This style of dress. Adorable on the model, right? On me (curvy hourglass) not so much. Same with billowy blouses. I adore them and keep trying, but alas, without success.

White cardigans. Reminded by Janet's thread on the white cold shoulder cardigan.
Cold shoulder tops/sweaters.
Bomber jackets.

Laura, my first thought was The Flying Nun, even though I like the dress.

LOL, jill58. That's not what my husband said though he'd agree, I'm sure.

Futuristic geometric minimalism. Not quite sure why I can't wear it... (should be, as I'm tall and slender). Just doesn't feel natural... like I'm doing someone else's part. But I get really fascinated by minimalist looks when they are well executed.

What a fun question. My list is like a lot of yours, stripes, button-downs, anything too classic, I think just makes me look really blah. And anything too girly because I'm short just doesn't work. Very fitted looks awful because of my thick waist. Geez, what CAN I wear?

Most button down shirts.
Crisp white tops.
Belts at the waist.
Shirt dresses (both belted and unbelted).
Camel/khaki/citron near my face...

Which is why the lists saying everyone needs the perfect white shirt and camel trench do not work for me!!

The list continues...
White sandals
White purses
Colorful purses (I keep trying on this one).
Any item or accessory that might be described as "whimsical."

Boho

I really like that additional point you made -- we're looking here for the kinds of items that draw us but that just look awful on us.

Some of my previous list consists of things I just don't even look at any more. (Yeah, puffed sleeves would make that list, too...)

But the arty drapey thing...I keep banging my head against that wall and failing bigtime...sigh...

Sally - that essentials list is a not so much for me as well. Can't imagine how little wear I'd get out of a trench, not to mention tan would be blah for me. If I lived a different life, maybe.

Laura - I think that dress would be tough for most people to pull off.

Suz - yes, there's more I could list that make my no go list, but most of them I scan right over when I shop. Baby doll shapes, for example. But others it really is like banging your head.

Love on others, but not on me:
Moto jackets - they just don't work on my frame.
White shoes - I always look like PeeWee Herman.
Off the shoulder - I look like my shirt is falling off.
Boho - I just look silly.

There's more, but that's a good start.

Yes I know what you mean Suz, I have given up on shirts with a collar now but I kept trying for a long time. And waist belts in theory should work on an hourglass but they do not look terrific on me because they ride up all the time.

While I know very little about the Kibbe methodology I guess this is where you come to peace about what does and does not work with your body shape and personality.

I read about the Triangle in the weekend (it related to work - finding the sweet spot between what you love, what you are good at, and what is good for society). I wonder if style is a little bit like that (what suits you, what you love, work/lifestyle/budget/location). Ideally these three coincide at a sweet point.

I'll keep things simple and say, whatever looks sensational on Angie. : )

Edgy minimalism. I love the look but it always looks wrong or terribly unflattering on me.

Fit and flare dresses...so cute. Too cute for me, alas.

Most skirts. I just can't get the skirt-top proportions right.

Shorts...I look like sponge bob.

I adore chambray/denim shirts, trench coats, chunky white sweaters, collared silk shirts, strappy heels, and floaty, mid-length skirts. When I see those items in a shop, I'm drawn towards them, try them on in the dressing room, and sometimes convince myself they are JFE.

The cold light of day reveals the truth, BUT, instead of returning them, I keep thinking those darlings just might work if only I find the right shoe/underwear/top/bottom/occasion--or lose 15 lbs on the diet I'm starting tomorrow. So they hang in my closet--occasionally being dusted off and tried on, only to be thrown in a heap on the bed and returned to their resting place. Eventually, after a year or two, my sister, a close friend, or the consignment shop is delighted to take them off my hands.

Then I walk into a shop....

Ankle/cropped pants. Sleeveless tops/dresses. V-necks. I was just lamenting tonight about why is it that I think I look OK/decent (my bar is very low - I can not get to cute/beautiful so I settle for OK/decent) when I leave the house. I try so hard and put a lot of thought into my look. And then I see a random picture someone took of me, and I cringe and die. Why are photos so universally unflattering?

You lot crack me up. (Nancy, your comment in-particular).

Delurked, long necks actually wear scarves very well. And stripes are easy to wear! Have you tried a low contrast stripe?

I battle to wear anything that requires "filling out" with a broad shoulder line or fuller bust. Don't have the real estate for arty drape, very wide sleeves, wrap dresses, low necklines, and oversized garments.

Don't get me started on shoes. It's not hopeless, but it takes a LOT of patience and a good attitude. My feet are the hardest part of my body to dress comfortably - and I'm in fashion and do a lot of walking. Good thing I like a challenge.

Angie, I know what you mean about fussy feet!

Belts around the waist are first on my list.

Oh this is fun!

1) turtleneck sweaters - oh how I loved them....but a huge bust make it impossible to wear these.
2) maxi dresses - I've just never found one that didn't look like a nightie on me....and I love their casual, effortless style aesthetics
3) White button down - or most white tops that are cotton actually. Have ONE white top now - drapey and floaty. That's ok.
4) Skinny jeans with ankle boots - somehow the proportions always look off on me!!! I much prefer tucking skinnies into tall boots and wearing ankle boots with straight/flared jeans.
5) High heels - they look so fantastic with pencil skirts!!! Especially pumps. Sadly they kill my feet....I can manage 1-2 inch of chunkier heel for when I have to mostly 'sit'. Too bad:/

I love a RATE look, but don't have a RATE bone in my body!
Thong style sandals - not a good look for my feet (prominent bunions)

Angie - there's just something about having my neck covered that bothers me. I feel like I'm suffocating in turtlenecks. It's the same feeling for scarves.

I like stripes against white, and sometimes I don't like my midsection in white, depending on the fit. I'm including my chevron stripe top pic. I will keep an eye on stripes in future - so not ruling them out if I find something I like.

Fun thread.
Wrap anything ( can't fill it out but love the look on others)
Vee necklines
Any skirt fuller than a pencil ( makes my legs look super skinny)
The peep toe booties that Angie posted.
Most anklestrap shoes and ankle booties ( ankles are too narrow to fit)

Great thread! Let's see...
--sandals that don't have an ankle strap (like many Birkenstocks)
--peach/apricot colors
--many tank tops--on me, they are a bit more revealing than I wish they were.

Swing dresses (they make me look pregnant).
Peasant tops (I look like I'm drowning in material).
Dark-colored turtlenecks (I look like I have no neck, because my hair is very dark and blends in with the turtleneck).
Flat booties (ones with heels are OK).
Anything boxy.

Anything that looks good on a petite figure or small bust...eg turtle necks.
When I was about 16 years the whole stevie nicks look was all the rage. I loved it but could never wear those dresses...I look like a buxom milkmaid.

I like the look of wrap dresses, but I've passed mine on. I can wear and fill them out but am uncomfortable looking bombshell in them. I like zebra, cheetah, and snakeskin prints but don't buy or wear any. Those patterns just don't enter into my environmental norms at all. I love the look of jeans but have never found any that look good on me.

Sally - buxom milkmaid! That's a funny image.