Hi! Welcome to the forum!
I'm an hourglass too.
Can you post a photo?
We will need more information like: what is your current style (ex. casual), How is your lifestyle (work, study), etc.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4.....947462798/
there is a picture of me

i don't really have a style... I kind of dabble in everything. i really love vintage/pinup /rockabilly and the hippie/bohemian looks though.
I'm a full time student at a community college so I can pretty much wear whatever I want... I just never know what that is.

Other interesting facts, i guess?
I have 12 tattoos: 9 on my feet, 1 on my calf, 1 on the front of my left shoulder, and 1 on my right shoulder blade.
I have a habit of dying my hair odd colors. It's fairly normal right now (auburn/blonde) but i've done every color under the sun.

I don't really know where to start, but if ya'll ask me questions I can answer them... or just throw any bit of advice my way that you may have. Any help is more than I have right now.

Welcome, Melody! You'll find all kinds of help here. A good start would be to go to the blog section and start reading Angie's posts -- some topics to search: hourglass figure, boho style, flop-proof outfits. Since you're a student, you might also find the "mom on the go" outfits compatible with your lifestyle.

Figuring out your personal style takes a little time, but you'll get there. I can't do an extensive search right now but if you look around you'll find a thread with many replies where we all tried to identify our style (both current and goal) in three single-word adjectives. That might be helpful to read.

Glad you're here!

Oh.. you are lovely and I don't see a fashion disaster...
As an hourglass my advice is that you choose fitted clothes, that accentuates the waist.
Try different pieces and different styles, because there is no other way of knowing what is best for you.
For me, what works best is:
pencil skirts, sheat dresses, button-down blouses, fitted jackets, wrap dresses, cardigans (that hits on the waist), thin belts, fiited vests, trench coats.

I also love the look vintage from the 40's, pinup and it's a perfect look for hourglasses. You can easily do that and I think it suits you wonderful, your tattoos will be perfect to add and edge to it!

Start with your hair, choose a new cut, it's always a good way of feeling better with yourself.

Some outfits suggestions:

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....goryID=132

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....ryID=20005

http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/women/workwear/4/1

http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/women/workwear/7/5

http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/women/workwear/12/4

http://www.next.co.uk/shopping.....lwear/32/4

Melody, welcome! I used to be a fashion disaster (much more so than you) and my look has totally changed because of advice from here. I hope you find it useful as well.

Welcome to the forum, Melody! That’s a lovely photo and what looks like a nice outfit. Not disastrous at all! Good job posting.

When have you last been professionally fitted for a bra? That’s where you will start this process :0)

Angie, I don't think I've ever been fitted. but I will do that soon, thanks for the suggestion!

rute, april, and medusa thanks so much for your advice too!

That outfit was for a wedding I was going to. I would have posted an "every day" photo, but I never let anyone photograph me. When I was much younger I was a dancer and very thin, and then an injury left me in a wheel chair for almost a year. I really have issues with the way that my body looks. That's one of my biggest motivations for joining this group. I'm really hoping to start liking the way I look again.

You are beautiful and you are not a fashion disaster at all. We are so hard on ourselves. I must say your post title was intriguing though.
Give yourself time here. Things do not happen overnight. Some like Medusa are fast learners, some like me, not so fast. Enjoy the process. You really already know alot about yourself. You have already clicked off a list of styles that you are interested in. I do not see a problem at all dressing your curvey body. I think you will be pleasantly surprised when you learn a few rules from Angie's past blog posts. So that is probably a good place to start, going through the information in the past blog. You could read for days there and learn so much.

Hi Melody and welcome to the forum.

I also have tattoos, and have an interest in some of the styles you have mentioned. I think pin- up, rockabilly, vintage all have a crossover so you are definitely on your way to identifying your personal style.

You sound very creative and I look forward to watching your style evolve over the coming months.

Welcome! We are similar in size and age and it's so nice to see someone I can relate to. My best advice is: Don't let your body issues stop you from dressing fab. SERIOUSLY. I know this is easier said than done, and I don't listen to my own advice far too often, but seriously, anyone can dress well, regardless of size, shape, age, disability, etc. It's all about figuring out what works on your body and what doesn't... and what you like, of course.

Melody, off to your first bra fitting you go! Nordstrom is your best bet and make an appointment with the lingerie manager to fit you.

Bless you, Marianna. Such true words. Melody, I wholeheartedly believe that style is beyond size, age, budget and lifestyle. The gals on this forum will vouch for my perspective on this. Chin up and let’s get your sorted. Our stylish Marianna is a great inspiration.