Inspired by the "Watching" and "Reading" thread, I figured since we periodically have discussions about clothes & such come up, it might be nice to have one place to ask questions, complain, suggest, and show off

(I can't be the only one here who loves makeup, clothes, jewelry, and things like that, can I?)

Recent additions to my makeup that I LOVE:
Some Kind-A Gorgeous: Doesn't have an SPF, but since I have a tendency to put my sunscreen on first thing, it doesn't bother me. It DOES even out my skin tone and without looking like foundation.

Hug It Out BeneFit lipstick: The color is SO great, and I'm having trouble thinking of a skin tone that it wouldn't look good on. It is "silky" feeling, and has not caused a dry-lip emergency yet. Next colors on my list: Make Nice, Sugar Cookie, and Liar Lips.

One of my favorite things about the Macy's website is the Trend Report. I find it really useful because it's not 1,000,000,000,000 different things all hitting me at once, so I can SEE what a current trend really looks like; it gives a nice sampling of ideas for a current look; it always has great accessory ideas; I can see how whole outfits or just pieces can play into something current. AND...if you click on the "shop all" button, it takes you to even more pieces and outfits.

That's not to say I only shop at Macy's...just that it gives me a "vision" for when I go shopping, so I don't end up wandering around overwhelmed and frustrated.

quote:

Originally posted by D in St Pete:
I tried on one of those long, willowy dresses early in the summer. I do not believe the designers intended for short, busty girls to wear them. I looked like I was playing dress-up in my (much taller) mother's clothes. (But I don't have a tall mom, so it was even stranger-looking).

LOL... I look like, "I'm a little tea pot, short and stout". I'm not really stout under the dress... but they make me look short and squat.

I tried on one of those long, willowy dresses early in the summer. I do not believe the designers intended for short, busty girls to wear them. I looked like I was playing dress-up in my (much taller) mother's clothes. (But I don't have a tall mom, so it was even stranger-looking).

I have seen some taller women and some small, waify women wearing them--and wearing them well. I will chalk them up as something really cute and fashionable that was not intended for me. Like string bikinis, belly shirts, and short shorts.

But...I'm heading out to shop today, mostly for the boyfriend, as he's finally decided a wardrobe full of polos with pro and college logos and names of golf courses wasn't as professional as it could be. And he's out of town, so I have carte blanche to buy what *I* think will look good. Mwahahaha.

Ooooh! I ordered these awesome shoes a couple of weeks ago, and have gotten some good feedback on them. One girl at work called them "Stacy and Clinton" shoes--the toe is a little more pointy than the picture leads you to believe. Very comfy, and they go with...well, everything, I think. I've worn them with pants, skirts, and capris.

Another voice from Paris... I've seen a lot of longer dresses too... almost gown-length.

the lace-up sandals are definitely fashionable, as are wedges.

Also palazzo pants in black.

There is a difference between here and Spain, although both cultures are more 'risque' in some ways than the States. One of the cantors said something funny (unintenionally) at the beginning of our Spain trip. He basically thought the girls at the bars were prostitutes because they were dressed more revealingly than he is used to! There is a 'put together' sense both places that there isn't so much of in the US, though. If that makes sense. Its more that things fit well and aren't baggy, I think.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: cate,

When I was in New York last month visiting my cousin, who is very fashion oriented, and her sister, the golfer and pants wearer, said hose are passé. So are white shoes! Who knew. I found out the latter because I shared a comment I heard from a recent high school grad who complained about "having to buy dumb white shoes I'll never ever wear again for graduation."

And I had bemoaned not being able to wear white dress shoes.

Linda

quote:

Originally posted by BrenauMom:
What isn't so funny is that I have actually bought blouses in the maternity department back when I was way, way heavier than I am now (...)

I never even got out of my maternity wear despite delivering my children!

I went shopping on Saturday, feeling bold and sassy and confident I'd find something nice. No such luck. <sigh> Apparently I'm not out of the Great Gals Dept yet. Either that or they really think importing child-size anorexic women's wear is a grrrreat idea.

What I don't get is how they can disregard bigger people's buying potential.

That is funny Denise.

What isn't so funny is that I have actually bought blouses in the maternity department back when I was way, way heavier than I am now because they did not have a waist.

Last month I bought some walking shorts and some tank tops. I haven't worn shorts or tank tops in years.

We were out at breakfast and dh asked, "Are maternity tops in style now? The tops that are loose around the stomach are fashonable?". I basically said, "yes".

He said, "That is interesting. Last year... having the belly hanging out and showing skin between the top and the pants was in style... now covering it up is in style".

I asked which he perfered (not that I'm going to start wearing tops with my muffin top is exposed...). He said, "They both have their advantages and disadvantages".

But I thought that it was sort of funny that he said, "Is maternity wear in fashion now?"

Having just come back from Paris fashion central, I figured I'd chime in with the trends that we saw over there.

Black and white were the "in" colors especially white bottoms (skirts, pants, capris, etc...). Clothing and accessories seemed to have lots of metal accents, especially circle grommit looking things.

Hand bags were really large and followed the clothing trend in terms of color and metal.

As far as shoes, I saw lots of Grecian looking sandals that laced up the calf.

I ended up finding a hand bag on sale that I love. It's larger than I would have ordinarily got but is great for the summer - black and white with metal accents.

I was hoping to find a dress for my 20th high school reunion in the Fall but no such luck.

I realized last week that my "work sweater" (the ugly, oatmeal-colored one hanging on the back of my chair that I wear every day because it's 68 in the office) was beginning to get holes in the elbows, so I went to the mall to get a replacement.

I got this shirt (which hangs pretty long, but has a very open neck that looks really good, despite my collarbones not showing the tendon attachments like the model's do...yeesh), a shirt similar to this one (mine's got brown instead of black, but with the same bright blue and white..and again, looks good even without collarbones that threaten to poke someone's eye out), a really cute and flattering green and black dress, and an awesome red button-up shirt with short sleeves--the sleeves each have a little ribbon that ties to close them, and the same material as the ribbon runs on either side of the buttons, giving it "feminine detailing" (tm Stacy & Clinton).

Oh! And I got a replacement sweater. A lot like this one, but much cheaper. It's as if people don't WANT to buy sweaters in the middle of summer in Florida.

Thank you all for all of the great feedback! Concert went well. I played well. My kid played with me, which was fun. I had THREE humongo solos (which all went well). I offered one up to ds (to share the wealth a little... "Lets all sit and watch Denise play yet ANOTHER solo"), and he initially said no (although he played one in the dress rehearsal). And then we were counting rests before I was to come in, and he tapped me on the arm and whispered, "I'll take this one..." He got lots of good feedback and people came over to him and said, "I looked up to see your mom playing and was surprised and thought 'whoa! that is Jamie!'" (since many people have known him since he was 3 or 4). Another mom had her 17 yo come in and play. 14 years ago she had him coloring behind her chair and in front of the tympani... and he got bored and fell asleep and slept thru the entire concert, on the floor between a row of trumpets and the percussion section when he was 3... and was IN the percussion section last night. Gotta love community band!

quote:

Originally posted by D in St Pete:
The Macy's dress fits you VERY well, and that "weird belt thing" is what makes it CURRENT and STYLISH, Mr GoingSkiing.

My kid said, "The girls at school wear those weird belts with two holes"... but I don't think that the dress was like way young for me or anything.

I also thinks that it gives my kid the heebie jeebies to see me in something that somebody might think as remotely sexy. His first reaction is "Go back in your room, young lady, and put a turtle neck on... right now... you are not leaving the house with that much skin showing!! And I want you to put a sweater on OVER that turtle neck".

quote:

The last outfit, too, looks really good on you, though I'd consider (you did say brutal, right? And you know I say it out of love...) a more supportive bra.

Oh yeah... I knew that. I put a better one on last night... but need to put that one in the trash. I've gotten my $$$ worth. Shoot if that is the extent of the brutality... that isn't bad.

One NSV... I realized last night when I was counting up occasions that I could wear a "party dress"... I was thinking ahead to a cruise in 2010... and it never occured to me... "I wonder what size I will be???? Maybe I shouldn't spend $119 on a dress that I'll just grow out of... " So, it was cool to think: concerts, New Years eve (maybe...), go out some place nice with dh and pretend that it is some big anniversary... and never think... "Oh man what size will I be? What if I go crazy and gain all the weight back?"

I know I'm too late to weigh in on the concert but, for future reference, my choices are the second (Macy's belted dress) and last (pencil skirt with sleeveless top). You look very pretty in those and they show your shape.

I agree that the first dress (TJ Maxx) makes you look larger than you are, though that may have just been the angle or the lighting.

Way to rock that pencil skirt, girlfriend!

I know it already happened...but I agree with the consensus so far. The Macy's dress fits you VERY well, and that "weird belt thing" is what makes it CURRENT and STYLISH, Mr GoingSkiing. Nyah. Plus, you have nice arms and shoulders. And for later wearings, you could totally find a cheapo belt that'll fit in the loops in pink or yellow or some other bright/patent leather/metallic material. I think I like it because (with the black belt) it pulls your attention upward and makes your neck/face/arms really noticeable.

The last outfit, too, looks really good on you, though I'd consider (you did say brutal, right? And you know I say it out of love...) a more supportive bra.

I think you could wear nearly anything with a pencil skirt--it's like wearing slacks. My only quibble with the 3rd outfit (the sweater and skirt) is that it's all black--I know, you were SUPPOSED to wear black for the concert (right?).

I don't know if you have an H&M store around you, but when I went there a few weeks ago with my brother's fiance, they had the CUTEST jacket that I picked out for her to wear with a pencil skirt for job interviews. A lot like this one, but it was only $25. She had a lot of really cute tops, and that last outfit you're wearing would look really awesome with something like that if you needed a jacket.

I'm going to the mall today (we're going to a party tonight where we're supposed to dress up as tourists!). Maybe I'll get some of my shopping bug out of my system....

Denise,
I think with a pencil skirt, the best top look is something fitted. If you are curvy and large in the breast area, usually a V-neck or curved neck(not sure how else to describe it) look best. Not a deep V-neck, but a reasonable one. You look to be pretty thin, top and bottom, not top heavy or bottom heavy(and I'm not saying anything regarding weight, just distribution). You can get away with pretty much, but I have to say, the Target dress(and please, no offense meant) makes you look heavier than you really are. The pencil skirt and "hooker" outfit make you look most thin.

As I said, though, you look great in all the outfits. I used to be a "no skirt/dresses" person, because i hated my legs. But, I've been wearing more skirts/dresses and feel more feminine when I wear them vs. pants. And yes, it requires shaving legs more, but worth it. And, Stacy and Clinton have taught me to dress for what fits and looks good, not how much I hate my legs/butt/hips, etc. So, I've been buying more feminine clothes, and more flattering clothes, despite the size. Not that that is my point, because, Denise, you look great!!
Jill

I like the Macy's dress and the pencil skirt. You look great in them all, but those two are my favorites. And, you DO NOT look like a hooker in that one picture! I don't know what hooker's are like in CA, but here where I live little is left to the imagination, LOL!

I am probably too late to chime in, but hope you had a good night!

Jill

I actually like them all, but not the TJ Max one as much.

I think you look great in skirts and dresses.
I also don't think you look at all like a hooker in the last photo, I think it just looks summery.

Dawn

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy:
I love the drsss from Macy's- the shape and flow are lovely....

Play well. Enjoy.

dh also picked that one. He said that it is a "different look, but maybe we should go out more". Would also like to go on a cruise when ds is 50 and ds graduates in 2 years...

Looked in drawer... only black hose are knee highs... so I think I'll skip them. Thanks for the feedback. DH may get photo with feet in them... and makeup and such. Wore shoes with no hose for 30 mins and it didn't kill me.

Off to shave my hairy legs... (or people WILL be looking at them and going, "Ewwww".

Thanks for the feedback and good wishes.

I love the drsss from Macy's- the shape and flow are lovely.

No hose. Skip them. Your legs are fine! Plus, who'll be looking at your legs? They'll be looking at the great belted drss.

Play well. Enjoy.

Go ahead and give brutal “What not to wear” feedback… it won’t bother me.

I got feedback from ds who said, "I don't know why you are asking me... I'm not your daughter". I said that is neither of our faults and he's the closest thing to a daughter in the house right this second.

This was $25 from TJ Max…



This was $119 from Macy’s but I think I might take back… as I’m not wild about the skirt part… (but it doesn’t help that ds cut off my feet in the photo). He also did not like the “weird belt part”



This is what ds said I should wear… new pencil skirt… and sweater thing…



THIS… ds said, “HELL No! You are not leaving the house looking like a hooker…!!!” Hmmmm… not sure I like the look… but it is very different than how I normally dress.




What DOES one wear with a pencil skirt? AND… it seems to fit well standing up… Are your butt and thighs SUPPOSED to fill the whole thing out when you sit down… ??

I’m starting to think about pants… oh… well hopefully dh will be home soon to give input.

I bought two dresses and a skirt today. I haven't worn a dress or skirt since I went to my bil and sil's wedding... when Jamie was 2 months old.

I'm playing in a concert tonight (like a dress up concert... not Hawaiian shirt gig). I bought two pairs of pumpish like shoes. Will I seem like I'm 75 if I wear black panty hose? Do people wear panty hose? If Stacy and Clinton could hear me... I'm sure they would be rolling eyes... but I'm not sure that I can stand to wear shoes barefoot. I also have VERY, VERY white legs... and some butt ugly (or foot ugly) vein-y feet. I don't have time for a spray tan... and don't even know where I'd get one anyway.

So if anybody has panty hose... no hose... advice... I'd be grateful.