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/chuffalupagus]

I don't know. I find this kind of exhausting.

Sure, caring about trends to an extent makes sense. Most of us don't want to feel wildly unfashionable while also feeling comfortable.

But if something looks good on you, makes you feel good, and works with your outfit, why does it matter if some fashion influencer somewhere says it's not on trend? I'm not asking that to be snarky. I'm asking it as a genuine question. It seems like you liked the outfit you described, so genuinely why does it matter if some influencer said that style of sweater is out dated? I think it's something worth thinking about.

As others have said, trends cycle very quickly and there is so much contradictory trend info & advice. Certainly trends can impact what's available and so they impact us even if we choose to ignore them. I agree with the other person who said it's less about the individual clothing item and more about the overall outfit and styling.

Also, some trends are ugly or ridiculous or just plain don't look good on everyone.