Fashion 101: Make me over.

reallyrose

Hello,
Long time lurker, first time poster. :cool:
I’m not a good dresser, no one would ever call me a fashion plate. No one with eyes anyway! But I’d like to change, and I’d like to dress nicely and look good.

My job is pretty dusty and it really doesn’t matter what I look like at work, so I got into the habit of wearing baggy jeans and decrepit looking jumpers to work. Then I just got into the habit of dressing that way outside of work. I study part-time so I’m not often out in public anyway!

Thing is, I’m not sure what suits me or not. I tend to buy clothes I like the look of and I’m terrible at actually seeing if something looks nice or terrible. I thought I was ok at picking clothes, but I’ve seen a few awful looking pictures of me lately, looking like a lunatic. I'm basically a before shot in any makeover show you've ever seen.

This is me:

That’s a dress I bought last week, so it does look nice. I think.

I’m fairly slim, but a bit of mid-twenties (ok ok, late twenties ) weight is starting to appear, especially around my middle. I have small boobs, and my legs are decent enough and I’m told I have a nice rear-end! My skin is pale but tends to go pink if I'm warm or embarrassed or whatever, my hair is reddish and it’s short.

So. What should I wear? I’d consider anything really, except the all-in-one-pant-suits I’ve seen about.
I like my clothes to be simple, simple bright colours and clean lines, I would be mad for frills or lots of details. But I could probably be talked into trying to wear nearly anything by those wiser than me!

My basic problem is that I don’t know what type of clothes suit me and I don’t know how to match up outfits. Me = loser!
I’m a blank page here folk, some kind of dress up doll for your entertainment!

Oh and shoes. I utterly fail at shoes. I never know what shoes to wear with anything.


(Mods: If this is a totally unsuitable thread, feel free to tell me to bog off and try calling Gok Wan :pac:)

Azureus

Cute dress

You've an easy-to-dress figure by the looks of it so I say just get experimenting.
If you dont like your tummy, theres a lot of baby-doll style dresses and empire line stuff that would suit you. You've fairly narrow shoulders which are good for those kind of styles.

Im gonna take stuff from New Look which I think would suit you/your style...

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/colour-block-t-shirt-tunic_217946179

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/pleated-floral-shift-dress_211461409

http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/dresses/ax-paris-one-shoulder-poppy-dress_217779313

I chose simple dresses like these because a) I think they'd suit you b) personally I think its easiest to go with a one-piece outfit when your finding your style feet because theres less messing about and c) you can dress these up or down depending on the occasion. Play about with different tights/ankle socks/knee socks as well as different shoes.

What Id reccomend is going into different shops that have a stylist on hand to go around and help you decide what to get. I know A-wear provide it, aswell as Topshop afaik. That way you can try stuff on and get a feel for what does and doesnt suit you.

Sibylla

OP I think the outfit you are wearing in the above picture is lovely, Perfect for spring. Since you cannot dress up at work I assume you would like to in your free time. The most important thing is to wear what you like, Don't be afraid of what other people think, You will build up a personal style and learn what suits you. Another good idea is to go shopping with a friend and ask them what they think of what you're wearing. As for teaming outfits, Your above look would be perfect with a cardi or light jacket, tights and pumps if it was cold out. You will always see mannequins in shops showing how outfits can be put together. Emphasise your best areas and you will feel good. For example I have this dress and I teamed it with the following.

http://www.minauk.com/Online/Item/Detail.asp?CTGR=CTDR&PUID=915

http://www.asos.com/Asos/Asos-Summer-Cropped-Cardigan/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1449981&SearchQuery=blue%20cardigan&Rf-700=1000&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Orange

http://www.asos.com/River-Island/River-Island-Nettie-Espadrille-Wedges/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1558384&cid=4172&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Brown

http://www.asos.com/River-Island/River-Island-Tan-Across-Body-Bag/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1589149&abi=1&clr=tan

reallyrose

Thanks for the replies!
I've never thought of myself as having an easy to dress figure, so thanks


I actually have vouchers for New Look so I think I'll take a look in there.
I really like that colour block dress, if the black one looks nice I shall get it. I'd prefer a bright colour, but pink clashes with my face and hair. :pac:

I can't really go shopping with friends because I don't have very many (or any!) female friends. I don't think my male friends would be interested, somehow!

I like the idea of wearing dresses, I really like wearing skirts (whenever I get myself organised to wear them!)
I'll have to buy more shoes though. :eek: I don't have many dress-worthy pairs of shoes...

I've no problems experimenting, but I just tend not to know if something looks good or not. I managed an outfit which was outside my normal comfort zone on Saturday though!
I wore this: http://www.riverisland.com/Online/women/skirts--shorts/skirts/yellow-bird-print-skirt-602632 (I'm in love with this skirt, it's so pretty and I love the print)
with a black vest-top tucked into it and a black cardi over it. And black knee high cons
I had a knitted flower brooch on the cardi too, my boyfriends mother made it for me, so I thought I should put it somewhere.

boomkatalog

Hai OP

Ok, pretty dresses with cinched in waist that aren't too chesty will do wonders for your figure. Show off your great legs and don't pick a neckline that's too plungey. This shape would be lovely on you:
http://s10.thisnext.com/media/largest_dimension/EEA46B91.jpg

Also, having small boobs (like me) means we can get away with halter necks, which look silly on big chested girls: (the one on the left)
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR7ytRieMU5F-2IkFl03bInYCFyoZvkpnhyupE3KU1X3ojF7yKgLQ&t=1

Aswell as halter necks, strapless dresses are fab on girls with petite chests.
http://www.stylebakeryteen.com/Kimchi%20Blue%20dress.jpg

Ok away from dresses... Ever tried a high waisted skirt or shorts? Very in right now, pulls in your waist, shows off your ass and legs:
http://shesabetty.typepad.com/shes_a_betty_single_girl_/images/2007/06/26/skirtcomp.jpg
http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/112/0/AAAAAhHlSK0AAAAAARIP5w.jpg

Finally, love this kinda pants which are everywhere right now and looks so glam but I can't pull them off. Worth trying on in a store (a lot of stores have them right now) because they look so glamorous and they're just pants! Would look super pretty with flat metallic sandals or ankle boots:
http://c0000946.cdn1.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/shopbop-com-26-4437408_rich---skinny-slinky-pants_orignal.jpg
Try get ones a little less pyjama-y though :pac:

gubernaculum

I love your dress OP! very cute and springy

Lots of good advice given already and think you're already on the right track from what you've shown us. This might seem a little ridiculous given your 'dress up doll' comment but if it's a general uncertainty about matching things together and seeing what kind of shoes work with what, then perhaps have a play with the clothes on www.looklet.com. It's dress up dollies and ok, it's model figure central but I think it's great for figuring out trend items you'd like to wear but have no idea how to and practising layering etc. You can experiment with ideas for things you'd like to wear without spending any money so when you DO go shopping you know what to look for. Just an idea!

reallyrose

I'm digging this back up again.

I think my clothes based experiment is going ok. I'm finding myself thinking "What shall I wear tomorrow?", even when the only people that will see me the next day are dusty-work-people.
And I'm slightly obsessed with the Latest Purchased thread.

Anyway. What could I do with this skirt?



I've tried wearing it with a top tucked into it and a belt, but I'm not 100% convinced that it looks right.
When it's pulled up to my waist with a belt it hits just above the knee. It's quite elasticated at the waist, so I could probably pull it up and down to anywhere and it would stay there.

What do ye think? I love the skirt but I don't know how to wear it. *wail*

boomkatalog

Hmmm maybe wear it high-waisted with a plain red tank top? You could also try pull it all the way up to your chest and wear it with leggings? It might squish your chest though