You might say that boho IS classic if we were wearing it THEN and they are wearing it NOW.
In my 20’s, my budget probably wasn’t allowing me to wear the clothes I really wanted to. And, I think as a new college graduate, with a professional job, we were encouraged to wear the blazer, skirt, pant type outfit.
These days even business wear is much more casual in many places. This leads to a bigger market of everyday “cute” wear. And, I’ll say, depending what it is, TRY IT ON. Maybe it WILL look good on you in your 50’s or whatever!
Does this mean super tight spandex pants/leggings on all body types will be going away soon? When I toured colleges with my younger son, that seemed to be what all the girls were wearing, and some of them simply should not have been.
I’ve noticed that clothes seem to be getting brighter, like I remember them being when I was pretty young.
My D has changed her style from preppy to expensive boho since going away to college. We joke that she spends a lot of money to look like a bag lady.
It’s amazing how much age changes one’s perspective. I remember agonizing over my “fat” thighs when I was young. Boy would I love to have those thighs now (and the rest of my 20’s body)!
D is also a Banana Republic kid. She looks good in clean lines and likes them. She’s a size 0 or 00, so it’s good she likes things fitted so it doesn’t look like she’s drowning in her clothes.
S also favors tailored and more fitted and looks nice in them.
My D (who has always been a fashion girl) is working for a fashion PR firm this summer. Since they rep a lot of denim they are a casual office. D loves the boho clothes as well as preppy and classic looks. Right now she is eyeing a very expensive pair of high waisted jeans with embroidery just like I wore in high school. I was also much cuter in my 20’s, but didn’t have the money to spend on clothes that I do now.
Social media and the internet has really changed how people in the US dress, from my perspective.
I really like it, because now there isn’t a “that’s in style” “that’s not in style” dress code-pretty much any way you want to dress, there’s a place to get it and there are other people who are doing it. Including “notPants” (what we call stretch pants, yoga pants, and leggings/jeggings).
Some of the clothing is really poorly made and doesn’t hold up over more than a wash or two-I’m seeing a lot of that, which sucks.
I’m trying to get away from disposable culture as much as possible, but it’s hard to say no to an Urban Outfitter black modal t shirt at TJ maxx for 5 bux, especially when I know I’m going to get paint all over it and it’ll be destroyed in six months. At least I feel less bad not having paid full price for it. UO has good long torso t shirts that don’t shrink up in the wash.
If my D wants something that is very trendy (and she doesn’t think the trend will last) she will buy it at a place like Forever 21 the home of disposable clothes!
I tend to purchase well made wardrobe basics and will spend more money for that. I do like to have a few trendy things in my wardrobe and I spend as little as possible to do so. I honestly think the clothes for young and older women right now are not bad. There have been some periods of time where fashion was horrible…the 80s come to mind. Fortunately i was out of college, working in suits and taklored dresses and then pregnant toward the end of the 80s so lots of excuses not to have big hair, stretch pants with stirrups and other flashdance type outfits.
I’ve had one or two things from Old Navy that held up OK, but I find the quality of Old Navy and Gap has gotten terrible. Old Navy was never particularly good (which is why the price point is what it is), but I used to think Gap was decent. I also used to buy a lot more at J Crew than I do now- I think the styles and quality slipped a lot (confirmed by their sales numbers and financial write ups). I’m happy with Limited for work clothes, but ours has gone away and I don’t enjoy shopping their website as much as their stores. I don’t have to be very dressed up at work, so tend to mix nice pieces from athletic lines with decent pants or skirts. I have enough good blazers and Limited suits for when I have to look more professional.
As you know I agree with you completely on Old Navy. I would buy my kids stuff there for camp, knowing that if it got trashed, oh well, it wasn’t going to last more than one season anyway.
I agree J Crew quality has gone down as well – my D has found it a good price point for what she needs (which I would characterize as polished business casual) - lots of silk or silk-like sleeveless tops, cardigans, etc.
Last year, in preparation for a trip, I bought several sweaters from H&M that caught my eye. I was really disappointed in the quality and wound up getting rid of them.
We started doing a lot less shopping at J Crew about 5-6 years ago because we found the quality was going downhill. Things easily got holes in too thin fabric.
I find Madewell is pretty good quality as is Anthro/Free People although the Anthro styles have been less appealing the past few seasons.
You can see some good quality in some of the older, vintage thrift shop finds my kids buy.
Does everyone know that j crew and Madewell give a college student discount of 15%? It took us a few visits before we found out so thought it worth mentioning.
The discount is 15% at both of those - used it last week. They also give the same discount for teachers - I know, because I work for a university and when I show my ID, I receive a discount.
I agree with you completely on Old Navy. I would buy my kids stuff there for camp, knowing that if it got trashed, oh well, it wasn’t going to last more than one season anyway.