If you want to support independent women's media, become a Mamamia subscriber . Get an all-access pass to everything we make, including exclusive podcasts, articles, videos, and our exercise app, MOVE.

The fickle world of fashion can be tricky to keep up with. First, we aren't supposed to be wearing skinny jeans, but now we can again, with caveats?

Then we were mocked for our side parts, but apparently, they are fine again?

It's enough to make you want to throw your hands up and live in an oversized linen sack until 2030.

Watch: The crossbody cancellation panic on Unleashed. Post continues below.

0 0

CROSSBODY BAGS ARE CANCELLED V2 (2)

On a recent episode of Unleashed (Mamamia's podcast for Gen X women who want a laugh!), author Sally Hepworth asked her co-host, stylist and former Vogue China editor Grace Lam, for some fashion advice…

Because she had just learnt two of her favourite fashion staples are "cringe".

According to an article in The Guardian, the French tuck styling tip popularised globally by Queer Eye 's Tan France back in 2018 is officially cringe, along with crossbody handbags.

(For those uninitiated, the French tuck involves tucking just the centre-front, or one side of your top, into your waistband while letting the back and sides hang loose as a way to give a baggy silhouette some structure.)

Grace's response?

"Why the f**k are we listening to people younger than us? That's my first thought for a start, as a fashion stylist," she said.

We are obsessed with Grace's style at Mamamia. Image: IG @gracelamstyle.

For Grace, the obsession with viral TikTok trends and Gen Z "rules" is a distraction from what actually matters: personal style that works for the life you're actually living.

"I went through a phase of following trends, and now I don't give a f**k about following trends, especially with my clients, because most of my clients are 40 and above," she explained.

"The key is, ladies, why are we listening to people younger than us when they don't know our age, our experiences? I'm sorry, if I'm in a dodgy area, I'm going to wear a crossbody bag. No one's going to snatch it. I say tuck away. Tuck it in your vagina if you want!"

Examples of the French tuck. Image: IG @thefashionaddicteddoctor / @laura_lape.

While Grace is a champion of "you do you," her professional eye still has its limits, though.

If you want to stay on her good side, there are two things you need to retire immediately: the cutout dress, and Crocs.

"I'm not a fan of cutout dresses. Whoever designed it, did you not buy enough material? Is that why you're cutting out the waist?" Grace asked.

"I just don't understand it. And if you're above age seven, you should not wear Crocs," she declared.

To summarise: consider the French tuck saved. Keep your crossbody bag tight and your socks however you like them.

And as long as you aren't showing off your ribcage in a cutout dress or clomping around in Crocs, our stylist-in-chief says you're doing just fine.

You can listen to the full fashion conversation on Mamamia's Unleashed podcast below.

Feature Image: Instagram, Grace Lam @gracelamstyle .