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SeaStar
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| Posted: Oct 04 2012 at 11:44am | IP Logged
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it is hard to dress well, even simply. I used to like Lands End a lot; they have pretty classic, simple styles. But even the quality there has gone way down hill in just the past 2-3 years. The t-shirts are so thin; they get holes after a few washings.
I think LL Bean has better quality... but I don't buy enough there to know if their styles hold up.
I have been thinking a lot about scarves to dress things up or add a pretty touch (if it ever gets cold enough to wear one without sweating here  ).
Where is your favorite go-to place for a nice scarf?
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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JodieLyn
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You know I haven't really had time to figure out those accessories type of things.. with nursing babies and toddlers that like to pull on necklaces I stuck with protecting my glasses and earrings and haven't worn those other things in years. Of course the necklackes always tangle in the hair at the nape of my neck.. wonder if I can figure out a way to wear necklaces attached to my shirt at the shoulders and keep them out of my hair that way.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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SeaStar
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I confess that I am not really a scarf person... I don't like things around my neck, and then they tend to flow into the sink, etc when I am washing my hands... a nuisance.
BUT- I see so many women wearing them, and they look so nice (she says wistfully). And they can dress up an otherwise plain outfit so nicely.
The necklace thing is tough with little ones, I agree. I used to wear the ones that came free in all the religious mail we get- at least I used the chains so that when a baby pulled on one and broke it, it was not a huge loss. Cheap chain and pretty medal works nicely for that stage.
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Chris V
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I have to admit that I'm big into accessories (I'm probably not doing any favors for myself and risking making myself sound so... What's a good word... frivolous? Materialistic? But really, I'm not! I just like my accessories because they can do wonders for a basic outfit! You can wear Levi's, t-shirt, and sandals (very plain), but throw on the right necklace and earrings, or scarf, or even a head band, and you've just created an ensemble! 
Jodie, I have the same problem with many of my necklaces, the clasps get caught in my hair  ...so irritating. I've been careful about which necklaces I buy for that very reason. ... Speaking of babies and necklaces, I bought a few "mothering" necklaces over the years that are actually made to be yanked and chewed on. I had seen a few of these years ago and never found them attractive (colors were always way too bold for me) then I found Little Gems (look at her "mothering rocks" necklaces), and have a few of them. I always get compliments on them, they look nice, and my babies/toddlers always have something to keep them entertained.  If you don't like those, I'm sure you could Google around for other styles.
As for scarves, I like boutique shopping for this very reason, I always find one-of-a-kind items that I love. Boutique shopping doesn't happen often for me, but I love going when I can ... Just for a lovely afternoon, maybe with a friend, or my Mom (tea and lunch is always a part of this!  ).
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Chris
Happy Wife with my Happy Life
Mama to My Five Girls ('04~'07~'09~'11~'11) 
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Oct 04 2012 at 4:37pm | IP Logged
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Nordstrom Rack usually has cute scarves at decent prices. Consignment shops often have them, too.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Mimip
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Okay, I have avoided this topic because I am so unlike the majority of women that have commented because I LOVE TO SHOP! I am plus sized and it does take some time and a bit of money but I see it as a great challenge. I've found that it is worth every penny to find quality items at a bit higher price range to get the quality fabrics and cuts. I shop mainly at Lane Bryant and Macy's and I wait until things are on sale.
I am only commenting because I wanted to say something about accessories. (As a disclaimer, I am a Premier Designs jeweler so obviously love accessories.) Accessories can make you feel so "put together". A lovely scarf for the fall, a beautiful new pair of earrings or even a nice bracelet, sometimes makes us feel so much more "fancy".
With a nice black skirt and a white blouse, you can make it feel very fancy or very everyday depending on some accessories. A lace knit scarf for this fall would be great.
When I started selling jewelry, I trained so much on fashion and on women. Do you know that women wear 20% of their closet, 80% of the time? We tend to love the same stuff but sometimes what we love, looks horrendous on us! And I totally agree with the appropriateness of some clothes out there. I've had much more luck in the clearance rack of Macy's than anywhere else.
Okay, ducking out and don't throw tomatoes! I wish I could help some of you in person!
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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JodieLyn
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oh Mimi please don't go away. i love shopping online, does't that count? I can use lots of help with accessories..
Sure I"m overweight but my youngest isn't yet one and I had 2 months bed rest and csec recovery messing with my metabolism so the weight isn't coming off like before.. not to mention my age.. and it's not like I've had tons of time in the last 16 years to lose weight.. so while that's a plan I"m not waiting to be thin to be beautiful
So my main problems are babies pulling at stuff and necklackes tangling in my hair (hip length mostly straight though getting less so as I get older) and large busted so don't need more attention at that point 
And shoes.. I'm good at the basics but I'm starting to want to do wild things like RED shoes or any other bright color for that matter Do you have any hints for that?
And if you're on the short side so should wear shorter skirts but need them longer so you can still get down on the floor with the babies or climb in and out of big vans with babies.. how do you reconcile the two.. or rather.. do you have any hints on long skirt length for shorter women rather than just saying.. wear a short skirt. 
I'm not hopeless but I've never managed to work around the directions for how to dress for body type and yet still do the things I do.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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knowloveserve
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My .02:
Chris, you're not vain for wanting to look nice; it's part of our vocations to dress according to the dignity of it insofarasmuch as we are able.
Yes to scarves! They are a great way to accentuate an outfit. Accessories are a nice solution to the need for a wardrobe pickmeup when you are low on cash!
Double yes to the book suggestion It's So You. The author is very personable as well!
I hate shopping too, because it's depressing how wide the chasm is between what I can afford and what I like. My only solution is thrift stores. Especially being a skirts only woman, there are very few places that carry affordable, attractive and modest (not to be confused with piously frumpy) skirts at retail prices. So second hand clothing to the rescue.
And short women CAN wear long skirts... I would just avoid wide, broomstick types if you are a pear shape. Too much fabric will make you hobbit-ish, go for fitted (though not tight) or slightly flared at the bottom. There's lots of denim and khaki skirts that are straight...
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Ellie
The Bleeding Pelican
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Oct 05 2012 at 12:25am | IP Logged
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This has been my favorite casual skirt.. love it in denim.. but I got it in the khaki twill and that one just is stiffer and feel "too long" which is weird since the denim doesn't feel too long. but it's a simple A-line with elastic waist (remember I've been up and down in size constantly with close together pregnancies so elastic was nice)
I'm thinking about shortening the skirt by taking some off at the hem and then using it to make a waistband instead of elasic.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
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SeaStar
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No Nordstrum or Macy's here 
I agree that wanting to look nice is not vain at all- just a nice gift you can give yourself and your family.
Although with the current fashion trends, I'm thinking it's time for a new book:
"Happy Are You Poorly Dressed".
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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JennGM
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I know what my "style" is, but I've been trying to make it work with my different body than what I used to be.
The other thing is that my style is not "in style". So I admit to actually going to vintage patterns to get what works for me. Fashion repeats itself. I'm not going to Edwardian style or Little House on the Prairie, but different elements from past decades (30s-60s) if they work and look good on me, that is my style.
Problem is I'm having a hard time finding time to sew. Right now costumes are on deck.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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JennGM
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SeaStar wrote:
No Nordstrum or Macy's here
I agree that wanting to look nice is not vain at all- just a nice gift you can give yourself and your family.
Although with the current fashion trends, I'm thinking it's time for a new book:
"Happy Are You Poorly Dressed". |
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Don't you have Dillards and Belk? My favorite places.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
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Mimip
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| Posted: Oct 05 2012 at 9:19am | IP Logged
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JodieLyn wrote:
oh Mimi please don't go away. i love shopping online, does't that count? I can use lots of help with accessories..
Sure I"m overweight but my youngest isn't yet one and I had 2 months bed rest and csec recovery messing with my metabolism so the weight isn't coming off like before.. not to mention my age.. and it's not like I've had tons of time in the last 16 years to lose weight.. so while that's a plan I"m not waiting to be thin to be beautiful
So my main problems are babies pulling at stuff and necklackes tangling in my hair (hip length mostly straight though getting less so as I get older) and large busted so don't need more attention at that point
And shoes.. I'm good at the basics but I'm starting to want to do wild things like RED shoes or any other bright color for that matter Do you have any hints for that?
And if you're on the short side so should wear shorter skirts but need them longer so you can still get down on the floor with the babies or climb in and out of big vans with babies.. how do you reconcile the two.. or rather.. do you have any hints on long skirt length for shorter women rather than just saying.. wear a short skirt.
I'm not hopeless but I've never managed to work around the directions for how to dress for body type and yet still do the things I do. |
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Okay first of all that jean skirt is a great length! What kills you is that it has no form around the waist so if you have any bulge at all it going to come out under the elastic waist. I would recommend you get skirts like this one. See the band, that helps you tuck it all in. I know you are short so the length might be a problem for this particular maxi skirt but the point is the waist band.
DO NOT CUT THAT SKIRT! Any skirt that hits mid calf makes you seem frumpier. It cuts your legs in half and makes your ankles and feet seem huge, especially in boots. Just get used to tucking in skirt around you when you get down to play!
As to the accessories, you just have to play with what you feel comfortable with wearing. I would wear a long necklace instead of a short necklace that will attract baby's attention. Or wear some great bangles that baby can play with. LOVE the scarf idea!
OH SHOES!!!! Okay, I know you are WAY up north with snow and stuff but colorful shoes are great. I figure you wear boots during the week but maybe a pair of nice dress booties that are shorter would be great for church on Sunday or the occasional date. Or even a nice pair of dress boots would be nice. Check out Zappos.com or even shoe buy.com.
Can I tell you how much I love reading everyone's opinion on these things? Love the fashion sense you all have. Makes me wish we could have a Saturday morning round up this fall and sit around and just talk.
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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Chris V
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| Posted: Oct 05 2012 at 9:46am | IP Logged
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Mimip wrote:
| Okay first of all that jean skirt is a great length! What kills you is that it has no form around the waist so if you have any bulge at all it going to come out under the elastic waist. I would recommend you get skirts like this one. See the band, that helps you tuck it all in. I know you are short so the length might be a problem for this particular maxi skirt but the point is the waist band. |
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That is a great skirt Mimi!
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Chris
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Mama to My Five Girls ('04~'07~'09~'11~'11)
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Oct 05 2012 at 9:56am | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
Don't you have Dillards and Belk? My favorite places. |
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Yes, we have both- but you would die, Jenn, at the Dillards here. It is not like a regular Dillards- it has hardly anything in it! It's so strange- all this empty space with just enough (scary)clothes scattered around to keep it from looking totally barren. No worries about tight aisles in this store
I can't figure it out- but has been this way ever since I've been here. I'm not sure how it stays in business.
We have two Belks- one little and one big, and both cater heavily to the older lady crowd. Lots of ALfred Dunner (gotta have those shirts with the bands on the bottom), polyester stretch pants, etc. Lots of the Kim Rogers brand, too- and I have very mixed luck with that as far as quality and fading. But Belks does have good sales, at least
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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JennGM
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I've noticed that about Belk -- a lot of old lady styles and fabrics, dependent on the community it is located. The one nearest me doesn't have high end brands, but the one at the beach did. But that makes it easier for me to make decisions...I just zone in on the few. If there is too much to choose I can't handle it!
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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CrunchyMom
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I have enjoyed this skirt in the green and dark denim lately. It is on the shorter side, but it is very flattering and versatile. They were out of the khaki in my size when I ordered, but I like how the green doesn't show kid dirt so easily. I find it easier to maneuver in this length rather than a longer skirt. I must admit that I like a calf length skirt, but I'm blessed with the height, calves and ankles to pull it off.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Mimip
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Lindsay, I LOVE THAT SKIRT!!!!
So cute and flattering!
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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SuzanneG
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Oh, I love clothing and fabrics and colors! I don't like SHOPPING....but I do love LOOKING at things on-line and in magazines and seeing people in various clothing....so FUN!
I just love today's clothing as opposed to the clothing 10 years ago!!!!! There are so many different things out there and so many good things to HIDE your particular "situation" than there were even just a few years ago.
Of course, there are also more immodest and ridiculous clothes! But, so many MORE flattering and decent clothing! And, clothing is not expensive! As long as there is an Old NAvy where you can get 15 different colors of a tee-shirt for $5, and toss a long sweater over it.....you now have 15 different outfits! And, brand new leggings for $9.00 !!!!!
Basically "anything goes"....which can be BAD, of course.... but that is also good!
Long sweaters cover so many THINGS! There are lots of "drapey clothes" that are very nice and comfey too. NO more pants with a shirt and short cardigan.....ugh....shows EVERYTHING! longer shirts and flowy cuts....hide so much but still minimize. It's brilliant!
Leggings are inexpensive and as long as they are worn with long-stuff to cover the rear, are totally modest and flattering for ALL body types! And, boots are so cute and there are so many great ones out there that don't break the bank.
Don't worry about things that are too low-cut...there are camis and cami thingies...get them on ebay or amazon for about $1.50 each! If a top is LOW, but otherwise great....get it and wear a cami.
Layers are so nice!
I try not to "set" with opinions about likes/dislikes....ie: I hate floral, so I don't even TRY anything floral on. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW!
Find a couple fashion blogs and read about things out there.
Spend money one ONE GREAT OUTFIT! And, wear it A LOT. This is a great way to FEEL GOOD all the time.
I challenge any of you to go buy the following and tell me you don't feel good in them:
:: one pair of black leggings....on sale at old navy...$9 or so.
:: if you have a tummy....1 longer tunic-style shirt that is a bit looser around the middle. If you don't have a tummy-situation....then this can be ANY shirt...most of us own something like this, so you wouldn't have to buy this.
:: 1 LONG sweater that totally covers the rear....found in many places for under $20
:: a pair of boots. If you don't have foot-issues or wear orthotics....you can get super cute boots at JCPenney or Zulily for under $30.
:: or ballet flats if it's do-able based on temperature.
Now, REALLY....how can someone NOT look GREAT in that?
And, keep in mind that SHOES make all the difference! Dorky shoes can totally make even the cutest outfit look horrid.
Jackets also have some structure, so they always look great. Just get them with spandex in them so they're comfy and you can move and lift kids up with them on.
Bodies don't have to be PERFECT to look nice and stylish. There are so many great clothes out there now!
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Suzanne in ID
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SuzanneG
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I got a couple of these Pashmina scarves last year and loved loved loved them!
And, here is the best video scarf tutorial ever!
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Suzanne in ID
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: new clothes topic. . .
