Let's talk about clothes
Well, so clothes are on my mind. Soon I will be coming home, and since all my clothes are destroyed, I'm basically going to be starting from scratch.
I'm not sure if I like clothes or not. Actually, I think I do, I just don't like shopping, and I never feel like anything fits me well. Lately I've had a couple of conversations with some community members about my wardrobe. None of them would be caught dead in the clothes I wear to town all the time...the same green T/shirt with a pen stain, and a pair of jeans with ripped cuffs. Also terrible shoes. Partly it's because I don't want to spend money on the things you can buy here, partly I'm making a point about how to spend money.
But, yesterday, I went out and bought some nice new shoes, and found this great sweater in the rejected clothes pile at our rest house. And I feel great, like a new person, worthy of a great job that I just applied for. I'm going to budget 700 dollars out of my resettlement allowance to buy clothes with(hey, I'm starting over). So, what should I get? Comfort is important, but so is looking well put together. My style in college and after was loose loose loose, with as much linen as I could afford. I still love linen and all soft natural fabrics, but I've discovered that that loose and layered look doesn't work well on someone with an ass. If any of you know about colors and what would be flattering, let me know. Also, I need a haircut, all it is is long. I'm willing to use one easy hair product, but other than that I want wash and go.
Anyway, in addition to any advice that any of you have for me, I'd love to hear about your struggles and victories over clothes and hair.
I'm not sure if I like clothes or not. Actually, I think I do, I just don't like shopping, and I never feel like anything fits me well. Lately I've had a couple of conversations with some community members about my wardrobe. None of them would be caught dead in the clothes I wear to town all the time...the same green T/shirt with a pen stain, and a pair of jeans with ripped cuffs. Also terrible shoes. Partly it's because I don't want to spend money on the things you can buy here, partly I'm making a point about how to spend money.
But, yesterday, I went out and bought some nice new shoes, and found this great sweater in the rejected clothes pile at our rest house. And I feel great, like a new person, worthy of a great job that I just applied for. I'm going to budget 700 dollars out of my resettlement allowance to buy clothes with(hey, I'm starting over). So, what should I get? Comfort is important, but so is looking well put together. My style in college and after was loose loose loose, with as much linen as I could afford. I still love linen and all soft natural fabrics, but I've discovered that that loose and layered look doesn't work well on someone with an ass. If any of you know about colors and what would be flattering, let me know. Also, I need a haircut, all it is is long. I'm willing to use one easy hair product, but other than that I want wash and go.
Anyway, in addition to any advice that any of you have for me, I'd love to hear about your struggles and victories over clothes and hair.
posted by Hannah at 7:23 AM
17 Comments:
Ok so lets talk hair. You have curly hair so i wouldnt advise going too short. Id say shoulder or bit longer with some layers throughout to give it movement and depth. A curl activator would be good with maybe a little mousse to give it some hold. You can let it dry natural or blowdry it with a diffuser that way you dont get the frizzies.
Be careful, she's going to start having hair visions again!
I need all the help I can get!
I had a vision for your hair and how much do you love it jef? I obsessed about it til i could get my hands on it. I cant help myself!
A note about clothes, maybe it will help? I, too, always used to wear big and loose fitting stuff in college. Big broomstick skirts, oversized shirts (ah, the days of flannel), etc. And billowy pants that fit right at the waist. Then, well, I was no long a twig and big and loose just made me look -- big. So, form fitting stuff helped me out a lot (especially on top) -- maybe the same for you in skirts or pants? And while I've heard that low rise jeans are on the way out I PRAY THAT IS NOT THE CASE as they are really flattering on women with curves. So those might be fun for you to try! And jackets are cool these days because they are not as stuffy as they used to be -- they, too, are flattering on curvy women like your fine self. ;)
And my first thought for your hair was layers (that was my own hair victory) -- so when I read Sarah's post, I was glad to have my view supported by her, the hair queen!
I think you might as well embrace the linen and natural fabric because, after all, you ARE a hippie, and you can't really change that!
But I would definitely wear more form-fitting clothing--at least on top. Well, embrace the fact that you have an ass, too, and don't go too baggy on the bottom, either.
I can't be much help, though, I guess. I like clothes, but I reeeally hate shopping. I think $700 is a very generous clothes allowance. You'd have to pick through a lot, but places like Marshalls and TJMaxx, even Target, you can get really cute stuff for cheap. I think J. Jill would be a good place for you to look for dress clothes. They have a lot of fancy linen and cotton stuff.
Speaking of hair... ARG. I need... SOMETHING. A style that takes absolutely NO work but looks completely darling. I wish my head and face were a good shape so I could go short short, but they're not.
I think that many people think that short hair is easier and less work. It is actually more work to make it look good even the pixie cut because u want to look feminine. Also changing hair products can make a difference.
I'd go shopping with you in a heartbeat, Gretchen! I have to confess that I LOVE to shop for clothes. I could be one of those personal shoppers for someone -- I have even offered to shop for friends who don't like to do it. I love finding bargains especially -- that's the thrill of the hunt for me, baby!! So I collect a lot of clothes -- probably too many in the past year or so. I'm a big fan of this cami craze, I'm afraid -- under sweaters, t-shirts, and jackets. They go with everything. AND SHOES! I love all sorts, especially boots. Once I find the perfect pair of boots, I wear them with everything. And knee boots with skirts make me feel sexy and also like I could kick ass! Yee haw! (Okay, you can see how much I like clothes -- I'm breathing again)
Maybe you could (don't hurt me) try heels? I would never ever force anyone to wear a heel who didn't want to, but I've found that wearing them makes me feel more put together and dressed up, even if I just have on jeans and a button shirt. I don't need the height exactly (Topher likes to mimic the actions of the short kid in jr high asking me to dance when I wear heels), but they just pull the outfit together. They don't have to be killer stilletto or anything -- just enough to give angle and less casual nature.
And hair! Keep it long, I say! :)I am keeping mine fairly long again, after several years of short shoulder length hair that was never me. And yes, short hair does take more work! With long hair, you can towel dry, use some of that 'surf hair' stuff, and let it go whereever w/o too much sculpting. However, I usually blow dry mine straight -- argh -- and that I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
We should all post pictures of ourselves wearing what we would say is our favorite style right now.... :) (I'm not posting a pic of me tonight, however! It would mean a Ren Fest t-shirt I've had since high school and a rather worn pair of Old Navy jeans...)
Thats funny i dry mine with a round brush so that its not flat on top. Partly because my hair couldnt get any straighter. I love a flat iron. It does more than just flatten. It works fab for razor cuts like mine. I have given up the curling iron forever at least on my hair. Lesley i love kitten heels!
You wanna meet me in Chicago when I get home and help me shop, Les? I might like it if I was with someone who does, and is not related to me.
I have not mastered the flat iron, though my stylist periodically gives me the cutest layer cut that would look great straightened.
I am just so lazy when it comes to fixing my hair. Usually I'll pull it back in a hair clip (circa 1995) when wet. Or lately I've been putting gel in it and letting it hang dry. It's gotten more curl the older I get.
Am I your worst nightmare, Sarah?? Would you please just tell me what style would look ok with my round face and that takes approximately 30 seconds to do?? I'm not sure I've even ever learned what is a flattering hair look for me.
Personal style.
1. Left to my own devices, 2. not having to appear in public, and 3. the influence of hippie boy Tim, my standard outfit would be jeans and sneakers.
When I have to make an effort, though, I'm all about black and charcoal. Long long wide-legged pants. (Low-rise pants are the best thing that ever happened to a short-waisted girl like me.) Fitted tops. Long flowing scarves. Huge, funky jewelry. Knee-high boots and skirts. I adore hats.
I think I crave a personal style so much because I feel completely stunted by growing up the way I did. It wasn't really even until I graduated from college that I started paying attention to what I was wearing.
And I didn't learn how to do makeup well until I was at least 23. Now I even own an eyelash curler!
I cannot figure out eyelash curlers! Do you know I saw something in a magazine about an ELECTRIC one??? that was supposed to heat up? wth? As though we need to put something that heats up near our eyeball??
I love my eyelash curler curled eyelashes open up your eyes so much i spent a little more on my but you cant beat free refill pads for life it is a japonesque love it! No ellie you are not my worst nightmare if youre walking around with bad hair and saying i did it. Instead of gel you might try curl definer a lot of them will give the same hold the trouble with curly hair is that it isnt always the same all over the head jennifers isnt layers help also taking out the bulk which lifts the curl and you dont get the bell effect flat at the top and bushy at the bottom look through hair magazines for styles you like styling your hair differently can change the look of you face razor cuts are often not the best for curly hair it (way it cuts through the curl) throw that hair clip away wear it often enuf in the same spot and you can end up with thinning hair there
One more comment about eyelash curlers and I'll have to blow my brains out with a high volume hair dryer loaded with liquid Drain-o. I figure in a month or two you'll start wondering why I don't post anymore........
You HAVEN'T been posting lately. No wonder talk is slipping into eyelash curler territory.
Speaking of that, I have a Shu Uemura, which is the best curler ever. I definitely would not use a heated curler! I am NOT that talented!
Remember when you were waxing my eybrows and you dropped the wax on my eyelashes? I still laugh about that. Sorry Garrett...we never did this in highschool...indulge us now.
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