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So what's fashionable now? Help!

163 replies

Ilovemyshed · 31/01/2025 07:50

Stuck in a complete run with my wardrobe and need a bit of a refresh to look a bit more up to date.

Winter I live in skinny jeans and a roll neck with ankle or knee high boots or wellies

Summer, cropped trousers and a tunic type top, with flats or trainers (trainer socks!)

Not great on stuff being tight around my middle as apple shaped so can't get away with belts or tight waistbands.

Can anyone share some looks, ideally pictures so I can update a bit.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
MrsJHernandez · 01/02/2025 15:26

I keep reading everywhere that skinny jeans are back in fashion.

The people saying they're unfashionable clearly don't keep up with trends!

Leggings can look terrible if the quality is bad, or you're the wrong shape because they don't hide anything. Some people look god awful in leggings. Just because it's "fashionable", doesn't mean you should wear it!

You don't say how old you are, so it's difficult to pick out actual items.

I think skinnies are a good choice and more versatile than leggings. Pair with a tshirt/vest top and chunky knit cardi, oversized tshirts look good and praticially any jumper.

With leggings, you need everything to be long enough to cover your bum and crotch, unless you've got a great figure and are young.

In summer, I would ditch the cropped trousers and tunic look. Its very dated, mumsy and unflattering.

You could try loose linen trousers (can go for cropped, but they make you appear shorter and larger than you are) or palazzo pants and vest top or tshirt.

Midi skirts and dresses are flattering on almost anybody if you get the right style. Plus they're short enough to throw on some wellies if you need to.

A-line denim shorts are a great choice as they accentuate your waist and bum but are just long enough to cover most of your thighs. Again, pair with a tshirt, vest top or shirt.

Linen shirts or tops are good in warm weather.

I like my straight (but loose) ripped jeans in the summer too, if it's not blazing hot. Mom jeans are also considered a fashion staple.

WineOfYourFiveADay · 01/02/2025 15:40

MsWintertowne · 31/01/2025 10:27

Have a look at this site - brilliantly curated selection of what’s currently mainstream fashionable at every price point:

https://www.collagerie.com

There’s another that covers just the High St, if only I could remember its name.

Newin.Style is the high-street one :)

Fallinggliders · 01/02/2025 16:10

5128gap · 01/02/2025 15:15

Yes. If you open the door to your massive posh house to the pizza guy and you're wearing skinnies, he will call the police and report there's been a break in.

Doesn’t Kate Middleton wear a lot of skinny jeans !! Just imagining her opening the door of Kensington Palace to the pizza delivery guy in her skinnies and him calling the police !! 🤣

Hell will have to freeze over before I stop wearing my skinnies !!

Charlottejbt · 01/02/2025 16:18

To be "paired with giant furry structural shrouds", apparently. Just when you think fashion can't get any worse... 😂

PuppyMonkey · 01/02/2025 16:23

I know PPs were saying we shouldn’t even come on Style & Beauty if we’re not actually interested in what’s in fashion at the moment but I believe old fogies like me are duty bound to point out where current fashion is bloody horrible. I clicked on that shopping website posted earlier about stylish things we should be coveting and this is one of them.Grin

Yikes

Tiered Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dress

Maxi dress designed with short puff-sleeves, and a voluminous skirt that falls into tiered layers with frills and gathers. Featuring an elastic waist with delicate pleats. Regular fit Keyhole button closure in the back Length of dress 128cm 50.4" (EU 3...

https://newin.style/products/tiered-puff-sleeve-maxi-dress

XxSideshowAuntSallyx · 01/02/2025 16:36

PuppyMonkey · 01/02/2025 16:23

I know PPs were saying we shouldn’t even come on Style & Beauty if we’re not actually interested in what’s in fashion at the moment but I believe old fogies like me are duty bound to point out where current fashion is bloody horrible. I clicked on that shopping website posted earlier about stylish things we should be coveting and this is one of them.Grin

Yikes

Honestly think sometimes these sites are having a laugh at the people who follow them.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/02/2025 16:39

There’s such nonsense on here these days. That dress is ridiculous- like something from the Disney shop.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/02/2025 16:40

And leggings look awful on 99% of the population imo. Okay for nipping to the shops or going for a walk, but not for proper dressing.

ERthree · 01/02/2025 16:48

I live in skinny jeans as it is easier to slide my wellies on, can you imagine the hassle of trying to squish wide leg trousers into your wellies a dozen times a day ! I also live in cropped trousers in the summer but as long as i look presentable i don't care. But i do try really really hard to hide my wealth and my age

SpikeGilesSandwich · 01/02/2025 17:28

I don't get the leggings thing, unless someone has invented leggings with decent pockets and not told me?

heddy007 · 01/02/2025 17:33

SpikeGilesSandwich · 01/02/2025 17:28

I don't get the leggings thing, unless someone has invented leggings with decent pockets and not told me?

loads of leggings have pockets nowadays… down the side of the leg… love them … they r more expensive but not see through

Ceejadess · 01/02/2025 18:00

Would love a recommendation for some non see through black leggings. I have some sporty type ones but they don’t go with everything.

pandapopadance · 01/02/2025 18:03

Sweaty Betty super soft leggings. Thicker material with a pocket and don't go saggy. Available in 2 lengths.

heddy007 · 01/02/2025 18:16

Ceejadess · 01/02/2025 18:00

Would love a recommendation for some non see through black leggings. I have some sporty type ones but they don’t go with everything.

Matalan / M&S / ASOS do some good quality leggings very reasonable prices

HereComesEverybody · 01/02/2025 18:30

I'm 54 & 5ft 9" size 12 & i haven't worn skinny jeans since around 2021 & even then they were feeling tired to me.

I see people (men & women) wearing them & for the greater majority they look very dated imo

I agree with @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie & also think that leggings are awful as proper clothing. I can see why people wear them to exercise etc but I think they're dreadful & don't suit the majority of the people wearing them.

HereComesEverybody · 01/02/2025 18:32

I'm also not a fan of the flouncy dresses that seem to be around either.

I think fashion is pretty disappointing these days & I often long to have lived in another age - clothes wise only!

TheBunyip · 01/02/2025 18:45

Crazykefir · 31/01/2025 23:47

Oh no I wore skinny jeans today😮

I’m afraid we were all laughing at you because you looked poor 😞

seriously though OP, MN is not always a good place to ask for clothes advice. Spend a few hours on Instagram. Chuck in some search terms that describe things you like to do and the kind of person you are “40s outfit of the day” “size whatever dog walk uk” and let the algorithm deliver you a variety of looks. Like and save a few to get feel for what you like. Disregard fashion, or alleged class markers 🙄. Order a bunch of stuff, try out, return what doesn’t work and once you’ve identified a few brands or types of things you like hit up Vinted.

JPMJuliz · 01/02/2025 18:53

Thornybush · 01/02/2025 14:47

Oh lordy I'm uncool, old and broke then 😅🤣

Ditto!!

SurferRona · 01/02/2025 19:06

@TightPants in case @TimingOff doesnt come back to you I recently bought two pairs of these and my gosh they are SO good! The denim is amazing quality (like Japanese selvedge) and their straight leg jeans tailoring shape is INCREDIBLE. They are straight but slightly tapered so feel very ‘now’ after wide leg jeans and trousers. Not quite as fitting as skinnies with their typical stretch. High waist on me (5 4), site says size up and I would agree. And it’s a community company, all UK manufactured and made. And only £95 😳. I have 200£ and even 300£ jeans, they don’t get close to Community Clothing brand jeans.
https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/womens-jeans/products/womens-straight-leg-mid-rise-jean?variant=44390274957589

if you want true straight, which are straight from hip (can feel slightly wide on me) then Levi’s 501s are the classic. But Community Straight still beats them hands down!

Women's Straight Leg Mid Rise Jeans - Indigo

FitMid-rise waistline, cut close to the body through the thigh and knee and continue straight to the hemAvailable in two leg lengths, Regular (29" inside leg) and Long (31" inside leg) Fabric95% cotton 4% recycled polyester 1% elastane comfort stretch...

https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/womens-jeans/products/womens-straight-leg-mid-rise-jean?variant=44390274957589

Iloveyoubut · 01/02/2025 19:09

Whoopsss · 31/01/2025 10:24

I like skinny jeans but they have been out for over 5 years and if you still wear them it looks like you haven't shopped in 5+ years. You know when someoje was locked up for so long and they emerge on release with their old but not quite vintage yet clothes? It's like that 🤣
Skinny jeans and jeggings have different fabric and stitching so it's not like leggings..the leggings also can't be cheap polyester stuff and definitely no baggy around knees or ankles which some jeggings have.
Fashion is frivolous and relies on consumerism 🤷‍♀️ you can ignore it and march to the beat of your own drum but I just commented in light of mainstream current taste. I personally think skinny jeans make more sense in UK's cold and rainy weather but it's not fashionable so next best thing is sporty, more expensive leggings.

Literally every store still sells them though. In abundance.

ValentineValentineV · 01/02/2025 19:13

The comment about skinnies and wealth is interesting, I just returned from a really expensive hotel in Switzerland (£800 per night). The guests looked very wealthy and a lot of the women wore their skinnies with lovely belts.

SpikeGilesSandwich · 01/02/2025 19:31

@heddy007, thanks, I'll have a look. Still need to lose a ton of weight first, I'm too wobbly for leggings Blush

LostittoBostik · 01/02/2025 19:34

amoreoamicizia · 31/01/2025 10:37

How are skinny jeans a marker of wealth? If anything it would be the opposite because it means you haven't updated in ten years.

Yeah, that's exactly the point she was making

LostittoBostik · 01/02/2025 19:38

SurferRona · 01/02/2025 19:06

@TightPants in case @TimingOff doesnt come back to you I recently bought two pairs of these and my gosh they are SO good! The denim is amazing quality (like Japanese selvedge) and their straight leg jeans tailoring shape is INCREDIBLE. They are straight but slightly tapered so feel very ‘now’ after wide leg jeans and trousers. Not quite as fitting as skinnies with their typical stretch. High waist on me (5 4), site says size up and I would agree. And it’s a community company, all UK manufactured and made. And only £95 😳. I have 200£ and even 300£ jeans, they don’t get close to Community Clothing brand jeans.
https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/womens-jeans/products/womens-straight-leg-mid-rise-jean?variant=44390274957589

if you want true straight, which are straight from hip (can feel slightly wide on me) then Levi’s 501s are the classic. But Community Straight still beats them hands down!

Thanks for this link, I love a straight leg. Giant jeans make me look like a 19 year old looking for their skateboard. I don't mind a wide leg trouser for work, but as a shortie I think a straight leg is much more my thing

SurferRona · 01/02/2025 19:48

LostittoBostik · 01/02/2025 19:38

Thanks for this link, I love a straight leg. Giant jeans make me look like a 19 year old looking for their skateboard. I don't mind a wide leg trouser for work, but as a shortie I think a straight leg is much more my thing

God yes! First time I pulled them on, I realised exactly that 🤣. Dress to height. And proportions! They make me happy and confident every time I wear them.

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