, better with my boots and are cosier for winter.

The current shoe trend is beginning to feel a bit weird to me. I've always preferred flat and chunky so by rights I should absolutely be in my element at the moment, and yet I've been looking at replacing some Chelsea boots and I'm finding myself drawn away from the chunky, thick soles and towards something sleeker.

I've no idea what's going on here. Am I subliminally picking up on some kind of change that's in the air?? I don't normally think of myself as an outlier though so I think it's more likely I'm just getting bored of chunkiness because I've been wearing it most of my life and now it's everywhere I'm sick of seeing it!

I'd wondered something similar recently re. footwear @Floisme
Nothing makes me happier or more confident than sturdy boots, but I find the current styles too...cartoonish...maybe?
Makes me think of Spice Girls Buffalo boots, or emo Rockstar boots. But now worn with leggings and a puffer coat, rather than the more exciting styles of the past.

Mimbuss my platforms p, well, "platforms" are these, in green:

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/iris-snaffle-heeled-loafers-dark-red-leather/sty-a1571-drd?cat=C1S22_G11

There is enough platform and a sturdy enough heel, that they are good with trousers and comfortable for walking quite a long way. My sister had an almost identical pair from Ravel circa 1975. Only plastic not leather.

OP I know what you mean and no it's not just fashion. I always thought I was the classical type - understated, clean lines, modest make up, small modest jewellery.
but did a silly online test and it suggested I'm actually a Soft Dramatic according to Kibbe types. Tried some suggested outfits, hairtyle and make up and wow, I couldn't believe. Not only do I feel better, I'm getting complments from random people. Sometimes it's just small changes and they make a massive difference, if they match your style.

Are you able to link me to the Kibbe's tests please

sure, try this one: https://theconceptwardrobe.com/kibbe-body-types/the-kibbe-body-type-test

@greengreengrass25 I tried the test 3 times, but if you are petite there are only two styles you can be, and I came out as natural which said I should be at least 5ft6 and over, I will try again.

@lindyloo57 Ive done the test a few times and find it confusing as each item seems to be given equal weighting. It does seem to me that all that stuff about your perceived height as opposed to your actual height probably only applies in photos. Therefore going by your actual height is probably likely to give the correct result.
After that it seems like bone structure is the next most important thing, but that can be difficult to tell if one is a stone or so overweight.
Looking at my friends and family there are a few people who obviously fit into a Kibby type - a tall glamorous aunt, and a petite fleshy DIL. But the majority of the people I know are just a bit average and not obviously any particular thing.

Thanks all

sorry wrong place..

@Orangello i find that really interesting, that you did as the test results suggested and got the reaction that you did. Have just started the test myself but it appears I need to take photos and measurements so will have to do another day. Did you expect to find you were a different ‘type’ to what the results suggested?

There are also some apps that promise to do the work for you. Haven't tried, but might see later if they agree.
Yes I was quite surpised, I've always believed I was a classical type and trying to wear clean, understated, simple clothes wth modest natural make up, so was very surprised when it came out as Soft Dramatic - but had to agree that my favourite oufits were actually of that style.

@Orangello I would have described myself as neutral / classical. What kind of things have you been wearing that was new to you and I would love to hear about your hair !

The current shoe trend is beginning to feel a bit weird to me. I've always preferred flat and chunky so by rights I should absolutely be in my element at the moment, and yet I've been looking at replacing some Chelsea boots and I'm finding myself drawn away from the chunky, thick soles and towards something sleeker.

I've no idea what's going on here. Am I subliminally picking up on some kind of change that's in the air?? I don't normally think of myself as an outlier though so I think it's more likely I'm just getting bored of chunkiness because I've been wearing it most of my life and now it's everywhere I'm sick of seeing it!

Boredom? Chunky boots have been around forever, I’m sick of them.

Partly boredom that's for sure. I know they've always been around, because I've been wearing them for decades. But now they're fashionable, everyone else is wearing them too and I see them everywhere I go. Yes I'm bored.

Hi @Pinkshoes71 - I wasn't familiar with Kibbe before, but I always believed my natural style is understated, simple and straight, sleek scandi style. Plain. Small delicate jewellery, nude make up. Hair also straight, sleek, middle parted.
Now I've been trying to follow the recommendations. So if I would have work a plain t-shirt with slim trousers, I now wear a draped cowl neck with wide leg. Instead of v-neck sweaters and regular collar coats, a big sailor collar and wide lapels work so much better.
I use my Airwrap every day to get big bouncy hair. Strong lipstick. Big jewellery and belts.
Materials as well, I used to love tweed and boucle, but I have to admit that they look just off on me. Have acquired several velvet pieces, which indeed just feel so much more 'me'.

But now they're fashionable, everyone else is wearing them too and I see them everywhere I go. Yes I'm bored.

I think things have become quite homogenous & shops all now offer a variation of the same thing so things get saturated. I don’t think social media helps.

@Orangello I think that’s fascinating! Will take some time over the weekend to do the test.