Thank you Gen Z for bringing comfort back

[Anonymous]

A couple of years ago, I was horrified by what appeared to be coming into fashion. Mom jeans??? Wide-legged pants? So many high waists! So much elastic! Birkenstocks and granny Reeboks!

And now… I’m so glad. Skinny jeans are like a straitjacket for our thighs, and I hope we never wear them again.

[Anonymous]

Yes to this. I am 43 and when my generation dominated fashion trends, we came up with the dumbest, least comfortable, most regressive stuff possible: low rise jeans? visible thongs? skin tight jeans? body con dresses? cold shoulder tops? tiny bikinis? 5" wedge sandals? and on and on.

I now live in straight leg jeans with high waists, slightly oversized tees, shirts and button downs, Birkenstocks and comfy sneakers, leggings with sweatshirts. Dresses that float away from the body and don't require Spanx. Linen everything. Flattering one-piece bathing suits that I can relax in and don't have to wax every inch of my lower half to wear.

I feel more comfortable in my own skin and like my wardrobe actually suits my lifestyle, I think possible for the first time since 1998. 00s fashion was an absolute travesty (even as Gen Z brings it back, they are fixing it and making it less about the male gaze and more about living your wildest Delia's catalog fantasies) and only got moderately better in the 10s. But 20s fashion is amazing - comfortable, body-inclusive, practical. What were we thinking???? This is better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes to this. I am 43 and when my generation dominated fashion trends, we came up with the dumbest, least comfortable, most regressive stuff possible: low rise jeans? visible thongs? skin tight jeans? body con dresses? cold shoulder tops? tiny bikinis? 5" wedge sandals? and on and on.

I now live in straight leg jeans with high waists, slightly oversized tees, shirts and button downs, Birkenstocks and comfy sneakers, leggings with sweatshirts. Dresses that float away from the body and don't require Spanx. Linen everything. Flattering one-piece bathing suits that I can relax in and don't have to wax every inch of my lower half to wear.

I feel more comfortable in my own skin and like my wardrobe actually suits my lifestyle, I think possible for the first time since 1998. 00s fashion was an absolute travesty (even as Gen Z brings it back, they are fixing it and making it less about the male gaze and more about living your wildest Delia's catalog fantasies) and only got moderately better in the 10s. But 20s fashion is amazing - comfortable, body-inclusive, practical. What were we thinking???? This is better.

I completely agree and I’m also 43. I hated the “going out top” with the low rise tight jeans and the terrible cuts for dresses and shorts. I wish I had the body I had then with the clothes offered now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes to this. I am 43 and when my generation dominated fashion trends, we came up with the dumbest, least comfortable, most regressive stuff possible: low rise jeans? visible thongs? skin tight jeans? body con dresses? cold shoulder tops? tiny bikinis? 5" wedge sandals? and on and on.

I now live in straight leg jeans with high waists, slightly oversized tees, shirts and button downs, Birkenstocks and comfy sneakers, leggings with sweatshirts. Dresses that float away from the body and don't require Spanx. Linen everything. Flattering one-piece bathing suits that I can relax in and don't have to wax every inch of my lower half to wear.

I feel more comfortable in my own skin and like my wardrobe actually suits my lifestyle, I think possible for the first time since 1998. 00s fashion was an absolute travesty (even as Gen Z brings it back, they are fixing it and making it less about the male gaze and more about living your wildest Delia's catalog fantasies) and only got moderately better in the 10s. But 20s fashion is amazing - comfortable, body-inclusive, practical. What were we thinking???? This is better.

I completely agree and I’m also 43. I hated the “going out top” with the low rise tight jeans and the terrible cuts for dresses and shorts. I wish I had the body I had then with the clothes offered now.

OP here and I totally agree. I don’t think I ever even questioned whether looking good was supposed to be so uncomfortable. Now I’m sitting here in high-waisted linen pants with a fitted tee and chunky cropped cardigan. This is the life.

[Anonymous]

44 here and I love this post. My early 20s were defined by trying to get jeans hemmed just right to work with heels and finding the just-right “going out top”. I live near a college campus now and those girls look way cuter and happier!

I do miss work clothes from that era, though- it was so easy to look put together if you shopped sales at J.Crew or Banana Republic. That was back when the quality of J.Crew suit separates and fabric was still good enough that no one could tell it wasn’t Theory!

I’m wearing my dressy Birkenstocks and baggy jeans today and feeling content. If someone could figure out tops for 40-somethings in this fashion era, I would appreciate it. Boxy tees and cropped hems are not great for my short perimenopause torso.

[Anonymous]

I am so happy to hear you all, and I couldn't agree more. I am 48 and FINALLY feel like I look great in what is in style, because what is in style is so much broader and more body friendly now. I feel prettier now that I can wear what FEELS GOOD on me.

[Anonymous]

NP, I'm 42 and I also agree 100%!!! Perhaps the best is SNEAKERS -- we can now wear them with everything: dresses, trousers. I love all of it! And it's actually very adaptable to a "40 year old version". So I'm not wearing massive mom jeans and extra cropped sweatshirts. I'm wearing straight jeans or trouser jeans, with t-shirts, a button up, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:44 here and I love this post. My early 20s were defined by trying to get jeans hemmed just right to work with heels and finding the just-right “going out top”. I live near a college campus now and those girls look way cuter and happier!

I do miss work clothes from that era, though- it was so easy to look put together if you shopped sales at J.Crew or Banana Republic. That was back when the quality of J.Crew suit separates and fabric was still good enough that no one could tell it wasn’t Theory!

I’m wearing my dressy Birkenstocks and baggy jeans today and feeling content. If someone could figure out tops for 40-somethings in this fashion era, I would appreciate it. Boxy tees and cropped hems are not great for my short perimenopause torso.

I actually love work pants right now. The high-waisted, wide-legged trouser-style pants are *chef’s kiss* so comfy and flattering. I have the Sloan pants from Abercrombie (yes! Really!) in 3 colors. Add a cashmere fitted tee and one of those cropped lady jackets from J. Crew and you’re all set.

[Anonymous]

Guys the kids are already back to super low, baggy jeans. The kind you need a teeny waist and a crop top to really pull off.

I’m wearing the 40 year old mom version with a higher rise because that’s what for sale and I just buy whatever is marketed to me but it does not make me fashionable.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think Gen Z are setting trends. Isn’t it still fifty-something gay men at the design houses?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately by the trends get to us, they are long over for the trendy set. That's ok - 45yo+ moms aren't supposed to dress like their teenage daughters. I too am on the wide leg, high waist, berkenstock bandwagon and find it so much more comfortable even than leggings....but I also know if i'm getting on the bandwagon, the trend is already on its way out

[Anonymous]

I don’t know who’s setting the trends. All I know is I haven’t worn pants without a stretchy waist since 2020, and I’m never going back.

[Anonymous]

In what world is high waist comfortable, though? I bought a couple of pairs of pants last month. They look super cute under a shirt, but they come up to my bra! They feel really ridiculous (and hot, because too much fabric.

[Anonymous]

What are you talking about it's low cut and being thin is in

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In what world is high waist comfortable, though? I bought a couple of pairs of pants last month. They look super cute under a shirt, but they come up to my bra! They feel really ridiculous (and hot, because too much fabric.

Thank you. I've never understood this! I don't want a waistband cutting into my stomach right under my bra!