I have zero idea what's in fashion ... what have you clocked?

[JFDIYOLO]

I was ten when glam rock happened and through my teens, twenties and thirties I knew what was happening because I read Jackie (😊), then Company, Cosmo, Marie Claire, Elle, the occasional Vogue ...

Glam, punk, disco, new romantic pirates, Blitz kids, 80s Dynasty shoulder pads, 90s Donna Karan wrappy skirt and body and heels ... Each change was so swift, so intriguing over just a couple of decades. And I loved it. Through university and my new career and my single days.

I've just read a fascinating book on 20th century fashion that documents the astonishing changes in fashion as inextricably linked with politics, world events, new inventions, women's rights, etc etc etc.

I knew all the designer names mentioned in the book, which was published in 1999.

Then I got to thinking - I have absolutely no idea what happened next, in this century. I couldn't begin to tell you who's designing, who's big, who's setting trends, what names are lighting up the industry. I have no idea what the trends and directions are, how they're filtering down into the high street. I couldn't tell you what's happening from shop windows and people in the street or on TV.

I needed to go for a sit down last time checked how much a magazine costs today! 🤣

I don't think it's an age thing - being in my sixties doesn't equal 'and therefore can't possibly have any interest.'

So ..

What have you noticed? Who's on the radar? What's current and what's the next big thing?

Link to the book, please? I don’t really care what’s fashionable tbh. I browse Instagram and look at how websites style the models and then decide if it’s for me or not.

I like to know what’s current, but like Remus, won’t buy trends for trends sake and only go for what suits my personal taste.
In terms of what I’ve seen and read, I would say:
brown (divisive), heritage (argyle, tartan, pleats etc - but does that ever go away?) return of heels for going out, fake fur or fur (neither for me), florals on the wane (and ditsy florals a no, unless you are a young woman channeling the 90s), mock croc bags.
Next year’s colour of the year will be teal and a key trend will be art deco dressing.

Oh and I meant to add silk scarves / triangle scarves

From what I've noticed (but I'm no expert) - chocolate brown, burgundy, wide leg trousers, wide leg jeans, oversized jumpers, long wool coats, suede bags and coats and jackets, chunkier jewellery, tartan, pointy shoes with stiletto heels, faux fur, afghan coats. I think short skirts worn with tights and knee boots might be coming back into fashion too.

Definitely brown and quite fitted and flowing seem to be in all the A/W roundups. But it doesn't feel that different from 90s style.

I loved the whole 90s opaque tights / long sleeve high neck body / long slim wrap skirt / suede heels / statement earrings look.

Maybe I'll just rediscover that, now I've finally lost weight and am closer to the size I once was!

(A belated thought - I wonder if I've become interested again because I somehow deep down feel I'm 'worth' dressing well again because of that 😬???)

I know what you mean op. I think music is the same nowadays.

@wannanamechange Basically summed it up. Also, denim skirts are teetering on a revival also.

I find this website (and regular emails) useful for keeping on top of things.

https://www.whowhatwear.com/uk

I love the sound of this book, what was it?

I get Vogue for about £2.50, delivered. https://www.magazine.co.uk/magazines/vogue-magazine

I enjoy fashion but I'm reconciled to being stuck in a cycle of reinvented western 20th Century trends, albeit with new, Instagram-friendly names. I can't see much sign of that ending.

I think most of the biggest innovations of the last couple of decades have been in textiles and also in how fashion is marketed and sold to us. I expect that to continue.

That doesn't mean I don't enjoy watching what's out there, even if I'm a bit more jaded than I used to be. Most of the trends I'd have picked out have already been mentioned. I've not checked out Spring/Summer 2026 yet but, when I do, I'll probably browse the Collagerie website. There's a similar website that just focuses on the high street but the name escapes me for the moment. I've gone off Vogue (and I never thought I'd say that!) but I enjoy the Hello and Grazia fashion specials that come out every season. And I still like a good old fashioned walk around a big branch of H&M to see what trends are actually hitting the high street and how they're styling them.
https://www.collagerie.com/en-gb

I only use Instagram for vintage and for fashion history, which I find fascinating and I'm another one who'd love to know which book you read.

The Clothes Show did a good job of talking about fashion designers and trends. It was really interesting. I wish we had something similar now.

Yes Clothes Show was great

I would so love the Clothes Show to be revived.

I used to love The Clothes Show as well. I remember buying a load of perfume miniatures there, including a D&G one that was in a leopard print bottle, and an Alien miniature.
The catwalk shows were so exciting too.

Would also like a link to the book

The D&G one was probably the lovely By Dolce & Gabbana. Sadly discotinued but if you liked it, Jubilee Scents do a dupe. I don't have it but their dupes of Body Shop Dewberry, Lou Lou Blue and a couple of Nina Ricci ones are impressive so worth a try.

I used to love reading magazines like Grazia, Closer, Cosmo, even Good Housekeeping (Women's Health was also good for more skincare bits and gym stuff) but they've got so expensive, and Daily Mail do all their 'fashion' (if you can call it that) behind a pay wall, so I have no idea what is currently on trend.

I feel like I'm stuck in a bit of a style rut and live in jeans. It feels a bit alien to me as I always used to keep myself up to date with what was in but with my own twist.

Might have to go and buy some magazines tomorrow now.

Burgundy, brown and barrel leg jeans. I won’t be wearing any of them.

What seems to be next in fashion:
Wide legs seem to be on the way out, straight is back on the way in, barrel leg or 'interesting' shapes seems to be more popular in a trousers from than jeans
Texture is key- outfits seem to have several different textures throughout
Playing with seasons/ summer styles- I think people want a bit more use out of their dragon diffusion bags, there's more woven around than usual!
Things are becoming lower- trousers are puddling around shoes, waists are staying mid/ high but crotches are dropping a little, there still seems to be loose, dropped shoulders on everything. Very androgynous shapes really.
Chisel toes on boots, and slightly, strange, turned in heels?ll try to find a pic as it's hard to describe! But still flat. Very slim minimal shoes, nothing really chunky.
Shirts and jumpers as accessories- round your neck/ shoulders, round your waist.
Brooches- I've seen multiple things around for this lately.

I find substack very interesting to follow fashion trends, it seems a bit more 'current' than Instagram. It's also a bit easier to find stuff that sits a bit more relevant to you, IMO, rather than the cut and paste that's on insta a lot of the time. I really enjoy the little chat about why people are wearing what they are wearing, how they pick outfits, etc. there's a lady called Asta who has a very...unique...style, but also digs deep into styling principles that are normally interesting.

This shape heel, in both chunky or kitten, and chisel toes like the m& s

This lady on substack occasionally does a deep dive into recent fashion shows, and how they might translate to the high street
https://open.substack.com/pub/annacascarina/p/get-the-look-chanel-edition?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&shareImageVariant=overlay&r=2r04il

I think barrel leg look ridiculous. They make everyone look like they have tiny feet, too small for their body.

Oh yes, the Clothes Show!

I'll dig the book out tonight and show it. It has a review of 20th century looks then a directory of all the key designers of the century.

I have big feet so maybe barrel jeans could be an option for me!

You are spot on with your comment about it seeming like 90s style as I’ve seen 90s style referenced a lot recently. Particularly the minimalism and early Kate Moss.

Theres also a lot of heritage style with brands like Holland and Cooper doing well and Barbour doing a lot of collabs notably with French brands like Balzac.
In terms of micro trends those little triangular scarves with a hand knit look and hoods with a similar vibe seem to be everywhere this year and therefore presumably gone next year.
In terms of what’s coming next St Laurent and Gucci have both shown a silhouette with exaggerated shoulders, so perhaps an 80s revival might be here soon - though more Isabella Rossellini than Joan Collins.

Agree with all the trends noted here and more broadly the Covid years ushered in a much more casual look, where sportswear become everyday wear and hiking/technical fabrics are seen on every high street - I think it’s called “gorpcore” - think Borg fleeces, windsheeters and hiking socks over leggings. I’d bunch in the ubiquitous puffer jacket here. I remember going to New York in 2006 and being amazing by these crazy North Face coats they all wore. In the UK at the time we mostly wore wool coats in winter. Now the puffer is king.

I was amazed to see these in Urban Outfitters recently! Commented to teen dd that they were exactly what QE2 used to wear.