Today I’m feeling rather amazing.
Yesterday I decided I was going to start dressing up for work again after a few weeks of working in pajamas and gym clothes. I kept it simple and just wore jeans and a tshirt but even that made a difference and made me more productive.
At the end of the day though I ended up on some style blogs (via links from comments on this blog) and after a bit of blog surfing I realized I want to dress better. Develop a personal style. That kind of thing. I’m a bit tired of being the girl in jeans and a tshirt.
I spend 95% of my time in jeans and a tshirt or in gym clothes. That’s not a horrible thing since I love working out but I feel like I could dress better and represent myself better by wearing different clothes.
Style is something I’ve struggled with because I’ve never felt like I have enough money to spend it on clothes or a body worth clothing *that* well. I still don’t feel like I have the money but I want to make it a higher priority because dressing better makes me feel better. It makes me feel more happy and proud of my body. It’s the same feeling I get after a tough workout but all it takes is putting on the right clothes.
You know how I used to write a lot about loving my body? Well today I do. A lot. Why? Because I put on a cute green shirt, looked in the mirror and thought, “Damn, I look good.” Even without any makeup or doing my hair I still felt amazing just because I was wearing cuter clothes. Dressing better instantly made me feel more body confident.
There is a link between clothing, style, and body acceptance that I haven’t explored enough. I tried before but ending up giving up because of time and money. But I feel like now is a good time to revisit these topics in my own life and explore how they affect me.
For instance, how will buying clothes now and wearing what makes me feel good affect the rest of my life? Will I really be able to get past the idea of waiting to buy clothes until I’m skinny? How can I find the clothes that fit my body and personality (er, without going broke)?
There is a lot to explore here. I think I’m going to tackle it in a few ways:
- Look for clothing/fashion inspiration online.
- Evaluate what I currently have and can work with.
- Decide on a few pieces to get first.
- Go thrift shopping here in NZ and hope for the best.
- Start putting together outfits that make me feel my best.
- Eventually sew some new cute things (once I learn how!).
I’m probably not going to be posting outfits/clothes here but I think I might post them somewhere on the interwebs since this feels like a project to me. It will probably be sporadic and maybe just in monthly updates on my other blog or here. I don’t know.
I have a few questions for anyone who would like to share their experiences:
- What would you describe your personal style as?
- What draws you to certain clothes in the first place (color, shape, size, price)?
- Do you buy clothes to fit and flatter your current body? Or do you wait for “when you will be skinny”?
- Also, where do you shop/where should I look for cute but not terribly expensive clothes?
{ 28 comments }
i like your blog! i love your goals, keep it up! :)
To be fair I probably put more thought into the gym clothes I wear than I do my normal clothing! I enjoy being in a jeans and a t-shirt (I get t-shirts off Threadless, MrVintage and SnorgTees – love them!)
I get most of my clothing from Ezibuy (www.ezibuy.co.nz) and I’ve started ordering from Asos (www.asos.com) from the Asos Curve collection, but I can get carried away and easily go click-click-click-click, whoops, where how did that end up being a $300 order o_0
I’ve gotten past that point of waiting to buy clothes when I’m thinner, but, I’ve accepted that the likelihood of that happening is close to nil. You’re in a different place with that :)
My Mum gave me a style consultation voucher (from http://www.signaturestyle.co.nz) for my birthday last year, so I have like a ‘bible’ on what styles/colours work with my body shape – kinda like a ‘What Not To Wear’ experience. Was actually quite useful!
Ditto on asos.com website, cute but not extremely expensive clothes that are trendy and fashionable!
Sweet I’ll have to check them out!
1. My style is shape-oriented…which makes it hard to find flattering casual clothes as I am an hour glass and fitting/form is my friend. I love 1950s dresses etc, so that is where I splurge (pinupgirlclothing.com)
2. Colour and shape draw me – but only ONLY if they are in my size.
3. I can’t afford to have clothes just hanging around waiting to be worn and I dont think there is anything quite as depressing as a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear.
4.I find it hard to buy nice NZ size 16-18 clothes that dont break the bank. I try and do a combination of cheap stuff from The Warehouse, Kmart and Glassons (tank tops, shirts, hoodies, cardigans – and shoes!) and then more expensive pieces from Staxs, City Chic, Ezibuy, Torrid.com and ASOS.com.
Funny thing about the US online retailers – shipping is SO expensive to NZ, where as many UK retailers ship internationally for free. So ASOS is always top of my online shopping list.
Oh and that shirt is super cute – love the colour.
I also have a bunch of dresses from http://www.catherinestoneley.com/ – she is awesome, does custom-sizing and adds length for free.
Thanks for that info! I’ve never really looked at UK stores that much but I’ll have to check them out especially ASOS everyone is talking about.
What a pretty green color top! Love it! Yup, I go through the same thing as you, wanting to dress more stylishly, but I usually never do it. I realized this week I wear about the same four dresses with leggings and boots over and over to work. (with jeans and tshirt on Friday casual day). How boring of me! I need to stop being lazy and go shopping I guess. My personal style is probably lazy. I’m a jeans/tshirt/sneakers kinda girl with hoodies and whatever will keep me warm. I want to incorporate real style in but I’m always lazy to spend the effort to accessorize or learn how to do these things. I need a personal stylist/shopper. I’m very color oriented with clothes, hence why I like your shirt. That would be what draws me in, but then the shape/size/style often scares me away (especially things low cut designed for big breasts) or things that I know I’ll be cold in, as it’s never that warm here in SF. My suggestions are prob moot, coming from the US, but thrift stores, old navy and forever 21 are cheap but sometimes interesting clothes. Dunno if you have the last two over there. Good luck! I hope you post up things as you go along.
merri´s last [type] ..Wet Houses – Shelters where Alcohol is Allowed
I asked a girl I work with to be my personal stylist. It was kind of risk doing that, but she was so excited to! We went shopping. I gave her my sizes, and she arrived 30 minutes earlier than I and put together outfits before I arrived. It was the best decision ever! We went shoe shopping and also got necklaces to match outfits.
That is a really coool idea! I don’t even know anyone here I could ask to do that but maybe someone online could do something similar if I ask.
I hit up the thrift store about once a season when I was losing weight and practically needed a new wardrobe. I do the jeans and tees a lot too, but I also have an excellent collection of skirts and funky shirts and boots and scarves and jackets and other stuff. I try to split the difference and spend half the week in something funky and the other half in something easy, but always err on the side of wearing something that makes me happy that day.
So, you might call my fashion style… eclectic… :)
Also, that green shirt looks SMASHING on you :)
That sounds cool and like what I’d like to do. I wear a lot of jeans and tees because I enjoy them but I don’t want it to be my entire wardrobe outside of gym clothes! Ecelctic sounds like a good style. :)
I think it’s SO important to learn to love and accept your body the way it is. Sort of like you have to love yourself before you can love anyone else, you know? I have clothes in a million sizes: 2, 4, 6, 8.. I even kept some of my 14s from way back in the day! (And I am 5’0 so a 14 on me is like a 16/18 on anyone else haha!!) I love my body for what it does no matter how much it weighs or what it looks lie.
I actually do love my body and accept it. I need to lose weight to get a visa and have some babies but overall I’m pretty happy with my body and what it can do. I just don’t seem to dress it as well as it deserves and that drags my feelings down a bit. I definitely want to dress better more often to reflect how I feel most of the time (instead of looking like a lazy bum because I don’t feel like one even though I sorta dress like one).
I recommend alreadypretty.com! She writes a lot of great stuff on body image and style. She’s the impetus behind me now following like 20 fashion blogs. :)
1. In my heart I’m a rockabilly kind of girl, but in reality, I wear jeans and t-shirts almost every day. I do have sme cute dresses though that better reflect my inner style.
2. I love things that are not everywhere you look- I’m really into vintage styles from the 40′s and 50′s, though there are some 80′s looks I absolutely adore.
3. The clothes I choose are to fit me now. Its silly to get clothes that won’t fit now when you like them best, or might not ever fit.
4. I’ve made most of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. But I’ve had god luck with shopping Torrid when they have 50% off clearance, and Target’s clearance racks as well.
Deb´s last [type] ..Day 129
I frequently lament the fact I dont have a style…but I guess I really do.
it’s my lack of style which has become my thing.
disheveled style?
I have this same thing going on — I really like dressing well, and when I don’t dress well I feel sad. BUT my problem is inherent laziness: I hate doing laundry, I hate ironing, I hate waking up on time, and I hate going to the dry cleaners. So, I usually leave my cutest things in the bottom of the basket (because they need special laundering or attention) and end up wearing boring things over and over because they wash, dry, and wear more easily.
I like dresses with boots and a cardigan. And I’m learning to use spanx/pantyhose/expensive under-things to make myself feel secure in looser clothes. I like to be wrapped up and covered, which gets awkward in the summer. :)
pinkbriefcase´s last [type] ..Train Thoughts
We are so similar! I really don’t like laundry or ironing either and I like being covered up and dressed cute too. I’ve never owned boots before though. Is that weird? I love dresses with cardigans though…. now I want to try boots! Haha.
A few ideas… take what you will, as I am by no means a style expert! :)
1. Read online to find out what your specific body shape is and what styles work best with it. For example, I have an upside-down triangle shape (broad shoulders), and they recommend that I stick with v-necks and no crazy sleeves.
2. If you find something you love, even if you have no idea how to wear it, buy it! Let’s say I fell in love with a green dress. After I buy it, I search “green dress” on Pinterest and look for fun ideas on how to accessorize it. I’m pretty much just a copy cat.
3. Stick with classic styles and explore trends with accessories. For example, I think neon colors are “trendy” right now, but I would only try a neon belt or bad rather than a dress. If I’m going to spend the money on a great dress, I want it to be one I can wear for years.
Those are great tips Dana, thank you! I’ve noticed Pinterest is really helpful for finding out how to wear things. There are so many full outfit ideas there!
Number one tip: go to a personal shopper. A lot of stores offer the service for free and it is seriously helpful!
I didn’t have a “personal style” before and I had no idea what suited me, but she showed me what kind of clothes would look best on me. There was no pressure on me to buy any of the stuff she showed me, but be warned – it’s hard not to when they make you look so nice!
What would you describe your personal style as?
I also get stuck in the jeans and t-shirt category. But I think I have two styles 1. Beachy (I live close to the beach) 2. Girly dresses, pretty patterned tights, lots of silver and grey
I’m trying to go more feminine and young.
What draws you to certain clothes in the first place (color, shape, size, price)?
I’m trying to break my reach-for-grey habbit and get some color into my clothes, so far I’ve found blue very nice. I do look for certain shapes because even though I’m hourglass, I look top heavy, I go for v and scoop neck, trying to cover them only makes them look bigger, but I don’t want full-on plunging neckline. Things that synch-in below the bust, and tie back. I think if you get the right shapes and colors for you it becomes your own classic style.
Do you buy clothes to fit and flatter your current body? Or do you wait for “when you will be skinny”?
A little of both. I bought clothes a while ago that were too small and now they fit and will fit really nicely for winter. I’ve bought a few things that are only-just too tight for next summer too. I just take a good look at the shape of the clothes and try to work out how exactly it would sit on me when it did fit. I’ve gotten rid of so many big clothes and now I’m going to have to get rid of and buy new pants. I don’t like the in-between baggy pants stage. It’s also a bit motivating to have things a bit too small because you know you’re going to have to work to get into them properly. But it’s a nice pay off when you do.
Also, where do you shop/where should I look for cute but not terribly expensive clothes?
I don’t have much money for loads of clothing either, it’s been difficult because my size changes have been all at once so I’ve had to get things or look really baggy (not a good look for bras) But right now is a good time to shop. I’ve been picking up new clothes in stores for as little as $1, all my winter long sleeved tops I have stacked away were only $5 each. Really look through everything, go into stores you don’t think would have anything for you because they might have one piece that is for you. Even go into the stores you think don’t have your size.. for me this has been a tough one because I still think I can’t fit anything in all the fashionable stores, but I do now.
Also, ask to layby some things if you feel they are too expensive, most stores will let you put things aside for six weeks, you pay about %10 deposit and pay them off each week. As long as you can pay the weekly amount and get to the store it’s a really good way to shop for things.
Since you’re in Auckland(?) try City Chic it’s a plus size shop but they have size 14 which is their xs. They have good quality and nice shaped clothes, it’s not too cheap but it’s the sort of stuff you’d take to a tailor if it got too big on you.
- My style is femimine, classic, with a quirky twist. I may wear a plain outfit, but with statement accessories.
- Shape and colour are my main priorities. I definitely wouldn’t buy anything if the shape and colour weren’t right. I found out what styles suited my shape and what colours suited my skin tone – I even reseached hair colour!
- I think you need to buy clothes for your shape right now – just don’t go mad and spend loads. You never know what shape and size you’re going to end up as or how long it’s going to take and waiting until you’ve lost weight (I feel) is almost like saying you’re not good enough to spend money on now.
- Deffo check out asos and also go online and look for virtual fitting rooms. I know quizclothing.co.uk has one and even if they don’t ship to NZ it can give you an idea of what styles suit you – you can change the models weight, height, shape, hair colour etc and model it on your own meaurements. Have fun!
I love that color on you! Looks awesome with your glasses!
Second the recommendation for alreadypretty.com. I also really like wardrobeoxygen.com, although she wears business casual. I have the exact same body as her but I’m taller and whenever I feel bad about my body and feel unattractive, I remember how STUNNING I think she is! I really like Angie’s suggestions at the blog youlookfab.com.
I am between a 12-14 and I love clothes and style. I generally wear jeans and blouses with a leather jacket in the fall/spring, with a cashmere sweater in the winter, or dresses with a denim jacket in the summer. (I live in a 4-season climate – Seattle) I do need to dress up for work but here is what I have found:
*Invest in 1 pair of decent dark rinse blue jeans. Allocate as much as you can here. Nordstroms is great. Try brands like CJ that cut for a curvier woman. I hate jean shopping but all you need is one decent pair. You might like American Eagle jeans as I’ve found them to work on hourglass/pears like myself. I’m not sure whats available in NZ though.
* Maybe one decent cashmere/merino sweater/cardigan. In a color you love like Navy, Green or purple? J Crew is good but expensive when not on sale – this time of year, you could get a cashmere sweater for $50 on sale or there are usually tons at thrift stores (but watch for pilling)
*Good bra (take these in the shower to wash – never in the machine)
*Cheap items like plain white/black/navy stripes (Example: LLBean has great navy striped french-style sailor T’s for $40 that last for years!)
*Pick 1 or 2 base colors to get more wear out of your wardrobe (I have gray and black so all my suiting is gray or black and all my tops/scarves will match a gray/black suit or bottom or jacket) -May not be as practical if you don’t wear business clothing all day
*Spend money on the areas that are the hardest to dress – for my, it is my massive pear hips so I spend money on jeans and my DDD chest so I spend money on bras. I buy everything else cheap
*Thrift shops/markets are great for scarves! I love scarves (I don’t have anywhere near as many as the AlreadyPretty girl!)
*buy one or 2 pairs of study ballet flats. Ballet flats instantly make the whole look feel pulled together and you can keep them forever (regardless of your weight). I have a black pair and a cognac brown pair. I also have a pointy-toe pair of snakeskin flats and some converse sneakers. These are my entire casual shoe wardrobe (I have a pair of black pumps as well for business wear)
*Also, for me, setting a jewelry rule helped me cull my jewelry and wear more of it. Now, I only allow myself to buy gold/silver toned jewelry with the exception of 2 statement necklaces (1 white and 1 red) and as many chunky, colorful earrings as I like.
*Maybe a blazer?
Sorry – I got really over-excited. I really think you are stunning and have amazing coloring for wearing jewel-toned items. Seems from your pictures that you look great in cooler tones? (like you look awesome in burgundy, green, blue, etc) You are a radiant newly-wed; your clothes should make you feel as awesome as you look.
I have recently gained weight (from an 8/10 to a 12/14) but once I actually boxed up my old clothes and now look at clothes that actually fit and make me feel good every day, I feel SOO much better about myself. I was so tired of saying “well, should I wait to buy that…” or “Should I buy it a size smaller in case I lose weight…” Well, you know what, there will always be tailors when I lose weight. And I don’t want to look back at photos of myself when I’m an old lady and say “I really should have enjoyed my body back then.” So I will dress to please myself now.
This comment was amazing. Seriously, so helpful. Thank you for the thoughts!
I’m would love to put more effort in my appearance too but I just think I’m lazy or I say I don’t have anything to wear and I don’t have money to buy anything either.
I would describe my personal style as simple and probably boring. I wear comfy clothes, t-shirts and jeans almost always.
I’m drawn towards larger sized clothes, I really never wear anything tight fitting or that will show curves because I feel uncomfortable in them.
I haven’t bought clothes in a year but when I do I stick to a larger size and I think to myself that I will buy smaller clothes when I lose some weight and they will look better on me (and not show my huge stomach or big butt)
If I shop I will go to Forever21 (its cheap) and Modcloth.com they are my top two