COMMENTS

35 responses to “Open Thread Update: Fashions To Bring Back in Style”

1. Most clothes are very poor quality: terrible materials (very thin, very transparent, very «plastic»), crooked seams, stitches missing, tops cut too low, showing too much flesh, skirts too short. I long for quality and aesthetic, feminine cuts for a female body. We can always buy men’s clothing (I do!) if they fit better or are more practical. I’m tall and slim, men’s casual sweaters and sports clothes are good for me. I love leggings in winter, soft, warm, confortable. But I need trousers too!

   Reply to Conceição Brito - Lisbon, Portugal

2. Just a late comment. I would like to see longer skirts. Some of us have bad-looking legs. I like to wear skirts but quit since ladies don’t wear hose. I have nothing to hide the veins in my legs. Long skirts would be nice.

   Reply to CM

   1. I despise the sleeve length of blouses! Either make it a true cap sleeve or wrist-length. For the last number of years, most sleeve blouse lengths seem to end right below the elbow crook. Whassup with that? It’s neither here nor there, so I find them simply annoying to wear.
      I also miss wide-leg jeans, so whenever I spot a pair somewhere in a catalog or on-line I order right away.

      Reply to Dianna M

3. I totally agree with Hats, I still have mine, and also shoulder pads, yes, I wish this would be fashion again.

   Reply to Trudy

4. Clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton, silk, wool and linen, not synthetics.

   Reply to Lisa

   1. I SO agree! What happened to all the gorgeous wools we used to have? And so many of those wool pieces really never go out of style. (I still have some in my closet . . . if only I could still fit into them!) Polyesters and all synthetics are made from oil and plastics and are part of what is killing our planet also. And the natural fabrics are warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

      Reply to EVA

      1. I totally agree with everything Eva said. I can’t wear polyester unless it is balanced with some cotton. And wool always looks fine. What about bamboo?
         I need to know more about that.

   2. I couldn’t agree more!! I am allergic to synthetics

      Reply to Conceição Brito - Portugal

5. I would love to try the 20’s flappers clothing!
   They have soft lines, loose fitting, sophisticated, elegant, sexy and comfortable looking, all at once!

   Reply to Rosa Fang

6. I would like for people to wear actual slacks, dresses, blouses. Far too often are people wearing exercise clothing . I.e leggings EVERYWHERE!. It is difficult to find tailored slacks without paying a ridiculous amount.

   Reply to Sonja

7. I would love to see shoulder pads come back again. All different sizes & widths to balance out a new outfit. And a beautiful hat to go with it

   Reply to Carol Lamon

8. I agree with the shoulder pads! They make you look straighter and give you a better shaped body – no slouching.

   Reply to Bookworm

   1. I’ve kept shoulder pads from my 80’s dresses and blouses, and I still wear them (small ones) when they fit and make me look better!

      Reply to Conceição Brito - Portugal

9. So many people have decided to make jeans and a T shirt their uniform Not only do they not take pride in their attire but many seem to have lost it in themselves
   Tanking pride in your garments speak to how you see yourself and take care of your body
   Fashion is great tool and those you mentioned v speak volumes

   Reply to Cherryl Kovarsy

10. You totally nailed it, Virge! As I age, I’m inclined to seek out slightly more “covered up” clothing that doesn’t look prudish or stuffy. Too much merch is targetted at much-younger models. Brands like Chicos, Talbot’s, Soft Surroundings and others not only feature “mature” models but give is some workable options that wear well, pack well, wash well and otherwise suit our older bodies and toned-down lifestyles.

    Reply to Hollis Wagenstein-Hurturk

    1. thanks for the comment, Hollis! The merch selections are insane. Belly shirts? Skirts up to your, um, hoohah? The other issue I find is that a lot of clothing is made from fabric so thin I can read the Times through it. Thank God for thrift shops.

       Reply to Virge

11. Where can I buy the real high waist genes…ones I’ve found are still inches below waist.

    Reply to Jane Tate

    1. Old Navy has some high waisted jeans. I usually shop online, so I’m not sure if they are in the brick and mortar stores.

       Reply to Rhonda H

    2. Jan

       Reply to Jane, Kohls has a few jeans that are "at the waist". Curvy, fit for women with hips

    3. Jane Tate,
       Have you tried NYDJ jeans,
       Not Your Daughters Jeans?

       I bought a pair 5-6 years ago, straight legged and traditional, I’ve been very happy with. I am short-waisted-a high waist- that most pants feel wrong.

       They have good sales, ie, 30% off and such.

       Good luck!

       Reply to Rosa Fang

12. Would love to see evening dresses with sleeves!

    Reply to Diane McLaughlin

13. Definitely hats! I have been collecting them for quite awhile. I love looking in antique shops for them. I also like drop-waist dresses and shoulder pads.

    Reply to Jilian Giles

14. Oh, bring back quality leather boots with a moderate heel, and classic little black dresses with easy waistlines, and open-toed stacked-heel slingbacks as the ideal summer shoe. And bring back Danskin leotards paired with hip-hugger bell bottoms and golden hoop earrings — my college uniform during summer months.

    Reply to jeanne powell

15. I would love to see the return of shoulder pads and gorgeous hats. They provide a vibe that says, “Empowered women can also be beautiful “!

    Reply to Snowflake

16. I too like high waisted pants, though Jean seams are too bulky and bother my tail bone now. So I am having to look for comfortable but nice looking pants. I love hats and yes stores need to carry more hat styles and sizes. I have a lot of hair so need to wear hats for larger heads. It makes it hard having to buy them online and hope the color is the right shade of red. plus wondering if the hat will fit or not. Just seems like you can’t find what you want in the stores.

    Reply to Aylea Butler

17. Definitely high waist jeans, & flared bottoms. So much more flattering than skinny legs.

    Reply to Carol Nicholson

18. I need pockets and elasticized waistlines in all pants. I love soft jersey pants with deep crotches that don’t ride up. Tight crotches are uncomfortable and can contribute to yeast infections. I like soft jersey tops too, turtlenecks in winter, crew necks in between, and tank tops for the bottom layer all year round. Shoes have been my biggest problem for awhile. The fat pad underfoot is gone, so shoes and socks need lots of extra padding. I’d love to see more choice in fanny packs too!!

    Reply to Ann Rothblatt

19. Love my fedoras.

    Reply to Michael

20. I have hundreds of hats and member of two Red Hat groups, one for 20 years! Hats are always in fashion and have never gone out of fashion!

    Reply to Blaze

21. Yep, shoulder pads! As mentioned, it makes my pear shape look more proportional. Not Lauren Bacall (I wish. haha) but better!

    Reply to Dene

22. Bring back the style of ladies’ hair pulled back into a low pony with a scarf tied for max volume around it. And bring back Scrunchies in public too.

    Reply to Tricia f

    1. don’t care for the shoulder pads again as i have narrow hips and i would appear top-heavy. What i would like to find again are the high-waisted ‘hippie’ dresses i wore in the early 70s. So pretty and comfy. soft jersey tops would be nice as someone suggested. I don’t go anywhere that requires dressing-up anymore ( we like casual happy hours, outdoors) but would like some nicer casual clothes rather than what I buy at target, Kohls or similar stores at reasonable prices.

       Reply to mary

23. I would like to see a return to elegance. People dressing properly; men in suits and women in dresses and heels. Not the ripped jeans and track suits and joggers and Spanx and sneakers that people wear all day & everywhere today.

    Reply to F

    1. Agreed!!! Casual dress, casual mind

       Reply to Sonja

24. I vote for high waisted jeans. They feel more comfortable and stay up better on my slim figure

    Reply to Marcia Goldstein