After wearing maternity clothing for eight months (six months before giving birth, two months after), I finally got back into my "regular" stuff. After taking inventory, I realized a few depressing things: 75% of my shirts are Shade brand t-shirts (in a myriad of bland colors). I have one pair of jeans that are "only" two years old; the others are at least five years old. The shirts that aren't Shade brand are one of two colors - blue or pink, striped or solid. Nothing interesting or exciting whatsoever. Much of my wardrobe is from my early years of marriage, and I've been married nearly 13 years. Yikes.
There are a couple of reasons why my wardrobe is this way. Number one, I hate to shop. Especially for clothing. I'm six feet tall, and it's not easy to find things (pants especially, with a 35 inch inseam) that fit me properly. Number two, I'm kind of scared to be a risk taker in the clothing department. I know pink and blue look good on my complexion, so I stick with them. But I also generally don't have very good fashion sense, so I keep the patterns solid or striped. Can you say BORING?
Will someone please come help me spend my money so I can have a more colorful, stylish wardrobe? Please? (Or at the very least, forward me a link to an item of clothing I might like, and/or a website I can peruse.) And while we're at it, care to tell me what hairstyle would look cute on me? I'm in desperate need of a haircut.
On the plus side, I have long fingernails for the first time in my life. I bought fingernail polish three weeks ago (for the first time since I got married), and as a result I have let my nails grow. I'm finally starting to do things to take care of myself right now. And it feels good!
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Hi Erin! Bet it feels great to be getting back into non-maternity stuff! Did you know The Gap has a tall women's line? If you hate going shopping - do it online! Then you are guaranteed to find the jeans/pants with the right inseam :) I would definitely spend my $ at the Gap!! I love their styles, classic mixed with trendy and you can ALWAYS find coupons, deals and free shipping. GOOD LUCK!! :):)
Hey, what fun! I'm by no means fashion forward, but here are a couple of ideas: find someone with great hair and ask who does their hair. Then get an appointment with that stylist. Ask her what she would recommend for your face shape, hair type, etc. Let her know you're looking for a change.
As for clothes, H&M is a very fun clothing store, and Down East Basics has a lot of fun tops and skirts for inexpensive. There are two places to get started. Have fun!
You sound a lot like me. I like solids and basics and I am ok with that. Clothes really aren't that important to me. If it isn't comfortable I am not interested. I think a lot of people think I am joking when I say I could care less about clothes but I went shopping with a friend of mine a couple weeks ago to get some new maternity things and I drove her crazy by the time we left the first store. I don't want to wear anything that isn't BASIC! lol. She says she is determined to get me to buy something pink ( I don't do pink) so I say good luck. I am sure this doesn't really help you but just know that there are others you are like you (sort of).
I have no suggestions for you since my wardrobe is exactly the same, except all of my t-shirts are from the Eddie Bauer outlet and they are blue, green or some shade of light purple. My work clothes are just as bad. So if you find someone to do your makeover, can you send them my way too?
I hate to depress you even more, but Shade just announced they are closing and going out of business.
Time to dress sluttier!!
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. I know a lot of people feel similarly, but I seriously have been thinking the last FEW DAYS that I finally need to not worry about waiting until I am all the way thin (though I mysteriously dropped almost three kilos in the last week or two, leaving me with only a few pounds to go). I NEED short hair that I actually want to do something with. I need to wear good makeup every day and I NEED new clothes. What you say about your jeans? EXACTLY the same here. All of mine are 5-12 years old except maybe one or two that aren't that great but I bought because they were cheap. I have lately seen tons of cute shirts and I am finally ready to just go out and buy them and stop worry that I'm the weight I want to be yet. Wish you could come shopping here! Stuff just jumps off the shelves at you since there aren't as many stores that sell gap or other traditional casual clothes. (which I love, but they are often pretty generic looking)
I'm in agreement with Jessica. Go to Gap! I've bought jeans there for years, and keep them for just as long. And, if you find a style you like, but they don't have them in tall in the store, just order them online. I'm not much better on shirts though (I have a long torso, so I have to be very careful), but I normally wait for sales at Old Navy.
Wow, I must say I could ditto most of this post. I couldn't care less about my fingernails, but clothes? Exactly in the same boat. Sigh.
The Gap does make fabulous LONG jeans. You can also get decent jeans for a cheaper price at Old Navy - also in LONG. For both it is easier to find the long versions on line. I usually try on in the store (always to short) and then order the style I like on line. I also agree with looking at Down East Basics - super cute clothes.
I am the same though...my jeans are only new because I did not loose enough weight after the last baby. Almost all of my tee shirts are solid colors (I do have a few fun prints) but they are all the same basic style. I have a ton of super cute clothes that I would love to wear again...if I could just loose the pesky baby weight. Oh well, we will see what happens after this baby comes...the good news is I found a bunch of cute new maternity clothes (that I don't really need but I get bored with my wardrobe easily).
Try Cardigan Empire and Sensibly Styled blogs. CE talks a lot about how to dress your body shape and what colors, etc. work with your skin tone and whatnot. SS shows outfit ideas every day and gives links to sales on the web. And they both are from an LDS (or maybe just LDS-friendly) perspective, always offering modest options.
Have fun with your makeover!!
I also love Downeast clothing. Seagull book sells some of their things at a discount, cheaper than in the actual Downeast stores. I have lots of their shirts, they have lots of fun, bright colors. I also love their skirts and dresses. I only have one of their skirts and none of their dresses, but I would have more if I had money!
I can be of no help at all! My hair has dark roots and split ends. My clothes are v-neck tshirts and khaki shorts with cargo pockets! I am in a deep style rut!
I hate all of my clothes and am in the same boat.. I need help too!
For the record, I don't think you are in need of a stylist.
Having said that, I love a good makeover. I buy all my trendy stuff at Kohls. I know that doesn't help you, considering where you live, but you can shop online with them.
Yay for taking care of you! I'm completely hopeless fashion wise, but the best advice I ever got was to try EVERYTHING on. Colours and styles you normally wouldn't, etc...I did it once and wowza, I look good in things I would not have expected to (and horrid in things I would normally buy without even trying on). It was exhausting (I hate trying on clothes) but really eye opening and my wardrobe is just a LITTLE less drab now. =)
I say just drop a few hints to your loved ones that you wouldn't mind a surprise, nationally televised meeting with Stacy and Clinton! Who wouldn't want $5000 dropped into their lap for the sole purpose of buying clothes? :)
Always happy to spend someone else's money. P.S. Did you hear that Shade is going out of business? Such a bummer.
All this shopping talk lately!!! I was going to say ditto on oldnavy.com because they have an entire women's tall line that's not in stores. They always have a mix of basics in lots of fun colors (nothing wrong with basics, in my opinion) mixed in with some trendy stuff. Who wants to go to St. George with three kids in tow anyway?? Online is the way to go!
I think your hair would look cute with some long layers cut into it. You don't have to change the length or get bangs, but layers would add some texture and be a safe starting place. I was afraid of layers till a few years ago and now I always get them.
On Sunday I was admiring how nice you always look (in my head, of course). I see you as confident and comfortable in classic styles. I don't think you really need a makeover, but I do know how good it feels to shake things up a bit. Just remember, you're already beautiful!
I am glad you are wanting to give yourself a little attention. That is a good thing.
In the Fall I always look for light little cardigans to layer. Also, cute longer necklaces can add to the plain looking tees.
Maurices actually sells jeans with a 35 inch inseam. I know this, because I also prefer a 34 or 35 inch inseam so I don't look stupid. :) You should go see if you like any of their styles.
And as far as the colors go...I stick to pretty much black, white and maybe red or pink. I'm pretty boring too. But they look good on me and so I'm sticking with it! :)
I say there's nothing wrong with sticking what works. But I can understand the desire to change the wardrobe too. Best of luck.
I'm a big fan of girlin' it up. I'm trying to think of what to suggest to you but in the pants department, your best bet is online. As far as shirts go, this is my opinion: go cheap and fun. Stay with natural fibers like cotton because they won't look as cheap as rayon and poly blends. But if you buy something at Target and it doesn't work, oh well. It's not exactly an investment. Also, choose styles that work on your body type, because you'll be safe there and semi-comfortable, but do fun things with prints and patterns. Experiment. The stuff you keep going back to is going to reflect your changed style and guide you on what to buy in the future. One great trick is to choose a solid color shirt, even a t-shirt, but one that has a single interesting detail, like an appliqued flower or a cool little bead embellishment. Last suggestion: accessories. Plain black tee shirt, jeans and a cool funky necklace work wonders. Okay, those are all my ideas and sorry if I repeated anyone but I didn'[t read the comments.
I've been working on accessories lately - necklaces and earrings make a huge difference in my jeans and t-shirt world. :)
And, of course, the other problem is wearing the cuter stuff when it's so easy to grab the same old comfy choices. I've found it's okay to spend more on a piece you LOVE if it's versatile enough and you'll wear it all the time.
PLEASE tell me Shade isn't going out of business. I better hop on and order my favorite t's quick!! :)
Sounds like you and I could swap wardrobes and not really notice. Except replace Shade with Old Navy, and there you have it.
What can I say? Fashion is not my forte.
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