STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

So someone started this topic - my question is - who the heck is going to fix our problems for us?!?!?!

Mine are as follows:
#1, went from a corporate job to not working, so I'm working from a "worky" vibe in my closet & trying to incorporate casual & fun pieces.

#2, I gained quite a bit of weight & now am in the process of losing, so I tend to buy tops but not bottoms because I hate shopping for bottoms when it (being my butt) is big, and I don't want to spend money on things that I surely hope won't fit in a few months. Therefore, I have one pair of jeans, one pair of black pants that I wear all the time & a denim skirt that I feel "just ok" in on skinnier days.

#3, money money money - but even if i had lots - I can't see myself spending $100 on a tank when you can shop around and find one for $20. This causes quantity over quality in my closet. On the same theme, I will spend $100 - $150 on a pair of shoes, but not $100 on pants or a top.

#4. I don't have a particular style at all, have lots of pieces & no real outfits - I throw together my pieces but am always afraid that I am look like I'm trying to be "trendy". I'm working on completing outfits, but this will take time & I KNOW there are outfits in there waiting to come out.

#5. I'm 32, I don't want to be one of those women that 20 somethings look at & say "she's too old to have that on" like i did when I was a 20 something, but I want to be fashionable & not look like a granny!!!!!!!!

Mine are similar to a lot of the ones already described:

1. $$$.  Can't help but think if I have a lot of money, I would be the most fashionable person ever! One can always dream.

2. Completing outfits.  I have tons of great tops and pants and individual pieces, and can come up with some generic outfits.  But I have a problem doing creative stuff.

3. Accessories.  I'm clueless.  I love chunky and eye catching necklaces but when it comes to belts, shoes and purses, forget it.  I have 3-4 bags I rotate around.  Sad really.

4. Closet Space.  NYC is just not made for big closets

5. Buying cheap clothes.  I know this is going to sound a bit snobby.  But if I find a piece that are very similar, one from a better brand and one from cheaper brand.  Let's say a Trina Turk top as compared to an Express top.  I will not blink twice before buying the Trina Turk, because to me it's just a much better quality brand.  I know I know... I'm trying to change...

6. Sizing.  My weight has fluctuated a lot in the last 7 years, and my closet contains sizes ranging from 2-10.  It's frustrating when you have the perfect something but only to find out it's too big/small.  Good news is that I'm on the lower end today

 

-- Edited by Joina at 03:30, 2005-02-23

1.  Having a baby.  I was pregnant most of 2004, so obviously I didn't by any regular clothes.  Now that I am a size larger in the chest and a little larger in the hips, my old clothes do not fit or just don't look as good as they did when I weighed 110.  (I weigh 115 now).  Until I stop nursing, I won't know exactly what size my chest goes down to, if at all, so it's a waiting game!!  Meanwhile, my tees all look a little Pamela Anderson-ish.

2.  Money.  Before I was pregnant, my husband and I were on a fixed budget because he started up a smoothie store and finances were limited, so I haven't really bought a lot of clothes since 2002.  Now I have enough to buy things here and there, but not enough to revamp my entire wardrobe.

3.  I get stuck in a rut of casual and cheap (Old Navy, Express, Gap) clothes.  Jeans, sneakers, tees and hooded sweat shirts are my mom uniform these days.  But no reason to wear nice fabrics, baby spit up really leaves a stain if you don't pre-treat it in the wash.

4.  Time.  As time goes by and I am busier, I find it harder to "keep up" with current styles and update my looks.  I didn't used to buy basics, I did not need to because I always had time to go find that perfect weekend outfit in a pinch.  You would never know today that in 1997 I was voted "best dressed" by my coworkers (and "best butt" too--it was a very silly poll and sadly one of my proudest moments).  Back then I was a size 1 and didn't have a husband who got disappointed when I would splurge on cute outfits. 

5.  No matter what, I have always had the struggle with quantity vs. quality.  For some reason, if I find 3 cute cheaper items, I will buy them over the 1 more expensive, higher quality, longer closet life item.  This is how I get stuck in the #3 rut.