I want to dress nicely, but my conservative upbringing makes me self-conscious about wearing ‘fancy’ clothes. I just wear baggy clothes which I know don’t look good on me. Any advice on how to choose outfits that will suit me? Ow how did you develop your fashion sense?
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For me its about finding things I feel good in. Things that bring me joy and uplift my mood
pinterest and thrifting!
Fa…shion sense? I basically wear what people have gifted me over the years.
However, over the years, I have learned what general cuts will look good on me. Maybe try learning your body type and then search up, “best dress styles for hour glass figure,” etc?
I dress in what I like, looks good, and I’m comfortable in. I don’t buy maybes or aspirationals.
For Myself, I did the Colour Analysis Test which really helped and then did a Quiz for my Body type. I found clothes that Matched both ☺️ I also enjoy wearing Nice Professional Business clothing, plus Clothes I have for Galas, etc
My dreams are to be an eccentric old woman wearing mumu’s and turbans as well as dame Edna sunglasses.
I’m working my way there. Somedays it feels like “you’ve gone too far” but people adapt. I work in rural mountains. So my copious leopard print, overalls, and weird shoes stand out even if they wouldn’t in a big city.
Just wear the things. Even if you question it. You’ll know if it’s not comfortable or not YOU you after a few wears. Then you can change what doesn’t work.
My mother was an amazing seamstress when she was in the mood and knew how to tailor. I learned a lot about quality construction from her along with how to tell when something fits properly.
It helps to go in to stores and spend some time trying things on, including things you don’t think are trendy or won’t look good on you. Keep an open mind, stay flexible.
I try to choose things that look good on me that I also like. Sadly, the two can be mutually exclusive.
Dress for your body type. (For example if you have short legs, high waisted pants & pointed toe shoes will elongate you, etc etc)
Dress for your skin tone. If you’re pale with light eyes, you’re probably cool toned. If you have darker skin you probably look better in warm colors. Think about undertone too! (even warm colors can lean cool and vice versa: there are cooler violet reds or warmer orange reds, for example)
Screenshot pictures of outfits you love! Save them in a folder. Then shop for versions of those pieces that work for your body type & coloring.
If you can find a one-off brick & mortar boutique these days, they usually have stylist who can help you coordinate a capsule wardrobe that allows you to customize looks with accessories and select (mix & match) pieces. Take pics so you can re-create the looks. Theres no charge for this service, since you’re likely buying a few pieces to get started. Also, Sephora or Ulta-like places offer make-up tutorials, and there’s no such thing as style if you don’t have a flattering haircut that’s easy to manage. Good luck, and have FUN!!
I haven’t changed mine much from my teen years. Just traded Tripp Pants for leggings 😂
One day I decided to honor my inner teen- and now I’m 30 with an all black, but versatile & different wardrobe (think patterns/dresses- but all black). I prioritized what was comfortable & what made me feel like me. Plus, having less & most of it matching makes it easier to dress. It also matches my personality and it can be professional too.
Stitchfix! Stylist chooses clothes for you based on preferences you can tailor over time. Send back what you don’t like for free. Has made a world of difference in my closet
I work in the concert/live event industry. Im ALWAYS looking at other peoples outfits. The patrons show up ready to have fun and take pictures all night with their best friends, dates, and/or family. Theyre dressed their best, their sexist, and/or themed to the night. Great place for gathering ideas and if im lucky i get to ask them about their outfits too 💚
I really like the idea of dressing in happiness daily.
Do you like it? Awesome, put it on. Confidence takes practice. If you see an outfit that makes you think “I wish I could wear that,” you can. Just wear it. Then wear it again. Eventually you won’t even think twice about putting it on.
I was also raised conservatively by a very image-concerned mother, and it took me a long time to undo the shame and guilt around my body that was so ingrained in me my whole life. Bodies are normal. Bodies are beautiful in every shape and size and color, and it is ok to be visible and take up space in the world.
I’ve also found it helpful to follow content creators with similar body types to mine. There are so many out there who share daily outfit inspirations with links to shop. It’s been a great way to inspire me to wear pieces I have in new ways and find pieces that I maybe wouldn’t have normally tried.
This may not be helpful but I moved abroad and suddenly had the freedom to dress exactly as I want. No baggage from people saying, oh you look different. No one knew what was out of the ordinary for me. Once I was confident in it I was able to move back home and carry it on.
If you’re super brave you could do it without the move!
If I were trying to start from scratch with finding my fashion sense, I’d ask myself questions like:
What do I want my body to look like in these clothes? Would I like to look as thin as possible? Do I want to look taller? Do I want to look like an exaggerated hourglass figure, or conceal my shape as much as possible? Are there attributes I want to draw attention to or downplay?
What impression do I want to make on people? Do I want people to look at me and think, “she seems super laid-back and chill”? Or “she seems really fun and exciting”? Or “she looks really smart”? Or just “she’s so cute/pretty/hot”? Do you want to look richer than you are, or avoid looking richer than you are? Do you want to signal to an in-group (like lesbians, goths, hikers) that you’re one of them? Think about 3 descriptors for what you want your clothing to say about you. What clothes do you associate with those descriptors?
I just dress in what I like and what I think suits me. I don’t get ideas from anywhere. But I don’t think I have a certain style as all my clothes are a mixture of styles so it depends on how I’m feeling that day. My emotional well-being ties in with what I wear in which colours each day.
I was a teen in the 90’s and I was inspired by grunge music and fashion. I loved the vintage look so I bought a lot of stuff from thrift stores. I wore lots of camo pants, corduroy, velvet, velour, satin, lace and silk. Always black combat boots, tights or fishnets and lots of mini skirts.
After I became a mum and put on a little extra weight, I paid less attention to style and just wore what was convenient, comfortable and tried to stay on trend. Then in my late 30’s I decided I didn’t just want to fade into the background and look like every other mum so I lost the weight, had a glow up and decided I wanted to go back to my roots and the passion I have always had for retro fashion.
Now my look is a refined version of my youth. I love mixing different fabrics, rich jewel colours and patterns like tartan, lace, houndstooth and florals.
I’m 44 now but I still wear mini skirts and dresses, sheer fabrics, midriff tops and boots of all colours and styles.
I got a lot of compliments on my style from people at work, friends and strangers.
I asked my friends for help! Plus my fashion sense I have found is mostly that if I like to wear it it looks good on me. If I feel uncomfortable in it, I may not wear it anyways.