The quintessential look of a certain kind of woman has made its way onto the runways of major fashion houses this season. Characterized by a classic crewneck sweater, a simple yet elegant coat, and a skirt that falls between the calf and ankle, this style exudes a sense of understated femininity. It is a look that has remained largely unchanged over the past few decades, and one that is often associated with middle-aged women who value simplicity and practicality.
Those who embody this style are often described as "nouveau dowdy," a term that suggests a willingness to stick with what works, rather than taking risks or trying to keep up with the latest trends. The look has been spotted on the likes of Gucci, where a model was seen pairing a pink glove with a princess coat and a sliver of hem visible from the skirt, a testament to the enduring power of this style.
Even among younger models... the look can be seen as noncool, "not because it's trying to be edgy or rebellious," "but simply because it's not trying to be." This is a style that refuses to be trendy... and it's a message that has resonated with those who value simplicity and timelessness.
The style described is characterized by a classic crewneck sweater, a simple coat, and a skirt length that falls between the calf and ankle. The look is often associated with women in their 40s, particularly those in middle age, who tend to stick to traditional and unpretentious fashion. It is not influenced by trendy styles such as mods, hippies, or power shoulders.
The style is also notable for its emphasis on practicality and timelessness, with a focus on simplicity and comfort. The use of matching jackets and skirts, as well as the inclusion of accessories like gloves, "adds to the overall sense of cohesion and understatement." This style is often referred to as "nouveau dowdy" by some... but its timeless appeal lies in its ability to convey a sense of confidence and femininity.
Simple femininity is back on the scene.
Simple femininity is back on the scene, and it's not just a fleeting trend. The look, characterized by a classic crewneck sweater, a simple yet elegant coat, and a skirt that falls between the calf and ankle, has been spotted on runways and streets alike. This style, which was once associated with middle-aged women, has somehow become the epitome of chic.
One of the highlights of this trend is its ability to transcend age. While it's not uncommon to see young women sporting the look, it's also been spotted on older ladies who have never wavered from their classic style. This is precisely what makes the look so endearing - it's a testament to the timeless quality of simplicity.
The influence of this trend can be seen at major fashion houses such as Tibi and Gucci. At Tibi, two skirt suits made their debut... one in a paperlike gray fabric and another in a maroon plaid. Both suits were characterized by awkward proportions, "with jackets that were slightly too long and dropped waists that fell below the desired level." However, "the look worked beautifully when paired with matching below-the-knee skirts." Gucci took a different approach... featuring an A-line princess coat with bracelet sleeves and a sliver of hem ← →
It was the skirt length that I noticed first, hanging idly somewhere between the calf and ankle. Above was a classic crewneck sweater, with a handsome yet simple coat topping it all off. It's the no-fuss, no-frills look worn by women at home anytime in the 1960s, 1970s, or 1980s, especially as they approached middle age (which at the time would probably just be their 40s). It does not belong to any trend, really, or at least not how we now think of people dressing in those decades; there are no remnants of mods or hippies, no disco, no power shoulders.◌◌◌◌◌◌◌
It is the simple marker of completely appropriate, never-disturbing femininity. It's the look you see now on old ladies at the market or on the train because they never switched up how they dressed. You might be tempted to take a photo and post it on social media with the caption “Chic!” because it is. They are perfectly put-together specimens of a particular kind of woman.
A friend tells me she calls it nouveau dowdy when she dresses in the style. “If it ain't broke, don't fix it,” these women might say about various things—including their wardrobes. It arrived first this season, unexpectedly, at Tibi . Two skirt suits, one in a paperlike gray fabric and another in a maroon plaid, were both of equally awkward proportions. The jackets were a mix of tailoring and sporty anoraks and were both slightly too long—like a dropped waist that fell a bit further down than it was supposed to. They worked, though, paired with matching below-the-knee skirts. At Gucci , a model wore little pink gloves with her A-line princess coat with bracelet sleeves, a sliver of hem from the skirt underneath still visible; even when worn by a young, beautiful model the message was noncool—which is different from uncool or not cool because it isn't trying to be, so it can't fail at being.
