Admit it: fashion sleuthing time

Ok, since many of us pride ourselves as cycling affectionados instead of real runaway fashionistas, we just don't spend much perusing the dress shops, window shopping, looking at fashion mags., right? Come on admit, what you really do..

Found a not too cluttered website for myself to check the trends. (I think???) maybe every 3-4months. None of the women's mags nor brick 'n mortar stores.

http://www.myshape.com/shop/shapematters
I don't intend to buy anything from the U.S. when there are stores where we are..I just need to know..how out of date I might look. :p

My wardrobe is truly outta date.

I love the dress shops (local designers) here on Main Streets. But I mostly walk there at night when they are closed.

I almost never wear dresses these days anyway.

But the truth is: I don't understand the fashion in this town. Everything I see in the shops (except some big chains and the more outdoorsy places like Mountain Equipment Co-Op) looks wrong to me. I have no idea what I'll do when I have to wear "business casual" dress (which in my "industry" tends to be more casual than business). I have tried to buy new clothes many times but since moving to Vancouver (4 years ago) I have successfully bought about 2 pairs of pants and... a lot of Ibex wool!! :confused:

I'll have to spend some more serious time checking things out, soon.

I had on a tee shirt the other day that I bought at the Gap when I first moved to NYC in 1990 :eek:. 'nuff said.

eta: I do buy bike clothes.

I enjoy shopping. And I'm wearing a dress right now! Actually, I enjoy dresses, because they require zero thought when getting ready in the morning. No pairing involved, just throw it on! I'm short, so I'm confined to the places that have petites. Kohl's has everything from work to casual, I like Ann Taylor for work stuff, and Dress Barn has nice stuff too. I watch What Not To Wear to keep me in tune with styles, although if you stick with a classic look you'll be fine.

Wearing a dress and 3 inch heels at the office as we speak - but I also have meetings with public today (the men will be wearing suits). Next week, field work - with some of the same bunch. We even laugh about how we look all cleaned up, as most of the time we see each other doing field work.

I'm kind of like No No.
Don't really follow any celebrity stuff (in fact, I am totally not interested), but I do read Vogue and like window shopping. I love dresses for the same reason as stated above, although my work type clothes mostly consist of skirts, blouses, sweaters, jackets. I do wear dresses more in the summer; it's much cooler than anything else. I can't stand the feel of sticky waistbands on my skin.
I think my style is mostly classic, with some updated stuff. I like low rise pants, etc. But, I just read an article about how people over 40 should not try to dress too "young" and it's a fine line between fashionable and dowdy as you age, especially if you have the body to wear younger looking styles.
I still don't see myself as old, but I have tamed down what I wear. I guess no one wants to see skin showing on a 55 year old, even one with a flat stomach... and I'm talking about in casual situations, here; I have always been pretty conservative at work.

I like wearing nice clothes, but I hate shopping. I recently browsed through a catalog at my mother's house. I can't imagine buying something from a catalog because how do you know if it will fit or even look good? Looks great on the model, sure. I do have to get a summer dress for a luncheon at the end of May. Knowing me, I'll put it off as long as possible and get something under pressure that I don't like. No wonder I don't like to shop!

Salvation Army is my boutique, and the occasional thrift or consignment. I hate buying anything new. My mom sent me a check for my birthday so that I could buy a Title 9 Dress I'd been eyeing, but at sixty bucks I hesitate... sixty bucks could buy a WHOLE LOT of clothes on consignment! LOL.

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Originally Posted by bmccasland

Wearing a dress and 3 inch heels at the office as we speak

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I simply cannot picture you like that. Are you sure that's you?

Zen, who likes wearing dresses and skirts and makes weekly visits to the hospital thrift shop.

Thom's 25th high school reunion is this year. We went to the same school, I was a year behind him. I've been perusing my dress options. I want to wear something that will show off my back.

I've also lost enough inches that NONE of my clothes fit properly anymore. I never use to wear belts, now I have to. So I've been looking at what to buy to replace some things.

These are the two dresses I'm considering. The reunion is in Maine in July and not super fancy.

http://www.patagonia.com/tsimages/58...ftr=8&cvt=jpeg

http://www.titlenine.com/images/us/l...3303_1_v15.jpg

Veronica

Veronica,

I like the second one! The black one is nice too, but the blue one really pops!

I love both, V, but I find the black one just a notch too simple. The straps on the blue one will definitely bring attention to your back. Show it off!

**

Oh, yes, consignment! That's one great thing around here. I have bought a few sweaters and even a pair of jeans on consignment recently. Makes me much happier being there than in the new-clothing stores.

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

I had on a tee shirt the other day that I bought at the Gap when I first moved to NYC in 1990 :eek:. 'nuff said.

eta: I do buy bike clothes.

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I love shopping for clothes. And yet right now I'm wearing a t-shirt that I bought at Old Navy about 8 years ago for $4.

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Originally Posted by ASammy1

Veronica,

I like the second one! The black one is nice too, but the blue one really pops!

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Ditto. I thought the black one was a slip. Seriously. I have a slip I wear under my lightweight black dresses that looks just like that top dress.

Roxy

I love the blue dress too! How cute!

I work in an office where I am not the oldest, but I'm up there. Most of my co-workers are mid-20's. (I'm mid 40's). They're a good group, so I don't mind. There is no dress code - when it's hot many of the guys wear shorts. Nicer shorts, but, still shorts. I wear many skirts because they are comfy, cool, and let me feel dressed up enough for my East Coast sensibilities (live in California, but born and raised in conservative Lancaster, PA).

I sort of agree with the advice that a 40-something, even with the body to pull it off (and that is so not me) should not wear the same thing a 20-something does. But there are trends that cross over well. I think skin-tight on a 40 something screams "cougar" (and I hate that word, too, but it's a great description). But I love some of the flirty little skirts with pretty cami and sweater sets. I don't go higher than knee length as I don't have the legs for it, but if you do, there's nothing wrong with a few inches shorter.

Definitely go with the blue one!

I like the black one... just snazz it up with a fun piece of jewelry.... and cute shoes!

I could wear black 100% of the time... but I like both dresses. Both would definitely show off your back muscles.
G-d, I hate that expression "cougar." But, I certainly don't want to look like one. I do wear flouncy skirts with camisoles, and a sweater. But, my camis cover everything and I wear a strapless bra underneath! I can wear shorter skirts, but never go more than a couple of inches above the knee.

I don't like the myshape website. I don't think I fit in any of the categories. I think I would be most like the woman under the A, but my shoulders aren't narrow as described (which means the fashion they suggest, to me, is hideous and would totally drive me nuts, with all the fru-fru near the neck). But then I could pick the M, but my hips are wide. To me, all the models are beyond skinny, except A and E. Couldn't they find people who all weigh the same but just have different body types?

One size does NOT fit all. :(

Karen

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Originally Posted by bmccasland

Wearing a dress and 3 inch heels at the office as we speak - but I also have meetings with public today (the men will be wearing suits). Next week, field work - with some of the same bunch. We even laugh about how we look all cleaned up, as most of the time we see each other doing field work.

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reminds me of a time when one of the guys at the office decided to ge cleaned up and wear nice duds. I said to him, "well after a clean shave, haircut, SHOWER and new duds, will I recognize you?" He didn't miss the shower part and wasn't very amused.

Can you recognize your co-workers in suits?

3 inch heel? ouie ouie ouie. nope. 2 inch is about as high as I want to go. 3 inch tall would be nicer but not worth the pain. :D

Occasionally I watch the TV show "What not to Wear". I dislike over 50% of recommended fashions for the outfits that the 2 talk show fashionistas, recommend to the featured woman per show for their makeovers.

Is it my taste or what?? :eek::confused:

Most likely in body shape, I'm closest to an "H".

Veronica: Either dress would look good on you. The black one, you could get away with wearing a necklace with a beautiful scultptural neckpiece. I don't know what the back cut is like, but the dress will wear well for several years.

I could not wear either of your 2 pre-selected dresses without major alterations now or even when I was younger: my whole upper body frame is small and narrow since I rarely fill the bodice and upper back properly. So a dress like that, to me, ..is instead, a bedroom camisole /slip dress for me at home.

GAWD, searching for fashion takes time. I have 1 black, light wool dress skirt with a belt, that I wear and have been wearing for past huh...9 yrs. or so. It can be worn in cold and hot seasons. Hits me about 2-3 inches above knee, which suits a shrimpy like moi. Several months ago, was horrified to discover the lining has rips and holes..because I've worn it so many times. Trust me, I've been looking casually around for a replacement..without having a hipster style dress skirt style or fabric that wrinkles too easily.

:( It's been a search for..several years! I refuse to spend megadollars for something I know would only cost about $50.00CAN or less to sew. But I'm lazy these last few years.

I like the black one but that's me. Like Crankin, I wear a lot of solid black pieces and add splashes of bright colors (beads, sweaters, scarves, etc).

You could accessorize that one easier (malachite bead necklace and a bright aqua pashmina!) and I think it would be more versatile. Pair it w/a jacket or cardigan and you can wear it to work.

But this is your event so get the one you like. You'd look lovely in either dress.

I hate chothes shopping! Don't get me wrong, I love clothes, but I struggle with fasion and fit, and find the whole mess intimidating. I have to dress nice for work right now and I hate it. That being said, if I'm going to dress up, I want to go all the way. Heels, oxygen-restricting rstricting undergarments and all.

Veronica, I vote for the blue dress.

Ahhh, fashion. I'm missing that gene. There has been more than one occasion when my S.O. has turned to me and said, "I'm not going out with you until you change what you're wearing." I just have no concept of what goes together or looks good. Luckily I wear scrubs and clogs to work and live in a place where dressed up is clean jeans.

I have 3 dresses that I rotate through various weddings and family occasions and one dressy skirt suit that's over 20 years old but I recently had retailored to fit correctly.

On the other hand, I could shop for athletic wear forever...

This thread reminded me of an article I read not too long ago about how to dress sexy in midlife. It said to do one thing at a time - sexy skirt or pants with a more conservative top, or sexy top with more conservative skirt or pants. That's exactly what I do on those occasions - I never do both at the same time.

On the two dresses - I'd vote for the li'l black dress. It may look a little bit like a slip in the picture but with a few accessories, some pretty shoes - you'd be a knockout.

My sense of fashion is right along with Roadie Gal...same work attire too. I find fashion in a pair of pajama bottoms, colored croc type clogs, and a shirt of some sort on my days off.
I however, do prefer the blue dress V. I was eyeing something similar to that in Title 9 or Athleta mag. that recently came. (Its already in the recycle bin if that tells you how interested I am in clothes shopping). But I did do a double take on it and would consider it. Bike or exercise clothing is another story...

Title 9 has some great dresses.

I don't have a fashion sense & hate shopping because i can't decide what to buy. I don't like floral stuff :mad: blech, pink :mad: or anything really girlie. Why is it that most clothing shops have girlie prints rather than solid colours. I liked what I saw at Eddie Bauer when I was up in the Northern Hemisphere last year :) It fit wonderfulllllly

I do like black, blue & red. I will eventually need some new clothes.

Help? :(

I don't have any fashion sense -- always figured some day a friend would hook me up with the 'what not to wear' group :eek:

The website MyShape was interesting. At first I put my measurements for waist and bust in backwards and was given the circular one. Then I realized my mistake, and am now a "Y". I like that they choose what may look best on you, but much of it is pretty fancy for me. If I can't get it at REI or Eddie Bauer, I don't know what to do with it!

Veronica: I vote on Blue. That's totally cute. But, take that considering the source! :rolleyes: it's funny.. I can say that someone looks good or doesn't in something, but cannot relate that to myself.

I Like the black but Im a ex goth! Black can be worn to more things, whereas the blue to me looks like a beach dress.
Most of what i own is black. Its either wool,cotton or silk.
I used to wear mostly thrift shop, but then got a better job and bought some nicer things.
For the last decade or so I wore - black tank , black jeans, black boots.

I gave up and gave away ten bags of clothes to salvos, friends etc.
After cycling clothes, most of em felt uncomfy.
I usually, sadly! wear non chmpis bike shorts all summer now, under minis.

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Originally Posted by Zen

I simply cannot picture you like that. Are you sure that's you?

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Yup, it's me. And I seriously messed with the minds of the guys in the office. :D

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Originally Posted by smilingcat

3 inch heel? ouie ouie ouie. nope. 2 inch is about as high as I want to go. 3 inch tall would be nicer but not worth the pain. :D

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The shoes I wore have a bit of a platform under the toes as well, so in reality only a 2.5 inch rise, which is how I can get away with it. That and remember my ballet lessons of long ago, "backs straight, shoulders back, stomach in, feel the thread pulling UP through your head." After toe shoes, 2-3 inches isn't so bad - so long has they have good sturdy lasts.

But today I'm wearing huaraches. ;)

okay, I did something wrong. P-shape? "Larger bust"??

*peers down at her little AA fried eggs and goes to find dh to help with measuring*

your must be hiding with mine( peers down at little 'fried eggs'.:p