I see Birkenstocks everywhere these days. My fashionista niece wears hers all the time. Very boho and with athletic clothes.
Athleta shows them in their catalog and I see lots of young people wearing them. They’ve been very trendy. They are summer shoes but it was warm today and I’m getting my last wear of the year out of them. I’m giving a pair to my d, she loves them.
Trends are in the eye of the beholder. I guess.
Givenchy and other luxury fashion houses did their version of Birks a little while ago. So Birks must be fashionable. B-) 
http://www.instyle.com/fashion/shoes/celebs-wearing-birkenstocks
Are these women fashionistas? Or not?
eta: answered my own question
Do not attempt to wear a large bell sleeve blouse when you are the hostess and need to clear the table or wash up a few dishes. The bell does not cooperate!
RE Birkenstocks:
I’m slow to notice trends (living in a small, remote town that’s light years behind in everything) but I learned a few days ago that they must be a THING.
My very classic 14-year-old (it’s instinct; she was choosing navy and charcoal in 4th grade while her friends were into Justice aqua glitter… and she doesn’t get her elegant tastes from me, lol) has always loved heels and delicate-looking, streamlined shoes. (though only recently has she been allowed them at all.) She laughs at my sturdy Clarks and Merrils.
Last week, I was shocked, SHOCKED when she asked for a pair of Birkenstocks. So. I knew something was seriously up
I had to google waterfall cardigan. 
@SouthFloridaMom9 You’re not alone, I had to as well. I have seen them here in LA, mostly in winter. While they look nice on taller women, that style would not be attractive on 5’2”, short waisted me. I find I really have to stick with the classic styles as so much of the trendier items just don’t do much for shorter women… 
I just got this in an email from the store where I do most of my shopping. Even the dresses have bell sleeves. 
I have lost over 30 lbs since June. For the first time in a LONG time, I’m happy to think about buying new clothes for their fashion/pretty component rather than their “how can I hide the fact that I’m heavier than I’ve ever been” component. Therefore, count me in as hoping skinny jeans stay in fashion for a while longer. 
The bell sleeves are pretty for a once in a while look, though certainly completely impractical for much of anything beyond making conversation with a cocktail in hand. But they are absolutely ubiquitous in my area right now.
I also had to look up waterfall cardigan.
Here’s what I say. As demonstrated on this thread, probably 50% of American woman do not OVERLY worry about fashion, being fully current on fashion, fashionista -however you want to refer to it - so, 50% of the people you meet won’t even fully notice what you’re wearing let alone if it’s current. The other 50% (IMO, probably even less %) …if they are going to judge you on just one outfit…that’s tough. But if they saw 5 of your outfits and one of them happened to be a waterfall cardigan and infinity scarf??? They’d probably still judge you as fashionable. Maybe do this - if you have 5 waterfall cardigans narrow your closet to 2 or 3. If you put one on and you come alive, your face lights up, you carry yourself proudly - that is worth a million fashionista points!
Congratulations, @Nrdsb4, you must be feeling great! I’m going through the same mindset change though my loss is smaller (around 12 lbs since last winter and maybe five to go… without dieting, really, just walking the dog up and down the hills a lot more.) Amazing to feel like myself/yourself again. (and I had assumed feeling dowdy was just a normal part of aging.) Thought I was probably done with clothes except as a necessary modesty, but I’m feeling a spark of interest in cultivating something approaching style, though can’t imagine I could ever be a fashionista!
I hope scarves in general don’t go out. I love my scarf collection and have some fine ones. So easy to dress up a basic uniform of simple tops and jeans with them.
I don’t like the overall loose bell sleeves but I think some are very pretty ( the ones that are more fitted at the top with a short, pronounced bell.)
Question for all of you fashionistas - my son tends to be a preppy dresser (I think that’s how you would catagorize his brand preference of LuluLemon, Vinyard Vines . . .). What super preppy brands could I look at getting him for Christmas?
^^
Barbour, Jack Wills, J. McLaughlin, Johnnie-O, Southern Tide, J. Crew and Bonobos (more urban prep). Personally, I don’t think you can beat Vineyard Vines quality – especially on sale.
My preppie older son likes fancy socks, so he gets Hotsox in his stocking every Christmas.
I would ditch them both. I was just thinking about my less-waterfally waterfall cardigan and had decided to toss it. I threw out all of my infinity scarves this year as well. Long, uni-length cardigans seem to be where it’s at this year.
Yes, you are right about the longer cardigans. That is what is in style right now! I do like them because they cover that darn behind!!! I might have to keep that infinity scarf, though. Perhaps wrap it around 3 times so it’s more up towards my neck. It’s silky, lightweight and has two patterns within the scarf. It’s beautiful.
@alh thats funny - mine likes cashmere socks - when I can find them they also go in his stocking!
Bell sleeves and dining. Reminded me of this folk tale:
http://www.artrusse.ca/fairytales/frog-princess.htm
The plate artwork depicts the following scene: at the King’s ball, the frog princess poured some wine and stuffed some bones in her sleeves, and when she went dancing, she waved her arms, and a lake and a bunch of beautiful swans came out of her sleeves. But when her evil sisters in law copied her, they showered the guests with wine and bones. Do not put food leftovers into your bell sleeves unless you are a princess with magic powers. 
I remember sewing bell sleeves into some of my dresses–in the 70s. I guess everything old is new again.
For those of us who are petite, bell sleeves are difficult. Often if I buy something with regular sleeves that are too long, I just turn the cuffs back. Impossible with bell sleeves. But I do like waterfall cardigans. Again, since I’m short I’m on the lookout for shorter ones, since the longer ones in non-petite sizes just overwhelm me.