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amyable
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| Posted: May 30 2006 at 7:30am | IP Logged
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Come help make me over! 
How's that for a selfish post beginning?  
Seriously though, with the exception of a new fancy dress for an employee holiday dinner with dh, I don't think I've bought clothes in a looooong time.
In the last week or two, I've ruined one of my two skirts (the other I sewed myself and isn't that fit for wearing ), ripped my one summer blouse, and stained a few of my tailored t-shirts beyond repair. Oh and I also ripped my one pair of jeans!
So I have next to nothing to wear. Dh has OKed a shopping spree  - but I don't know where to begin!
Here's my conundrum. I'm totally clothes unconscious.  I'd love for what I wear to be nursing friendly, modest, casual, feminine. I'd love easy care - that's why I lived in tailored t-shirts and capris, etc. I feel convinced lately that I need to be more feminine, however. I don't even know what looks good together, or what looks good on me, that fits these specifications. It's times like this I wish Catholic homeschooling mothers had a habit. 
Money is not a huge issue as long as it is good quality (i.e. dh would rather I buy one skirt at LL Bean which will last me for years than a less expensive cheaply made skirt that will fall apart by next Christmas).
Anyone willing to link me to pictures feminine yet casual yet modest clothes that a 5'4" thin-ish big busted (lol, I'm nursing) long waisted, short legged woman would look good in? My dh will be forever grateful if it makes me look nice! I'd love to see what you wonderful women actually WEAR on a daily basis, as opposed to some perfect model in a magazine, too, but I know that is asking a lot. 
Sorry to fill up the forums with my selfish needs lately - I just feel I need a transformation in so many ways, and don't have other like minded women around here to ask! My IRL friends would think I had jumped off the deep end if I announced I wanted to look more feminine all the time. 
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Elizabeth
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| Posted: May 30 2006 at 7:49am | IP Logged
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OOOhhh, Long waisted; how I'm trying not to covet. I don't have time this morning to link, though I'm definitely looking forward to what our staff here at What Not To Wear--uh I mean 4Real--puts together for you!
If I were you (and I'm not; I'm two inches shorter and very short-waisted), I'd start at Hanna Anderrsen and then go to J. Jill (now owned by Talbot's), Talbot's, and LLBean. Soft Surroundings has some lovely skirts, too. I do find catalogs helpful. It's nice to see it all put together.
I can't give any better advice than to take a friend who isn't wardrobe challenged with you. If I don't do this, I wander aimlessly from store to store, and never buy a thing because I'm so confused.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Danielle
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| Posted: May 30 2006 at 8:37am | IP Logged
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J Jill! I love J Jill! Not too pricey, petite in many sizes, feminine, casual, good quality, nothing immodest or frumpy... We have an outlet that just opened near us and the only reason I have not spent a small fortune there already is because they don't have a maternity line. Happy shoppng to you!
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marihalojen
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Amy, after my last posting on the Frumpiness thread I realize I need to stop shopping for my wardrobe in Shell Shops in the Keys...
I really don't spend my entire life in bikinis and sarongs, I just bought this skirt for $7 at Target - yeah! I love a deal! I found a darker dusty purple basic T-shirt with silver threading to pair with it on the clearance rack too.
I my prior life I loved the outfits at Coldwater Creek. The catalog is great to page through for some reason, always uplifting.
A magazine I like today is Lucky, they really seem to explain how to put outfits together in a way I can understand. Also they have a local guide featuring shops in your area for those of us who do not jet off to NYC and Paris twice a year.
My ideal is stated here by Lady Lydia who has some things to say that really made me think...including this article on whether as Christian women we should be resigned or excited and how our dress reflects our faith...
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Dawnie
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| Posted: May 30 2006 at 11:47am | IP Logged
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amyable wrote:
It's times like this I wish Catholic homeschooling mothers had a habit.
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You could make your own habit. Or you could call it a uniform. When you find something you like, just buy several of the same item and wear it everyday!
I love black t-shirts b/c they go w/ just about everything and they don't stain as easily. So I have a lot of them. I think of them as my "uniform shirts."
Dawn
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Dawn
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| Posted: May 30 2006 at 12:43pm | IP Logged
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amyable wrote:
| Anyone willing to link me to pictures feminine yet casual yet modest clothes that a 5'4" thin-ish big busted (lol, I'm nursing) long waisted, short legged woman would look good in? My dh will be forever grateful if it makes me look nice! I'd love to see what you wonderful women actually WEAR on a daily basis, as opposed to some perfect model in a magazine, too, but I know that is asking a lot. |
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Amy, I don't think your needs are selfish, but very universal ~ I would expect many here can use tips on where to shop. I had been thinking about asking a similar question myself (only I feel I've been posting too much lately, so I'm glad you stepped in! )
Anyway, I too am looking for some spring outfit ideas (and I need outfits, I'm terrible at putting things together myself ~ couldn't they make Garanimals for grown-ups? ) This was my standard "uniform" all winter long ...
white t-shirt
cotton lycra-blend pants
cable-knit cardigan sweater
In a few classic shades. (I got most of these items for Christmas and a January birthday ). The cardigans always went below my behind so as not to be immodest. I should mention, my dh would like me in something more tailored than these pants but they are a step up from sweats. 
For spring I might try the following formula: capris or shorts (or skorts) plus a feminine sleeveless button-front blouse. LL Bean can be expensive so I try to look at places like Target and Kohls.
My .02 anyway!
p.s. Does anyone know where I can find a nice peasant blouse?
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JennGM
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I have no answer for you, as what you wear Dawn is almost similar to what I wear. Love the cardigans. I practically live in khaki and black pants, capris, shorts all year 'round. I keep my skirts nice for Sunday and dress up occasions. I'm going up and down in sizes so often that dh isn't willing to buy any more clothes...it seems I'm always trying to just do basics in the wardrobe, and something shrinks, stained or is outgrown (one way or another).
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Victoria in AZ
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Try to always buy an entire outfit
(not that I follow that advice, but I've heard it's the way to shop...)
I have learned much from TLC's show What Not to Wear. My library had a book from the British team of same show and the book had a great deal of info also.
Gosh, I'd come shop with you in a second
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Natalia
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Victoria in AZ wrote:
| Try to always buy an entire outfit |
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That is so true! I don't know how many times I have ended up with a top or pants that doesn't match anything I have in my closet.
Natalia
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Leonie
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Dawnie wrote:
I love black t-shirts b/c they go w/ just about everything and they don't stain as easily. So I have a lot of them. I think of them as my "uniform shirts."
Dawn |
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I own a lot of black, too, Dawn - everything matches, I can add colour in here and there and it can go from the park to a more formal setting.
Its kind of like my base colour or uniform.
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amiefriedl
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Ohhh! I second the Coldwater Creek recommendation. I just went and blew a small mint at J. Jill and Coldwater Creek LAST WEEK! And it was my first time there ever. In fact I was planning on getting on this message board and recommending their very, very feminine feeling clothes. And CC has TONS of beautiful skirts. They bridge the gap between the 'hussy wear' at Walmart and the 'frumpy wear' at some other places.
Have you checked out Coldwater Creek's Closeouts web site! I could do some serious damage to my Discover Card. (As if I haven't already! )
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Blessed with an awesome hubby and Mom of ds10, dd7, dd3 and dd 10months.
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stefoodie
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one complaint about coldwater creek. i love their designs, but when i went to the outlet to actually try them out i found many of the shirts/tops much too flimsy for me. (but that may be just me) as in i'll have to wear a cami or a sweater to actually wear them (these were winter wear that was on clearance end of january!).
well, okay, two complaints. when i went there, i found some of the things i loved online just weren't the right color or texture. i wouldn't order online from them if i can help it.
j jill is not pricey??? LOL, if i spend more than $20 on a piece of clothing i'm guilty for the next six months, though i've been known to plop down chunks of money on kitchen stuff.
i've always loved talbots though. garnet hill too, though i will only shop there when they're having a clearance sale.
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soodow
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I, too, am hooked on J. Jill... the outlet store that is!! A BIG difference in price from the retail store. I am also from N.H. and close enough to the outlet store . Most of the clothes I buy there I get for under $20 !
They are feminine and pretty...
Sue in NH
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KC in TX
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Well, I wear Eddie Bauer. You can find some really feminine clothes that are comfortable. Although, I have to admit that I usually buy the capris and polo shirts. Sometimes you can really get some good deals.
I've also been trying to update my wardrobe, but hesitate to spend too much because I'm still in the shrinking stages post partum (although it's taking me longer to shrink after this baby--it's been a year ).
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amyable
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| Posted: May 31 2006 at 11:53am | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone! What a great start to my search for style!
I took some time last night to look on the websites suggested - so much nice stuff out there!
I did order two skirts from LL Bean (same skirt, two different colors) which are pretty much an exact duplicate of what I ripped
I had a ton of other stuff in my cart (there and at two other stores! ) but dh said, "Do you LOVE that stuff? Why don't you think about it." As usual he was right. Things always look different after a nights sleep and a few days of thinking about it! At the same time of needing new clothes, I'm also trying to radically simplify my life so it's hard to draw the line between what I need and what I just want because it's so pretty!
Here's a little funny to close out my thoughts for today -- I was trying on a brown striped T-shirt yesterday that my 6yo had never seen before. She looked at me with eyes open wide and said:
"Mommy, that is pretty."
"Mommy, you look beautiful!" (my head was getting rather large at this point, lol), then...
"Mommy, you look like CHOCOLATE!!"
Well, at least she has taste!
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Amy
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stefoodie
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LOLOL, oh amy, that is just too cute!!! i LOVE how kids bring so much humor into our lives.
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stef
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Dawn
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Amy, I've had my eye on that very same skirt ~ let me know how it fits when you get it. (I'm 5'4'' too but very high waisted! )
Also, since we've been talking about Coldwater Creek (which I agree is a lovely catalog!) I found a $25 off gift card in the May issue of Martha Stewart Living. You have to spend $100 to get the discount, but that's not a bad deal. 
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Dawn, mum to 3 boys
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Topic: I need new clothes
