Lesson: Either drape-y shirt OR wide leg pants. Not both. I think I look about 2 feet tall, or as if I'm a small child in my mother's work clothes.
That said, I consider all of these pieces to be good pieces. The shirt makes my stomach look bad in the pictures, but that is (at least partially!) because of the light hitting the satiny stuff different than the cottony stuff. I am iffy about the jacket though. What do you think?
I wanted to make a couple comments on jeans, since so many people mentioned that below. I badly want jeans with a higher rise, and I am so thankful to the fashion world for beginning to bring them back into fashion. For a long time, it's been difficult for me to find anything but low rise. I MUCH prefer higher. So, that will be something I will look for when I go jean shopping. But here is my jean dilemma: I have large thighs, large hips, and large calves. I have to buy jeans that my legs fit in, and they inevitably end up falling off my waist, which ends up making them bunch at the crotch, which is usually too long to begin with. BUT, since I am willing to make a foray into the world of jeans that cost more than $20, I'm hoping there are other people who have these problems that can help me out with jean recommendations!
Another note: because I am still recovering from the wedding and honeymoon, I will not be heading out to the stores for a while. Taking two weeks off when you're only a part time employee SUCKS! But never fear, I have a plan! In mid-February, I will head out to a department store (recs welcome - Macy's? Dillards? Kohls?) and get a couple bras, since the consensus says that a bra should be my #1 priority. Then, I am going to arrange to go on a major shopping trip for my birthday at the end of March. My inlaws live in Chicago, so I might do that, or there is an outlet mall with a Gap outlet near my parents. I'll probably base it on what I hear from you! In the meantime, I'll keep going through my clothes and getting advice from you.
I'm loving your feedback - please keep it coming!
9 comments:
A tailor or seamstress is invaluable. For those of us who are not "normal-sized" (whether big or small), we simply just don't look as good in clothes off-the-rack. I find that I have to tailor even simple things like jeans.
Finding someone you trust to do this will make a huge difference. I didn't believe it until I tried it myself. Now, even my less expensive clothes look like a million bucks after investing a little more money for that extra care.
couple comments:
first, i think this is such a great idea for a blog. props to you for doing this!
second, the girls in the last post gave you such great advice about investing in a couple good bras (nude in color). it will really change the way you look in your tops. i would say stay away from kohl's and instead hit macys or dillards. you want a shop that has someone who will actually measure you and bring you items that will work with your shape. if you feel like someone is just trying to 'force' something on you, just decline and find another store. in my experience, the larger the dept store, the more likely they are to have trained employees in the lingerie section.
lastly, i want to ditto what weezermonkey said. a tailor is your best friend. rarely do clothes fit right off the rack. and for staples like a good pair of work pants or jeans, it's essential to invest in them a little more to get something that fits you well. the rule is to make sure it fits the largest part of you (for me, that means it fits in the thighs and hips) and then have the rest tailored down.
my advice would be to go to a nordstroms or other high end dept store to just try a few pairs of jeans on and get the salesgirls advice on what pairs could be tailored down appropriately and which styles won't do well with extra work. then, head back to a macys or maybe even a marshalls and try to find the same thing for less $$. that way, you get to pick the salesgirls brain, but at the same time keep the item in your budget.
tons of luck to you and keep up posted!! :)
Hit up Nordstrom or Macy's for a bra fitting--I've had great sales associates at both and they really take the time to get the right fit and even the right look for you. I bought 2 bras (nude & black) for $50 each, they are pretty, but not like the beautiful, lacy things; I thought I would hate that at first because wearing pretty bras makes me feel better--well having my clothes fit well and make me feel pretty all day really makes me feel better.
Hit up the nest and get recommendations for good tailors/seamstresses in your area. I have 2 that I use that are far less expensive than any mall or dept store and go better work--usually in a shorter amount of time. Get the jeans that fit your legs and pick the sales associates brain about which can best be altered, then get them altered. You will be so happy with the look and fit.
I like the jewel tone top, I think it adds interest. I do not like the jacket, it looks a little too frumpy for me. I think the wide leg pants would look better with a more fitted buttoned down top--especially one that has a more feminine neckline and doesn't button all the way up to the collar.
I am also bad with accessories and will say that I've had the most luck buying actual jewelry that adds interest. I found yellow gold earrings (love knots and threaders) at Macy's that ended up being $40 each--more than accessories, but also not too trendy and can be worn for years. I got a pair of small pearl earrings from bluenile for $50. Even though they are not loud pieces, they do help to make my outfits feel more pulled together.
I like to add bold colors with scarves, pashminas, belts, purses and camis.
I agree about the tailor - you don't have to buy expensive clothing because having your clothing fit correctly will make your clothing look expensive - and make you feel like a million bucks as well.
I like the pants they are cute and the top because of the color but the jacket looks boxy - maybe look for some jackets that are nipped in at the waist a little? or have some interest in them I think the arms were just a little to long for you. As far as the pants - what shoes do you wear with them?
You haven't really said anything about shoes or have we gotten to shoes yet? :)
Please don't go to Kohl's for your first good bra shopping experience. You need to go somewhere where the saleslady will fit you--she will go into the dressing room with you and measure you. Otherwise, you will continue to wander aimlessly in the wrong sized bra for a lot longer than necessary. Of course you should still try bras on, but knowing where to start and seeing what a proper bra will do for your posture and smoothness will be so helpful. Nordstrom's, Nieman Marcus, maybe Macy's.
And I fourth or fifth or whatever on the tailor. You need to start viewing clothes as more of an investment--once you commit to a quality pair of jeans and get them fitted to you, you will want to wear them for years--and if you bought a good pair, they should last for years.
Regarding this outfit: I think all the pieces are fine, but definitely not together. You could try the jacket with a tighter top with the wide pants and you could try the top (good color!) with ....hmm, maybe it's just too loose and flowy. Like I said below, loose is not always the answer, if ever--structure and fit are.
oh yes, shoes! those wide leg pants are screaming for a cute heel!
I think I will do shoes in depth tonight. I made sure I took them off for the picture because I was mad at myself for accidentally putting on an ugly pair of black shoes that I haven't gotten around to throwing out yet instead of the cute ones I just bought at Christmas time! :-P
Can we see the jacket buttoned up? It's hard to judge the shape with it open, but it seems kind of boxy.
I was the one that mentioned Kohls with the bras, and I didn't mean for it to be a first stop. You do need to get measured and find the size and brands that work first.
I'm excited to see those shoes.
Jeans:
Go to Levis.com and find one of their stores near you that uses the Intelligent fit system. (I think that's what its called)
Then go to that store and use it. You stand in this machine and the thing circles around you and then you get a print out of your sizes in their different styles. Then you can try the different styles on and see what fits best.
I did that and it was spot on....and I usually have a hard time fitting jeans.
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