Fashion Sense
From the title... I have horrible fashion sense - or just none at all. I don't dress THAT bad, I don't think, but I definitely need some improvement. I do most (if not all) of my shopping at stores like Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and when they have a good sale, JCPenny.
First off: You're 25- you can wear anything.
Second: What styles do you like on other women? What is your outlook on the world?
Also an honest look at your body shape will help steer you in the right direction. Apple? Pear? Figure 8?
Lots and lots of sources online for picking styles to suit.
How do you need to dress at work?
I am by no means a fashinista but I am 25 and hear you about the transition from juniors to womens being difficult. I have my own style and really don't pay attention to fashion trends. I go to places like the gap and target for basics like tank tops, tees and jeans. I go to express for nicer jeans and dress pants and sometimes I like some of their dresser things. My absolute favorite store is United Colors of Benetton but they are few and far between, doesn't have online shopping and is pretty expensive. I only get work clothes there that I will wear a lot. I also like anthropology. It is somewhat pricey but I love basically everything in there and they usually have really good stuff in the sales section.
But it really depends on the type of clothes you like and what stores make things that fit you. I have long limbs so stores like united colors with italian cuts are great for me. Anthropology caters to my tastes and target offers plain things that I wear often.
It might take quite a bit of shopping around for you to find what you want. You could also tell us what styles you like and what body type you have and maybe someone will have specific suggestions.
I just feel like I'm "stuck" in between phases. I like button down dress shirts, polos, flowy tops.
Business casual. I normally wear dress pants (gray, black) with a collared button down shirt. But since it's getting really hot, I'd like to wear short sleeves. Since it is business casual, I feel like I have some "play" in the types of dressy shirts I can wear... does that make sense?
I try things on, but don't really "know" what I'm doing as far as what should go with what, etc.
I'm not sure that I can help - up until recently I dressed terribly all the time. Then I had my emo/goth phase, although thankfully I didn't put too much money into that.
I don't think style has anything to do with fashion. I've finally got a sense of style and fashion still baffles me. Especially those gigantic sunglasses, and some of the weird, enormous jewelry. Then again I wear a lot of neon, so people probably don't get me, either.
I say just shop around, find what looks good, and accessorise as you please. Don't worry too much about what fashion is in right now because it'll just go right back out again!
Well even with extra weight, there's generally a shape:
Larger bellow than up top?
Relatively the same at both ends with a clear indented waistline?
No answers needed here, but take some measurements.
You'll be surprised to find out you have an actual 'shape'.
Then you can start thinking about what styles you like on others. Short skirts, long skirts, elegant lines, frilly ones? Soft shape-hugging drapes, tailored styles?
BTW it's ok to have a wide variety of 'looks'. For me, it depends on my mood.
Yes, you're right... maybe it's not so much "fashion" I need as it is a style.
You're right, kg.
You can start at Lane Bryant. At least they have shape designated styles.
Plus sized models, as well, so you can get a good idea how something might look.
I'm mainly a t-shirt/jeans kind of person. (Except at work). But I want something different. I'm tired of always dressing to hide myself... does that make sense?
Original Post by thehappyfish:
...
Then again I wear a lot of neon, so people probably don't get me, either.
...
Ha, I struggle to find things in my waredrobe that are not black or grey. I don't purposefully dress mildly goth, but I have been told I do. What I think my style is probably isn't what others think my style is. Who cares though, really.
OP, something that helped me realize what my actual style is was going shopping with other people that know me well and letting them pick out things for me to try on. A lot of my favorite clothes were things I never would have picked up off the rack and tried on by myself.
My HUSBAND even offered to take me shopping... now you KNOW that's bad!
Original Post by roxysparkles:
...Just went to their website... I think those clothes are too big for me... I'm like a size 12 pants, size L shirt. But I think I can get some ideas from the site as to what looks good on a bigger woman such as myself!!
I'm mainly a t-shirt/jeans kind of person. (Except at work). But I want something different. I'm tired of always dressing to hide myself... does that make sense?
I suggest trying on more dresses when you go out. I used to never wear them but once I started trying them on more I found tons of casual and dressy dresses that I love. They are easy because you don't have to worry about matching tops to bottoms!
Original Post by roxysparkles:
I guess my biggest thing is that I don't know what looks good on me. I would probably guess frilly skirts... knee length? I have short, stubby legs, so short skirts don't look good, and neither do long ones, IMO. But what the hell do I know?! lol
try to find skirts that hit just above the knee if you have short legs. mini skirts will look too "juniors" and stuff that hits at the knee is going to cut you off and make your legs look shorter. longer than the knee will do the same thing.
Original Post by roxysparkles:
Original Post by kathygator:
You can start at Lane Bryant. At least they have shape designated styles.
Plus sized models, as well, so you can get a good idea how something might look.
Just went to their website... I think those clothes are too big for me... I'm like a size 12 pants, size L shirt. But I think I can get some ideas from the site as to what looks good on a bigger woman such as myself!!
I'm mainly a t-shirt/jeans kind of person. (Except at work). But I want something different. I'm tired of always dressing to hide myself... does that make sense?
It makes perfect sense. Let yourself go. As I said you're 25. You can wear anything.
If the clothes are too big (which they often are) at Lane Bryant, at least it's a good starting place to get a sense of what you might like.
Since you already shop at JCP you might look at their stuff online, as well. It's not bad.
Coldwater Creek, Eddie Bauer are good for more conservative styles but a tad spendy.
Also Avenue has a few different stores at their site, and they are plus sized.
Hippie wear: Pyramid Collection has cool stuff. ;)
The key is to buy things that fit. Not too tight anywhere, not too loose anywhere.
If you wear things that are too baggy, it’s unflattering; likewise, clothing that binds isn’t flattering, either.
I am an hourglass, too, and I find that things that nip in subtly at the waist look best on me. Like this blouse.
Thanks, KG. I'm going to look up these sites! :)
I love that blouse. That is gorgeous.
