STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kitty · Hermes

Fashion ramblings

Suasoria · Chanel

I am so with you on the sexy. I can't stand not looking at least a little bit sexy. Even at the office. Even around the house. Otherwise, what's the point?

I decided in April that I was no longer going to buy any clothing that isn't black, gray or white. Any prints (which I generally avoid anyway) have to be mostly black, white or gray. So far, it's going great.

I'm obsessed with thrift stores all of the sudden. I used to have no time to thrift, now I have some free time. So it's all I want to do in that free time.

Kelly · Hermes

Wow, I can definitely agree on the sexy thing. Even if I know I look "cute," I still don't wear things unless I'm a little bit sexy too. I'm waiting patiently for this loose-fitting clothing trend to be over. I bought exactly one voluminous top, and even that I only picked up because it had a tie under my boobs and well, it shows them off.

I feel like I'm in a rut, although I'm not sure how I could even get out of it. My work outfit formula for spring and summer always seems to be knee-length skirts, form-fitting knit tops, and ballet flats (or more sandally shoes in the middle of the summer). Sometimes I'll "bust out" and wear jeans, but it's rare. I feel like I just can't think of any other outfits I'm happy with, so I keep doing the same thing every day.

ETA: I am glad, though, because for perhaps the first time in my life I have a friend who likes shopping and dressing up! Since I've moved home I've been hanging out with one of my cousins a ton, and she actually likes primping and shopping with me. We like different styles for sure, but it's still nice to actually have someone else around who cares and doesn't think I'm weird for wanting to get a little fancy now and then.

-- Edited by ttara123 at 12:33, 2008-05-22

jj · Kate Spade

I can't believe how uninspiring the fashion is in Tucson. Blech. When we lived in DC, I had my weekly Sunday brunch with the girls, and we would always dress stylish. Even if it was roll-out-of-bed stylish. And half the fun was people watching, checking out how other people put outfits together, the trends, etc...

Here, people out and about look like they rolled out of bed in a bad way. I went up to Scottsdale this weekend, and I went bananas. I saw so many cute outfit ideas and people who put effort into the way they looked. And I mean just ordinary effort, not two hours of hair and make-up. It made me seriously homesick. I miss the fashion parade!

On the up side, I am less motivated to shop. I am investing in home decor and playing tennis on the weekends instead of shopping for clothes. But I still miss it cry

-- Edited by jj at 11:50, 2008-05-22

Elle · Hermes

I'm pretty over the whole voluminous trend too - let's move on already!

I've been having quality issues lately. Since I decided to take my closet in a new direction last winter I've been trying to do more quality and less quantity, but I've been disappointed in quality vs. price for some 'nicer' brands (BR, Jcrew, etc). On the upside of that, I've been thoroughly impressed with the quality of some lower/middle of the line brands, AE and NY&Co recently. 'Washable' clothes that cannot survive a gentle run through a washing machine every once in awhile should not be allowed to be sold!

Changing shopping habits is hard - you know how when you're sifting through racks and something just jumps out at you? Those things you're just drawn to? I call that 'heart shopping'. Heart shopping doesn't necessarily create functional wardrobes. But 'head shopping' is so much harder! And while I'd have a great time picking things for someone else, somehow I just can. not. figure. it. out. when I try to do it for myself

.

itsapinkthing · Coach

Hmm I guess I'm still okay with some volume, but it's GOT to fit in the right places and not just be a box. I am happily welcoming back more mid-rise bottoms for sure!
I think my part-time fortay into retail at GAP in a college town has changed me a bit. I am so sick of seeing these girls with amazing figures out in their VS Pink sweats and flip flops. Please girls a little effort. If I can stay home woth a toddler and manage an "outfit" everyday, I think these girls should too.
Plus I realize I can no longer dress like I'm 25. I know I've got to find things that fit and flatter and that's kind of hard. I'm starting to be drawn to more conservative classic dressing, but on the casual end.
I do miss back home, Chicago, all the play group moms always seemed pulled together and cute. I guess I have not found a group of moms I feel I fit in with here. I can NOT be that Mom at the parkin workout wear.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

I feel like I'm doing the opposite thing with the sexy situation. I gained some weight and therefore had to change bras sizes, fit into bigger ones but find myself no longer wearing such form fitting clothing or push up style bras.

I also go to greater lengths of covering up any hints of cleavage at work (although it sounds great to look trendy and appealing at work, its not fun when a gross 40 yr old stares at boobs, then eyes, boobs then eyes when you're trying to talk about something serious).

erin · Chanel

i've started trying to dress a little sexier, but i still enjoy tent dresses/etc just for their ease.

Sibeski · Dooney & Bourke

Oh..I'll join!
I'm feeling the opposite of sexy and stylish. My baby weight is just NOT coming off like it did with Caeden. I had sciatica during my whole pregnancy so I didn't exercise at all. Then I had a c-section which led to major complications. Following it my hemoglobin went down to 8.1 and I had to have a stent put in so my kidney could drain. Frickin' FANTASTIC. So. I have gone at least a year doing nothing but getting soft (for my body anyway).
Now, everything I purchase is camoflauge. Don't faint, I'm not being literal

I just miss buying things because I really liked them - and because I looked great

I suppose this sound's more like a pity-party not a rant! At least my feet aren't pudgy too, which is leading to way more shoes than I need!

Cortney1982 · Chanel

I am so sick of babydoll tops and boxy jackets! Also anything with wide fall off the hanger necklines. I like my clothes to be slim fitting.

Suasoria · Chanel

And ANOTHER rant/ramble:

I'm tired of HER:

And HER:

And HER:

I am tired of seeing the same two models in every catalog or site. I've even seen the Boston Proper model on Macys.com.

-- Edited by Suasoria at 21:14, 2008-05-22

Kitty · Hermes

I'm sick of this chick:

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Cortney1982 · Chanel

Kitty wrote:

I'm sick of this chick:

HA! Me too! She always has a stupid puzzled look on her face. Must be frozen like that.

I'm also had enough of this delias model:

erin · Chanel

you ladies are killing me! i'm sick of the shopbop redhead, also of her:

would it kill her to put some lowlights in her hair!?

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

Oooo. This IS a good one. I'll be 37 in Sept., so NOW, or pretty much always for the most part, now I WANT my clothes to be sexy. I HATE having my declotage covered, I like to show SOME skin! LOL But at work, I do make sure it's WORK-appropriate. I'm a CURVY girl, no doubt, so I do like my clothes to FIT/hug my body. NOT SO TIGHT that I can't breathe, but I love showing off my curves. I guess I'm like the rest, I'm NOT buying it unless it's SEXY. I do NOT do anything that's boxy on me - what's the point/purpose? LOL

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

I'm finally trying to dress my age-ish. I've quit buying plain tshirts, and I've been phasing any crewneck shirts I own out of my wardrobe (I have big boobs and crewnecks are very unflattering.) I have also quit wearing college sweatshirts.

I am also trying to buy things that look a little bit dressier (i.e., something that looks like I made an effort), but it's hard since I've always been such a plain, casual dresser.

I'm also SO glad I figured out my bra size and started buying quality bras.

This isn't fashion related, but I've also realized that when it comes to beauty/health products, drugstore products usually work just as well.

-- Edited by wetbandit42 at 19:05, 2008-05-23

fairywings · Dooney & Bourke

I am so frustrated about dress styles recently. If they're not massively huge and making me look like a pregnant Angelina Jolie, they're shorter than some of my boyshorts. I have started to believe the saying "if you can't tell if it's a shirt of a dress...leave it!" And what the heck is a tunic? Can you wear it as a dress or what? I just want to find some cute flattering summer dresses that are easy to pull off and comfortable. I really think it's all men designing clothing recently.

Grace · BCBG

Ok so going back to the sexy thing....I always feel like I fall into the "cute" category. Maybe it's because I'm small? How do you bump up the sexy without it being about T&A (since I have no T's)?

Elle · Hermes

Grace wrote:

Ok so going back to the sexy thing....I always feel like I fall into the "cute" category. Maybe it's because I'm small? How do you bump up the sexy without it being about T&A (since I have no T's)?

I have this problem too, and so I feel like I can't really pull off 'sexy'. I just try my hardest not to wear anything too cutesy and hope it works. Slightly edgy works better for me, and sometimes that ends up a little sexy on its own. One thing that falls into that category are those tops with a dramatically cut-out back. Edgy, sexy, and all the better if there are no T's in the way to deal with!

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

Grace wrote:

Ok so going back to the sexy thing....I always feel like I fall into the "cute" category. Maybe it's because I'm small? How do you bump up the sexy without it being about T&A (since I have no T's)?

sexy tip #1: wear heels. flats and flip flops are gamine and cute and casual--not sexy.

sexy tip #2: accentuate your assets. Like if you have no Ts, accentuate your A, or your legs, or your slender figure, or whatever part of your body you're confident about. Also, remember that girls w/ no T's can actually get away with much shorter, form fitting clothes w/o looking like they're "trying too hard." So go ahead and wear all those tops (like the backless ones Elle mentioned) that a girl w/ Ts wouldn't be able to pull off w/o some special contraption of a bra.

sexy tip #3: walk like you mean it. the heels will help with this. but make sure you're not clomping around in them, I'm always amazed by how many girls don't know how to walk in heels. If this is you, practice. remember--head high, shoulders back, no clomping!

sexy tip #4: hair. make sure it's shiny and bouncy and preferably long (that's just my preference of course).

sexy tip #5: I hinted at this one before and it's counterintuitive but make sure you do not fall into the "trying too hard" category. i doubt this will be your problem but sometimes people overcompensate. If you don't feel comfortable w/ any of the new clothes or advice or whatever, don't follow it. Your discomfort will show through and there's nothing sexy about feeling awkward.

hth and good luck!