Personal Style etc - general discussion

[Gleam]

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful and helpful replies. I think the general consensus (which you put very politely) is: "Yes, it looks dumb to wear no tights with pumps in freezing weather."

I am so attached to dresses. I don't know what it is. Also, let's just say that I understand the benefit of standing out as feminine in a male-dominated industry. Slight eye-roll, but there you have it. I promise, though, I am NOT sexing it up at the office!

I will certainly switch to trousers in the winter or at least pull on my thick wool Wolford tights. It is supposed to snow on Friday. Today is going to be my last bare-legged hurrah.

Does anyone else have a deep disdain for pants or is it just me? I love them on other women, I just hate wearing them myself. Maybe it's because I don't like putting together outfits and am not as skilled at it as you all are! The dress just zips up and you're done!

 

[Nemova]

^Hi Gleam, I've been following this debate over wearing tights or not and I thought I should put in my two cents. I agree with Softgrey that whatever makes you feel uncomfortable will make you look silly, but on the other hand I believe that personal style is about making some "sacrifices" in order to achieve a certain balance, which in my opinion means wearing some things I wouldn't usually wear but that look good on me and compliment my figure. I know tights don't fall into this specific category but they have utilitary purposes that can't be ignored during a hard winter. Maybe there is some way you could incorporate tights into your wardrobe without "selling out" or losing your style.

I've incorporated skirts into my wardrobe (even though I'm trousers girl) because I realised how good I'd look in them and how they compliment my style. I don't regret this decision and I've even learned a few things about what shapes, cuts, fabrics and prints look better on me and how to accessorize. The key is to always keep an open mind.

 

[softgrey]

gleam- if you do a search..there is a thread about 'i hate pants'...
or something like that!...

i remember because i started it...

 

[juneping]

gleam-
i think that anyone who doesn't look comfortable looks stupid...
so- if you hate tights that much, you might look more stupid with them on...
but if you are shivering and uncomfortable from the cold, then you might look more stupid without them...
you have to figure out which one is right for you...

but- in general...in nyc...
when i see girls in very cold weather with no socks or no tights...
i def do roll my eyes and think to myself 'what an idiot'...
...

i feel the same. what so bad about tights when it's below 40 degree F?? i think some can pull it off with peep toe without any socks/tights when wearing jeans if it's just bit chilly out. i've seen a girl dress like that...i think she looked really hot. it's early nov...

 

[fashionista-ta]

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughtful and helpful replies. I think the general consensus (which you put very politely) is: "Yes, it looks dumb to wear no tights with pumps in freezing weather."

I am so attached to dresses. I don't know what it is. Also, let's just say that I understand the benefit of standing out as feminine in a male-dominated industry. Slight eye-roll, but there you have it. I promise, though, I am NOT sexing it up at the office!

I will certainly switch to trousers in the winter or at least pull on my thick wool Wolford tights. It is supposed to snow on Friday. Today is going to be my last bare-legged hurrah.

Does anyone else have a deep disdain for pants or is it just me? I love them on other women, I just hate wearing them myself. Maybe it's because I don't like putting together outfits and am not as skilled at it as you all are! The dress just zips up and you're done!

I prefer skirts because I grew up in them, but I wear pants too--usually with heels! Actually I quite like wide-legged pants and heels, but I think a lot of jeans are the very definition of uncomfortable.

I agree with you about standing out as feminine ... for one thing, I would be uncomfortable dressing any other way, and it would feel like compromising myself if I tried to dress like a man on the perhaps doubtful theory that it would help me get 'ahead.' But there's no doubt that adding a woman to a room of men changes things, so you might as well not pretend it doesn't, and just take it to its natural conclusion.

I work with a woman who has a very masculine personality, but dresses very sexy, including shoes that might even be over the top for a call girl. Never in a million years would I wear those shoes, much less to work, but somehow it really works for her. I honestly would love to have it explained to me

 

[geekischic]

I really like a wide range of styles. Bohemian, preppy, and model-off-call/vintage.
I like dresses that look like they are a skirt and bottom. I have a few of those, but often to school (I'm only 14) I wear jeans and cute flats or my warm knit boots =)

 

[Tinetush]

Bump.
Wore jeans today.. I think it's the first time in about half a year. And I remember why, soo uncomfortable. and they weren't even that warm..

 

[lick1987]

I've decided fashion should be about fantasy. There have been so many times I've put an item I liked down, saying to myself things like " it doesn't fit in with my lifestyle", ' I don't have time to wear heels', ' when am I ever going to wear this dress?' etc etc.

I am going to throw wearability out of the equation and just buy what moves me. I mean I live in the real world most of the time, I think fashion is a chance to dream you're something else and to throw practicality out of the window.

I used to be more into fashion a few years ago, before college and the stress of medical school kicked in. Now I live in American Apparel tees, skinny jeans, ballet flats and Uggs. I think it's time to mix up my wardrobe!

 

[Drusilla_]

^ agreed. I think after you have your basics out of the way, you should only buy things you really love even if that means raising a few people's eyebrows.

My style is heavily reliant on jackets, skirts and dresses, and I think it swings to a lot of different vibes, so to speak. I don't often wear heels (generally end up sticking to laceups/hiking boots/oxfords/converse), and like to look a bit geeky on most days but when I'm not bothered to think about what I want to wear I end up in one of my dad's discarded buttondown shirts (which I wear with the cuffs rolled up) and a pair of black jeans. If I'm feeling adventurous, I wear my shirts as skirts. I love patterns and colour, thogh I wear lots of neutrals too. And I'd probably roll over and die if my tights ever went missing/got destroyed.

 

[dumbfairy]

Bump.
Wore jeans today.. I think it's the first time in about half a year. And I remember why, soo uncomfortable. and they weren't even that warm..

I thought I was the only person who found jeans uncomfortable I never owned a pair until I was 16,and yet even though I have purchased quite a few pairs since then,convinced that I will find the elusive perfect pair,I never have!

 

[quimby]

^ It took an entire weekend and a dedicated search before I found the perfect pair. My friend accompanied me to give me an opinion on the all-important rear view.

But I think I'll have to scout around again because I think I prefer mid-rise jeans to all the low-rise ones that were everywhere a few years ago.

 

[Tinetush]

^yeah I'm not a fan of the low-rise at all either
I'm thinking about giving a pair of black Acne Needle jeans a go.. I like that they are high-waisted without being too high.. And I've had a pair of Acnes years ago that was the comfiest pair I've ever had..

dumbfairy, I actually thought jeans were comfortable a few years ago... boy where I missing out..

 

[tuttyfruit]

currently i'm into preppy, casual, romantic... i used to be so into designer (not high fashion per se) clothing during HS (marc by marc jacobs, diane von funtersberg, etc) but now that i'm in college i've gotten lazy.... shopping has become an expensive habit. now my wardrobe revolves mainly of preppy and casual clothing from... abercrombie & fitch (i have a love/hate relationship w/ this brand). i don't buy the billboard stuff w/ the logo but some clothes can be pretty romantic & pretty (and i always buy stuff on clearance/sale).

i wear jeans all the time and invest a lot in them. almost 50 pairs of designer/premium jeans.

i have no will of 'dressing up' anymore. but i don't slack when it comes to dressing.

 

[Betinapple]

I'm thinking about buying this blouse from H&M but I'm not sure wether it would go well with my wardrobe since all my pants and skirts are high waisted.

picture from www.hm.com

 

[softgrey]

that top is cute and i think it would be perfect with high waisted bottoms...


i have to add my two cents to the jeans conversation...
i never reallly wore jeans and havent' had a pair of 'designer' denims since the 80's
(jordache!, guess, sassoon, girbaud)......
mostly because i HATE low waisted-
it's uncomfortable and looks bad on me...

i was so into levis and the odd pair of uniqlo jeans...
and of course- helmut lang is a special exception...

but i recently found a pair of citizens for humanity in a super skinny, super stretchy, super dark, super soft denim with a mid rise...
i have never spent so much on a pair of jeans- almost $200......
but i have to say- they are so comfy and i have been wearing them like crazy...
so i guess i'm getting my money's worth!...

i'm glad that we're finally being given other options besides all that low rise nonsense...it's about time!!!

 

[goosemaster]

hi softgrey... I dont post too often anymore but I'm still in ny...

I have two pairs of Japanese Denim (somet, momotaro) which I LOVE... both were pricey (each close to $300)... hard to believe but well worth the money. They fit, amazing, they will last forever (and thats a long time)... and they will always have a perfect classic cut, and I love every minute they are on, or off (just having them in my closet, anything).

never felt this way about a clothes item before...

I have a few other jeans from decent brands (apc for example) but after wearing japanese denim... nothing else even comes close.

(dont know about there womens cuts though... ??? )


they take sometime to break in, the momotaro took maybe at least a month... or even more.... but then its just a great process of these jeans... slowly aging.

its funny, if you google other forums for japanese denim you will get similar over enthusiastic comments. Its addicting is all I can say.

 

[ATM1985]

Didn't feel like this warranted an entire thread, but I'm not sure what to wear on Saturday.

A group of friends is meeting around noon. We're grabbing lunch at a cafe and walking around outdoors in a historic area of town. In the afternoon, we're going to the mall and possibly seeing a movie. We're probably grabbing dinner at the mall. Sometime in the evening, we're going out to a bar. It could either be a low-key style pub, or a dance club, or we could end up in the area of town with both. As it stands, I know of no plans to pause or opportunities to change.

What the hell do I wear?? I don't want to be overdressed for most of the day, but I'm a bit worried about a day look transitioning to a night out. I have a variety of cuts/colors in trousers, and I know layers are key. I'm just drawing a blank - anyone have some suggestions in good day-to-night looks that will work for all of that?

 

[Jenna-maria]

^oh I had once this similar kind of situation. I wore black dress, black tights and black cardigan BUT when the night came and we wen´t to dance I just took off the cardigan and did put some wicked earrings. this might sound boring and I do not know your style but it worked for me.
I think dresses are best because you can wear them in so many ways.

 

[pinkpolo]

I really want to try the boyfriend blazer look. My usual style is girlie, ie dress, black tights, flats. What should I look for when I shop for a blazer that's "investment worthy" and doesn't look too business suit? And pics for recommendations. Thanks!

 

[Betinapple]

I really want to try the boyfriend blazer look. My usual style is girlie, ie dress, black tights, flats. What should I look for when I shop for a blazer that's "investment worthy" and doesn't look too business suit? And pics for recommendations. Thanks!

Hi I do not think that a boyfriend blazer fits well for a real girly-girl style. I'm a girly girl myself, and I think the classic blazer fits the style well. This is mine.