The fashion world is not what it used to be in my younger days. I remember there being a few very key trends and themes to chose from and a couple of in colours and that was it. So there was actually some chance of trying all, or most of the trends, and if you did not like the overarching look then the choice was to be unfashionable or stick to your own style or tribe. Now – and perhaps it is a good thing, things are more fluid, and there are now many many options to chose from. This Spring – I’ve scanned through quite a few sources of info, and here is a common example of the kind of thing I’ve found:
I really like Who What Wear and enjoy reading their articles. However the only 17 trends you need to know about? That is a lot! Therefore I have done a little of the hard work for you and come up with the following lists of what might work for those of us over 40, and those trends which might be just that bit harder to pull off. Its all very subjective of course – if you love a trend go for it. There really are absolutely no rules dictating what you can and can’t wear or should, just some suggestions of what might be easier to work with. Some of them I am just not sure about, so I am labelling them as “on the fence”… (I have put an asterisk against those trends where I might already have something in my wardrobe)
| Hot over 40 | On the fence | Not so over 40 |
| 1. Bright paint box colours* | 1. Platform Shoes* | 1. Low-rise jeans |
| 2. Cut out details | 2. Oversized blazers | 2. Most crop tops |
| 3. String, wrap, details | 3. Long unstructured trench coats | 3. Bikini style tops, knitted bralets |
| 4. Wide leg trousers/ suit trousers* | 4. 90’s butterfly tops/embellishments* | 4. Micro mini skirts |
| 5. Demin jumpsuits | 5. 90’s style slip dresses* | 5. Some of Y2K Juicy Couture tracksuits, sheer patterned tops |
| 6. Flared and wide leg jeans* | 6. Feather details/ embellishments on jeans* | 6. Ultra oversized blazers |
| 7. Sheer fabrics and details* | 7. Maxi skirts | 7. Very big bags |
| 8. 90’s style bags | 8. Catsuits | 8. School uniform! |
| 9. Fringing* | 9. Tailored shorts | 9. Puff balls |
| 10. Co-ords/suits | 10. “Romantic” e.g. Edwardian lace and ruffle styling on dresses | 10. Unstructured oversized tailoring |
There is a rule of thumb that if you wore it the first time round you should probably steer clear of it the second time. I think this can be helpful – but its really about being selective and thinking about what might actually suit you. Also is this really the same trend? Or is it a nod or homage to it in some way? I actually do in fact have a few items left from the 90’s – for example a crop top with a butterfly on it and a butterfly necklace. I also have a few of late 90’s/early 2000s slip dresses. I keep them for nostalgic reasons and also because occasionally these pieces come in useful. For example a teenage daughter who had nothing to wear at a family Christening took a liking to a dress I wore in my late 20’s. Would I wear these items myself? Well its not ruled out it the right occasion came around, however I am probably more interested in styling what is a little newer rather than looking back to (gulp) 30 years ago!
So why are the trends (photos all from an article from refinery29.com) in the right hand column not for me?
- Low rise jeans – very uncomfortable, and also unflattering if you don’t have a wash board toned stomach which most of us do not (at any stage in our lives!)
- Most crop tops – not warm enough (for most of the year) also showing off parts we probably are not so keen to display most of the time. I am reserving these for the gym or possibly the beach
- Bikini style tops/bralets – too revealing, not enough support
- Micro-mini skirts – I don’t have the legs, not sure I ever did actually – just too much on display especially in summer
- Y2K – I refer you to my previous comments about the first time around. My daughter and son are loving and wearing the Juicy Couture tracksuits. However I refuse to go around with “Juicy” on my backside written in sequins ;0(
- Ultra over sized blazers – just very unflattering on most figures, make you look bigger than you are, just too cool in the wrong way for me
- Very big bags – just don’t like these, think they look ugly and out of proportion. However you can of course get a lot in them
- School uniform – don’t really need to go into why this is not a good one. I do like a pleated or tartan type skirt in winter with opaque black tights – but absolutely not in summer or in anything that resembles a school uniform. I was in Zara recently and I found myself admiring a burgundy blazer. Then I realised I couldn’t possibly buy it as its the same colour as the ones my children wore throughout high school – LOL
- Puff balls – the trend seems to be wearing these over other things like puff ball skirts over trousers or very short puffy dresses. I really yearned for a puff ball skirt in the 80’s but never had one. I did have a Ra Ra though. Anyway I think its best to give this one a miss
- Unstructured over sized tailoring. This is definitely something I am not keen to do in either coats or jackets. Just swamps me and does not flatter my figure whatsoever. However I can see the merit in some trousers and shirts if worn the right way
In contrast what are some of the things on my Wishlist for Spring-Summer 2022
I really like these Denim jump-suits from Reiss. The halter neck one is possibly less versatile but its currently on sale.
In terms of cut out details it does not need to be too overt. I really like these lace shirts from Lipsy which incorporate both the sheer and cut out trends in one.
I could also do with some more loungewear co-ords as practically speaking these are my most worn items. River Island does some great sets as I have highlighted in a previous blog post highlighting my favourite retailers. Here are some that I have my eye on.
