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Post Info TOPIC: Newbie looking for help & advice
Cecilia


Nine West

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Newbie looking for help & advice
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Hi All,


I just found this forum a few weeks ago and already feel like I've learned so much from all of you!  I'm kinda a fashion flop and was hoping someone might help me with some advice. 


Part of the problem is my size (just under 5' and just under 100lbs) and body type (really curvy, especially on top).  When I shop, it's complete frustration, it's gotten to the point where I barely go shopping any more.  When I do buy something, it's the same-old, same-old: pants (usually gap) and a basic pullover top.  Generally a sweater because I get cold, blazers don't usually fit right.  This is fine for work, since I'm behind a computer all day, but I would love to dress like a girl, particularly going out dancing (avid salsa dancer!).  Unfortunately, skirts make me look even shorter and dumpier because I have short legs, and I'm too old to still be wearing minis.  The petite department is horrible, the clothes are SO boring and unstylish, and besides that, my (relatively) long torso means that I'm *technically* not a petite at all!


Does anyone have any suggestions on where I might find stylish clothes (stores, brands, etc) that might fit a small but curvy body?   I would love to find body-conscious (but not completely revealing) feminine things that I could wear dancing and not feel like a frump on the dance floor.


Cecilia 


 



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lynnie


Chanel

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RE: Newbie looking for help & advice
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You sound like you have a great body!  I would try to find clothes that accentuate your best features.  If you have great calves or great shoulders for example, I would try to find something that shows them off. 



 
I also like skirts in a cut like this- it has some swing to it and will definitely show some legs, but isn't so full that it overwhelms you and is a good length.
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=63864&item=5402383339&rd=1

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gingembre1


Kate Spade

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Hi! It sounds like you and I have a very similar body type. I'm 5', very curvy. You're a lot skinnier than I am, but I also have a long torso. I don't have just one brand that I stick to, but I have general rules I stick to:

1. Stay FAR away from the bohemiam skirt trend. The full, longish skirts are very BAD for people shaped like us.

2. Body skimming looks are better than drapey things with lots of fabric. So stay away from big tunics, unless they have a tie that will accentuate your waist. Baby doll tops can work, but you have to be careful they don't poof out too much from the high waistline.

3. Tall shoes! I can't emphasize this enough. For one, it means I don't have to hem as many pants. And two, when I wear my long pants, it makes me legs look longer!

4. In general, the trouser style jeans are bad. The fabric is too thick and bulky, making me look shorter and wider. Jeans with stretch skim the legs, and a narrower boot cut is good.

5. Tops: Anything that emphasizes the waist. Tends to make your body look more proportional, draws the eye up from short legs, makes you look womanly. As I said, things like tunics can be nice, because they're roomy, as long as they have something that gives them shape.

6. Brand recommendations:
Gap blazers/jackets - It's kind of hit or miss, but sometimes they're cut just right for the big-chested, but not big everywhere else. You just have to keep trying them all on!
Blue cult/Joe's Jeans/Big Star: All three are great for my curves, and the line of the jeans was okay when i had them hemmed.
Banana Republic: Most of their tops work for me. They're fitted in the waist, but stretchy/roomy enough for the chest.
Juniors departments: Tend to have smaller sizes. Good for bottoms.
American Eagle: I usually have good luck here, and they have good sales.
Hollister: You're tiny, so you would probably have good success here for the bottoms. Some of their tops are cut well too.

Finally, biggest advice for you: Try, Try, Try!!!!!!! It might get frustrating, but by trying on as much as you can, you'll eventually start to see what looks good, what fits right, etc. And after the first couple of times of trying on everything in the store, eventually shopping will become easier.

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MissMee


Kate Spade

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I wish I could help you more, but I'm flat chested and a little taller, and a little heavier.  Emphasis on the "little."


I'm sure you have looked, but the petite section of Ann Taylor and Loft have the exact same items as the regular lengths.  So you could get some cute shorter shirts in the petite section and your tops from the regular side.  Their short skirts won't be extremely short (I call them booty skirts, because my booty likes to hang out of them).  They're the only petite sections that look interesting.  Talbots has a petite store, but Talbots is way to classic for my taste.  And there's Petite Sophisticate that is the "short people" version of Contemp Casuals.


 


Wish I had your "curvy" problem!!!!



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The only rule is don't be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in.  Paris Hilton
cc


Marc Jacobs

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I don't have any advice since we have totally different body types but we do have the same first name! I hardly ever see anyone named Cecilia!



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Cecilia


Nine West

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RE: Newbie looking for help & advice
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Thank you all _so much_ for the commiseration!!!  *g* 


Lynnie: The skirt looks really cute!  Too bad it's a size 8.  I'm a size 2 and take it in from there, which is never to be found anywhere *grin*  Unfortunately the top would look terrible on me, much better on someone with no chest, it would make her look very tall and sleek.   I'd just look lumpy


MissMee: Unfortunately, this is a "grass is greener" type problem, because I'd love to be more like you!  Talbots or PS would be fine for work clothes style, and I love Ann Taylor, but the problem is that I'm not really a petite size.  The waists are way too high for my waist and everything else is just too large, on the occasions that you do find a size 2.  When I was in corporate mode, I had tons of suits from Casual Corner that were altered to fit me.  With dresses and skirts, it's a bit more difficult, you need to start closer to the real size or the overall look is sloppy.


gingembre1: You are spot on!  I haven't worn a skirt below the knee since the early 80's, and as much as I love bohemian, it doesn't love me.  Tall shoes: Other than Zappos and Nordstrom, do you know any place to get small shoe sizes in nice styles?  When I go to places like Aldo's and Nine West, I might find size 5 but the front of my foot always falls through the front of the shoe!  Not good for dancing at all....


re: Jeans, do you find that when you hem bootcuts that you lose the bootcut in the part that was cut off?  I got a pair of AG Jeans that are slightly better than some I've tried, but nothing so far as good as my super-expensive Giorgio Armani Jeans that they no longer make (makes me want to cry!).


American Eagle does make smaller sizes, but they expect everyone to be a B-cup.  My D's are not going in those little halter tops!  I've never heard of Hollister before, I'm off to search the web!


CC, nice to meet you!  We are in great company, Celia Cruz, St Cecilia (of music), and Simon & Garfunkel ("Cecilia, you're breakin' my heart!")


Not a great pic, but I'm standing between two not-too-tall friends:



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halleybird


Hermes

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RE: Newbie looking for help & advice
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Can't help much (I have pretty much the opposite problem), but I wanted to say you are so cute and tiny! 


Welcome!



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MissMee


Kate Spade

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Well, this may help on the bottom half, but Target offeres custom clothing.  I've bought the jeans before.  You just send them the measurements, and they make the jeans!  I think they do shirts, too, but that may be for men.

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The only rule is don't be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is too short to blend in.  Paris Hilton
Chickie


Nine West

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I have the same issues as you, curvy and short.  So i second gingembre1's recommendations, they were all dead-on. 


1) For tops i would suggest looking for knits, they hug your curves and show them off.


2) have you checked out J.Crew for clothes?  Their jeans come in different heights and they have petite sizes for their suits.  In general, i've been able to fit into their clothes pretty well. 


I'll try to think of toher stores that i find are good fits besides those that have already been sugested.  HTH!



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exsupahero


Kate Spade

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Not much of an advice but you should definitely try on lots of things. Go into shops and sections you normally don't go to and look around. Try stuff on. You can learn to find things that will look great and stuff you never thought of trying.

Also, if you like certain celebrities style (who may or may not have the same body as you), we can help you recreate the look! All the gals here are great at doing outfits.

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