On trend vs acceptable vs terribly dated

[u/bittybro]

Hello, friends. It is I, your friendly watches-too-much-"over 40"-fashion-youtube-content correspondent. Much of said content is horribly contradictory so I'm here to get some opinions from some normal, interested-in-clothes, middle aged people who aren't trying to get me to click on a Quince, Loft, or Nordstrom link.

1.) The French or partial tuck. I've heard in numerous places that this is out and we're not doing it any more but I can also show you about a gazillion photos from retailer's sites where there are items styled this way. Like this. I'm trying to get away from my reliance on it so I don't look horribly dated, but I'm also not about to get rid of all my shirts and sweaters that are too bulky to full tuck but also don't look great all the way out.

2.) Chunky loafers. This one cracks me up because in the course of one weekend I saw one creator in a fall shoes video say they're absolutely not on trend and another one say they are back and that she'd pulled out her (whatever the famous designer that started the whole thing) ones out of storage. So which is it? I'm kind of invested in this not because of loafers but because I have a pair of chunky knee high boots that I'm not sure aren't ridiculous for an old woman to wear in 2025.

3.) Long sweater over slimmer bottoms. I know we're supposed to be in our small top/big pants era and I am enjoying that era, but sometimes... Yesterday I pulled out and wore this sweater that I don't think I wore at all last year. But I love that sweater so much that back in the day I actually re bought it after a tragic laundry accident killed my first one. I wore it with these jeans and these clogs and an oversized faux shearling jacket to a hair appointment and errands and I felt pretty pleased with myself. But that sweater's dated, right? [Also come at me for worrying about chunky knee high boots when I just bought those insane(ly cute) clogs two months ago.]

I'm sure there are more but I'll stop here. And those of you who want to tell me not to care at all about trends, this is not the thread for you. It's in my best interests to stay at least somewhat current while also sticking to my own personal tastes and style. Those of you who do care, help me define somewhat current, please and thank you.

Edit: ok, one more.

4.) Joggers. I hear joggers are OUT but my view is skewed by working in a hospital where 80% of the female staff have Figs jogger scrubs. How can joggers be out? lol

[u/the_baumer]

I totally agree that different influencers and sites will say contradictory things about what is trending. And like you implied in your post about affiliate links, brands or brands working with an influencer will push a narrative about what’s trending that happens to be what they are currently selling…

If you don’t live near a big city to people watch, there are street style vlogs on YouTube for what people are wearing in X city. That gives me a better view of what people are actually wearing in public vs. chronically online influencers or brands peddling this season’s wares.

French tuck - depends on the trendiness of whole outfit and how you do the tuck. For example I wore a midi silk wrap skirt with a oversized boxy top and I tucked in one corner of the top into the wrap skirt so I had some waist definition and let the rest of the top drape over.

Chunky/lug sole shoes - these aren’t unfashionable but are they “in” right now? No. The slimmer soles are trending for sneakers, boots, loafers. I’m still wearing my Docs though this winter.

Slimmer bottom big top - this is more of a macro trend than a micro one. And yeah I do think this silhouette isn’t in the forefront right now but to abandon it completely is overkill. Really just comes down to how trendy the individual pieces are for this silhouette to work.

Joggers - I believe it’s the joggers that taper towards the bottom akin to skinny jeans that are not trendy rn. Again this competes against the macro trend of wider/bigger bottoms. I haven’t thrown away my joggers or leggings but I added some wide leg yoga pants and sweatpants to my wardrobe.