Finding the line between stylish and fashion victim

[WizardinTraining]

I’m sitting in a cafe having a coffee and doing a bit of people watching, I find it fascinating to look at what people choose to wear among other things.

I’ve seen loads of people in the leggings/big puffa coat/ pulled up white socks and clumpy trainers look and also quite a few in slightly wacky jumpers, loose fitting jeans and retro trainers, usually Adidas. I know both looks are quite trendy (here anyway) but because so many people are wearing them it looks a bit try-hard and uniform. But people in eg skinny jeans and a big leopard scarf look slightly dated.

I know none of this is important at all and I’m far from stylish myself although I do try! But I wonder where the line is between looking like you know what’s ‘in’ and not being a bit of a sheep. Is it just wearing one or two items rather than head to toe ‘fashionable’ or something else?

Not helpful, but I think for the most part, fashionable is very different from stylish. Indeed, as you have noticed, fashionable does not equate stylish.

Boring I know, and again not helpful, but all the stylish (and best-dressed) people I know do not follow fashion trends. Although that said, they might hint at them with just one item.

---

I’ve seen loads of people in leggings/big puffa coat/ pulled up white socks and clumpy trainers look and also quite a few in slightly wacky jumpers, loose fitting jeans and retro trainers, usually Adidas.

Edited to add that the two outfits you mention are not anything I would wear, and don't even own any of the items. I only know one person who dresses like this and I do not consider them stylish at all. I also think the look is more generic than on trend/fashionable.

I don't do the puffa / clumpy trainer look or even wear leggings, as I found a style years ago, which comes and goes into fashion but has served me well, suiting my lifestyle, shape and budget. I often wonder if the 'uniform' approach to clothing you see (varies from area to area, but you can tell there is an unwritten guide somewhere) is to feel like you don't stand out and are part of a tribe, something that makes you feel more comfortable.

What sort of things do the stylish people you know wear, @bunnybunnybunnybunny ? do they not even conform to overarching trends like wide leg trousers, or oversized vs fitted?

I know a lot of posters on here think the style and fashion are completely different concepts, but I think they're far more closely related than we like to believe. There's sometimes a reluctance to accept that we're influenced by fashion but I know I am and I don't really care, in fact I enjoy it.

A handful of us are true innovators but I think that, for the vast majority, what we consider stylish is largely driven by what we're accustomed to - we see things we like and we copy or adapt them.

Some of us do it better than others but as long as you're having a good time, I don't think it really matters and I don't think there's a clear line.

I think maybe stylish people understand what doesn't suit them from fashion trends and steer clear. This socks pulled up business makes everyone's legs look shorter and it's just not an elegant look. A lot of the looks are like that at the moment, eg big 90s trainers and baggy jeans.

Potentially, developing that a bit further, stylish people are more interested in style over comfort whereas the vast majority of people now favour comfort over style. I'm not judging people who do that, or saying I'm stylish, but getting that balance is tricky and a lot of people don't care enough.

I also think it is about nods to trends rather than the whole hog, or combining things in more interesting ways. I think ultimately you have to care though, so you take time to think things through. It's easier to grab whatever is in the shops or not bother at all.

@happyshineyperson

No, not really.

There's a fine line between oversized and too big, and on me most oversized things look like I'm wearing someone else's clothes, ones that do not fit me. Do I like and wear 'big' coats? Yes, have always preferred this look. However, I don't like puffa or padded coats, so don't own any. That said, I do think they can look fabulous on others - a v. stylish friend has a beautiful Yohji Yamamoto quilted coat although it's more duvet like than quilted.

Do I wear fitted clothes, yes. Again, it's a fine line between fitted and too tight.

As for wide leg trousers, I loathe them (on me). A shame, I love the whole Katharine Hepburn wide-trouser look.

It's fair to say that I and those I consider dress to suit their build/frame, and some trends don't necessarily work in this respect.

I think style is knowing what trends to ignore and what to pick up on and that people can work in to their own style. I also think that the people I see out and about who I consider stylish just look confident in what they wear in terms of not pulling things up or down etc.

I look rubbish in wide legged trousers too so stick to my skinny jeans even though I probably look tragic

To quote @TheOGCCL

I think maybe stylish people understand what doesn't suit them from fashion trends and steer clear.

Absolutely this.

Accessories - bags, jewellery scarves etc. etc. as well as hair, make-up, nail varnish is a way to buy into trends (if wanted)

I'd be bored senseless if I only wore things that are supposed to suit me and there's no way I'd avoid wearing something I loved because of it. I don't really mind if that means I'm considered a bit of a victim. I don't expect I'll be lying on my deathbed thinking, 'If only I'd never worn those wide leg trousers.'