| Author | |
Becky Parker
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 23 2005
Location: Michigan
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2582
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 6:07am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I was reading this post
from Emma's blog and I want to clean out my closet, decide what my "style" is and then build a simple wardrobe. Trouble is, I can't figure out my style! Well actually, I could probably describe it as a "mixed, frumpy, out of date, whatever is clean" style  but I think I need a change! So I'm just wondering how you all would describe "your style".
__________________
Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
amyable
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 07 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3798
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 6:42am | IP Logged
|
|
|
How would I describe my style?
Quote:
| "mixed, frumpy, out of date, whatever is clean" |
|
|
Lately the emphasis is on "whatever is clean" with a baby who seems to have perfect aim with his bodily fluids and a closet that contains more of everyone elses stuff than my clothes.
__________________
Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 7:16am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Classic I think - nothing too trendy. I stick with colors that work well together and complement my skin tone (which is very fair!)
At least once a year I try to purge in my closet, getting rid of those things I may have picked up that don't fit well, or don't get worn.
BTW, I do most of my shopping at thrift and second hand stores.
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mary Chris
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 27 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2175
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 7:19am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thanks for the link to the blog, it is interesting reading and what I am trying to do around here, just not so methodically.
Right now I am right there with you on style, whatever is clean. I'd like to think I look sporty right now when I wear yoga pants and a zippered hoodie, but I really just look sloppy. I hit LLBean during their after Christmas sale and bought some long sleeved t-shirts and sweaters to wear with them, that is what I usually reach for everyday.
I think the style I would like to wear is classic with a touch of romantic. I like florals, a little ruffle or lace and color, so that pulls in the romantic.
My favorite stores/lines, to shop are LLbean, Lands End, J Jill, Hanna Anderssen and Fresh Produce. Oh and Talbots, I just drool over their catalog.
I do want to start looking a little better everyday, making sure I fix my hair and maybe put on a bit of make-up  I just started exercising yesterday and am really trying to eat half my usual serving and lots of salads. Maybe by my birthday in October I'll be able to go on a little shopping spree.
__________________
Blessings, Mary Chris Beardsley
mom to MacKenzie3/95, Carter 12/97 Ronan 3/00 and wife to Jim since 1/92
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Martha
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 25 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2291
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 8:05am | IP Logged
|
|
|
well I just did that.. well a work in progress anyways.
does anyone read dean kootz's brother odd series?
well I got my idea from the poor deleagured odd thomas
I'm a denim gal. Have been my entire life and with rare exception any diviation from that leads to embarrassment and disaster.
basicly if it isn't denim or doesn't match my denim, I usually don't buy it.
the result is just about everything I own is homeschooling mom of many user friendly and matches and doesn't cost much or take much care.
I did recently buy a couple of skirts (faux suade and denim) at about mid-calf length that match most of my other tops. I rarely wear them, but they are there when needed. And when I do it's with sneakers.
I literally had a lot of holey, stained, old clothes and many stretched out from years of being pulled and tugged when bf-ing. I got rid of nearly all of them.
I just hate buying clothes. Really hate it. Even when online. Doesn't help that I dislike laundry too. Not to mention all the books I could buy with that kind of money! I'd rather wear rags and have books! 
__________________
Martha
mama to 7 boys & 4 girls
Yes, they're all ours!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
juststartn
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 17 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1321
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 8:26am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm a "give me a basic bottom and I'll mix up the tops".
This translates to me having solid denim, khaki, and black skirts. And a LOT of tops. I just had to buy some skirts at retail (ugh) cause I was having no luck finding things at the thrift store in my size (a size or two lower, sure. And while I plan on losing weight eventually, I'm not there yet)...so I have some more skirts that I am quite pleased with (altho they are a size too big, I figure if I end up expecting again anytime soon, well, I'll need the extra space...lol).
Anyway, I tend to find one style I like, and buy one in as many complimentary (to me and my coloring) colors as I can....
I do have dresses, but have found that they don't fit as well. And I don't "do" pants anymore, so the skirt route is the way I go...
Rachel
__________________
Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SusanJ
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 25 2007
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1347
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 8:39am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm pretty classic--stylish, I hope, but definitely not trendy. Though I have to admit to being pretty clueless. If I were tall and gorgeous I could probably appear in Eddie Bauer catalogs as most of clothes come from there. My brother worked for them for years and it was great! He just got a new job, though, and I can't afford to keep up my wardrobe on my own. But I tend to have three or four outfits that fit at any one time which means they get worn hard and need to be replaced before they are out of style. This lets me rethink my style pretty regularly but I always come back to classic stuff: long skirts, button-down shirts, cable-knits. I like knit tops the first couple times I wear them but they shrink, fade, stain, and stretch so much faster and end up in the casual department too fast so I stick to sturdier cottons.
One way I keep my wardrobe simple is by only owning two pairs of shoes: one black and one brown. I pick shoes I love and that are high quality and only buy clothes that will work with those shoes. (I should say, in honesty, that I have one black and one brown for summer, too, and a nice pair of black pumps for weddings, funerals, court appearances  , etc.)
Susan
__________________
Mom to Joseph-8, Margaret-6, William-4, Gregory-2, and new little one due 11/1
Life Together
[URL=http://thejohnstonkids.blogspot.com]The Kids' Blog[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Maryan
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 02 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3145
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 8:42am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Before I was married, I would have answered: classic and tailored...
until...
amyable wrote:
| Lately the emphasis is on "whatever is clean" with a baby who seems to have perfect aim with his bodily fluids |
|
|
my firstborn "leaked" on my beautiful dryclean skirt.
Now it's whatever's clean and fits... and is washable.
__________________
Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
A Lee in the Woudes
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmyown
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5128
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 8:58am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Way back when, I was definitely a mix of J. Jill and Eddie Bauer. I bought a lot of J Crew, too. I look forward to the day I am thin enough and rich enough to shop at those stores again!
These days, it is just basic jeans and a camisole-type shirt with a button-down on top. Very casual, but slighty trendy. Of course, I don't actually know what is trendy these days, so I probably shouldn't use that word. How about "early 90's trendy"?
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
nutmeg
Forum Newbie
Joined: Feb 06 2007
Location: Texas
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 24
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 12:24pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
What a neat idea Emma had! (thanks for the new link... just what I need, another blog to read!)
I find that I go through phases of frumpy to stylish, depending on my mood. Oh, the luxury of being a SAHM, I get to dress how I feel! Sometimes, that's not so good. Yesterday, I needed to wash my hair and was going to exercise as soon as DH got home, so my hair was in pig tails all day. I am 35. 
Over all, though, I've been trying to get up, get dressed "to the shoes" (Flylady, anyone?) and do my face before I go downstairs and start my day. What a huge difference!
My style tends to be more trendy, funky, whatever. And I know I may get weird looks from other SAHMs, but, I am naturally drawn to those types of styles. Oh! And I love shopping at thrift stores, too! 
__________________
Wife to Andrew
Mom to 5 peanuts:
Ethan-10 
Noah-8 
Gemma-7
Beth-5 
Mae-3 
And 2 in Heaven
Life in a Nutshell
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SallyT
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 08 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2489
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 1:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hmmm . . . I've been trying to do the same thing -- purge, reorganize, remake myself as a person who appears to have thought about what she put on, instead of a person whose clothing just happened to her.
I don't know what I'd call my style: "natural," maybe, with a dash of "harried librarian." And maybe kind of "funky," too, I don't know. At the moment I am wearing a brown silk-knit t-shirt (given to me by a friend who had bought it at a rummage sale and then couldn't use it), a straight cotton-knit dark-green rose-patterned skirt, dark-brown tights, brown Mary-Jane-style Earth Shoes, and a very, very light pink heavy-knit cotton cardigan. So, um . . . I have no idea what that represents, but this is a pretty typical outfit. Another typical outfit is this same t-shirt/tights/shoes combination with a pink linen jumper, also with a rose pattern, which has a good bit of gray-green and dark brown in it (and a coral cardigan which goes with the brighter roses).
I like to have a few basics -- brown or black tights in winter, some basic t-shirts to switch out(I have no patterned shirts, I realize, except for one J. Jill "pucker" t, if that counts as a pattern) -- and then some basic skirts, jumpers, overalls, and trousers that I can switch out with them. What I have depends on what I've found at the thrift store -- if I'm not thrift shopping, then everything I buy is black, because I can't afford to buy an item that won't go with everything else.
I LOVE Mary Jane shoes (I have black ones, too), or else Birkenstock clogs or sneakers.
Sally
__________________
Castle in the Sea
Abandon Hopefully
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
juststartn
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 17 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1321
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 2:21pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Sally, where have you found the adult sized Mary Jane style shoes?
Rachel
__________________
Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 3:30pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I'm very classic, simple, tailored style. I stick to basic colors (bottoms are khaki, and black, with the occasional navy) and tops are simple. I'd love to look like the ladies in the Brooks Brother catalogs.  I like the classic lines of Talbots (although lately they have been too trendy for my taste). I shop the sales at Talbots to get basic pieces that last for years. And remember the preppy look? I am drawn to that all the time.
The funny thing is dh look is classic, button down style. Khakis, polos, button downs, loafers is his casual look. Might have attracted me somewhat?
I don't wear jeans. I prefer khakis to denim.
But my figure doesn't look "classy" anymore. It needs lots of work. Tucked-in look has been gone for a few years now, and not sure how to make untucked not sloppy.
I wear EuroComfort Shoes which don't have classic lines, so I feel that messes up the classic look, too. I love the Mary Jane look and have Ecco and Dansko versions to wear with skirts, clogs with pants.
But right now I'd call my wardrobe "transitional" -- like most of you, whatever fits and is clean. Translation at least applying to me: frumpy, fat, ill-fitting, and not feeling too pretty.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
teachingmyown
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 20 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5128
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 3:35pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
JennGM wrote:
But right now I'd call my wardrobe "transitional" -- like most of you, whatever fits and is clean. Translation at least applying to me: frumpy, fat, ill-fitting, and not feeling too pretty. |
|
|
Hey Jenn, me and you both! It was a big day when I could fit into dh's jeans and get out of the maternity pants. I keep the J Jill catalog on my desk for inspiration! (Not that I can afford the clothes, but I love to look.)
__________________
In Christ,
Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SallyT
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 08 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2489
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 3:39pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Rachel --
I have a pair of Ecco black Mary Janes (thick straps, big buckles) which I bought in 1999, when we lived in Cambridge, I walked everywhere, and I realized that real dress shoes with heels would sit in my closet unworn. They were not inexpensive, but I have worn them constantly for nine years, and they look great.
I bought a pair of Mary-Jane-style brown Earth Shoes at Wal-Mart several years ago. They look a little more . . . weathered, shall we say . . . but are very comfortable, and I'm wearing them at this moment.
Sally
__________________
Castle in the Sea
Abandon Hopefully
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
insegnante
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 07 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1143
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 3:41pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I feel like I always look frumpy and sometimes overdressed at the same time. About a year and a half ago I was so frustrated with ill-fitting pants and wearing the "least stained" T-shirts and gift sweaters that were "not me" that I went to Dress Barn, spent what was a lot of money for us, and bought sweaters in two different styles -- three black, two pink, one dark purple, which are almost all of "my colors" -- and I think four long skirts, two black, one grey, one burgundy. Because of staining, color matching and comfort the two black became my standards from that group; one needs a slight repair now and the other is just huge and probably frumpy but was very comfortable till pregnancy began to make the waist a bit tight. (I was so sure I would be thinner next time and gave away my maternity clothes -- oops.) I had a couple of black skirts that were OK already. When warm weather came I wore the skirts with some short-sleeved black shirts I got with a Macy's gift card.
I was a skirt and dress person long before modesty concerns but it was the discomfort of wearing pantyhose and stockings that had begun to discourage me, along with not having nice tops to go with skirts. One of the best purchases I ever made was three pair of knee high stockings that always stay up and never run! $5 apiece at Macy's; I forget the brand.
I am fairly picky about shoes when I finally break down and buy a new pair but while I realize having more than one pair in rotation could be smart I rarely maintain a "dressy shoes/casual shoes" system to keep from wearing them out so soon. They need to be slightly dressy for church so "church shoes" become everyday shoes if I have only one pair. I wore high heels pretty much everywhere for a long time because they were basically my only shoes. This is the sort of thing I mean by looking overdressed and frumpy at the same time. My shoes are always plain and black because they have to go with everything. I bought sturdy exercise sneakers that are way too ugly to wear for anything else, and I haven't exercised lately.
Even though we have serious budget limitations, I finally went to the J. Jill site the other day and liked what I saw of the plus-sized skirts so much that it would probably be worth the money to buy a few of them when I could scrape up the money (or when they're on sale!) since once I find a serviceable skirt I wear it so often.
So I guess my preferred clothing style would be longer J-Jillish skirts and feminine but not fancy tops, in black and some purples, reds, and pinks, and maybe some greys and whites. I'd be happy wearing that kind of thing almost all the time.
__________________
Theresa
mommy to three boys, 3/02, 8/04, and 9/10, and a girl, 8/08
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SusanJ
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 25 2007
Location: New Jersey
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1347
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 4:33pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have adult-sized Mary Janes from Doc Marten. I got them at a great deal from Overstock.com a few years ago. If you are feeling spendy I think Dansko makes Mary Janes as well. I only buy shoes every five years or so, so we can usually swing a good pair, especially given our fairly pedestrian lifestyle.
Susan
__________________
Mom to Joseph-8, Margaret-6, William-4, Gregory-2, and new little one due 11/1
Life Together
[URL=http://thejohnstonkids.blogspot.com]The Kids' Blog[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 5:26pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jenn - look for shirts that are supposed to be untucked.. Old Navy has some.. button downs with a nice almost scooped hemline.. you look at them and can easily see them worn without being tucked.. they do have plus sizes too.. Also consider things like a tucked in shirt with a vest or jacket or shirt worn loose over it.. you'll get that tucked look down the front but the skimming the waist (or lack of) with whatever you wear over it.
__________________
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.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
juststartn
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 17 2007
Location: Oklahoma
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1321
|
| Posted: Feb 20 2008 at 5:36pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Jenn, what I've done (since I too am in that lovely "not the way it used to be" body courtesy of dc and Father Time) is to opt for separates, tailored blouses, with just enough of a fitted look to give me some "slimming" , and not so fitted as to show every extra bite of food I ate for Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year's/last Friday's dinner. I opt for solid skirts and a brighter/complimentary colored shirt.
Rachel
__________________
Married DH 4/1/95
Lily 3/11/00
Helena(Layna) 5/23/02
Sophia 4/19/04
John 5/7/07
David 5/7/07
Ava Maria, in the arms of Jesus, 9/5/08
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
marihalojen
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 12 2006
Location: Florida
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1883
|
| Posted: Feb 21 2008 at 7:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I've been thinking about clothes alot lately, I actually have three wardrobes right now which is crazy.
1. Sloppy stained and icky for wearing on the boat.
2. Cute retro colorful cotton skirts for heading into town.
3. Sparkly, sparkly tops and jeans pants/skirts for work.
#1 has got to go! I sorted out a pile to throw away yesterday before I did laundry. I also stopped by ROSS and bought a couple T-shirts to replace those. I've really been groovin' on ROSS lately, lots of Not Made in China clothes there.
Right before we moved to the boat I had seen a commercial for who knows what on the TV - A chic couple lounging poolside were both wearing khakis and white buttondowns and I loved it! That was going to be my uniform, they looked so crisp and cool. 5+ years later I now have zero white blouses and only one ratty khaki shorts but I still like the idea of white and khaki with colorful accessories - chunky necklaces, flowy scarves, dainty gold chains, anything would go!
__________________
~Jennifer
Mother to Mariannna, age 13
The Mari Hal-O-Jen
SSR = Sailing, Snorkling, Reading
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: Your clothing style
