Please dress my friend!
March 15, 2010 1:56 PM Subscribe
Help a friend find clothes to make her look awesome!
Posted for a friend:
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There are lots of threads (no pun intended) out there on this subject, but here's my particular spin.
I'm a former tomboy, getting over a bad breakup, looking to get girlier. I want to look flirty and cute (and sexy), but don't care at all about what's in fashion. I want basics that I can mix and match and always look good that don't require me to keep up with trends. (Low maintenance clothes that don't require ironing/dry cleaning/etc. are a necessity)
1. What are some flattering shapes for someone short (under 5'6"), busty, of average build, with a somewhat defined waist? Specifically, what kinds of dresses and necklines would look sexy and cute?
2. What are some brands that have the following ethos for a female in her mid-20s, either:
a) flirty, cute, girly dresses! (a kind of Marilyn Monroe feel) or
b) classic styles, simple and elegant, sort of Audrey Hepburn-ish looking
3. Shoes. Durable, comfortable, stylish, feminine shoes.
No specific items for work -- I don't have to wear business clothes, but want to look elegant and "smart".
I am willing to spend a bit to have a stock set of interchangable basics, that I can then accessorize and build upon over time, but I can't go crazy. Also understand that I don't care at all about labels-- I'm interested in good clothes that won't fall apart, but clean and label-less is good. I'm pretty cheap overall, so sales are good.
Posted for a friend:
-------------
There are lots of threads (no pun intended) out there on this subject, but here's my particular spin.
I'm a former tomboy, getting over a bad breakup, looking to get girlier. I want to look flirty and cute (and sexy), but don't care at all about what's in fashion. I want basics that I can mix and match and always look good that don't require me to keep up with trends. (Low maintenance clothes that don't require ironing/dry cleaning/etc. are a necessity)
1. What are some flattering shapes for someone short (under 5'6"), busty, of average build, with a somewhat defined waist? Specifically, what kinds of dresses and necklines would look sexy and cute?
2. What are some brands that have the following ethos for a female in her mid-20s, either:
a) flirty, cute, girly dresses! (a kind of Marilyn Monroe feel) or
b) classic styles, simple and elegant, sort of Audrey Hepburn-ish looking
3. Shoes. Durable, comfortable, stylish, feminine shoes.
No specific items for work -- I don't have to wear business clothes, but want to look elegant and "smart".
I am willing to spend a bit to have a stock set of interchangable basics, that I can then accessorize and build upon over time, but I can't go crazy. Also understand that I don't care at all about labels-- I'm interested in good clothes that won't fall apart, but clean and label-less is good. I'm pretty cheap overall, so sales are good.
I'd take a peek at Tim Gunn's Top Ten and work from there.
As a rather busty girl with a defined waist, I tend to stick to halters and sheath dresses. Halters show off the girls without letting them fly every which way and sheath dresses usually manage to show off hour glass figures while masking problem areas (for me my tummy).
I also like dresses with an empire waist line that falls to about the knee for more casual events. They can be made out of t-shirt, but if you are wearing a dress, people automatically assume you are put together.
All these styles can be found in easy-to-care-for fabrics. Happy hunting and enjoy!
posted by chatongriffes at 2:15 PM on March 15, 2010
As a rather busty girl with a defined waist, I tend to stick to halters and sheath dresses. Halters show off the girls without letting them fly every which way and sheath dresses usually manage to show off hour glass figures while masking problem areas (for me my tummy).
I also like dresses with an empire waist line that falls to about the knee for more casual events. They can be made out of t-shirt, but if you are wearing a dress, people automatically assume you are put together.
All these styles can be found in easy-to-care-for fabrics. Happy hunting and enjoy!
posted by chatongriffes at 2:15 PM on March 15, 2010
For retro looking uber-girly clothes, I love Pinup Girl Clothing. I haven't bought anything from them, but I love the style. A lot of the stuff is kind of revealing, but there are things like this or this that cover everything and just show off curves, and pieces like this or this that can be paired with more sedate tops or bottoms.
posted by TooFewShoes at 2:32 PM on March 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by TooFewShoes at 2:32 PM on March 15, 2010 [2 favorites]
I have a pretty similar body type (although I'm taller) and I tend to look the best in either rounded v-neck or deep scoop necklines like this or this. My daily uniform is a high waist pencil skirt (my favorite ever I got from H&M and it's lasted me two years. American Apparel's Interlock pencil skirt is also very flattering+cheap+comfortable) a scoop neck tank or tee, a cardigan, and ballet flats or heels. I've also had a ton of luck with circle skirts that hit above the knee and sit at my waist. Basically flatter the tits and define the waist.
I've found the empire waist dresses invariably make people ask if I'm expecting. So. For dresses I'm all about wraps and vintage inspired shapes.
The stores I've had the most luck with are Marshall's/TJ Maxx/Filene's Basement (specifically the clearance racks and especially for reasonably priced designer jeans and sweaters), H&M, American Apparel, Anthropologie, J Crew, and believe it or not, American Eagle. AE Ballet flats have served me extremely well and they're all pretty much under twenty bucks.
For web only stores it's Bonadrag, ShopBop (clearance), Etsy, Ebay for vintage, and Modcloth.
posted by Tha Race Card at 2:48 PM on March 15, 2010 [3 favorites]
I've found the empire waist dresses invariably make people ask if I'm expecting. So. For dresses I'm all about wraps and vintage inspired shapes.
The stores I've had the most luck with are Marshall's/TJ Maxx/Filene's Basement (specifically the clearance racks and especially for reasonably priced designer jeans and sweaters), H&M, American Apparel, Anthropologie, J Crew, and believe it or not, American Eagle. AE Ballet flats have served me extremely well and they're all pretty much under twenty bucks.
For web only stores it's Bonadrag, ShopBop (clearance), Etsy, Ebay for vintage, and Modcloth.
posted by Tha Race Card at 2:48 PM on March 15, 2010 [3 favorites]
Also for shoes, specifically boots: I've had the best luck with Vince Camuto (pretty reasonably priced, good quality, classic shapes) and Frye (expensive but insanely good quality).
posted by Tha Race Card at 2:54 PM on March 15, 2010
posted by Tha Race Card at 2:54 PM on March 15, 2010
Wrap tops and dressed are good for busty ladies with small waists. Basically, you want to have a low-ish but not scandalous neckline, and you want the item to come in at the smallest part of your body with a belt or a detail there, and then flare out so no one knows how big your butt is.
Here are some good examples:
shirt
Another shirt
polka dot dress
2 piece dress
Things to avoid: halter necks, high crew necks or shallow v-necks: these make your boobs look like one giant blob.
Also, A-line skirts are good for this figure, and make sure that she gets them shortened to just above the knee or mid-knee-cap level. Most A-line skirts are made for taller gals and skirts that come to mid-calf or under-knee make short people look shorter.
Pencil skirts and mermaid and tulip skirts are the opposite of this and should be avoided unless you feel like looking super curvy and hippy.
For shoes, she should look for styles with low vamps (the front part over your toes) and no cross-fot straps (such as mary janes) which cut the line of the foot. You want the leg to flow to the ankle and the foot without stopping to make your foot look like it might be part of a really long leg.
Wedge heels are easy to walk in for tomboys, and add a little extra height while still being cute and good for skirts, dresses, or pants.
Here are some good ones.
these are bad because while they are sort of the same idea as the ones above, they cover too much of your toe area (higher vamp) and they'll make your legs and feet look stumpy.
posted by rmless at 3:24 PM on March 15, 2010
Here are some good examples:
shirt
Another shirt
polka dot dress
2 piece dress
Things to avoid: halter necks, high crew necks or shallow v-necks: these make your boobs look like one giant blob.
Also, A-line skirts are good for this figure, and make sure that she gets them shortened to just above the knee or mid-knee-cap level. Most A-line skirts are made for taller gals and skirts that come to mid-calf or under-knee make short people look shorter.
Pencil skirts and mermaid and tulip skirts are the opposite of this and should be avoided unless you feel like looking super curvy and hippy.
For shoes, she should look for styles with low vamps (the front part over your toes) and no cross-fot straps (such as mary janes) which cut the line of the foot. You want the leg to flow to the ankle and the foot without stopping to make your foot look like it might be part of a really long leg.
Wedge heels are easy to walk in for tomboys, and add a little extra height while still being cute and good for skirts, dresses, or pants.
Here are some good ones.
these are bad because while they are sort of the same idea as the ones above, they cover too much of your toe area (higher vamp) and they'll make your legs and feet look stumpy.
posted by rmless at 3:24 PM on March 15, 2010
For building an inventory, get "The Lucky Shopping Manual".
Buy "What Not To Wear" book 1. Figure out which features apply to you. Where two features contradict each other, cross out all the items marked "worst" for any one feature, even if the same item is marked "best" for another.
Also buy "What You Wear Can Change Your Life". These three books should give you all the basic info, including colour matching rules so you can pick items that match the largest possible number of other items in your wardrobe.
If you can't work out whether you have a particular feature or not, get "The Triumph of Individual Style". This is a very in-depth text, which is also good for more advanced wardrobe fu.
posted by tel3path at 4:47 PM on March 15, 2010
Buy "What Not To Wear" book 1. Figure out which features apply to you. Where two features contradict each other, cross out all the items marked "worst" for any one feature, even if the same item is marked "best" for another.
Also buy "What You Wear Can Change Your Life". These three books should give you all the basic info, including colour matching rules so you can pick items that match the largest possible number of other items in your wardrobe.
If you can't work out whether you have a particular feature or not, get "The Triumph of Individual Style". This is a very in-depth text, which is also good for more advanced wardrobe fu.
posted by tel3path at 4:47 PM on March 15, 2010
Our figures are pretty different, but I've got some of the same standards for my clothes - I better not have to go shopping again in six months when they go out of style, I don't even own an iron so they'd best be low maintenance, etc.
So here's my advice on the low-maintenance front: Soft, flowy fabrics are usually less likely to wrinkle. I have a bunch of nylon-microfiber-whatever shirts from Ross that are absolutely amazing because they don't take any care at all. Cute cotton tees take a bit more care (ok, just "fold or hang up quickly", but some weeks that's beyond me). A lot of things that say "hand wash" and "line dry" really can be thrown in the laundry, although some things may need to be pulled out of the dryer while still a bit damp.
I have some basics from the Chico's "Travelers" collection that I love and wear all the time. A bit pricier, but that little shrug jacket has handled a year and a half of being worn two or three times a week. And true to the name, that fabric will roll up in the corner of your suitcase (or closet, or drawer) and stay gorgeous when you pull it out.
posted by Lady Li at 1:38 PM on March 16, 2010
So here's my advice on the low-maintenance front: Soft, flowy fabrics are usually less likely to wrinkle. I have a bunch of nylon-microfiber-whatever shirts from Ross that are absolutely amazing because they don't take any care at all. Cute cotton tees take a bit more care (ok, just "fold or hang up quickly", but some weeks that's beyond me). A lot of things that say "hand wash" and "line dry" really can be thrown in the laundry, although some things may need to be pulled out of the dryer while still a bit damp.
I have some basics from the Chico's "Travelers" collection that I love and wear all the time. A bit pricier, but that little shrug jacket has handled a year and a half of being worn two or three times a week. And true to the name, that fabric will roll up in the corner of your suitcase (or closet, or drawer) and stay gorgeous when you pull it out.
posted by Lady Li at 1:38 PM on March 16, 2010
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posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:59 PM on March 15, 2010