recreating 2023 fashion trends on my size 16 body

[@chantellebehrens]

Here to say that the shimmering chartreuse maxi dress TOTALLY works.

[@KnitsFromTheVoid]

right? I did not think it would, but it does. I have a very similarly shaped dress that I always thought swallows me, now I know how to style it!

[@MrsQuam]

@LeenaNorms whenever you sell it down the road PLEASE LET ME BUY IT

[@caroscas]

@@MrsQuam I came to comment the same! I want it too! hahaah

[@responsibleregalia]

I loved in on her too ❤

[@FlexiiMcLexii]

As an eco-conscious person who’s recently lost a lot of weight due to illness and doesn’t feel as happy being skinnier as they thought they would, seeing 2023 trends done sustainably on a non-size 0 body is very comforting

[@isabellamcclymont]

The goddess dress is GLORIOUS!

[@emmap6866]

That's what I came to comment!! It looks so good

[@Wyrdgrrl]

that chartreuse color makes you glow (tres goddess!), and it's not an easy color to pull off. My favorite of all the looks!

[@miss_smaragd]

Agree! And I can see it become even more fabulous by tailoring the upper part to a shaped fit. The color and shimmer are STUNNING!

[@nsigrid761]

It's so interesting how you have mentioned multiple times you're worried we might get bored of seeing the same items and that there seems to be the pressure of buying new stuff as part of keeping the audience entertained. It's really quite the opposite to me, I love getting familiar with your wardrobe and seeing you style the same item in multiple ways! I think it's really inspiring as it is way more challenging to think of endless ways to work with what you have than it is to just buy something new. Makes me want to revisit and play around in my own wardrobe as well

[@Nela4]

OMG Leena can actually make clothes! Im so exited for her!

[@leenanorms]

SO AM I

[@sheschels]

This is probably the first fashion video I've ever watched that didn't make me feel bad for having a body with skin on it. Thanks, subscribed! :)

[@leenanorms]

Haha I think this is my favourite comment 🤣 welcome

[@samiraschwannecke678]

You once said you were worried we mggt get bored of seeing you wear the same clothes over and over. I catch myself enjoying these videos a lot. It is a pep talk I need 👀 Also the brown lipstick looks stunning on you!

[@nerena2852]

The sheer top with the orange bandana was sooo good. Please pair it with some black jeans! Also, the goddess dress is great!

[@graceleathers5970]

As someone who only wears black, I loved your summer black outfit. I wear all black all summer, and I find linen to be my saviour

[@dagnolia6004]

Grace Leathers finds "grace" in linen.... lol! hugs to you!

[@RachaelTheRed]

Honestly, as someone who lives in a hot and humid climate, I think the textile matters WAY more than the color when it comes to beating the heat. A black linen will ALWAYS be cooler than a white polyester.

[@elizabethbennett5203]

Love this "no-buy trend attempt" format! Reminds us all to be creative and gives us a fun time with Leena

[@SamWest96]

Adore this. I follow a wonderful lady called Alyssa Beltempo whose entire channel is about sustainable fashion and shopping your closet. She is however, queen of neutral. So it's fun seeing you do this with your super colourful and fun wardrobe!

[@elizareeve3823]

Okay 2 things: 1. You are so fun to watch and I loveee the sustainability aspect that you bring to trends! And 2. Our styles could not be more different but you still gave me so many ideas for my own style with these looks!! Thank you!

[@nittygritty7034]

The grunge look was my favorite. The little ruffle at the bottom of the utility jacket is cute

[@isabellamorris7902]

I'm also a size 16(ish) British woman and I don't know why but the moment you said "creative resistance" I teared up. This video makes me feel normal.

[@sophienobes3227]

Came to say that haircut is absolutely SERVING on you! Also glad to hear I will finally be considered ‘trendy’ by continuing to wear my all black outfits through all times and seasons until they are prized from my cold, dead hands 😂

[@jenniferlachs7145]

I love all these looks! Especially the grunge one and the hearts. Not a huge fan of "summer black", but maybe that's because I also dress like a kids TV presenter and love all the colours. Thank you for raising awareness and showing us how fun it can be to do "fashion" sustainably!

[@aimee-made]

I have that same pattern that you made the heart dress with! I haven't read all the comments here, but you could wear that little fluffy beige skirt from the first look as a petticoat under the heart dress to give it that 50s "New Look" volume!

[@samiansley5740]

I regularly go back to your Lies to Unlearn about Clothes video and this is a great addition to your inspiring clothing playlist. Thanks for the fun tips on being realistic and loving beautiful things. ❤

[@redrover2370]

All of these are amaze-balls, Goddess was my fav Unfortunately I culled my wardrobe to a capsule and then I needed maternity and breastfeeding couch clothes…so now I have to pivot to work clothes

[@suno8911]

Two trends you -perhaps unintentionally- crossed off with that fab dress: chartreuse being the Pantone colour of the year, and also evening shine for daytime!

[@rileighdewing7056]

These outfits are all fabulous, but honestly, the summer black - ABSOLUTELY STUNNER. Love love love. You've inspired me to (want to) figure out sewing and make myself a peplum style shirt 💕

[@NotAllBirdsCanSing]

Love the heart dress you made! I also try to reuse zips where possible. I honestly don't think you can tell on that dress 🥰

[@MilenaReads]

‘In the mood for preparing for the apocalypse’ fashion is wild. Love the golden/green dress with the belt!

[@VeganBeautyGirl]

i LOVE that you do these vids with things you already own rather than thrifting

[@velvethunder]

the summer black is a look!!!!! also, you can show off your tattoos

[@mik5136]

I, at multiple times while watching this, exclaimed aloud 'she's so beautiful, wow!' - like, that spring semi-grunge look is incredible

[@catherinemarieh7286]

I loved the grunge on you it was so fun and pretty.

[@samkcatladyaks]

Every time you say “sheer joy” I hear “queer joy” and it makes me happy:) And you did such a good job! I’m so impressed with your sewing skills! I love all these fits! You gave me some good ideas and some motivation to try my little $50 sewing machine out finally

[@julecaesara482]

As a part-time metal head, I am so so so grateful for summer black this season. I also want to stress that you absolutely SLAYED all of these, especially the say yes to the goddess

[@KathleenIllustrated]

okay LOVE the summer black look on you AND love the DIY Daisy book!!! keep up the lovely work, my friend 💞

[@eline.de.allerbeste]

Yes to sound of music core! I live in Austria, and love thrifting vintage “traditional” coats and upcycling sound of music esque trachten pieces

[@toralundin5869]

"For every sucessfull sewing project, I have one that is a little bit of a fail." Omg this mindset will be so usefull for my knitting ambitions! 😯😍

[@leenanorms]

Yes! Ratio is so important x

[@gingerprice9221]

2:23 in and THE GASP I GASPED AT THAT IMMACULATE CREATION!!! YOU LOOK INCREDIBLE! Am also v. much here for the grunge!

[@marrus1372]

KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK 💃🏻 🎉🎉🎉

[@annegorah]

Love your hearty yaks, love the grunge outfit aaand the black summer one. I'm so happy to see the blue and green tartan sheer blouse I love it!

[@louisebacklund4485]

You 👏 SLAYYYYYEEED 👏 these outfits!! And the absolute biggest yes to applying what trends you think are cute to your already existing wardrobe!

[@hannahfagan9904]

Love the grunge look- never too much tartan!

[@responsibleregalia]

I loved all of these, especially the looks you put together for Summer Black, Embrace the Goddess and the tartan look!

[@albiesspace]

Rewatching old KZbin favourites because I'm sick and bored, and I bloody love the all-black one!

[@proudveggie]

No such thing as too much tartan! Love the grungey look, I never really moved out of that phase so it's fun to see people coming back around to it with a new take on it.

[@clemclemclem-1]

as someone who wears mostly black, i LOVE the summer black look! the tank is adorable, and i wouldnt have thought of the wide leg with the peplum top 🥰🖤 consider me inspired - along with all the me-made pieces

[@HannahWoodardLockaby]

The heart dress outfit 😍 would wear in a ....heartbeat.

[@gamewrit0058]

"Sound of Music Core 2023" hosted by Leena Norms sounds wonderful! You did awesome with styling these outfits. The first one was tons better than the sheer samples you showed. To make the black more spring/summer, maybe roll the cuffs a little above the ankle, like you did with those GORGEOUS pink dungarees! Love the heart dress you made, especially with the red big statement accessories. You made the goddess dress work well, too, with the black belt and accessories - The garment might have been designed with the expectation that the person wearing it will provide the underlying architecture with a shapewear, such as a cone bra or bustier and butt-lifting underwear. Nice lipstick choices, and the final outfit is fantastic as well!

[@idancealways4ever440]

I liked the goddess dress, maybe change the sleeve? Your grunge was great & brown lips were/are very 90s and on trend looked great. Thanks for sharing this. I have so many clothes I need to play with more

[@sb9044]

I love this! Really nice getting to watch a clothes video that isn’t trying to sell me something 😊

[@jasminewatkiss7115]

I love all of these outfits, Leena! Also I'm so envious of your Catch Rhys hoops and chain - they don't seem to sell these ones anymore! Thank you for making sustainable fashion content and also telling Heroin Chic and fast-fashion trends to naff off! 💜

[@beccitatefitzjohn7804]

This video brought me so much joy! And that heart dress 😍You're getting so bloody good at upcycling

[@leahaf808]

I think trends can be really fun and creative if you think of them like this - more of a seasonal creative design brief than a mandate to buy stuff.

[@katenoke1571]

I grew up in the west of Ireland in the 70s and 80s, and thrifted style was all the rage then, as nobody had any money. My mum worked as a nurse in a nursing home, and sometimes was gifted clothing items after clients left the world. One time she brought me a pristine v neck long white cotton nightie with ruffles which I loved to throw on backwards with red patent ballet flats and my mother's enormous black tooled leather Victorian style handbag. I always felt so chic, going out for a night in this getup. And nobody looked like me

[@starcasita]

Yes to all of this but especially for 2023 to be full of sound of music core! I am looking at my curtains as we speak!

[@dawnelfiiya]

LOVE that you used what you already have, and each look worked so well! Makes me want to see what I can put together too... The polished grunge look was my favourite I think, but omg the goddess dress was amazing 😍 perhaps would add something organic to it like long wooden beaded necklace layered with a gold one...

[@marianneshepherd6286]

Loved all the different looks. As someone who grew up in the 90s with grunge I kinda roll my eyes when high fashion brands give that genre of music a look as the majority of bands looked like that because they could only ever shop in thrift stores or wear hand me downs (this was before they went mainstream) x x x

[@myhandsaslanguage]

I love this. I might try my own version of this with my wardrobe. Creating a specific look with pieces one already has is such a fun way to remember pieces of clothing that may have been neglected for a while.

[@lucyo2919]

Summer black and the grungeish outfits were my favorite! The mix of darker colors and ‘lighter’ silhouettes (not sure how to phrase it lol) is very fun and cool :D

[@hello93247]

Love LOVE the tartan look with the scarf!! Chef’s kiss on all of the tartan with the silver jewelry and lip color

[@ohitsjustaudrey]

That goddess dress is one of the most beautiful dresses I’ve ever seen

[@kateellenberry]

Grunge & goddess are my fave looks 😊

[@eveklinger4134]

I love the visual and auditory transition between the different styles, and your positive energy! I just recovered from covid for the second time, and I feel like it has somehow given me more energy now that I am up on my feet. My mind and body feel fresh to bring joy and color into my life. Thank you for cultivating this nurturing place in the internet!

[@Shahrezad1]

I love the grunge, goddess, and heart dress looks. *Chef's kiss* Now I'm going to go off and make clothes from the Edwardian era, out of bedsheets, because I know nothing about modern fashion...

[@silliepixie]

I love that you are using what you already have to create the looks. They turned out so good!

[@pisto30]

The heart dress and overalls have to be my FAVORITE

[@blytheberesford2657]

I swear every year you get better at dressing yourself and I am HERE FOR THE JOURNEY The last two outfits were UHMAZING - I am saying yes to the goddess and revisiting the grunge!

[@moonkrane]

The Heart Motiff dress is absolutely incredible!

[@sophiebuchel]

The chartreuse was my FAVOURITE you look badass

[@anabluu]

All of them work, did not have a single doubt about any of them! A couple look slightly grown up and polished, like the goddess, but also so you, that I cannot fault them. Also, genius idea with the dungarees, will absolutely replicate it as a sewing project!

[@leilathecuttlefish]

love the green satin and black leather combo. i'd probably minus the crown and do hair up but that's a winner for me

[@natw.737]

Your summer black outfit is GIVING

[@owlstoathens2265]

Multiple tartans for the win! Love!

[@marianne4902]

Sheer Joy outfit was AMAZING and my favorite ❤❤❤

[@bethanylaurel]

Love love love the “goddess” dress. Styling is 🔥🔥🔥

[@nalanaproudlock7272]

The plaid look is my favvv

[@ampersignia]

The Sheer Joy and Heart Motif outfits are my favorites!

[@annaxu5086]

Loving the double tartan outfit!

[@diinalens]

i wholeheartedly second soundofmusiccore! gotta love a good dirndl, also: aprons are UNDERRATED accessories.

[@RachaelTheRed]

I love this idea! It's such a good idea for shopping your own closet and seeing your current wardrobe in new ways!

[@saramahowald6099]

I loved the Summer Black outfit - great job on the top!! The L&Y dungarees are splendid, and I love seeing them. But the goddess green look takes the cake.

[@yyyy622]

Say yes to the goddess!!! Omg it's beautiful

[@juliawalters7870]

Summer black is GIVING! Love it

[@alexischase8388]

Ooh I love the last one and the hearts overalls!!

[@sierrasukalski2133]

The goddess dress is working for you. The belt really suits you from the aesthetic of things, as well as the function side. I would suggest an updo, though, something with volume, maybe topped by ribbons or headband crowns. You know the gibson girl look, or where the hair is pieced out, and tucked through a band, making a voluminous curl over, leading away from the face? Maybe another kind of big rose hoops that you favor, maybe something a bit lux, a rose made of velvet or silk, or a bright but pastel/watercolor type fabric? I kind of thought of a pink or purple+ for that last option, something that seems variegated. Or maybe a print reminiscent of carnivals and victorian luxuriant darkness. (Men's silk ties revisited?) The green highlights the red in your skin, and it really makes the brown of your eyes and hair pop. You could try to pinkify your skin, but it could also be really interesting to add more red to your outfit, build it up with another color -one away from the green or red on the color wheel, like purple or blue: Yellow or orange? I'm not sure, but I wonder if that could be worth a try, like parrot feathers? You have such beautiful bright skin, that really bright bold colors truly suit you! Lest I forget, maybe you simply need leopard earrings! I love chartreuse, and when it was first introduced to me, it seemed very mysterious, so I got curious. I found that the color became a fashion along with an even brighter green when it could finally be made through the use of arsenic. Modern acid dyes no longer require such toxicity for similar results. (Thank the gods!) However, for a time, green fabric was a major source of poisoning in the home. It turns out, that as available as the color green is in nature, finding a green dye was nearly impossible, as the pigments making it would be yellow, orange, red, purple, and even blue (though blue is relatively rare, coming primarily from woad and ph manipulations of anthocyanins, until indigo and logwood? became an option. For reference, woad produced bright blue, anthocyanins produce mostly medium and light blues. Cadmium and cobalt... Let's just say I only know them from the glassmaking side of things so far, and I know they are not something I'd want to immerse myself in. Logwood is rare? I'd have to look it up again to remember where it comes from. It produces a purply blue, kind of grey and muted. Indigo and prussian blue (a whole story in its self), which came to Europe late, unless I miss my mark, were the only ways of making a clear, deep blue.) All those famous green clad archers from previous centuries were mixing blue and yellow dyes, using a process that included soaking the fabric in urine. Anyway, it was this perfect fusion between the color of abundance and fertility, and a new luxury, not quite in this world. I can easily imagine how it began to reference magic and power. And, you know the Victorians - obsessed with exotic locales, exotic animals, occult power, and a magical marriage between them, especially when hunting for the next trend. All of which is to say that pairing chartreuse with leopards, snakes, exotic birds and insects, and the concept of godhood, has a long tradition that deserves to transcend its more poisonous roots. If anyone could do it with a simple find here or there, and a DIY project, it would be you, Leena!

[@elinorrussell213]

The clothes you made yourself look so good!!! And such cool shapes! Will DEFFO have to chase you that sewing book now👀

[@KnitsFromTheVoid]

Lena, I love all of those. Also, can I please have some of them? You did such a great job at curating clothes that match my style in my size, and while I KNOW it is my style, I never manage to find those kind of clothes! By the way: Thank you for making the only kind of fashion videos I want to watch!! And for helping me recognize and refine my style (for the body I have, not the body I "ought to have")

[@emiliebourdet516]

love all your ensembles and you did great progress in sewing ! 😃

[@user-es7ui5mc1m]

I pretty much live in black clothes anyway so I'm totally here for black in the summer! I've always found that I can get so much more wear out of darker colored "summer" items because they're much easier to layer imo, so can be worn even in slightly colder weather, whereas with lighter-colored summer pieces, they often look extremely summery and cutesy and flowy, so they're harder to layer for slightly cooler weather (at least for me, there probably are people who are better at layering who'd disagree haha)

[@Anna-pd6dc]

If you'd like to take your sewing to the next level, look into fit adjustments. You can adjust paper patterns for your body shape and go from a "home made" (which is already wonderful don't get me wrong) look to something more "custom tailored". Some things I do that may or may not apply to you too: grading between sizes, full bust adjustment, full tummy adjustment, forward shoulder adjustment, broad back adjustment.... The list goes on and on and every adjustment goes both directions depending if you need to add or remove.

[@sunflowerspirited4974]

The heart dress you made was definitely my favorite outfit💗✨

[@feelfreekwt]

The black and the goddess!!! Ong

[@leahschroeder3533]

Obsessed with your take on summer black! And also excited about that concept in general as someone who recently discovered they really prefer black to bright summer colors.

[@seilanna1]

I think my favorite outfit is the last one. I love the grunge style.

[@NortherlyK]

Grunge Revisited is my absolute favorite. ❤❤

[@alisonallen8658]

Love summer black grunge and goddess!

[@Hillary429]

Love the tartan look 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@sofiem8936]

absolutely gorgeous. very creative! i kept stopping the video to comment "this is my fav outfit!" for each and every one you showed 😅😅😅 great video!

[@10shutterbug]

I love the green dress on you!You’re right, it definitely needs a belt. Try the leopard print belt and the brown heeled boots for something a little softer and … woodsy?? Ethereal?? You can also add some grey or dark brown patterned tights for some more texture ❤

[@LexiLadonna]

The tartan look is so good!!! Plus it hit 3 categories!

[@phos5990]

loooove you in these "editorial", runway inspired looks!!! all of them are great. 2:46 ribbon on the neck would be gorgeous too! and I see it quite often on fashion girlies xd

[@indiabilly]

Love the goddess dress, I love that colour green on you, I look bloody hideous in it even though I love it so I have envy xx

[@cinemaocd1752]

This was a great video. Loved the Goddess chartrues dress. Maybe a different belt would be more goddess-y...like I could see just making something out of black cord or upcycled bootlace. Or maybe a gold chain belt (could even be a strip of gold trim). Maybe paint an old pair of shoes or boots gold?

[@oh_lalala]

Thanks for the inspiration - such cute, fun and cool outfits! 🙌🏻🤩

[@nakymatonlapsiN]

glad to know i will be in style this summer with all the black on black i'm already wearing :')