I'm back to work, gained weight, and as per usual, will have to figure out how to mix fashion with function. I'm usually OK with the indoor days, but outside I tend to look crappy. And I will have to up my mask game too, for inside at the office. It's not crowded but I don't know about the ventilation system, and people move around to greet visitors or use the copy machine, get office supplies, use bathroom, etc. Only one day a week in the office, I can work from home the rest of the time. Most of the time when I'll be with the public and want to look nice will be outside once the weather gets nicer . . . I'm going to try and get some nice scarves . . . I have a few good ones but could expand my repertoire . . .

Oh gosh, I wear what I like. I really don’t know what is “in” right now. I have things bought last year that have never been worn, shoes too. i think your pants will still work, at least I will still be wearing that style. Actually it seems there have been slim, wide, leggings etc all worn. I did read somewhere that skinny jeans are not as popular. That is all I know! Lol

I guess since I need a few new items I want to feel updated while I’m at it. However, it seems I’m seeing a lot of boyfriend style pants or bell bottoms. I have seen a few skinny-ish ankle pants with very high waists. I’m short waisted so those would like a turtleneck on me lol. It’s hard to get a handle on it. I have been wearing the same pant style for many years.

Terrilyn, I’m no fashion maven, but I believe skinny ankle pants still have a year or two to go before they are passé. I hope they do. I had just bought several pair right before the lockdown. I think they still have the tags on them!

I just did a quick check at Rent The Runway, assuming they are renting fashion that is in style.

There was this:

But there was more of this:

My guess is we have all gotten used to a more relaxed style and that will stick with us for a while. Slim ankle pants will always be a good look, in my opinion. And I just purchased a new pair of white jeans to kick off the season.

I also find myself looking at more flats and small wedge sytles in shoes rather than heels. If heels, they are closer to a kitten heel. And I love high heels!!

I will add a few button-up and popover shirts, tees and maybe an easy dress in linen. I also need new swimwear (ugh). I'm hoping Allison will share some favorites from her Land's End haul.

JT - you have a good sense of fashion from everything you have shared so I'm also looking to see what's on your radar!

Thanks! I’m also seeing a lot of patchwork looking stuff (yuck).

Not seeing any block or wedge heels so far. Mostly I’m seeing break my neck heels or I’m wearing skies on my feet flats.

The bell bottom thing, wasn’t that tried a few years ago? Should there be a cutoff age for those long wide bell bottoms?

I could live with this modified version below. Maybe. Maybe if I could get it in a white stretch Jean or some type of stretch fabric. I must be comfortable.

I find myself looking at sneakers these days...pre covid, I only wore sneakers to the gym. Now that I’ve worn pretty much only sneakers, hiking boots, or snow boots for a year, I’m thinking my “transition“ will involve cuter sneakers.

Sue, it appears that sneakers will be more popular than ever. They are on every fashion post.

Time-out

I LOVE this ring! I have never been much of a ring person but really like this. It has enamel coating.

Not a sneaker fan other than exercise, etc. although i did get a new pair of sketcher backless sneakers for Christmas. I hate me feet covered so am so ready for toeless, mules and sandals!!!!

My friend who lives in Seacrest Beach sent me a picture when she and her DH were eating outside, and she had on white skinny pants. Looked fabulous.

In case you've been without, don't forget to wear one of these.

I'll have you know my LS t-shirts I wear with my pajama bottoms switch over nicely to daytime simply by exchanging my sports bra for brassier and my pjs to jeans. Slip on a pair of Croc sandals and I'm out the door. I may even run a brush through my hair. :D

On the serious side I like high rise pants that have a multi-button front, I think they look very up to date, particularly with a not skinny leg although I'm not crazy about super wide legs but other than that I can't think of anything much different than what I've worn for quite a while. My usual go to is j crew.

I’ve decided to leave GenX and join the Millennials. No one cares what GenX is doing anyway.

So for style, I’ve grown my hair long (because, covid) and part it in the middle. I’m also wearing second hand designer fashions from the 90’s. I just fount a pair of new old stock 90’s high waisted, wide leg ST John jeans.

I’ll let you know how my new demographics are working out after a while.

I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess since I haven’t dined out on site in almost a year I was thinking there would be at least some fashion changes I needed to know about before spending money. Granted this last year feels more like two years but still...everything is exactly the same. The only change I saw that was different was with the twenty something females. Much less skin showing, slightly mini prairie style dresses with frill. And, as is usual with tourists to our area, very high heels in a variety of heel styles.

I only went a little over a mile down the road but what a lovely evening to dine along the water.

My hair is very long now as well. I did have to lie on the bed and suck in some air to zip my pants but other than that I didn’t look better or worse than anyone else.

HA! Love the old “lie down to zip your jeans” trick! Yep, lots of prairie-style dresses I’ve seen on my IG feeds. I think I’ll pass on that trend. And, everyone else is in the same boat...perfectly good clothes that haven’t been worn in a year!

Jt, my hair is much longer too and I was able to put it in a braid. Now I'm wondering if that's an okay look for someone my age?

I seriously doubt there's been any fashion change with adults because most people aren't buying new clothes right now because there's nowhere to go. Loungewear, yes. :)

Yes, I too am teetering dangerously close to the granny with long hair in a bun or ponytail look. I couldn't find anyone close to cut my hair that I liked. I was resorting to going back to my old stylist out East whenever we went out and visited hubs family. Now due to pandemic only hubs goes back. It will change but I still am up against the same problem, finding a good local stylist to cut my hair. Plenty of adequate ones, but I want something good. I do minimal fussing with my hair and a good cut makes all the difference.

Oak, I wasn’t sure about having long hair either so I asked my husband what he thought. He said it was a nice change. So, guess I pass.

I am really, really disliking the new style of high waisted, wide leg cropped pants. They are all over the fashion scene, whether it be dress pants, jeans, or athletic wear. No ways am I going to be caught dead with a pair of them on my 5’2”, short waist, size 12/ 14 body😜. Of course the models are tall, thin, and long legged and long waisted and can pull off the higher heels (wedges usually) to go with them.

I just got got up my nerve in the last couple of years to wear skinny jeans and leggings (with tunic tops to hide the flaws of course).

@bbstx I've also seen the prairie trend on blogs, IG, etc. I guess it's okay for the younger generation, but I am not particularly fond of the Little House on the Prairie look. Too many of the dresses/blouses are right up around the neck, and I can't stand that.

I think there are probably plenty of people (not here our board) that have disregarded the safety measures in place and have continued to be out and about, to shop, etc. Of course the stores have been open as people need their jobs. I do understand that. I haven't even bought much on-line, because, as I said, I still have new things I bought for last year, that haven't been worn. I hope I get to wear them this year!!

I can pull off crop pants because I am tall and thin but I still don't like the way they look.

And I'm still buying a few clothes, I bought a dress today and a liberty j crew shirt yesterday, I love new clothes!

And ah hum, cough, I bought a prairie dress. Not crazy about the high neck and I may even alter it to put a v-neck in but I love the color and the pattern.

It suits my style.

And I just realized it has a tiered skirt so it's probably going back. I can handle the slight ruffle at the top

I’m sitting here looking thru the new Boden catalog and might have to order a couple things for spring...the colors and patterns are so cheery.

I too have long hair thanks to covid-- worse, long hair with zero volume. The extra weight of my hair makes all my volumizing tricks useless. I've been wearing bandanas styled as headbands and/or a large barrette as a loose ponytail most days.

I have totally leaned in to the casual-- it's unlikely I'll be back in the office before Sept so I am completely uninterested in anything that isn't easy and comfortable to wear. My recent purchases are super casual vs stylish... but will transition through the seasons and my ongoing weight loss well.

@Sueb20 I might have to take a look at Boden. #2 and #3 in that pic are right down my color alley! See, here we go again. The power of suggestion . . .

Oh-- and another recent fashion switch for me.. the Soma Enbliss bralette! I had been wearing True & Co bras but the cups didn't fit well and while comfortable, they didn't provide any support. The Soma Enbliss is both comfortable and it provides great support (at least for my size). It doesn't provide athletic level support but just the right level for wearing throughout the day. No underwire, no binding or pinching. I wear both styles of bralettes-- regular and racerback.

@Funkyart is that like a sports bra or supports like a regular bra? Would you only wear at home?

I would wear it out -- no hesitation. I think it supports better than some (most) of my ill-fitting regular underwire bras. I wouldn't wear it with anything dressy or formal but i would wear it under a work blouse without a hesitation.

I should note that i am not especially large busted-- i am between a C and a D leaning more towards a D.

These bras are so popular (the style), but I do wonder about the support. I am curvy and need some support. Even smaller chests will sag without proper support and I worry about that. A friend of mine even had a virtual bra party with a similar looking bra!

Another thing, I don't know if I can handle pulling a bra on and off over my head. There was one brand that is same style, but hooks in back. Does this one hook? Do you think these would be hot in warmer temps? I'm going to look at these online. I need some new bras and I definitely do not want to go out in shops but am going to have to order something.

I had exactly the experience you describe with the True & Co bra-- it just didn't support or lift.

The Soma does give me much more support-- and lifts and holds. The ones I tried were over-the-head style, no hooks. There are other styles with front and back hooks.

Again, i am maybe a little larger than average-- but not especially busty.

I purchased only 2 styles to try them out -- I will definitely purchase more and likely try some of the other styles.

I dress for myself all the time, so my wardrobe didn't change all that much during COVID, although I have mostly forgone shoes. I have a bunch of dresses from Effie's Heard. Jersey prints in vintage silhouettes. Very comfortable, very easy.

I have this style in two other prints

And I think this is adorable but they don't have it in my size.

Between working from home and a recent move that involved (and still involves) too much decision-making, I've had a solid rotation of yoga pants, tank tops, and cardigans for the past 6 months. It works for zoom calls and hauling things around the house. It also decreased my decision fatigue. My friend jokingly calls me a female (and poorer) version of Steve Jobs.

But my goal is have some fun with my wardrobe in the coming months. And maybe put on a bra again. With regard to pants, I'm still seeing a variety... skinny, wide-legged etc.

Thanks, Funky, I’m going to order 2 of those bras and give them a try.

I went into a Soma store once. I wanted to try a pair of panties, so I was buying one pair to see if I liked them. The clerk said but if you buy 6 you can save $x. I replied I don’t know if I like this style yet, I don’t need multiple pair in case I don’t like them. Then every other clerk in the store, honestly there were at least 3 others, saw her ring me up and said but if you buy 6 yadda yadda. And 3 times I had to reply IDK if I like this yadda yadda. 🙄 How did they not hear each other say that and then my reply? It was a small store. I know they have to push the corporate message but hearing it twice was more than sufficient. And while the pair I bought was fine, I’m glad I don’t have multiple pairs. I haven’t been back in a store since then and it was years ago. I’m having the bras shipped so I can avoid the store due to COVID and having to fend off multiple clerks. 😆

Sueb, I love Boden. Such good quality, even the children's things.

@Funkyart thanks. I'm going to order and see how it works for my I-nursed-three-babies-a-total-of-four-years saggy girls.

@hhireno I didn't they would even let you try on panties! I've never been in a Soma store, although I believe here is now one in one of the bigger cities near me.

@Funkyart thanks! I'm short-waisted so that particular bra may come down to far on me. I'm just a tad bigger in the bust than you mentioned. I did see two other bras I really like so I am thinking of ordering.

@Allison0704 too funny, but I'm sure that makes a difference!

I love Boden too and have bought from them for years.

@Tina Marie I guess I wasn’t clear, I meant buy them, wash them, wear them to try them, and then decide if I wanted more. I did NOT try them on in the store.

@hhireno no, I read that wrong. You said you wanted to "try them", I mistakenly saw "try them on". SMH! Sorry!!

I love wide leg pants. My three favorite newer items are wide /high pants. Levi flare cords, floral linen spring pants and I feel like when at home or doing errands I live in a cotton waffle knife sweater pant set.

Luckily I have some wide leg pants left over from the last time they were in style. I just have to lose enough weight to be able to fit back into them . . . on second thought, maybe I should sell them and use my money to buy a prairie dress. I can't fit in to my old one of that style either . . .

Back visiting this post. I love wide crop pants regardless of rise. But I have a 31/32” inseam and big fat calves so these are the perfect pants for me!

Yeah-long hair! Mint is straight flat and thin. But I’m leaning into it

And bras... I’m embarrassed to admit that I finally bought new bras after at least two years. In my defense, I had a ton of the prior ones, so it wasn’t that gross. I buy three or four part seamed side support bras. If you like the one up thread, mine would give you PTSD.

I’m not embracing the wide legged style but I never embraced the skinny leg style either, preferring a side zip ankle pant with slim, tapered leg and with a small slit in the side hem. It’s a classic look that is best for my proportions and the fact that I almost never wear heels, just flats.

For spring I just bought two new outer garments, a quilted snap front sweater from Madewell:

And a poplin type khaki and navy reversible raincoat from J Jill (mistakenly called a trench coat in the online description):

Going with DH to the doc this morning and inspired by this thread, I decided to step up my outfit game. I have a cream colored merino wool knit jacket. It wears like a sweater but looks more polished, like a jacket. I last wore it before the lockdown. I had it cleaned and put it away. This morning, when I got it out, I noticed one of the buttons was broken in half and a stain that the cleaners failed to totallly remove has oxidized front and center! I can’t decide whether to see if I can find the replacement button that I’m sure came with it and wash it to remove the stain, or just give it away! I’m so bummed.

Bras! Yes to needing new ones. I am a busty gal (34DD) so if anyone has recommendations please share. I am tempted by the comfy look of the Soma one Funky posted but pretty sure I would be disappointed with the result.

@rubyclaire I've been wearing theThird Love 24/7 classic t-shirt bra for years. Best fitting bra and comfortable. They come in half sizes, which works best for me.

@Allison0704, how long have you been wearing Third Love? I tried them 2x when the company first started. The fit was great but I found the materials very itchy and stiff, even after washing a couple of times. Have they changed their materials?

Website shows my first order was July 2017. I've only purchased the 24/7 T-shirt bras, but have not found them to be scratchy.

@Allison0704 I have a Third Love t-shirt bra. Forgot why I stopped wearing it but will dig it out and try again. Thanks for the reminder!