I'm Out of Style -- HELP

Try on all your wardrobe with a true friend, who isn't scared to tell you exactly how you look. Try everything on with everything else and ask for her/his advice.
If she/he says it doesn't suit you, it's in this way
Then check again which clothes are "Yes-clothes" and search for the ones you like the most. These are your style basics.

Another suggestion is to have your clothes agenda. Take a little diary and write down everything you try on in front of the mirror and that you actually like (with a friend if possible, taking pictures to show her/him if not).
I mean everything you try: from the T-shirt to the accessories.
You can do it little by little.
When you wear it, at the end of the day, write down problems you had (e.g. noisy bracelet, ...).
Write it for a month or two and you will have a lot of combinations ready to wear when you panic in front of the wardrobe.

About shopping, I suggest you a little trick; at the beginning buy basic clothes in basic colors as black, grey, white, beige + two colors you like the most.
Buy a colorful, but elegant scarf and use it as accessory. It makes wonders. If you check youtube, you can find a hundred ways to wear it with style.

In Italy we have some simple rules, I think you all know.
- shoes, bag and belt should be of the same color
- never put on more than one or two accessories, expecially if they're big and/or colorful
- when you're in front of the wardrobe think simple. To your outfit, then, you can add ONE "not simple" cloth or accessory.
- try to wear a basic color as black, grey and beige. To them you can add white (+ another color as green, red,... but one only )


If you find my English difficult to understand, so sorry. I'm Italian, actually, so I'm learning it yet.

There is a FANTASTIC book called, "How Not to Look Old". I bought it at Costco last year.

The author, Charla Krupp, has lots of pictures and real world examples so you know which styles look old and dowdy, and what can update your look. There are styles that a lot of us have worn since the 80s and they now make us look dumpy, even if you're thin, even if your face looks young. She has ideas for hairstyle, makeup, accessories, etc.

Sadly, Charla passed away earlier this week. She was only in her 50s but passed due to cancer.

http://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Look-Old-Effortless/dp/B003156B4K/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Go to Steinmart, if you have one near you. They have up-to-date styles, good prices and the inventory is constantly changing.......I am 52.

It would really help if you posted a picture on your profile..then we could see your body shape and possibly give you some more advice! I've learned pretty much everything I know about fit and style rules through watching What Not To Wear haha. I love that show.

go to a few different stores and take a look around to see whats out there.. then try on a few things to see how you feel.

You have a great figure. Don't hide it, but I like that you're not trying to look 20 again. For casual wear, I would suggest a nice pair of dark denim jeans, which I think is the hardest thing to ever buy. They can be dressed up or down depending on your footwear and your top. I would buy a nice pair at a store. The other pieces to go with it can be purchased at a consignment or thrift store. (Those are my favorite stores! You get so much more for your buck.) Alot of times the ones at thrift stores can mostly be out of style and that would defeat your purpose.
- Make sure they are not too high waisted or peg legged, as that will make you still look out of style. There is a difference between skinny jeans and peg legged. Skinny jeans are fitted all the way down the leg and not only from the knee down. Skinny jeans also will have some stretch to them.
- Make sure they aren't skin tight, but also you don't want a saggy butt.
- A definate issue is the length. They should be long enough that you can wear a flat shoe (sneaker, sandle, etc...) but still could wear them with a heel. You don't want to sit down and have the cuff/hem 3-4" above your ankles.
- I personally like a straight leg or boot cut. They make the leg look longer.

If you wear a sweater or fleece with them and a flat shoe, it works.
If you wear a tank top and a fitted long blouse with heels, it works.
If you wear a fitted t-shirt/tank top and a fitted blazer/coat with dress boots, it works.

Like others have said use accessories. A great piece of jewelrey, scarf or belt go a long way to add to the look you want to create. I'd love to see pictures!

Have fun shopping!

You look great in your picture!! You have a very well defined natural waist...wear clothes that accentuates that. Dresses, blouses, shirts that nip in at the waist, and flow out at the bottom will be your best friend. And like others have said, a couple pairs of dark wash jeans that fit you well will do wonders for your wardrobe. I am also a thrift store connoisseur...I buy 90% of my wardrobe there...pretty hard to pay $50 for a sweater when you're used to paying under $5! It's definitely easy to have a fashionable wardrobe that way...you just need to try on MANY pieces in order to find ones that fit correctly and fit your style. Trying everything on is very important, as well as thinking about how that piece would fit into your wardrobe. Important things all women should own: a fitted jacket in a neutral color that will go with many outfits, dark jeans, a crisp white blouse, a versatile pair of flats, a stylish pair of sneakers, and a dress that flatters your figure that can go from day to evening by simply changing a few accessories. Have fun shopping!!

I have an hourglass figure too. And I don't dress with the trends. Look at things that inspire you.

My advice for hourglass figure: keep with V necks, or even off the shoulder things. DON'T for for turtlenecks or round collars. Also A-line skirts and pencil skirts are great. Please steer away from low riding jeans. High waisted trousers with a nice cut are probably the best. And my favorite fall back is the wrap dress. I love the wrap dress.


http://www.thechicfashionista.com/hourglass-body-shape.html (this is a decent quick and dirty articles).

Also for good inspiration look up stars with hourglass figures who have a style that you admire. I can tell you about things I admire all day long, but they may not be what you are looking to flaunt.

If you are a little crafty I'd check out this blog called New Dress A Day (http://www.newdressaday.com/)...she does amazing (very easy) things with items she finds at thrift stores. I think her techniques would be great for people of all ages to use.

Also if you wanted something a little more hands on Nordstroms has consultants on site that can help point you in the right direction.

I have a question about dresses and legware. I have started wearing more skirts and dresses and need advice on what to wear on my legs in the summer. This winter I have done really well with tights. For example, I have some smartwool Estonia black tights that look phenomenal and are warm and extremely comfortable. But should I cover my legs somehow in the spring and summer. I know that the young people don't. My legs are attractively shaped, however I can't pretend that they look like they did 20 and 30 years ago. The veins occassionally swell near the ankles, etc. Should I wear nude nylons, sheer colored stockings or go bare.

I think the answer to this may involve both regional and workplace norms. You're right that many "young folks" don't wear hose/stockings in the warmer weather and actually, I've even seen it in colder weather (I'm in Wisconsin) in my office setting. I am a 50-something and remember when you would never ever ever go bare-legged at work. I am quite fair, so for me, in warmer weather the wearing hose or not is in large part driven by how well my pasty white skin goes with what I'm wearing!

So what I've learned recently is tha it seems that even in conservative workplaces, it is now acceptable for women of all ages to not cover their legs, with the appropriateness determined by the circumstances. A close female family member is an executive at a conservative, national insurance company and I was truly shocked to learn that even she sometimes does not wear hose. So--ask around, observe people in your community and workplace, and decide what you're comfortable with. How's that for not being very helpful?

@krissie_d this webpage is awesome! she's very good to change clothes cutting and sewing.
Mmmmhh... I'll try something with my older clothes. I hope I will not mess up too much with them, ahaha!

Great update and congratulations on moving ahead! And your purchases (a size 16, 12, and 10) illustrate how meaningless/arbitrary sizes and the like can be--including using one's weight as the only measure of progress.

And don't rule out that favorite dress with the gap in the chest just yet. You never know what miracles a good, well-fitting bra can work especially once you hit your final goal. Keep it for inspiration or perhaps nostalgia.

Google Missus Smarty Pants - she has some good ideas.
Re: leg wear - I wear tights in winter when it is cold (ish) but never in summer. I do see some women (all ages) on the bus wearing stockings in summer but that's fairly rare here. I guess it's going to vary as to the norm in your part of the world and the activities that you do, but don't worry about how your legs look, I see all kinds of people during my day and I rarely focus on their legs!