Changing my style (Fashion). Need help!

i_love_vinegar

So my mom came to visit last month and confided in me that I basically looked like a slut. "I thought you would grow out of wearing mini skirts and tight clothing. The way you dress sends out the wrong image." Other people have told me this same thing in the past, but I would ignore them, go home and cry about it. This time, however, a bell went off. My mom was right (she's a great mom, so I know she was just telling the truth). So I am trying to change my look. The problem is I don't know how to dress any other way -- I've been wearing mini skirts, sheer/tight clothing since high school...

I want to look sophisticated and elegant (and more like a woman than a girl). I have never worn non-mini skirts until now and don't know what kind of shirts to wear with them, so I haven't bought any shirts yet. PLEASE HELP ME CHOOSE SHIRTS FOR LONG SKIRTS (LAST TWO PICTURES)!! I have NO clue what to look for! I live in Hong Kong and a lot of the stores I shop at don't let you try on the clothing. I don't even know what to look for~:noway: :embarassed:

High school (just to give an idea of how long I've only worn mini skirts ):
Last year during winter:
Long skirt:
Shorter-in-front, longer-in-back skirt:

Thank you in advance!

LizHowerton

Why not go shopping with Mom? Or look through some magazines and pick out a few different styles you like and give them a try.

Finding your grown up style will be trial and error. You can always mail order items, and return them if they are not for you.

TavistockToad

Instead of skirts why don't u try skinny jeans? U have great legs, so u can show them off in skinny jeans but you aren't actually revealing anything! Plus they r totally in this season ( well they r in the uk anyway!!!)

Nix143

Question is do YOU want to wear long skirts? I'm kinda a believer that you should do what makes you happy and screw what anyone else thinks.

That said maybe book a session with a personal shopper if you can afford it, take your mom or a good friend who will give you unbiased opinion - and yeah to the skinny jeans thing.

Good luck whatever you do

melaniecheeks

You would look fantastic in a knee length shift dress. It looks good with flats, with heels, or with boots, depending on the weather. Or stick a plain white shirt underneath it.

Invest in some good fitted plain T shirts - black, white, cream, grey, unnatural colours. Introduce pattern and colour with scarves and jewellery.

dizzydi1968

You don't have to be frumpy to look classy.

You can wear skirts around the knee or above with fitted shirts or short tops.

Wear stockings or tights (panty hose) in the same colour as your shoes and you can get away with really short.

Classy is about attitude rather than clothing.

i_love_vinegar

Why not go shopping with Mom? Or look through some magazines and pick out a few different styles you like and give them a try.

Finding your grown up style will be trial and error. You can always mail order items, and return them if they are not for you.

My mom went back to the U.S. That's a good idea about the magazines though -- I was looking at photos online, but when I got to the stores, I couldn't figure things out -- Thanks!! Maybe bringing photos with me will help better than trying to remember!

i_love_vinegar

You would look fantastic in a knee length shift dress. It looks good with flats, with heels, or with boots, depending on the weather. Or stick a plain white shirt underneath it.

Invest in some good fitted plain T shirts - black, white, cream, grey, unnatural colours. Introduce pattern and colour with scarves and jewellery.

Thank you to everyone who advised jeans! I've never actually tried them out (only have one pair), but will look for a store where I can try some on.

I'll look for a shift dress and some plain t-shirts + accessories.

Anaconda62

See if you can find some episodes of a show from the US called What Not To Wear. They give fashion advice, mostly to people who are stuck in fashion ruts or dressing inappropriately. They have you look at your best features and play them up. Another thing is that I don't think you need to wear skirts that are that long. You're petite and they seem to overwhelm you. I think a skirt that is just above the knee would look smashing on you. A sheath dress would also.

The whole idea is to give the illusion of having an hour-glass figure, whether you have one or not.

babecon

Check out LookBook.nu too, always good inspiration there!
Your long skirts are fantastic though, and skinny jeans are always a winner.

BitteOrca

I think dressing with skirts can be tricky. Why not try on some different style dresses and see what you like? There are tons of young/flirty dress styles out there that will flatter your shape (and accentuate your small waist) without aging you. I feel like long and mid-length skirts can read OLD if not paired correctly. Dresses should help eliminate some of that guesswork.

shoppingmaniac86

the blue high low skirt is so cute! go for it!

shoppingmaniac86

i like to wear mini skirt s you just have to balancei t out with a chunky knit top or a blazer or soemthing

amylovescupcakes

Here I was this entire post wishing I could wear a mini skirt...but for my job, I wear slacks (BORING) and at home I wear jeans and trendy shirts/whatever/sometimes my gym clothes...why am I giving style advice? I'm a 31yo mom. BUMP~!

bahacca

If you want to look elegant and womanly and are used to wearing tight clothing, look for ideas at Newport-news.com This is where I'll shop when I'm at goal weight. They have super cute dresses and outfits that are form flattering without being slutty. Boston proper and Bodyc.com are other good ones for 20-40 year olds.

bahacca

Oh-if you are international, H&M has cute stuff that is nicely priced as well.

nikilis

http://www.lookbook.nu

all the inspiration you could ever need. trust me. sign up and favourite looks you like, then start applying these new styles to yourself.

definitely agree on h&m - add zara and topshop to the mix (not sure if HK has topshop)and if you can find some cheap vintage that would be a good addition (HK vintage tends to be expensive).

there is two big independent store complexes on greville street in Tsim Sha Tsui - check them out. also they have those peanut waffles there and goong cha - everything in HK has tapioca pearls in it - even hot chocolate, it gets tiring.

get your measurements and shop online, another gem is http://www.svpply.com - this is a fast way to find stuff you like from stores you would never normally find. Also http://www.etsy.com is also full of amazing stuff. http://www.yesstyle.com is also one of my favourite stores, apart from the fact that im 6 foot so asian sizes are too small half the time (asian XL is for people 160 - 180cm tall max usually - im 184) and ebay is a goldmine if you know what your looking for.

Lastly - accessorize.

hailzp

Dresses are you friend!!! In winter you can wear them with 200 denier tights, and they can be short as you do have great legs. It won't look tacky either. And in summer some lovely dresses are available. The blue skirt looks great on you but I would be tempted to wear a different top with it.

MyPaperBleedsInk

I think you look fine in the short and long skirts. You should wear what feels comfortable to you. And trust me, I've seen people dress slutty... my friend being one of them, and you look nowhere near portraying that image.
But for opinions on the long skirts, I flippin' love that last one. What style of skirt is that considered? I need to find something like that.

elprincipito

you dress really sexy :P