STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

fridy13baby · Nine West

Need some fashion advice...

Alegria · Kate Spade

Welcome! Wow, that quite a bit of information. I know what you mean about clothes not fitting right. Especially after having kids. You may be the same size but def. not the same body. We sound like we are pretty much the same size (minus the "girls") and age. I don't have secific outfits but check out your local Target. Their stuff is reasonably priced. They carry things in a wide variety of sizes. Make you sure you look in the Jr. section too. Many of the things they have right now are pretty cute. I like them much better than some of the stores you mentioned. Also can any of your pre-pregnancy clothes be altered to fit better? Sometimes shortening or just making sure the fit is right will make things look younger. Not being able to spend too much money on clothes right now, this may be a way to go. Maybe make capris into shorts, pants into capris, dresses into shirts, etc. You may want to check out Thread style for some ideas of the very fashionable girls around here. As far as posting pics- make sure you use a hosting website first like shutterfly. There are tons of tips under technial issues and how to's.

HTH

blubirde · Chanel

I second the suggestion to look at Target. Out of all the inexpensive chain stores (including the ones you listed), they're the most fashionable.

You might also want to look at Old Navy. They always have some kind of cute cardi or skirt or sweater for when you want to update your wardrobe without spending a lot of money. And it's definitely a place someone your age could go - it has tons of basics and not too many flashy things.

Welcome!

BargainQueen · Marc Jacobs

Welcome! Congrats on your new baby and speedy weight loss!

It seems like you already shop at good stores that offer affordable stylish and flattering clothing. I don't limit myself to any store, I've found great deals at Nordies, Anthro and other more expensive stores. I agree about checking out Old Navy, they have good prices and amazing sales. What I've learned from this site is to have a lot of basics and add unique pieces from there.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

Hi and welcome!!

have you checked out NY & Co lately? They usually have cute clothes and great sales. I also find their clothes run a tad larger than other stores so you shouldn't have a problem with pants/shorts or tops not fitting. Also if you sign up for their email they will send you coupons pretty regularly.

lilyann · Dooney & Bourke

First of all Welcome to the forum- we are all happy to have you!! I know how hard it is to fit your body when you are bigger busted- it is very challenging. Although I am down now to a 34d- for ten years I had an extra 80lbs on me and was larger 42dd-probably bigger- but was never properly fitted. Back then I didnt do a very good job dressing my shape- I wish I knew then what I have learned now. Anyways, I think the most important thing to always keep in mind when you are larger busted is to always define your waist (no matter what you are wearing). If you have a large bust, and wear tops that have a lot of volume- you can look much larger than you really are. The key item, in my opinion, coming into the Fall season would be to get several blazers and sweater cardigans that cinch in your waist. Look for jackets that have seaming detail and that hit at the hip. Nothing too short, or too long. Shirts that also have princess seaming and hit at hip. If you have larger hips and thighs - I would get pants and slacks that are medium rise, fitted along the hips, with a relaxed drape down the leg- but, not flared. For jeans, a trouser cut style or bootcut would be the most flattering. Skirts with an a-line or tulip shape. Dresses in a wrap style, and also A-line. Overall, you want clothing that is not too tight- but fitted. It is better to error on the side of fitted, than volume. Keep the lines on your clothing simple and classic. Also, try to find some comfortable shoes with a bit of a heel, or higher if you are comfortable with that. It is better to elongate the leg. Here are a few ideas:

Old Navy:

Kimono styled sweater

Isaac Mizrahi Brea Short-Shaft Boots - Brown

Lane Bryant:

This jacket and pants would be perfect from Lane Bryant. Stylish with the shorter sleeves and the pants are the perfect shape. I would watch for a sale and get it in a couple of different colors. Tops to put under:

A classic white button down with seaming detail.So pretty On sale for 14.99!

Dresses:

So versatile! A great dress for your shape.!

Pennies:

On sale for 29.99! In many colors.Also on sale 39.99A classic a-line dress- in many colors.

Cute casual.

Well, I hope this will help a little bit to see that you have a lot of options. Just watch for sales and keep the idea in mind to try to find the best fit possible and to always define you shape. Again, welcome!!:

fridy13baby · Nine West

HI Ladies! Thank you for the WONDERFUL advice! I think I will head over to Old Navy to see what they have. I was out shopping today and defaulted to my generic look of "t-shirts that aren't t-shirts." I like the knit fabrics that t-shirts are made of, but not the standard t-shirt look (too big, bulky, sloppy, etc... ) I opted for a few Land's End shirts at Sears.

I also tried on a BUNCH of shirts at Lane Bryant, including the black/navy striped shirt the pp posted. Funny that I tried it on & it was posted here. Anyway, that one didn't fit very well, but I did get another shirt off the same rack (same type of fabric, different print, different cut/design).

Generally I wear a straight leg in jeans and pants (not flared, not tight/fitted... just straight). I like that "leg" best, but I don't like the waist. It hits too high. I am long from my "crotch" to my hip, but short from my hip to my shoulder... so the jeans at my waist hit the bottom of my ribcage. Any suggestions on where I can get jeans with this leg, but that sit lower, maybe on the hip?

THANKS SO MUCH!!!