https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 12 May 2026 11:49:09 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona/page/2#post-6524 Sun, 11 May 2008 12:35:48 +0000 Sarah 6524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry ladies. I didn't mean to say that you make pregnancy sound scary, just that, as much as I am critical of my body, there are things about it that I don't want to change. I don't want my waist to get bigger than 26" unless my hips and bust also get proportionally larger, and even then I'd prefer to stay small with as little height as I have. Some women say they got their little waist back after pregnancy; others say it will never happen. I guess it varies with everyone and I'll have to wait and see. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona/page/2#post-6415 Sat, 10 May 2008 15:10:53 +0000 Becky 6415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, Anne, I feel the same way! I like my body naked better than with clothes! I thought maybe I was some sort of wierdo! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona/page/2#post-6401 Sat, 10 May 2008 09:02:29 +0000 anne 6401@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel like I might have been the one to turn the thread that way with a very short comment that didn't express the whole situation too well. I certainly have days when I do struggle a great deal being home with kids! (that is while #3 is planned to be the last!)<br /> I can also relate to something Shiny wrote in another thread about not hating her body - but finding it difficult to dress. If I look at myself naked in the morning (only time I do!) it doesn't look too bad! But getting clothes to fit, as I have expressed in other posts, is another matter.<br /> Maya's initial topic in this thread is something I can also relate to. I love tailored looks and would love to wear pencil skirts but every fashion advice I have ever read says they aren't flattering for pear shapes.</p> <p>Susannah (of T &#38; S) said once that Trinny found being pregnant harder than she did because pear shapes lose their skinny torsos and still have the big bum/thighs etc - I experienced this exact feeling!I will never have a 26" waist again and always have a bit of a tummy and I do feel rather self conscious about that (hooray for tunics)</p> <p>And for a while after having the baby I felt very buxom (only by comparison to being an A-cup - I never get begger than a C) and although I'd always wanted that it made me feel as if I looked sexier than I was comfortable with - so I can relate to Maya's comments about that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona/page/2#post-6264 Fri, 09 May 2008 17:59:49 +0000 Antje 6264@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hm, I'm getting a little worried about the turn this thread took. I sure didn't mean to sound negative about pregancy and having a child in any way, and I don't think shiny or others did, either. I loved (LOVED) pregnancy. The first two years after were a differnet thing, and I personally think women aren't open enough about their struggles after having a child. I know it's a wonderful for many women, but I also know (not just from my own experience but from talking to plenty others) that many women have a very difficult time adjusting to being moms and their lives changing dramatically (rather than incrementally). That doesn't mean there are any regrets, just that it can be a diffiult time of adjustment, and it's important to acknowledge that and make space for talking about it. And, back to the focus of this forum, style and fashion often take a backseat for a while. But as the contributors to this forum prove, we all emerged eventually with great confidence, newly found interest and joy in style and fashion, and new appreciation for our bodies. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona/page/2#post-6240 Fri, 09 May 2008 15:06:08 +0000 Patience 6240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Right on, Becky! And I think it's normal to be a little scared. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona/page/2#post-6239 Fri, 09 May 2008 14:59:24 +0000 Becky 6239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Don't be scared, Sarah. Not all pregnancies live up to the horror stories you sometimes hear. I had two very healthy, happy, feeling-good pregnancies. I had taken it for granted that I would never have a decent figure again after pregnancy/childbirth, and while my body definitely isn't the same as it was before, I'm happier with my body than I have ever been. Emotionally, I have grown much more than I would have thought possible. I thought I was an extremely mature person, educated and highly prepared to be a parent (I became a mother at age 28), but I found out just how selfish and whiny I really was!! It has been reassuring to hear from other parents that I'm not the only one who got that flash after becoming a mother. And my two beautiful daughters are worth all that and more. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona/page/2#post-6217 Fri, 09 May 2008 12:20:17 +0000 Sarah 6217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, the pregnancy and post-pregnancy stanges sound scarry to me. But I do like the idea of someday being able to accept my body and be happy with it. That's something I haven't experienced since elementary school when I found horses much more interesting than men, clothes, etc. I am getting to the place where I kind of want a baby in the next few years, but I'm still scared of pregnancy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona/page/2#post-5973 Wed, 07 May 2008 22:06:05 +0000 Nicole 5973@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm still waiting to be content with my body...especially when I see myself in photos. I honestly think I look much thinner and better than I really do. It's kind of a weird mix of bad body image (not liking the way I look) and high self esteem (thinking I look better than I do, so long as I'm not looking at myself!)</p> <p>I totally agree with all the moms about not having time or energy to care how you look when the kids are young. I was huge thru both my pregnancies, had ginormous babies and look back at photos of myself pre-kids and get angry at myself for thinking I was fat back then. Then again, I look at videos of myself in the first 7 years of motherhood and I'm angry at myself for dressing like a dork. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5971 Wed, 07 May 2008 21:41:01 +0000 shiny 5971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad you enjoyed my late-night musings, Antje!</p> <p>I did skip the pregnancy part: I loved being pregnant, because I didn't have to suck in my gut!! LOL. For once in my life, I didn't mind people staring at my bulging midsection. Or even patting it! </p> <p>I did love buying maternity clothing. This is when Mimi maternity first came out. I had a nice maternity wardrobe. </p> <p>Others might start caring again sooner than I did. Unfortunately, I went through a divorce when my kids were 4 and 5 years old, so fashion was the last thing on my mind for awhile. I was re-starting a career and trying to make ends meet, and didn't have much $ to spend on clothes either. </p> <p>I actually remember when I first got those stirrings again - to care about my clothes. It was about 7 years ago. A very good friend of mine (one of my two most fashionable friends!) pointed out that my cordoroy pants were falling off of me. I had somehow dropped a lot of weight, without realizing it. She dragged me to the mall to try on jeans. I ended up with a pair of size 2 Gap jeans - they were about three or four sizes smaller than what I had been living in. That was the start of it all (and now those Gap jeans are too big on me - I gave them to goodwill last year). </p> <p>It's probably not a coincidence that only a month or two later, I met my current DH... wearing those jeans. ;-)</p> <p>40 changes everything in a good way! I should post a photo from my 40th bday.... it's a photo taken my two most fashionable friends.... look for it in the "what I wore" column! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5949 Wed, 07 May 2008 16:21:05 +0000 Antje 5949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh shiny, your description is wonderful and much of it rang true for me! You did leave out the pregnancy part, which I know for some women brings on a big body image crisis (sadly!) but for some women brings about a lot of delight in their changing body. For me, pregnancy was wonderful and I loved my growing body; I also enjoyed shopping for maternity clothes and treated it as a whole new positive fashion challenge. But then, after birth, things certainly went south, very south, much like you describe. </p> <p>I (and my craving for style) did recover, fortunately, and a bit earlier than you described. Maybe it's because I had a kid later in life. I started caring about fashion again when my daugther was about 3 or 4 (I was in my late 30s then), and actively started pursuing a "wardrobe makeover". And then for me, it was turning 40 (just a few months ago) that really was a pivotal point for my body image changing. Just like you describe, I realized at some point that my body is what it is: I will always have a flabby belly, a big round butt and a small chest, and no exercise program or diet is going to change that (or at least no program I would stick with or make the time for ;-)) And then my attitude changed, and I started noticing and appreciating the nice things about my body - that I'm strong, healthy, am relatively well proportioned, that my big round butt looks actually kinda nice in pencil skirts, that I have lovely calves that I should show off in skirts, etc. etc. And now at this point in my life I feel at peace in my body. I stopped craving for a different kind of body, the magic "10 or 20 pounds less", and clothes that don't look good on me. And it's so much more fun to go shopping when you know what kinds of things flatter you, and that you will find someting that makes you look and feel good as long as you stay true to yourself and the stuff that works with (rather than against) your shape and have a little bit of persistence.</p> <p>Long post, sorry, but shiny's comments really resonated with me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5940 Wed, 07 May 2008 15:31:19 +0000 Patience 5940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I second Anne's comment that kids give you an amazing appreciation for your body. I remember with my first child being so focused on my beautiful belly and then reading that in pregnancy we tend to shift our focus from our face to our belly. That is so true. With my second child I gained 40 pounds and two pant sizes. And then I lost it all. It took a year but it blows my mind that I went from a 6 to a 2 in pant sizes without dieting-- just nursing and being healthy. The big thing I learned here is that the first step in getting your body where you want it is learning to appreciate, like and trust it (That might actually be all you need to do). I agree with Shiny on the first stage (that's all I have so far) being a mother and being clean just aren't compatible. But it works out. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5934 Wed, 07 May 2008 14:54:57 +0000 Angie 5934@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Beautiful Anne. </p> <p>And I enjoyed reading your thoughts and epiphanies Shiny. You are very entertaining! </p> <p>Why you don’t shop at Zara &#38; Mango, Maya? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5912 Wed, 07 May 2008 06:56:22 +0000 anne 5912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>impact of having kids on your body image? - here are some more thoughts</p> <p>Well I am in the first stage Shiny mentioned! 3 kids under 5 Stains allover my clothes, lots of demands on my attention. I have been known to forget to even look at the mirror to do my hair before leaving the house!<br /> BUT<br /> I do think, despite all my grousing in other posts, that you gain a sort of appreciation for what your body is capable of (eg pregnancy, labour, feeding a baby) that is positive. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5860 Wed, 07 May 2008 01:54:12 +0000 shiny 5860@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The impact of having kids on your body image? </p> <p>Well... let's see... </p> <p>The first few years you are so dog-tired and you view yourself only as a feedbag. You get all touched out because you have little hands all over you all the time. You don't know where you end and others begin - it's all one big sleep-deprived blur. </p> <p>You tend to answer the door while wearing stained sweatpants that haven't been washed in a month, with a diaper rag pinned to your shoulder (for catching spit-up). Fashion is the last thing on your mind. As long as it has elastic at the waist, and is machine-washable, you are set!</p> <p>Then the next few years you might go through a stage where you wear clothing that your mother probably wore. Perfect for meeting with grade school teachers. You might even cut your hair into what is known as the "mom helmet." Your husband gets all freaked out by this... but may not tell you he is. Your mom is happy as can be - and she starts dumping her caste-off clothing on you. (because you know your mom - she can't throw anything away). </p> <p>At one point you may wake up and realize... not only have you gained some weight... but everything has kinda slid south. Your wardrobe might be a mix of baggy stained machine washable sweats, and clothing you wore before you had kids, that don't fit and create unsightly fat rolls. </p> <p>About now, you might start craving pretty clothes again. Your kids are older now and you have more time on your hands. You escape to the mall, only to walk around in a daze, buying nothing, and this is about the time you learn to rant and rave about "vanity sizing." You probably also start watching WNTW and 10 years younger and surfing fashion blogs. Hee hee. </p> <p>Then your kids hit their teen years and start blossoming in front of your very eyes. Boys may start to call them. You take them bra shopping and realize you haven't been fitted in 10 years yourself. </p> <p>Mostly, you go through a minor depression where you cry and wail because you were once that age, and darnit if you weren't completely oblivious to how beautiful and perfect you were, with perfect straight teeth straight out of braces, lovely skin, glossy hair, and everything going north instead of sliding south. But noooooo..... you wasted those years being insecure instead of enjoying it while you could!!</p> <p>Then acceptance settles in. The clock is ticking. Not the baby clock (that's long gone). Not even the grandma clock. The clock that says "hey I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, better appreciate THIS MOMENT THIS BODY RIGHT NOW." </p> <p>And that's when you start to live. And when it gets a heck of a lot easier to find clothes you love, and that love you back. </p> <p>No more "once I lose this 10 lbs" or "once I get a new job" or "once I take up pilates" or "once I have time to take up pilates" or "once &lt;insert your favorite handy excuse&gt;." Nope. RIGHT NOW. THIS BODY. AS IS. </p> <p>I don't think you HAVE to have kids to go through all these stages. Don't get me wrong. I salute anyone who chooses to not have kids - there are enough in this world as there is. I'm just hoping 1) to get you to laugh and 2) to get you to have that "gee I may be hit by a bus tomorrow" revelation a lot sooner than I did. </p> <p>Life is short - and you only get this one body - enjoy it while you can. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5785 Tue, 06 May 2008 19:22:09 +0000 Antje 5785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yippieh. Definitely post any finds you recommend. I hope to get back to NYC for a biz or personal trip some day... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5770 Tue, 06 May 2008 18:00:09 +0000 Maya 5770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the article Inge. Beacon's Closet is an AMAZING store. Very reasonably priced and full of gems. </p> <p>I just found this article so I'm going to print it out and devote a day to checking all the stores on the list (that I haven't been to yet).</p> <p><a href="http://gridskipper.com/travel/new-york/nyc-thrift-shops-271226.php" rel="nofollow">http://gridskipper.com/travel/.....271226.php</a></p> <p>If I find anything I will certainly post it here. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5764 Tue, 06 May 2008 17:22:57 +0000 Inge 5764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Maya</p> <p>I just remembered a blog post written by Liberty London Girl about vintage stores in NYC.<br /> <a href="http://libertylondongirl.blogspot.com/2008/04/this-has-been-weekend-of-english.html" rel="nofollow">http://libertylondongirl.blogs.....glish.html</a><br /> Not much help after all, since she recommends Williamsburg as well, since Manhattan vintage stores are apparently a lot more expensive.</p> <p>But there are other fashion blogs out there that talk about consigment stores and vintage boutiques, so don't give up yet. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5759 Tue, 06 May 2008 16:57:32 +0000 Maya 5759@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hope you're right Christie. I don't know if I'll ever appreciate it, but hopefully I'll at least get to a point here I can tolerate it.</p> <p>Antje, I actually thought of you yesterday when I did a citysearch for consignment shops. Of course the list is a mile long and there's no shortage of places to go, but like you said, not all of them will be appropriate for what I'm seeking out. I used to live and go to school in Brooklyn and there was no shortage of amazing shopping there (particularly Williamsburg). Maybe that's another reason I liked shopping more back then! But the reason I mention it is because all my friends lived in Brooklyn too so we're a bit clueless about Manhattan shopping. We would only head out to Manhattan to go to bigger retail chains. As expected, most of the "big" vintage stores in Manhattan (like the ironically named Cheap Jack's) are pricey. Maybe I'm better off in the outer boroughs.</p> <p>I also live close to some rich suburbs and was overwhelmed one day when one of my friends took me on a thrift shopping tour of an extremely wealthy town. I got a Kate Spade bag for $4 and a skirt from ATL (which is not an expensive skirt even at full price, but was worth well over the $2 I paid for it). We also went to a consignment store that was more expensive but had Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, and other better end designers at a hefty discount (still too expensive for me, but you never know what you may find).</p> <p>I hadn't thought of the blog idea. That's a good tip. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5745 Tue, 06 May 2008 16:30:48 +0000 Antje 5745@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, have you tried searching for vintage and consignment stores online, and/or asking friends and acquaintances for tips? Make sure you look for blogs by New York budget fashionistas, too, I bet they have tips on good stores for bargain hunting. You could even try calling some consignment stores and asking for other recommendations (usually stores are nice about recommending the "competition"). E.g., you could explain that you are specifically looking for petite tops. The better consignment all specialize in some way, either by style (urban vs. boho, for example) or by price point (designer vs. mainstream) or by sizes, and they tend to have some very steady consigners. It's always amazing to me how many clothes some women buy that they regularly consign... Basically, you have to find out where the better off and fashionable women in New York who share your body type consign their clothes I know it sounds like a lot of work, but I think it can be done with some persistence. And you will love "your" consignment store once you've found it and return regularly for your finds. Good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5744 Tue, 06 May 2008 16:28:56 +0000 christie 5744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It could be, Maya. I don't have children, and I'm not sure I want to, either. But I don't associate womanly features with childbearing. What has helped me, I think, is learning to feel comfortable feeling "sexy," and not being embarrassed or annoyed at glances or stares from the gents. I do think that comes with age, and I hate to say that because it was so annoying to me when people said that to me. It just took me a long time to feel comfortable in my body. I became much curvier in my early 20s (the breasts migrated down). But the comfort has come.</p> <p>As far as boutiques, I'm not sure about New York, but in my small city, we have a few gems where you can find great priced pieces. We have a couple up-scale boutiques, and I check in regularly for sales (and I'm on their mailing lists), but I love the unique pieces I can get at the less expensive shops. Just don't give up! There is something out there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5742 Tue, 06 May 2008 16:05:08 +0000 Maya 5742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was wondering what the impact of having kids was on body image. I don't want kids so perhaps this is the problem--all these curves are more of an inconvenience than anything. I would love to try more bboutique type places but they are soooo expensive. Built By Wendy ia one of my favorite designers but I couldn't afford anything. </p> <p>WNTW recently had one of those "go green" specials where they sent the participant to a ton of vintage stores and also places that recycle old clothing. I wish they mentioned what those stores were! She got some pieces for as little as $15. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5703 Tue, 06 May 2008 12:18:42 +0000 christie 5703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, when I first read your comment, I knew exactly how I wanted to reply, but most of the ladies have all said what I wanted to say, so now I'm going to be repetitive. Sorry.</p> <p>If I remember correctly, you are still in your early 20's and still in school, right? That's a difficult time. Your body first really starts to develop womanly curves at that time (the waist tends to fill out and real hips emerge). You seem to long for your days as a teenager. Don't worry, we all do. When I was a young teen, I weighed about what I do now, but I had a HUGE chest. I almost looked like an inverted triangle. </p> <p>Of course, at 13-20, I was self-conscious about my shape, and I didn't appreciate the clothing that I could wear. Instead, I always wanted to be a slender rectangle. This actually continued until I was around 25.</p> <p>I don't mean to sound preachy as I know what I am going to say will sound, but your view of your body does change as you get older. I was told this when I was in my early 20s, but I didn't believe it. You will be amazed at how as you get closer to 30 you grow more content with your shape. This is not to say that you won't dislike parts of your body or wish that you could wear something you can't, but you will experience a sort of contentment that is difficult to understand while your body is still changing. A woman's body doesn't "grow" in the early 20s, but it does change. (After all, Maya, your body is telling you it is time to have children. Remember that).</p> <p>I didn't think you sounded self-deprecating so much as someone who hasn't yet spent enough time in her new shape to "get to know it." That will take many more years. In the meantime, I think you need to just wear what you want. You don't have to flaunt your curves if you don't like, but you have a good idea of what looks good on you and what doesn't. And I agree with whoever said that perhaps you should stick with the smaller boutiques and vintage shops to search for items that are unique and artsy. You have that personality and now is the time to indulge it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5675 Tue, 06 May 2008 02:24:03 +0000 Ana 5675@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nicole is right--actually all the ladies are right, and I totally agree with all of them. Nicole makes a really good point: you've matured to the point where you won't just "settle" for anything, you want something specific that looks terrific. It might not be that easy to find (I don't know if it's truly easy for any of us when we know what we want--hence my never ending summer dress hunt). It's the down side to knowing how to dress your body and staying in touch with your style persona and all the wonderful things we learn here on Angie's blog and from eachother on this forum. But you should take pride in knowing that what you do have and what you will eventually buy in the future will be fabulous, WAY better than 10 or 20 or 100 shirts or shoes or jeans that were just "okay." </p> <p>I've never been to NYC, but summer is coming up soon. Do you have summer school? If not, maybe you will have more time to really investigate your options and we'll all look forward to being jealous of that killer belt/shirt/bag you found in some tiny shop in Soho (or wherever). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5659 Tue, 06 May 2008 01:59:29 +0000 Nicole 5659@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, I wasn't suggesting you make compromises and buy stuff that you are not completely happy with. I was just making an observation that the more you know what you want, the less likely you are to settle for anything but. I know that doesn't help your sitch, but at least you can feel good knowing that you've reached that stage in life where you won't settle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5654 Tue, 06 May 2008 01:52:39 +0000 Angie 5654@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm....SJP is 5ft 1 and wears nothing but designer clothing. Its' ALL altered. Promise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5652 Tue, 06 May 2008 01:47:19 +0000 Maya 5652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am also petite Shiny, but I don't always need to shop in the petites section. Actually most petite inseams are too short for me so I have to get regular length pants and either have them hemmed or scrunched. The majority of my jeans come from BR, Gap, and Jcrew because they offer 31" inseams which is perfect for me, and the fit is good too.</p> <p>As for tops, I am beyond petite on top because my torso is so short and tops today are longer than before. That's why I'm having such a hard time finding skirt tops. For some reason the idea of hemming a shirt JUST for that purpose seems a bit ridiculous to me, but it looks like that's what I have to do. I bet we would all love to have custom clothing made. Makes me wonder why it isn't an option in the US. Seems like a profitable idea.</p> <p>Nicole, you could be right. But I don't like to compromise shop because I don't have a lot of money, which means I really have to love the things that I buy to be convinced that it's worth it to spend. Otherwise I end up with a closet full of compromises and outfits that don't make me happy, and I end up just spending more money to try and find other pieces. So if I had bought that Express top, I'm sure in 3 weeks I'd be itching to find a new top to replace it with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5631 Tue, 06 May 2008 00:34:48 +0000 shiny 5631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, perhaps it's the whole chain thing???? Is that it? Is it that you crave something unique? </p> <p>You're short, right? I get really REALLY frustrated because I am 5'0" and forever resigned to the petite section. It's not as bad as it used to be, when the only petite offerings were pants - never ever sweaters or even standard-issue tee shirts- and only in black, white, brown, and red. Nothing interesting. It is a lot better. LOTS better. But still nowhere near ideal. </p> <p>I lust after all kinds of designer wear, that no matter how thin I get, would still need massive alterations - ruining the line completely. Because even if I can whittle my way into an XS, the vertical proportions STILL aren't right. And if I gain weight, forget it - the vertical proportions waaay not right. I am stuck at chains because they are the only ones that offer petites, which come close to fitting off the rack. </p> <p>I'll tell you my dream: to be able to afford to have all my clothing custom made, just for me!! Actually, I've thought about this long enough, it probably would be cost effective... the US just isn't the kind of country that has many options around for those who want their clothing custom made. </p> <p>And don't tell me to learn to sew.... I know how to sew... unfortunately I hate to sew. ;-)</p> <p>Definetly investigate the NYC options! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5628 Tue, 06 May 2008 00:22:41 +0000 Nicole 5628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, perhaps the fruitless shopping trips have more to do with higher standards than body type? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5618 Mon, 05 May 2008 22:48:22 +0000 Maya 5618@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I didn't mean to sound so self-deprecating. I think I was just incredibly frustrated after going from store to store to store and coming out with nothing, which often seems to be the case lately, and it reminded me of 5 years ago when I could have walked into those exact same stores and looked great in everything. It was so much easier! I liked the outfit with the sweater and the boots, but good grief, it took me long enough to put it together. I would like to embrace my shape and I don't think I'm fat or I need to lose weight or anything like that....it's just that everything I wear seems to give me a certain look that I'm not after (the sexy look). Shiny reminded me that I know a girl my age with a 23" waist who is always complaining about being "fat" and it drives me up the wall, so I want to make it perfectly clear that this isn't what I want to say. </p> <p>I feel like a bit ridiculous actually now because as I was walking out of BR emptyhanded it kind of dawned on me that "I live in New York, for crying out loud!" Why am I going to all these chains when there are so many boutiques and vintage stores and other places that are probably better suited to my style? I guess I'm put off by the prices, but perhaps there's something out there that isn't so expensive. Might be worth investigating. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-if-your-body-type-doesnt-match-your-persona#post-5614 Mon, 05 May 2008 22:35:53 +0000 Tanya 5614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I totally agree that we all feel like this at some point in our lives. I have always wanted larger chest and smaller hips! I guess I wanted an inverted triangle body- like Angelina Jolie. I wish I could pull of those types of outfits that she wears. </p> <p>You're all going to laugh at this, but I have actually (very recently) purchased a 'water bra' , that makes me look two cup sizes bigger.<br /> <a href="http://www.inthemoodintimates.com/intimate-apparel/Atlantis.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.inthemoodintimates......antis.html</a>.<br /> I have never worn it, and I probably never will ( it feels like cheating and I fear everybody would immediately notice the obvious difference), but I do sometimes try it on with outfits around the house and fantasize about the stuff I could wear if I was really like that in without that bra ! </p>