The trends don’t rule us! At any age, and especially over age 40, we don’t have to wear what the style experts are trumpeting for any given season. We can always dress just as we please (work dress codes/uniforms excepted) and express our personalities with our wardrobes.Fashion is a big business, and there’s a lot of dough invested in persuading us to shop. If you saw The Devil Wears Prada, you’ll remember Miranda’s rant about how many great minds are involved in your choosing a sky blue sweater. It’s a bit intimidating, but doesn’t change the fact that we can wear any color sweater we choose.
And trends are created by designers, retailers, runway shows, and magazines, to help us get dissatisfied with last year’s clothes – and buy new ones. I know a lot of you who read this blog are fans of second-hand and thrift shopping. I’ll bet most of you don’t swoon every season for a new trend, and plop down the big bucks. But we are smarter than the average bear, yeah? 😄
All these grumpy remarks notwithstanding, I have found some Spring/Summer trends I love (of course, they’re not new-new, just recycled from seasons long ago), and that I will happily wear.
For Spring/Summer I am keen for these trends:
Embroidery. I’ve always been a fan, even though I dress pretty simply. There’s something about an added touch of color and pattern that is appealing.
I love the sparkly embroidery at the neckline of this fab kaftan. I found it at Pink Cheetah Vintage, a cool online shop.
This runway look from the Giambattista Valli Spring 2019 Show may be too-too, but it’s inspiring.
Interesting sleeves. I’ve never been a fan of the “cold shoulder” trend, but I do enjoy a statement sleeve. Unusual seaming, bishop style, tiered, I like them all.
These loose, wide sleeves are almost able to make me airborne.
Blush and “tea green” and other sorbet colors. Well, I had a hard time finding pictures of me in sorbet colors! But I love these colors for accessories: a colorful scarf, necklace, and even shoes can provide a lift to any outfit.
I had to look back over a year to find a blog picture of me that fits this trend! But no worries, I’ll be sporting some pastel wigs this spring. : >
Tiered hems. They’re fun to wear, feminine, and coincidentally, on trend this season!
I love an interesting hemline. This one isn’t precisely tiered, but I’ve got others – all vintage. Now they’re back!
Love the white outfit on the far left. Source.
What say you all? Do you enjoy incorporating new trends?
Keep joy in your heart, and stay fabulous, xo,
Here’s some cool pieces to mix in with your basics:
Links à la Mode: fashion roundup by Independent Fashion Bloggers
- 5 Ways To Wear Black Joggers by Life With Mar
- Vogues by Golden Med Girl
- Trends Don’t Rule Us! (But Here Are 4 I Love) by Not Dead Yet Style
- Star Wars OOTD: Let the Past Die by Anakin and His Angel
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I gave up on following trends many years ago, but it is nice when something I like (embroidery, dramatic sleeves) are in style which means I will be able to find them secondhand next season.
Yes, same here. Seems a lot of us have a fondness for embroidery. xox
I’m not really influenced by trends, but love it when one of the things, or colours, I love suddenly become trendy. So, I do welcome embroidery and statement sleeves, as this means these will turn up in the charity shops next season! I love that funky sorbet coloured dress on you! xxx
Thanks, Ann, and I feel the same about our favorites trickling down to the thrifts! xox
I’m never swayed by trends but if things I like become fashionable I’m happy, it means I can find them in charity shops weeks after the fashion followers have tired of them.
I love a massive sleeve and beautiful embroidery.
You look wonderful in your kurta (a kaftan doesn’t have side splits), what a great buy from Becky! xxx
So true – the clothes make their way to the second-hand shops quickly, for us to snap up! Have a great weekend, xox.
I’m all over these trends (heck, I’ve been doing embroidery for decades!), but Patti, what made me squee was that peachy wig! You would look fantastic in that colour! I get so many compliments from the younger folks on my lavender hair (far more than the askance-looking older crew!). Go for it!
Thanks Sheila! You are bold with your hair color and look fabulous. xox
I tend to wear what I like, whether it’s on trend or not, but it’s always nice when it is! Love bell sleeves and embroidery any time. Ironically, I re-watched The Devil Wears Prada last night and the “you think this has nothing to do with you” scene is my favorite scene!
Karen
Yes, “Miranda” is at her haughty best in that scene! Stay fabulous and have a good weekend, xox.
I also enjoy having a look at new trends, even the most flamboyant runway looks!. I think they can be inspiring and keep us in touch with modern fashion (if we like it!).
I love embroidered anything and interesting sleeves!
besos
Yes, me too – it’s inspirational to look at the top of the designers’ lines and think about how to bring them down to earth. Happy Friday! xox
I love the embroidered look, especially if the colours are put together well. I have a cream waistcoat with the most beautiful coloured threads embroidered onto it – its probably over twenty years old. Unfortunately a little snug on me now, it is so beautiful – I don’t think I’ll ever part with it. Love your Kaftan – I’ve been looking for one for the summer, they are such a versatile item to have in your wardrobe.
Alison
xx
Hi Alison! That cream vet sounds beautiful, I would keep it too. Have a wonderful day and weekend, xox.
I’m a big fan of embroidered anything.
Although I love statement sleeves I sometimes find them challenging to wear without dipping them in my soup ; P
That kaftan is gorgeous on you.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Thanks Suzanne. There is the soup and the marinara problem with big sleeves! xox
I also am drawn to embroidery lately. I was thinking about turning a stained tablecloth embroidered by my grandma into a summer dress–I can cut around the stain, which I haven’t been able to get out. What I appreciate is hand work, anything a little special that isn’t mass-produced. That includes interesting silhouettes.
You look like a young Helen Mirren in that smooth wig.
The embroidered tablecloth sounds dreamy, TOF. How great that you can re-fashion and enjoy it. Thanks for the lovely compliment about Dame Helen! xox
I’m with you on some of these “trends” that have never gone out of style in my closet.
When I was a skinny teen in the late 60s and early 70s, there was a a clothing line called ‘Young Edwardian’ by Arpeja. They made the most (to me) exquisite things with fabulous sleeves, unusual collars, tea dyed lace and all kinds of interesting and extraordinary details-buttons, embroidery, brooches that came with some of the dresses, seemingly one of a kind prints.
While I would love to be able to wear the rich hippie/boho look all the time, it’s not practical so finding something richly embroidered, even if it’s a pair of flats or a scarf, suits me fine. An unusual sleeve gets my vote and my dollars, too. What I call affectionately call “hideous shoes” seem to be coming back, too, at least platformy, orthopedic looking clunkers, and those too are always a comfy staple in my shoe wardrobe-on trend or not. For me regarding shoes, the uglier the better. Pointy, flat and embroidered? YES!
You always look timeless, Patti, and I think a big part of that is because you have found and embraced your Look. <3
Thank you, Cee. I remember “Young Edwardian” too when I was a teen, and swooned over that look. I think Mick Jagger wore it for a while, lots of velvet and ruffles.
I am so with you on shoes. If they’re considered “ugly” I have to have them! xox