What Not To Wear - What To Wear

[indysteel]

I'm not a dress person either, although I do like skirts, in part because I rarely have to hem or alter them (I'm short-ish with short legs). I do think a good pair of "dressy" jeans can go a long way. Pair them with the top of your choice and a fun pair of shoes, and you're suitably dressed for all but dressiest of places or events. For those, I'd suggest a basic pair of black (or whatever color you like) dress pants. Again, pair them with a nice top and shoes and you're good to go.

Maybe I'm reading too much into your question and please forgive me if I am, but is there some other underlying issue that is making you feel uncomfortable in social situations? Body image issues, shyness, social anxiety? Maybe I've watched too many episodes of What Not to Wear, but it often seems that when people find it difficult to dress themselves, there is some other issue at the heart of it. The clothes are just representative or symptomatic of it.

I'll add this, too. While I used to like going "out on the town" with friends, I grew more and more uncomfortable in such settings the longer I was out of college. It's a "scene" that I don't care to be a part of. The women (and men) just seemed to be trying so hard to be hip and cool. While I'm not totally unhip, it all just strikes me as overly pretentious. I don't have the time or energy to care about it. My solution? I just don't go to places like that anymore. Thankfully, over time, most of my friends grew out of it, too, so it's not as much of an issue as it was 5-10 years ago. Now, we just go out to a casual dinner or brewpub. Or, better yet, we go for a ride or walk.

Good luck!

[redrhodie]

Here's Tim Gunn's list of what you should have:

http://womensfashion.suite101.com/ar...ntial_elements


My other advice is to shop at home if you hate shopping. Store mirrors with overhead lighting are unflattering to everyone, and crowds and noise can be distracting and stressful. At home, you can create a relaxing atmosphere with good lighting and you'll feel good when trying on clothes.

[Crankin]

A pair of dark denim dress jeans and a black blazer will go just about anywhere. You can dress this up or down, with different types of t shirts, button downs, camisoles, as well as different shoes.
I love clothes, but generally hate going in stores. I buy almost everything on line.

[sfa]

Odd note at the end of Tim Gunn's list: "In the second season, the Jacket replaces the Blazer on Tim's list, and the Any Occasion Top replaces the Cashmere Sweater."

OK, I get the difference between an all occasion top and a cashmere sweater, but what the hell is the difference between a blazer and a jacket? If you google it, you get lots of links to the differences between a man's blazer, sport jacket, and suit jacket and it all seems to have something to do with the color of the buttons and the type of pockets. These seem like entirely academic differences to me and not enough to prompt a television fashion guru to replace one item on a list with a virtually identical item. I'll admit to being not especially fashion forward, but this is the kind of thing that keeps me from caring about fashion.

Sarah

[redrhodie]

what the hell is the difference between a blazer and a jacket?

Sarah

Here's my thought on it--all blazers are jackets, but not all jackets are blazers. So, I think he was just trying to broaden the scope a little to include jackets that would work the same as a blazer on a lot of occasions. I have a couple of vintage jackets that I could wear with tailored pants or skirts or dresses, but they aren't blazers.

[Catrin]

I find that a combination of nice slacks and jacket with a sleeveless shell underneath works well for most work-related occasions - or longer skirts with a nice blouse. I generally find jeans uncomfortable and heavy, though I do wear them. I have also been known to wear my nice riding boots (low heels) in the winter with the slacks. In the summer I do like nice skirts and blouses - but I never wear heels - ever. (Too many foot problems for that and I never did learn.)

The important thing, as others have noted, is that you need to be comfortable in what you are wearing. The nicest of outfits just won't look right if you don't enjoy wearing it.

As far as the blazer/jacket question goes - to me the difference seems to be the weight/type of the material and the style. I don't care for blazers myself, they don't seem to go well with my shape. Call them what you will though, if it looks nice with what I have in mind and on my body I will get it

[Becky]

Dark trouser jeans and a sweater are my go-to for social events that require a little dressing up, but nothing formal. IMO, a good pair of jeans are priceless, even if I don't wear them frequently.

I wear a lot of black too. Looks good on me, matches everything...can't go wrong!

[ny biker]

IMO, a good pair of jeans are priceless, even if I don't wear them frequently.

Specifically dark-wash (dark blue denim) jeans. They look dressier.

Honestly, watch a few episodes of What Not to Wear and you'll see some good ideas for relatively simple outfits (like jeans or slacks with a jacket or sweater and colorful top) that look great. Also you'll see how much of a difference it makes when clothes fit properly. I used to buy a lot of clothes because I liked the color even if it was baggy or otherwise ill-fitting. Now I pay much more attention to how clothes fit.

[Crankin]

+1 on the black.

[indysteel]

Specifically dark-wash (dark blue denim) jeans. They look dressier.

Honestly, watch a few episodes of What Not to Wear and you'll see some good ideas for relatively simple outfits (like jeans or slacks with a jacket or sweater and colorful top) that look great. Also you'll see how much of a difference it makes when clothes fit properly. I used to buy a lot of clothes because I liked the color even if it was baggy or otherwise ill-fitting. Now I pay much more attention to how clothes fit.

+1 on proper fit. Really, it should start there. I am amazed when watching that show what a well-tailored outfit can do for just about anybody, no matter their body type and no matter what type of outfit it is. I know how much better I feel when I'm wearing something I know fits well. The other rule they employ on that show is to dress the body you have TODAY, not the body you hope to have someday.