While I love the classics and have filled my closet with many timeless pieces, I still think it’s smart to keep up with what’s in style at the moment and what’s out. Even if you don’t want to look especially trendy, wearing a few fashion trends can help you look more stylish, more in the know. Don’t believe me? I’ve got five reasons you shouldn’t ignore the fashion trends.
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#1 – Trends are an indicator of where we’re headed, not just what’s in now.
Trends move. I often use the analogy of a train. You can get on board or you may get left behind.
That’s not to say you should hop on every train, um, trend. But the smart, stylish woman will at least keep abreast of where the trends are going. What direction are we moving in with hemlines, pant silhouettes, necklines, overall vibes, etc.? Many trends – like trains just heading out of the station – start slow, so you can jump on board a little later if you prefer. But don’t be caught stubbornly sitting in the station when the last train boards. You might miss out on something you’d really enjoy…eventually!
#2 – Refusing to adapt any new trends will set you apart from everyone else…and not in a good way!
I often encourage doubters to consider the female leads on the popular Downton Abbey. If you’re a fan you’ll surely remember that the two older sisters, Mary and Edith, were always keeping up with the fashion trends. I’m sure we’ll see them up to date and ever so stylish in the upcoming final movie this September. (Younger sister Cybil was a true early adapter with her harem style pants, but alas, she died early in the show.) Mother and countess, Cora, also kept up with the trends and her dresses got shorter and looser as the years went by. But up to the time of the the Dowager Countess’s death, Violet, played by the late Maggie Smith, remained stuck in the styles of the late 1800s. There was a notable difference in the ways the women dressed.
If we refuse to stay abreast of the trends and swear them off completely, we can end up looking out of touch and out of step. We’ll look unique alright, but not in a good way. No one will think to themselves, “Wow. That woman looks so classic.” Instead, they’ll assume you are just stubborn or clueless. Again, think Dowager Countess.
#3 – Fashion trends can be fun and expressive.
Trust me, I’m not advocating that we abandon our classic closets and embrace every fashion trend that parades by. In fact, women who wear too many trendy things can end up looking indecisive, immature and a little silly…like a little girl who doesn’t yet know who she wants to be when she grows up.
But as new fashion styles hit the market it’s fun to watch for the one or two that really resonate with you. These are the ones to adapt to your personal style with a tweak or two. Then you can enjoy using them to express yourself. Remember, fashion is part science and mathematics, but it’s also part art. Maybe it’s more art than anything else, even. Use a few well-chosen fashion trends to express yourself through your outfits of the day.
#4 – Some trends are MADE for you!
Truly, if you stay abreast of the fashion trends soon enough you’ll spot one or two that feel like they were absolutely made for you. For instance, I’m beyond happy that someone decided to start making high rise pants and they caught on like wildfire. High rise pants fit my balanced proportions and hour glass shape beautifully. They let me tuck in my little tummy, accentuate the smallest part of my torso and just feel good. So it’s time for me to ride this trend! What trend has come along in the past few years that resonates with you like that?
#5 – Wearing the on trend silhouettes will make you look modern and more youthful.
I saved the best for last. You know what I always say… Don’t try to look younger than you are with the way you dress. You’ll just end up looking silly, inauthentic, like you’re trying too hard. Instead, aim for modern. When you look current, you also look more vibrant, confident, like you’re in touch and you know what you’re doing. And that translates as youthful, alive, engaged.
The Dressed for My Day community is made up of women who (it seems to me) really do want to stay current and stylish. We’re mostly in our 50s and above. (I’m 61 and MANY of my readers are even in their 70s, 80s and 90s!) But I can tell from the emails I receive that you are women who do want to stay abreast of the fashion trends. You’re careful, thoughtful and calculated about how and if you wear them, mind you. And that’s okay. But, unlike the Dowager Countess of Downton Abbey, you are women who do want to confidently step out in modern styles, feeling current and fashionable. I applaud you for that!
So really I’m “preaching to the choir,” as they say. But I just thought it was all worth saying. Thanks so much for stopping in today. I’ve linked the items I wore above in the photo captions and in the shopping widget below. Everything runs true to size and I wear a size 30 in the pants, as usual. Let me know if you have any questions. But more to the point I’d love to hear your thoughts on keeping up with the fashion trends. Have a great day!
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Blessed for My Day
God is so good and gracious. He has promised so many amazing things in His Word, and He is sure to keep His promises. Many of those promises are contingent, not on our behavior or faithfulness, but purely on the character of God. Praise the Lord, for we are a fickle people.
But sometimes God does make promises that are dependent on our obedience. If we follow and obey, He blesses us beyond measure. If we do not obey, He sometimes states in His Word that He will withhold blessing. Why does God do this? For several reasons. First, for His own glory. He is holy and He cannot condone disobedience. But also for our good. God is a good Father, refusing to spoil us and insisting instead on maturing us. Are you keeping your end of the bargain today? Or is there an area of disobedience in your life that you need to set straight with the Lord?
As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, just as I promised to your father David, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’ ~ 1 Kings 9:4-5
I completely agree about trends. You can always adjust them to fit your style.
I am a classic dresser also. I have many blazers and love them. Oh, my I love blazers! lol I have tried the wide leg pants, only 2 or 3 basic colors for Spring and Summer. Not too wide. The slimmer wide leg and the utility jacket. This is as far as I am going. lol I have the similar stiped pants in navy and white, high waisted from Evereve? I like them because of the high waist. I too am over the moon with the high waist pants. More flattering. I really detested the low-rise pants and jeans of the past years. I was always pulling them up and did not look nice on even the young girls. Hated seeing their underwear. I wore my sleeveless white vest from last year with my blue and white stiped jeans
like you show. Looks so cute! back to blazers this Fall though.
My favorite current trend is jackets, especially the cropped length. I also follow some shoe trends. Because I am hard on shoes and go through them very fast (even the high quality shoes), I find that buying trending shoes works well for me. I don’t have to worry that they’ll be out of fashion the next year, because I’ll wear them out before they have time to go out of style.
Great blog today, staying modern and current is something I try to do! But I need to chuckle at your pants. I have a pair that are so similar, but a tan and white stripe. Same wide leg, high waist, etc. But mine are at least 12 years old! They were very trendy and a little over-the-top when I bought them, but they looked great on my size 10, 5’7″ frame and I took a chance on them! I may have only worn them a few times each summer, so they still look new and now I wear them once a week! You always look modern and classic at the same time, I appreciate your blog and videos very much. By the way, I am 71!
Thank you for this timely reminder about looking modern and adapting trends to our style and wardrobe.
I appreciate that you encourage us to “step out of the box”. Like many of your followers, I consider myself a classic dresser. I do like lightweight trends but I need to push myself to adopt them. I was pretty proud of myself when I purchased barrel jeans…and I do love them. Great post as always!
Maybe give a nod to the trends in your accessories more than in your clothes. That’s what I tend to do.
Great idea. Thanks for sharing.
I’m willing to try trends as long as they resonate with my personal style aesthetic. The recent trend that I’ve just come to love are the trouser jeans. I was immediately on board that train as soon as I found a pair that fit my petite proportions. 🙂 I really hope the future allows for multiple denim silhouettes permanently, because I want to keep the trouser jeans in my wardrobe for a long time!
You know, I really do think we are seeing a “widening” of the denim options. I think people are enjoying the freedom to have a variety of leg widths and hemlines and they’re going to stick around a while.
Funny but I’ve usually ended up, unintendedly, staying AHEAD of the trends just because I wear what I feel best in – whether it’s “in style” or not. Like cropped jackets. I’ve always preferred the way those look and the proportions it gives me. Never liked longer blazers or dusters on me. Also, I’ve been wearing wide leg and high waisted pants/jeans even before they became “on trend” again. Granted they were harder to find but they were out there and I was wearing them. Now everyone is also. Never got on board with skinny jeans or cropped pants..not for me.
Your point you made in #2, while valid, assumes that all of us care about the assumptions made by others regarding our style. Obviously, to some (including me) it is not the case.
Where I do usually give a “nod” to the trends, it’s in my accessories.
Thanks for your blog today!
Thanks so much for sharing. My second point wasn’t actually referring to what people thought about our style as much as the perception we give about ourselves through our appearance. I believe that we give non verbal cues about ourselves through the way we dress, and it’s not as much about fashion as it is about simply looking somewhat current and in tune. I’m not sure I’m making any more sense here than I was there 😂, but hopefully I’ve cleared the air a little. 😉
Thanks for clarifying. I guess this is the line that “threw” me: “Instead, THEY’LL assume you are just stubborn or clueless.” As stated, I don’t bother myself with what other people assume about my style.
Kay,
I wholeheartedly agree with you about high waisted jeans and pants….love..love..love them!
I stepped out of my comfort zone and bought a pair of striped pants and feel modern! Thank you for the inspiration!
Thank you for the BFMD, You do a fabulous job and I really enjoy your posts/blog.
High rise jeans, can we have an Amen!! And blazers, although I am struggling with finding one that has the fit I prefer. I have been disappointed with some I got that had a baggy silhouette. My preference is a more classic fit, more shaped. VB is just out of my budget but that is the fit I seek. Hoping to find something at the Nordy sale coming up. Love your pointers there!
In yesterday’s blog you waxed eloquent on THE bra. I went online to check it out. Waiting to hear your review though. In my experience (Soma and others) the no wire bras on a 34DD just doesn’t quit hit the fit mark. Typically, it will press the girls together making them sweaty or pouch out the top or down the bottom. There is just not enough structure to do a proper job. Looking forward to hear of others review as well.
Thank you, Kay for keeping us old gals (I’m 80) in the fashion know!
Kay, I struggle with a lot of the new styles because I’m petite and slender. Higher, wider, boxy and oversized clothes make me look lost. I look for things with some kind of fit, detail or classic line, and at 73 I don’t want to look childish.
Thankyou for your blogs. Really enjoy. Interesting that in Australia we are being persuaded to go sustainable. Good quality basics with a few trendy pieces. Op shopping is even encouraged due to the massive amount of clothes going to landfill since covid. Once was able to go shopping and get an idea of fashion. Since covid some stores have clothes from a couple of seasons and our major chain of Millers Noni B RIvers have actually closed down. Still working at 70 as a midwife and size 17 and tall so hard to find clothes that fit. However have relied on wardrobe using colours and new jackets to get me thru winter fashion. We are opposite to the states and never sure if we are behind or ahead. Do find if you wear clothes with confidence you are accepted and loved no matter what. THanks and God Bless
Good post. I got on board with high waisted wide leg jeans and pants as soon as they came back on the scene. I also like bootleg ot flares. Both styles make my short legs look longer. I never liked skinny jeans. I had a couple but I mostly wore straight leg jeans and pants. Crop jackets have always been in wardrobe since I’m petite. I like vests but I don’t want to show my arms. I hope they’re still trending in the fall and winter so I can wear a long sleeve top underneath. Accessories are another way to stay on trend. Love the BFMD message.
I loved this! Well said on trends, not trendy! But more than anything, thank you for the BFMD…..God has really been shaping me in this area of obedience. A “Christian looking” life should flow from a heart and life of obedience to God’s Word.I had written in my journaling for April that a BEST-lived life is a life of obedience. He esteems our obedience higher than any sacrifice. Thank You, Lord, for my precious sister, who brings us to YOU, and fashion, too!
Good morning! I love that outfit on you and may I say – you wear them better than the model on Evereve!!! I’m glad to see full length pants. I’ve never been able to adopt the cropped pant look. 2025 trends I’m embracing: Nautical!!! The bright colors, Red/White/Blue. Fisherman sandals – Love it all! I’m also loving Straw Bags this year! Are there more than usual? Does that make it a trend? Thanks for your joy & inspiration!
Kay, love this blog!
I too wear classics but decided to try a wide leg white pant from Talbots. Boy, did I get the compliments. Although, I’m 71 everyone thought I looked much younger!
I have also embraced the barrel pant trend. I am a size 10 and love the way it fits my body.
Makes you feel current and modern!
Thanks Kay for the Inspiration!
Betsy Ryan
Dunwoody, GA
If we were not interested in styles and trends, we wouldn’t be following your blog! Because I have a very casual retired life with a lot of gardening, I don’t always get to “dress up,” but when I do I would like to be current and also enjoy having something new. However, I don’t want to foolishly chase after everything that comes down the pike or feel overly influenced. I will admit to feeling a little unhappy when I hear that something I like, for example, waterfall cardigans, is out of style – I think it’s a fear of not keeping up, of not wanting to appear dowdy or frumpy, and it sends me back to high school days and ways of thinking that it’s all about having the “right clothes”, and I hope I’m beyond that at 69! I think the other thing that gives me pause is that, like a lot of women who are interested in this topic, I follow a variety of bloggers and have to sift through conflicting advice – one person will say that statement necklaces are out; the next one says they’re in and I’m looking back and forth like I’m at a tennis match. That’s when I have to decide for myself what I like and don’t feel foolish or out-of-touch wearing. But no, you won’t be finding me with a bustle or a hoop skirt anytime soon!
Love love those red/white stripe jeans–and I don’t normally wear red! Ha! And, I too, am THRILLED that there are high-rise jeans again! They also work for me and I need a pretty long rise. I really hope to never wear low-rise jeans again. Ha! Also, I love the Farm Rio dress that you wore this week. Just spectacular! Someday I’m going to splurge for a Farm Rio dress–they are an aesthetic that I really like.