about what you wear

always trying

In looking at what you all wear on hear I am finding some things one really doesn't see in my area,,like booties with dresses, skirts, etc. In fact not many booties at all here, even in cooler weather.. Except in the really cooler months sandals and flip flops reign supreme, and for dress up mostly wedge and higher heel sandals, and sometimes pumps. I think I am the only person around here who owns 2 pairs of oxfords.
Do you dress similar to the other women where you work? Dress to fit in among your social circle, etc. Do you like to be different--?? I don't mean like being too casual like the only one in jeans or something, I just mean wearing things not normally seen in your area. I just recently wore a maxi skirt with a t-shirt, and everyone else was in shorts or capris, but I was ok with that.

12 years ago

Dressing

10 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Deborah

Veteran

oldmsthrifty, I was just thinking about this issue while driving to work this morning:) I live in the largest regional city in my state, so it is by no means backward or slow. Most of what is available in our major cities is also available here (no Zara though:) ) . However while I see some very smartly and beautifully dressed women around, I do find that I dress quite differently to the majority. Of the three women I work with, only one has an interest in fashion but even then her style is very mainstream casual and trend driven (not that there is anything wrong with that). Booties are popular here, and you do see them every where, Oxfords not so much. Its not important to me to blend in, and I don't need to 'look like everyone else' to feel comfortable, so I have to admit, I rather embrace and enjoy dressing a little different. Do note though that I am not outrageously different in my dressing to those around me, perhaps just a little more creative and maybe I look to other sources for inspiration as opposed to the popular womens magazine, and local tv programs:) Interestingly, when a friend is considering a new look, different style shoe etc it's me they come and talk to about it... it's kind of nice

12 years ago

Cindy

Active Member

I'm taking a guess that you live in a rural and /or conservative area. It takes a while for new looks to catch on where I live. Grand Rapids is a large enough city but very conservative. Women do dress nicely but nothing that would raise any eyebrows. We are surrounded by small farming communities where the majority don't care what is "in style". I get funny looks from most of my sisters-in-law when I try something new because they all dress very causally and conservatively. They really think I'm off my rocker for coloring my hair blue! Anyway....My point is if you like how something looks and feels on you then don't worry what others are wearing.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wondering where you live, Ms.Thrifty? I ask because "cooler" weather might be relative...booties might take longer to catch on in a relatively warmer climate than they do in a colder place, even in a more conservative town in a colder place.

I live in a climate of extremes. Booties were quickly embraced here! But other items, perhaps less so....for example, the new (ish) cropped and ankle pants are everywhere in stores here, but I don't see too many women actually wearing them. That is because it's either too cold to be comfortable in them here, or too hot! In other words, they're not all that practical except for those who have air conditioning both at home and at work and who commute in the car. (Not my situation).

I work from home, but we have weekly videoconferences. I dress differently from the other women, who mostly wear gear. (It is a fitness company). I almost never wear gear to the meetings. But I do dress casually unless I also have an outside appointment that day.

Sometimes they comment on how well I dress (even though I am casual) and I enjoy the compliments. I have been on YLF for a couple of years and lately have started to get comments and questions such as "How do you always manage to look so stylish?!" and "You always look amazing," and "What is your secret, you have such great style!"

Insert happy blushing face here!

It is especially gratifying to get these compliments from younger women. Since I am the oldest person at my company, I think looking youthful (or at least looking good to younger people) is a real advantage.

12 years ago

shedev

Veteran

The first thing I want to say is Cindy, your hair is absolutely gorgeous. I have a uniform for work, but I tend to dress a little differently than people in my social circle.

12 years ago

Thistle

Veteran

I live in Milwaukee, so similar to Cindy. Very conservative, trends may or may not ever catch on.

Add to that I work in a conservative profession (Accounting) in a conservative industry (heavy manufacturing).

Yes, it absolutely influences my choices. I am okay with that mostly. I will find a way to get in on the sci fi trend yet without looking stare worthy.

12 years ago

Eliza

Veteran

I mostly have a casual lifestyle, but pay more attention to fashion than many around me. Those who do focus often focus on dressing up for more formal work environments and acquiring certain specific brands of shoes and bags, which are not my fashion goals. I don't see oxfords here much, though i wear them often. Booties work with our climate, so I see those in blander varieties most often.

There is a somewhat static quality to fashion in this part of the country, with a big delay in integrating all but the most practical and mainstream trends. It has always been this way, despite being in an area where much is readily available b & m and demographics would make it seem that more folks would look like effort was spent . I am in a suburb of a major city; downtown is a bit more fashion forward.

I like to have fun with clothes, like most people at YLF, so I carry on and at times may be a little more conspicuous than my temperament would choose in service of being happy with my look. I don't mind appearing different; it is just a bit amusing that oxfords stand out.

12 years ago

jayne

Veteran

Ironically, I would love to have your southern cal climate and the sandals that go with it. I live in the opposite climate and booties are the norm. But also trends are very very quick to take on. and leave as well. The challenge for me is that I live in a rather homogeneous culture where most (not all of course) of the citizens are blond, an IT or Apple shape, and summers in coloring. This leaves me, a pear and winter color, needing the opposite of what is generally worn around me. It took real effort to stop trying to wear what the locals do and branch out into color that looks better on me, and shapes that are absolutely not the norm, but look and feel happy to me. Not even am I trying to be trendy, just define and use my own style. I found that I had to work really hard to find out what that style was and just jump in wearing clothes that got looks. It was odd to be noticed for awhile and occasionally commented on. The tradeoff has come after I got comfortable with the attention, which I guess reflects in my more relaxed attitude. Because now I get more compliments and a few jealous remarks about my ability to wear bright colors. I take it all as confirmation that it was worth branching out and not trying to follow the tide. Enjoy the comments on the oxfords. Getting noticed is just fine.

12 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I never fit in where I live LOL I have one friend who dresses similar, and then I am stuck between the stay at home moms in their loungewear (with fancy nails and a designer purse) and the working moms on their way home in businesswear. It's ok by me, though- I am used to it.

12 years ago

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

I usually am more dressed up, more colorful, and more accessorized than the women in my office. I'm the only one wearing oxfords, super high heels, cropped jackets and sweaters, printed and colored pants to the office. I'm usually the only one in a skirt or dress, although today I noticed several women wore skirts and dresses (it's going to be 97 degrees, so that's probably why). In the winter, no one wears skirts and dresses except for me. And they probably think I'm crazy for rarely participating in jeans Fridays. But I get lots of compliments on my style and I'm happy with it.

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I have realised I'm really quite moody about this. Or maybe it's that it depends on your perspective.

I'm irredeemably different when it comes to getting dressed and that abstract thing out there called the "average norm," but really I have zero desire to disturb anyone. I reign it in and also adjust the starting baseline depending on where I am.

On the other hand, in many ways I pretty much stick to My Traditional Native Wear - which for me is East Bay, NoCal, and a hippy-dippy, punk-lite hipster melange.

12 years ago

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