Help! I don't know how to shop!
July 7, 2011 8:16 PM Subscribe
Hey Mefites,
I need help figuring out how to buy casual clothes for my "new" body style!
I'm suddenly an "apple" shape when I previously was a "stick". I don't know how to buy clothes for an apple! I'm female, 5'10", just turned 50 and have (had) a boy-ish shape most of my adult life. Have been trending toward putting any fat mass in the trunk area since about 35 years of age, even at the same weight. I've also been able to gain/lose 20 or so lb every so often without needing new clothes or appearing too "skinny" or "fat".
Now, with a recent weight gain of 20 lb, everything is in my trunk/abdomen! It doesn't matter so much in daily life because
1. I wear scrubs at work
2. At home/elsewhere I'm in PJ's, (slightly too-tight) jeans or workout clothes
3. Any weight that feels like too much/not enough has been (so far) easy to adjust in a month or two
Finally, the question: I need to go to a 3-day meeting (as a casual professional) out of state at the end of the month and all my usual fall-back clothes are too tight. My abdomen/back is bulging, every single pound has splayed around my trunk, I feel like a sausage (even naked!), this new body style is new to me! What can a former stick-like person with some age/a few pounds do with $300 for clothes?
I want to be comfortable. I don't care so much that I am in a "fat" phase as much as I want to look good for me; nice jeans, khakis and especially tops (the shirts!) What can I do for my new apple shape to look as good as I can, in a casual way?
I'm suddenly an "apple" shape when I previously was a "stick". I don't know how to buy clothes for an apple! I'm female, 5'10", just turned 50 and have (had) a boy-ish shape most of my adult life. Have been trending toward putting any fat mass in the trunk area since about 35 years of age, even at the same weight. I've also been able to gain/lose 20 or so lb every so often without needing new clothes or appearing too "skinny" or "fat".
Now, with a recent weight gain of 20 lb, everything is in my trunk/abdomen! It doesn't matter so much in daily life because
1. I wear scrubs at work
2. At home/elsewhere I'm in PJ's, (slightly too-tight) jeans or workout clothes
3. Any weight that feels like too much/not enough has been (so far) easy to adjust in a month or two
Finally, the question: I need to go to a 3-day meeting (as a casual professional) out of state at the end of the month and all my usual fall-back clothes are too tight. My abdomen/back is bulging, every single pound has splayed around my trunk, I feel like a sausage (even naked!), this new body style is new to me! What can a former stick-like person with some age/a few pounds do with $300 for clothes?
I want to be comfortable. I don't care so much that I am in a "fat" phase as much as I want to look good for me; nice jeans, khakis and especially tops (the shirts!) What can I do for my new apple shape to look as good as I can, in a casual way?
Best answer: J. Jill and Coldwater Creek are good sources for clothes that aren't cut tight through the waist. Both can be somewhat pricey, but have good sales. Both have excellent customer service, too.
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:46 PM on July 7, 2011
posted by MexicanYenta at 8:46 PM on July 7, 2011
Best answer: I recommend the What Not To Wear books - those gals have the guts to use themselves as models, and give great tips on how to work with your specific "trouble spots" and look fantastic. They also show, literally, what NOT to wear. And they're funny (kinda bitchy, but mostly brutally honest).
I suck at shopping, so I always beg my better-dressed (not fancier, just always nicer-put-together) sister to go with me. She picks stuff out, and I agree to try it on even if I think she's nuts, and usually she's right, and I end up buying it.
Also check out more upscale consignment shops - the owners/staff can also be great "personal shoppers" and you can get good advice and a few nicer quality outfits and accessories for less $.
posted by Thistlemouse at 8:53 PM on July 7, 2011
I suck at shopping, so I always beg my better-dressed (not fancier, just always nicer-put-together) sister to go with me. She picks stuff out, and I agree to try it on even if I think she's nuts, and usually she's right, and I end up buying it.
Also check out more upscale consignment shops - the owners/staff can also be great "personal shoppers" and you can get good advice and a few nicer quality outfits and accessories for less $.
posted by Thistlemouse at 8:53 PM on July 7, 2011
Best answer: I have a similar issue, I carry all my weight around the middle. I usually go for clothes that aren't to tight around my waist and find things that draw the eye to the shoulder help keep me proportioned. I'm not too sure how much of an "apple" you are, like if you're stomach sticks out further than your chest but some of these options might work for you. I would pair them with slim fitting capris or knee length shorts in a suitable fabric. A slim skirt could also work if you feel comfortable in that.
Blousey shirt
Banded Halter (you could also pair this with some loose flowing linen pants if you're not too petite.)
Loose V-neck
Elastic waisted top
Empire Waisted Tank
Also, an essential for conferences is a loose fitting lightweight cardigan, similar to this one. Those meeting rooms can get chilly!
posted by lannanh at 8:59 PM on July 7, 2011
Blousey shirt
Banded Halter (you could also pair this with some loose flowing linen pants if you're not too petite.)
Loose V-neck
Elastic waisted top
Empire Waisted Tank
Also, an essential for conferences is a loose fitting lightweight cardigan, similar to this one. Those meeting rooms can get chilly!
posted by lannanh at 8:59 PM on July 7, 2011
Sorry, just reread your question, at 5'10" I think you have an advantage over us "short" apples.
posted by lannanh at 9:02 PM on July 7, 2011
posted by lannanh at 9:02 PM on July 7, 2011
Best answer: My mother is about your age and shape (tall apple) and she loves shirts from Eddie Bauer. They have nice button downs and slightly fancy t-shirt sort of tops. Bonus, they're currently having a ridiculous sale. She also likes Gap pants, mostly because they have tall sizes.
posted by MadamM at 9:51 PM on July 7, 2011
posted by MadamM at 9:51 PM on July 7, 2011
Best answer: Seconding the What Not To Wear books - but from the British version of the tv show with Trinny and Susannah. Basically, what you want to do is optically create a waist. As Thistlemouse said, start with hoiking up the gals with a great bra. Then you elongate the neck (and show off the perkier gals a bit) with a semi-tight V-neck top which skims the body, but is not loose or billowing and falls to just over the waist of your trousers or skirt, not to the crotch. Then you elongate the legs with bootcut trousers. These cannot be high-waisted, but should have a bit more of a lower waistline = visually cuts bum and back fat. You could also go with an A-line skirt, but watch the amount of fabric; too billowing = tent. Then you add a blazer/jacket/sweater that is somewhat structured and through cut or slight padding accentuates the shoulder line.
There is more. Much more, delving into fabric and color choice, solid versus patterns, size and placement of jewellry, accessories, handbags, shoes... Seriously, get the book(s). Amazon has it/them. Can't link right now, but I just checked.
I'm not a real apple, but I can have apple-like tendencies. When I started dressing in line with these guidelines, before I took off a few pounds, folks started asking if I'd lost weight.
posted by likeso at 10:17 PM on July 7, 2011 [2 favorites]
There is more. Much more, delving into fabric and color choice, solid versus patterns, size and placement of jewellry, accessories, handbags, shoes... Seriously, get the book(s). Amazon has it/them. Can't link right now, but I just checked.
I'm not a real apple, but I can have apple-like tendencies. When I started dressing in line with these guidelines, before I took off a few pounds, folks started asking if I'd lost weight.
posted by likeso at 10:17 PM on July 7, 2011 [2 favorites]
(And I know Thistlemouse meant the BBC gals, but just wanted to make sure you understand you should get his/these books as opposed anything linked to the TLC team.)
posted by likeso at 10:26 PM on July 7, 2011
posted by likeso at 10:26 PM on July 7, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks everyone, lots of great ideas here! Completely agree about the bra.
I hate to mark as "resolved" because more ideas are always welcome!
I'm off to shop!
posted by bebrave! at 9:01 AM on July 8, 2011
I hate to mark as "resolved" because more ideas are always welcome!
I'm off to shop!
posted by bebrave! at 9:01 AM on July 8, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Sample: "Wear the best possible bra. Lifting the bust line will start the waist definition process... Woven tops can be magical. The rigidity of form fitting garments made of woven fabric will skim the contour of the body instead of clinging to it like jersey knits do."
posted by synchronia at 8:44 PM on July 7, 2011