Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with fashion

Secret places to buy rad glasses

modernpoverty — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:53:50 -0800

On the hunt for new eyeglasses in Richmond VA (and surrounding areas) and/or Chattanooga TN. There used to be a couple of cool places to get interesting/unusual frames in Richmond, but checking them out now yields nothing worth a damn. Do you know of any secretly fly places to get new eyeballs either in Richmond or somewhere within a reasonable drive?

I'm traveling to Chattanooga TN this weekend, so if you know of any secret spots there please let me know.

How can I mend small holes in my sweater?

katala — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:12:54 -0800

How can I mend small holes in my sweater? My favorite turtleneck sweater has a few small (1cm across) holes in it and my previous attempts at repairing them with black cotton thread have been dismal.

Can anyone please recommend a tried-and-true method of (preferably) seamlessly repairing holes like this in a cotton sweater?

Taking it to a tailor is out of the question, I got quotes today and they want more than the jumper originally cost just to repair the holes 0_0

A huge thank you in advance for any help you can give me :)!

My fingers are too big for those little buttons...

matty — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:49:29 -0800

How do you hack your dress shirt? I have to wear suits to work. Joy.

I don't mind it so much I guess, as I've been doing it for years now - but the scourge of my morning is buttoning the buttons on the sleeves and wrists. It seems to take forever, it's frustrating, and it never EVER gets any easier.

To all you other suits out there - do you have any tips or tricks that make buttoning those little rascals any easier?

Dressing for success

Bardolph — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:24:04 -0800

Help me learn to dress my husband! Tips/tricks/resources on developing a good eye for men's business attire? Over a few decades as a girl, I've acquired tons of specialized knowledge about how to dress women in general and myself in particular-- I know, for instance, that pencil skirts make me look thick-waisted, that certain prints look elegant while others scream "Wal-mart!", etc., etc. Having recently acquired a male second half (who's begged me to look after his wardrobe), I'm looking for ways to gather the same sort of information about men's clothing, and business attire in particular.

Areas of special concern are:

Body shape/tailoring. Suits all look the same to me-- kind of absurd and stubby-legged-- so I'd love to find out which lines/proportions will make suits look "right", and what specific adjustments to the garment can help make the most of my husband's adorable, but not 100% modelesque, body proportions. I'm looking to go beyond the basics here: something like this , with a discussion of specific waist/shoulder/arm/leg proportions, would be ideal, not just the standard "heavier gentlemen should wear double-breasted suits" or whatever. Hubby is 6'2, 200lbs, broad shoulders, short legs, small pot-belly, if that helps at all.

Colors. I have a decent eye for matching women's clothing, but men's shirt/tie/suit combos seem to follow subtly different norms. Exactly what shirt colors can one wear with navy, for instance? Is the shirt meant to be the accent color, or the tie? Are there any general rules to help one figure this out?

Ties. Once we move past the novelty-Simpsons-tie range, these all seem to be some variation of geometric print/stripe, more or less bright-colored, 100% silk. Whence, then, all the jokes about "that hideous tie"? What exactly distinguishes a cool, expensive-looking tie from a $10 Sears special?

None of the research avenues I've tried so far-- Google, salespeople, menswear catalogues, What Not To Wear, this, this-- has yielded much in the way of specific, comprehensive and ~scientific info on these issues. Would love any combination of direct advice/resource referrals to help me understand what looks good on real men!

Where does this shirt pattern come from?

karl88 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:22:20 -0800

What is the origin of these shirts? I have this shirt. i want to know where it comes from. not where it's made, but where in the world does this pattern and style come from? PatternShirt01.jpg PatternShirt02.jpg thanks!

My clothes are boring.

greenie2600 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:56:12 -0800

I'd like to punch up my wardrobe a little, but I don't know what to do. Advise me! Like many hackers, I can't dress for shit. My everyday outfit is a pair of corduroys, a tee shirt (often with slogans ranging from smarmy to offensive; a relic of my punk rock sympathies), and a pair of hiking shoes or sneakers. Sometimes a button-up shirt, untucked. Almost exclusively solid colors—lots of earth tones, and lots of gray. I wear the same things week in and week out.

It's comfortable, and I'm fine with that if I'm just hanging out at home, crawling around the server room, or picking up some groceries. But sometimes I want a little more color (not necessarily literal) and personality to my look.

Here's the problem: I can't find anything—anything—that feels like me. The men's fashion at mainstream clothing stores is either dad-in-a-minivan conservative, or just plain ridiculous—sometimes I have to double-check to make sure I haven't wandered into the "Young Men's" section. Commercial fashion in general all seems to be designed to brand you as a member of one tribe or another, or to prove how much money you have, and I want none of that. For that matter, I don't really belong to any tribes, so I'm not sure whose uniform I'd wear, anyway. And the only way you'll ever see me in a pair of khakis is if you kill me and put me in them.

I've had some luck at vintage clothing stores, but the pickings are slim; the ones around here cater mainly to women. I also wonder if losing my spare tire would make me more comfortable in slightly showier styles. Yeah, it probably would.

I'm 31 and male (if you hadn't figured that out yet). I'm smart and scientifically minded. I'm pretty introverted (so bright colors and busy patterns would probably not be very "me"). My hair is blond, and I wear it pretty short; I don't have a beard, but I often sport a day or two of stubble (I'm getting better about keeping up with that).

I like hiking and the outdoors ("vaguely outdoorsy hacker-casual" is a decent description of my current wardrobe), but I'm not hardcore enough to be one of those people who wears outdoor stuff all the time. I'm politically independent (ex-anarchist), with no particular allegiance to the Left but bristling antipathy toward the Right. I like my music psychedelic, electronic, and/or art-damaged. I'd like to maintain at least a token of countercultural sentiment, because that's part of who I am—but, at the same time, I want to look like a mature guy who knows shit about wine and calls a few of the shots at work, because that's also part of who I am. So, y'know, classy and grown-up, but at the same time bohemian-intellectual. Or something.

I don't mind spending money on the right stuff. And I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard. :)

I realize this is hopelessly vague. Any suggestions are appreciated!

Where can I buy sunglasses with red mirrored lenses?

Saydrah — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:04:13 -0800

Where can I find these "impossible" red mirrored sunglasses? Not shimmery yellow and red, not shimmery blue and red, RED. http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm86/GodlikeZidane/?action=view&current=Image3.jpg

I bought those for my then-boyfriend (now fiance) four years ago in Canada. They were stolen in Las Vegas, and now I have been told by various sunglass makers that they are impossible, that there is no way to make red mirrored lenses without using yellow or blue, and that the picture must be altered. It's not! They were the coolest glasses ever, and I guess some jerk knew how rare and "impossible" they were, because he didn't take the car stereo or my purse-- just the glasses.

I really want to get him a new pair of shades like this for our anniversary. Help!

Fashion and beauty blogs for the novice?

flibbertigibbet — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:04:07 -0800

I am learning how to 'be' a girl, after years of hiding (literally) in badly-fitting guy clothing. Could you please help suggest web resources for the beauty/fashion aspect? Something like The Sartorialist would be nice, but with a critical eye and maybe a list of which stores have those pieces/products. (similarly/previously, but without the focus on online resources) I'm only just beginning to dress like a girl, after years of the worst-fitting, tattered, ugly guy clothing imaginable. I need serious help, as I just don't get how dressing like a girl works, and the more frustrated I am, the more likely I am to just revert to my guy pants and brown XL hoodies.

I don't get colour matching; I don't get patterns; I don't think about silhouettes; I don't get makeup; I don't get hair care. I'm starting at zero, which makes looking at past questions along this line (like the one linked above, but there are more) truly overwhelming.

So, I was hoping to ease into a blog or website, which would have pictures of what everything discusses but that I don't understand. I'm a visual learner, which is part of the problem; just a simple 'list' doesn't help for this particularly problem. I really, really need to see everything.

Complicating this is a kinda 'mathematically improbable' body: petite in all but bust (32F, taking up so much real estate on my chest that wearing empire-waisted fashions is an exercise in disaster) and butt, with a bit of a stomach, and a waist that is closer to the breasts than to the hips. Nothing really fits without tailoring, which I can't afford. If some kind sage could recommend something for my kind of body, or a book that describe different body types, I'd appreciate it.

What can I do to be more hot?

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:19:02 -0800

I want to regain my "hotness". But I have limited money and time. What will have the most impact in amping up the sexy quotient, and what else should I do? I'm not quite sure when it started to happen, but I've recently come to the realization that I"m just not as "hot" as I used to be. When I enter a room, I no longer attract looks, or when I want by, heads don't turn. I'm not sure when it happened--I just haven't been paying attention, and I suppose it's been a slow change over the years. I've been concentrating on motherhood (am a single mom), career, and find myself in my 40s, 20 lbs heavier than I used to be, and in rather frumpy clothes. Looking very much like the typical frumpy old maid. I realize that for women in their 40s, looking "hot" or sexy takes a lot more effort than it did when I was younger.
What can I do, given limited $ and time, to be more sexy? What should I tackle first, second, etc.? Things I am thinking of are: Exercise (hoping to lose about 15 lbs, but I'll need to exercise in order to get there). Getting more sexy clothes. Wearing make-up. Get my hair cut more regularly (right now, twice a year, if I'm lucky).

Assume that I have about 40 minutes a day, total, to spare to this self improvement project. Meaning, if I spend 15 minutes putting on make-up and 10 minutes doing my hair, then I only have 15 minutes to exercise, so it'll take me much longer to lose weight (if any). And if I purchase a gym membership, then that's less money for new clothes, hair cut, make-up, etc.

So, what are things I should do, and in what order, to get the most "bang" out of my time/money? Also, please be specific, if you can. If you think that better, more sexy wardrobe is the answer is the 1st priority, then please suggest specific brands or styles that I should look at. If you think that losing weight is the key, what should I do in the meantime, or after the weight loss, etc.?

Also, feel free to suggest other things that I could do. For example, if you're a heterosexual guy, what are the things that turn you on? What would want you to get to know someone better? Sorry for the ramble. Also, this is anonymous because my co-workers read this, and I don't want them to know that I'm this vain.
Thanks in advance.

I'm looking for a specific style of eyeglass frames.

Robson — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:27:20 -0800

Classic 50's scientist: I'm trying to find a pair of eyeglass frames just like #6 on this page. I don't care if they're vintage or new, but they have to be able to handle contemporary prescription lenses.

Help me find the right laptop bag

AMP583 — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 21:15:42 -0800

I'm in love with these bags but can't find one that fits my needs - help me find something similar to this thats fit for a laptop. I've conducted an exhaustive search online of mens messenger bags - i've also searched MetaFilter and none of the suggestions are quite right for me. I consider myself picky, maybe i just hate settling on things im not in love with.

I really like the style of bags by QWISTION but none of them fit my needs - they're either too big, too small or too feminine. I need a messenger like bag to carry my 15" MBP, a notebook or 2 and small things like an ipod, pens, etc. mostly to work. Typical shoulder bags look frumpy and/or aren't refined and classy enough. Leather bags seem too un-me/stuffy. So it seems a canvas, nylon, leather combo is a good fit.

Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Please help me find a black floor length formal/evening skirt.

scazza — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 06:39:22 -0800

Please help me find a black floor length formal/evening skirt. I am in a performance where I am required to wear black, and I need a black floor length skirt, preferably a full skirt, size 6 or 8. It needs to be long, even extra long since I'm tall. I haven't been able to find anything that would fit me and looks appropriate for a formal, concert occasion. Really the only things that have at least the same idea are on goth sites or are for ballroom dancing.

I'm in NYC and am female.

Anyone have any ideas for formal wear sites that would have something like this (I've looked at Saks, Barrie Pace, Nordstroms, Macy's)?
Are there any performance related sites that sell clothing like this?

Please help me find what I'm looking for. Thank you!

Will not covering up this tattoo negatively impact me at my upcoming job interview?

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:17:45 -0800

I have a job interview on Wednesday for a very interesting non-profit organization involved with animal research (for good purposes). All of my suits are skirt/jacket combos. I'm very short...too short for pant suits, and no time for alterations. The skirt suits wouldn't be a problem if I didn't have a huge tattoo on my leg. In my former career in creative arts, tattoos were acceptable and even commonplace. I'm not sure if this is a big deal with the new field. Nylons look silly over the work, and tights make me look like a little girl. Plus, it's very hot out. Is showing the tattoo something I should worry about? Do you think it will be viewed negatively? Any suggestions to help make me look more professional? FYI, the work covers my shin/ankle/foot and is water, leaves and flowers. This is in California.

Can anyone recommend a good home serger?

pantufla — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:59:03 -0800

Can anyone recommend a good home serger? A few desired features: coverstitch, rolled hem, 4 thread. Thanks!

Why doesn't Steve Jobs wear a belt?

stlboi — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:51:09 -0800

Am I the only person to realize that Steve Jobs never wears a belt at these public Apple conferences? Is this part of his "iconic" look or maybe a mistake on his part? I really think not wearing a belt makes his look seem incomplete and gives the impression he wears pajamas 24/7 and just before his Apple events, rushes into some clothes, forgetting his belt before dashing to the stage in a hurry.

Can you help me find a certen style of adult sized "Onesie"?

TrueVox — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:31:17 -0800

Looking for a green, stripped "union suit" sized for an adult girl? She's about 5'8, maybe?, 130 lbs (I figure she'd prefer it baggy, rather then too tight). Oh, and for what ever reason, it needs a closeable "Butt Flap". I think the ones like Steve from Blues Clues would work. Has anyone seen these that you can buy for a not unreasonable price?

Looking for classy, contemporary fabric and pattern shops online.

suimin — Sat, 31 May 2008 23:07:25 -0800

Are there any trendy, fashion-forward fabric and sewing-pattern shops online? One of my friends is teaching me the basics of how to follow a pattern to sew clothing. I've been to my local fabric shops and they all have similar fabrics available, and the same clothing-pattern brands, such as Vogue and Simplicity, etc.

Now, I don't want to waste my time sewing clothes that I'm not going to like. A lot of the fabrics available in my local stores are...matronly? Country-kitchen? I've seen lots of boring florals, unoriginal stripes, and tacky satins. Even the plaids are these obvious sugar-sweet color combinations.

The patterns, by and large, tend to be boxy, frumpy, and outdated. I found a few nice dress and skirt patterns, but it seemed odd that, out of so many catalogues, I could only find a handful of designs that seemed at all well-cut, sleek, or original. I personally know a lot of younger people who like making clothes, so why did so few of the patterns seem to appeal to a younger demographic?

So I wanted to check out the competition online before I purchased anything. I mean, I see clothes in stores made from beautiful, creative fabrics. They must get the fabric from somewhere, right? And I'd always assumed that clothes made by the individual would fit better than clothes that are mass produced--and yet, a lot of the common patterns seem to be designed to fit in a boxy, not-tailored way. So, are there any online fabric and pattern shops that are more cutting-edge? (They don't have to cater to beginning-level sewing or anything--I plan on getting good at this, eventually.) I'm willing to do some work on my own--if someone could even just point me in the right direction, maybe recommend a magazine or a blog, I'd really appreciate it. All the searches I've done online have led me to more of the same tacky stuff I can find in the fabric stores here, and I'm looking for something a little more attractive.

proper attire whilst poking badgers with spoons

zap rowsdower — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:51:03 -0800

Fashionfilter: Saw Eddie Izzard in DC last month and I need to own what he was wearing. It looked similar to this Victorian Formal Tailcoat, but less fancy ( no buttons, not sure it was suit material ) and more modern, with red on the inside. Does anyone know of any designers or stores where I could find something similar?

Best place online to purchase retro/vintage-styled lingerie?

krisken — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:12:14 -0800

Best place online to purchase retro/vintage-styled lingerie? Bonus points if it's in the US. (I've seen some great sites in the UK, but shipping is just too much.) Thanks!

How much is a fair price for a vintage Fendi bag?

prunes — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:43:21 -0800

What is a fair price for a vintage Fendi bag? My girlfriend fell in love with a vintage Fendi bag in a consignment shop the other day. I have no guarantee whether or not it is counterfeit; it does not appear to be. It is in good/new condition.

What is a fair price for this bag? I believe the tag said $140. I do not know whether this is negotiable.

Difference between a bag and a purse?

TheOnlyCoolTim — Sat, 24 May 2008 20:06:36 -0800

What is the difference between a purse and a bag? It is 11 PM on Friday and I need to know this. My friend has a bag which I say is a purse. When I saw it I thought at first it was some girl's purse. Men can carry purses, and purses are subsets of bags, but let's have a logical definition.

My theory is that a purse is accessed while being carried/worn, while backpacks and messenger bags, for example, are generally removed before opening.

'Cause Every Girl's Crazy 'Bout a Sharp-Dressed Man

WCityMike — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:37:04 -0800

I'm a very overweight man in my early to mid-thirties, and I would appreciate your advice as to how to dress in a way that's complementary to me for social situations (such as going to clubs, bars, lectures, etc.). More inside. For a while, the environments I've dressed for have been my home and my workplace, with the occasional visit to a social situation. My work clothing has been short-sleeved polo shirts (of very nice quality) in solid, darker colors, and black Dockers. My home clothing is usually a T-shirt or sweatshirt, and a pair of jeans or shorts, depending on weather. If I went somewhere that required me to look nice, I'd wear the work clothes. Without intending to sound immodest, I don't think I look too bad in either "mode", but I'd like to expand a bit.

I'm intending to venture into some social situations I've not gone into before, and I'd like to look stylish. I may visit some bars and clubs here in Chicago; I may attend some semi-formal semi-casual things such as lectures or "fancier" meetup-style things; and I may go to some things that are completely casual but where jeans would look too casual.

In these situations, I'd like to feel confident that I look good, perhaps even attractive. (I would be dressing not only for simple social situations but for possible romantic situations as well.) The problem is that I've relied upon the above two styles of selections for so long that I'm really not sure what other ensembles I can put together, so I'm seeking advice here regarding same. Look at me and imagine I'm a caveman who just got unfrozen from Neanderthal times, and use very simple words with Grogg here regarding what type new-fangled-leopardskins Grogg should put on body that has ate too much mammoth-meat.

If it matters, I currently shave my head clean, but when my hair does grow in, it is a color between dark brown and black.

I do understand that spending more money allows you to purchase higher-quality garments that make you look much better. Money-conscious choices would be highly preferred, but if something's highly recommended enough, I can always put a bigger expense into my financial plans. I may not get to such a purchase for a while, however, as there are some financial goals I'm in the midst of working on.

I also understand that losing weight is one of the better ways to improve a man's appearance. I'm working on same, but, universally, nearly every weight loss article, book, or forum I have read instructs people: (a) not to hold off on making clothes purchases, or buy clothes too small for you, on the basis of anticipated weight loss; and (b) that making clothing selections that make you feel good in your current body can be highly beneficial to putting you in a better state of mind and confidence for said weight loss.

Bridesmaid Dresses, Racket or Not?

Flying Squirrel — Tue, 20 May 2008 21:05:58 -0800

Bridesmaid dresses & alterations: legit or racket? I'm wondering if there is a legitimate reason for the amount of alterations that are routinely made on bridesmaid dresses.

I don't have an agenda, I'm just curious and haven't figured out a reason for this practice.

I've only been fitted once, it required a couple different alterations (it looked like it was ordered two sizes two big in the first place). My question at the time was, why can I go into a mall and find hundreds of dresses that fits me perfectly, yet need to be subject to alterations and multiple fittings as a bridesmaid?

Is it just a way for the dress shop to bring in extra money, or do these special tailored dresses really make a finer fit?

For the record, I'm about a size 4 or 5 and slim build. Any insight would be appreciated!

Is there a type of thermal (or similar) underwear out there that will keep me warm when it's cold, but also cool when it's hot?

katala — Sat, 17 May 2008 20:02:30 -0800

Is there a type of thermal (or similar) underwear out there that will keep me warm when it's cold, but also cool when it's hot? I have a dilemma... I'm a cold frog *ribbit* working in a cold air-conditioned office (18 degress celcius), and yet the normal temperature outside the office is usually 26 degrees celcius or more. I've tried to get the office temperature increased, or my air-vents blocked off, but have been told neither is possible. Being a style-conscious girl I hate having done my hair and makeup in the morning only to mess it all up when I get to my ice-box office by having to put on a warm turtleneck, and then having to reverse the process when I go outside for lunch.

Ideally I'd like some kind of thermal (or similar) undergarments that will take me comfortably from 18 degrees C in the office through to sunny 27 degrees C outside in the same day.

Does such a thing exist?? I'd welcome any and all suggestions you might have for brands / materials, or ideas for ways I can better wear layers. A huge thank you in advance for any help you can give this froggy fashion-lover :)

Japanese makeup/fashion in NYC?

zgg105 — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:57:30 -0800

What's a good place to buy Japanese cosmetics and/or fashion magazines (such as ViVi) in NYC? Or online?