Clothing is an exciting way to express your personality. But when it comes to fashion, Boomers are no longer leading the charge. The baton, it seems, has been passed to Millennials, who now dictate the direction in which designers focus their energy.
Keeping your wardrobe current without falling prey to looking age-inappropriate comes down to interpretation. After all, fashion is just another type of language, and languages are always translatable.
Researchers can’t seem to agree on the age range of Millennials, however, they approximate that the majority were born between the early-1980s and the mid-1990s, putting the oldest in their late-thirties and the youngest in their early-twenties.
Millennials are known for their sense of individuality through style, as well as their love of leggings, oversized sweaters and avocado toast. Much of Millennial fashion for women emphasizes femininity: the oversized trend makes one appear “smaller” (than men); and “chic comfort” clothing, which feels like sweats, looks appropriate enough to leave their rented apartments.
This “chic comfort” is something any generation can get on board with – in a slightly updated way.
Here’s a translation of a standard Millennial outfit: the dress, heels and leggings combo. Go to nearly any shopping mall, university or workplace and you’ll see numerous young women rocking this look. It’s popular for three main reasons: comfort (often feeling like wearing pyjamas), ease (only three items needed for a complete outfit) and fashionability (looks just as cute shopping for groceries as it does working at the office). This is one of the most easily translatable looks for anyone to have, so let’s break it down:
Going back to the debate on leggings (are they pants? are they tights?), I’m going to stress that anyone can wear a pair of leggings, but not everyone should style them the same way.
Treat leggings like a cross between a pair of comfy pants and tights; though they can technically be worn as pants, they’re probably better paired with skirts and dresses. When shopping for leggings, I recommend a “squat test” to check the sheerness of the fabric once it stretches.
While Millennials chose to go for neon colours and busy patterns on their leggings, I recommend sticking to neutral colours for more mature trendsetters (black and grey are the most popular options).
This brings us to the dress. Most 20- and 30-something women are currently wearing the “shift dress” style, which is a loose, almost boxy-type of dress that allows for a lot of mobility and comfort (and can run anywhere from a mini-dress to knee-length). While this works for young women, mature clientele may feel more comfortable in a sleeker, tailored dress (not to be confused with a “body-con” dress).
When choosing to update a Millennial trend — no matter what it may be — it’s important to keep classic shapes and silhouettes in mind to keep you on the cutting edge of modern fashion. Nobody wants to look as though she’s raided the closet of her daughter (or granddaughter). Stick to dresses that emphasize your natural waist, while still falling at an appropriate length (typically no shorter than the knee).
From here, the only final touch you need is the heels. The best part is that shoes are the most easily translatable item of clothing, which means you have almost free range in your choices. That being said, steer clear of any “obnoxious” shoes (ones with spikes, multiple neon colours, etc.) to keep your look age-appropriate. If comfort is your jam, avoid any and all stilettos and opt instead for a wider heel. For a daytime look, a neutral coloured low-heel will be suitable for the home or office while maintaining your trendy appearance.
Unlike generations, fashion doesn’t have an age-range, so own your style with confidence and flair with these Millennial trends.
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