I like to keep up to date with fashion trends and to experiment with a new shape from time to time. I am not suggesting that we jump on the bandwagon with every new fashion gimmick. However silhouettes do evolve.
An example of a trend that has been growing over the last few seasons is the wide crop trouser. In the photos I am wearing a pair of crop palazzo pants in soft jersey. They are also available in a flat fronted style if you are not keen on the tie belt. I have teamed it with a white broderie anglaise top from last year. It is still available in small sizes here. (reduced to £29).
I know that we are continually being advised to shop for our shape “apple, pear etc”.
I was familiar with these terms when I worked as an image consultant. My job was to assess and advise women on how to choose clothes that flattered their figures. I would not suggest throwing “how to shop for our shape” advice out of the window. Yet I was having lunch with a friend the other week and we were chatting about how as we got older we felt freer. We cared less about what others thought and were choosing to please ourselves. We were becoming more adventurous in the clothes that we wore and were finding this liberating.
Sometimes it is a question of allowing our perception to adapt to new silhouettes. It has taken me till now to “get my eye accustomed to this new trouser shape”. This season I am loving the wide crop. I find them cool, practical and every easy to wear. (If you are petite I would suggest a slimmer leg).
Maybe occasionally we might choose to break the rules. I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Do you experiment with changing silhouettes? Are you becoming more or less adventurous with the clothes that you wear?
SHOP THE LOOK:
All photos taken at Wisley Royal Horticultural gardens by photographer Laura Hines. Follow her on Instagram. She has recently posted some stunning photos of exotic locations, London architecture and New York by night.
Over the last few years I have been replacing my tops with tunics. I wear them over slim knitted pants or denims. This is not a look I have worn before except maybe in the late 1960’s where the dresses were almost as short as the tunic tops. This is also a different look than those who live in this area who choose to wear athletic wear. Being 5’3″ I wear long pants rather than crops. I no longer wear dresses or skirts. Maybe this is a rebellion against wearing them from the age of 5 until retirement a few years ago. We weren’t allowed to wear pants in school, and working in Finance required ‘Dress for Success skirt suits’.
Sounds like a good combination to me Sharon. I too rarely wear skirts and dresses having lived in formal attire for years when working in the corporate environment. I do like to wear dresses in the summer when it is very hot.
You’re so right Josephine!! It’s so fun to try new styles & silhouettes!! And really, I think you can usually find something that looks good in a certain style no matter what your shape. It seems like there are so many varieties—so it just takes some good searching (and alterations in my case–ha ha)
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
You are right Jodie sometimes it takes a little effort to find a new style that suits.
Very chic yet wearable. I love this outfit! So true that sometime you just have to try a shape you normally wouldn’t consider.
I agree Susan It is definitely worth being a bit experimental from time to time.
I bought some navy wide crops in a heavy cotton twill a few years ago from our local Margatet Howell discount shop ( yes , we are lucky ) . I wondered whether I would ever wear them but grew to love them . Only in summer for me , as winter footwear is tricky , but in summer yes . PS Your hair is looking good .
Hi Wendy
Thanks for the hair comment. I love Margaret Howell very good quality.
I love the top, but still cannot get my mind round wide crops, one probably needs to be tall for a start, so not really a look for me. Incidentally, are they popular in France ?
Hi Viv
It was probably not warm enough when I was last in France. I will check it out and let you know when I go back there on 25th June. I think they are popular in Paris.
I am still in general wearing narrow leg pants, definitely more practical here for the winter, but in summer I do occasionally wear wide leg long pants as they are so cool. Am very cautious about entering the cropped wide leg pant as I am only 5′ 4″ tall and don’t want to look too stumpy!!! Dresses are definitely the coolest option for those hot summer days.
I agree Christine when it is very hot dresses are the coolest. I especially like maxi ones but I find it difficult to find ones with sleeves.
Josephine,
Whenever I click on one of your “Shop the Look” pictures, I am sent to Pinterest. Can you figure that out? I’m interested in going to the actual site!
Thank for letting me know Margie. The tech gremlins have been at it again. Hopefully it is now fixed.
Breaking rules in design is how we discover and make the new trends. Go for it!
Hi Josephine
Thanks yet again for your advice. I have just gone into Me and Em to order a couple of pairs to try. I really love their style and am getting a lot of pieces from them. I find they are modern but not too way out. I notice you are wearing sandals with yours. Which style of shoes would you recommend on non sandal days?
Best wishes. Margo
Hi Margo
I would suggest some slip on trainers MarksandSpencer have some good ones. Alternatively wedges if you like them.
I am a great fan of MeandEm. They use good fabrics and have simple and practical styles.
I was just in Ann Taylor a few hours ago, after seeing the top that Susan featured: https://unefemme.net/2017/06/summer-styles-linen.html
Well, that top didn’t work out; but I ended up with a striped linen T-shirt style….and narrow ankle gray pants and a beautiful tropical scarf. Hmmm. Perhaps you will see one or all of these on the 24th! I do think we all need to be aware of our body types, to some extent, and work with that. I will look totally drowned out with oversized clothes, or any sort of shapeless style. Within a more tailored look, yes, I will experiment.
I look forward to seeing your outfit. It sounds great.
I love this look on you. I’m with you as far as it took me a while for my eye to get accustomed to the “cropped” look. I now love it. I find that it takes a little more thought in pairing a top, preferring a shorter top or a top nipped at the waist for more definition. I bought a black pair from Ann Taylor earllier this year and am having fun trying on different tops. I love something new to work with.
Like your recommendations for shopping ( all different price ranges) but being in the states I do not do much overseas shopping and get frustrated!!
Hi Lucretia
I agree you have to get the proportions right for this look to work. I find it just as frustrating the other way round although Nordstrom does ship to the UK and looks after all the costs up front. A couple of the UK brands I work with are planning to expand into the States. I will keep you updated.
I’m completely baffled by your recent posts Josephine – you look a completely different shape wearing baggy clothes – as though you have put on several kg and devloped stumpy legs! Sadly its a look favoured by many older women, often in M & S!
Hilary I have not gained any weight. I have been the approximately the same weight for over 50 years probably because I eat what I like and have never dieted. My objective here is not to champion looking slimmer but to inspire women to be adventurous and maybe, if they choose. to try new styles. As I point out in my post certain looks are not for everybody. The brands I choose are mainly classic with an on trend twist. I am certainly having fun getting out of my rut and experimenting and wearing what I like at the moment. Tomorrow it may change. Who knows.
I’ve definitely become more adventurous with what I wear in recent years (I’m 64). I’m not ready for wide legged crops yet though. I much prefer a narrower silhouette, but they do look like they’d be very comfortable.
Odd comment about your weight…I was admiring your slim waist and overall youthful appearance in your recent posts! The haircut looks great and the way you’ve played with the wide crop look has inspired me to give it a try. Thanks for your charming and encouraging posts.
I agree, very odd comment about weight. You look fab and I’m now inspired to chop down a pair of fluid, wide trousers to try out the look.