All of a sudden I'm clueless...long and negative. - YouLookFab Forum

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All of a sudden I'm clueless...long and negative.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

After going to Target earlier and taking a stroll around the clothing and accessories department, I have determined that I hate most of today's trends. At the same time I'm hating these items, I'm thinking that I am probably becoming my mother, who has not dressed trendily since at least 1971 (judging from old family photos).

What has happened to my favorite classic pieces? Bootcut jeans, cropped black blazers, jewel-tones? All I see are 80's inspired pieces that remind me of my 7th grade wardrobe: acid washed skinny jeans?? Colored jeans? Printed pants? NEON COLORS?? I'm telling you, at Target today I felt like I was in fashion hell.

Please, don't hate me for saying these things. Many of you embrace these items and look great. But I'm thinking maybe I don't really HATE these items...it might just be that I have no idea how to wear them. I do NOT want to look like my 12 year old self (at just over 5' tall, and under 100 lbs, I already look like a child anyway until you see my wrinkles)!!

The thing is, it doesn't even matter if I like them; as a small petite, I look horrible in most of today's trends. Boyfriend blazers (or jeans, for that matter)? Please! I look like I'm playing dress-up! And if the baggy floral pant trend really takes off, I am screwed because what short person could possibly pull those off?? And I hate the short/wide look of tops right now...they just make me look shorter. Flares?? Again, I am way too short to pull off that look! Can't I just keep my bootcuts? Of course, I've heard them referred to as the new version of mom-jeans, so maybe that's why they seem so comfortable to me...

In conclusion, I am now my mother. I might just go hide out until everything I like comes back into style again.

ETA: Wow, that was even more negative than I thought. Consider it a cry for help!! I know you ladies will have some good advice for me...I hope.

Shopping

23 replies

Latest reply was from christieanne

taylor

Veteran

You may want to browse around these blogs for inspiration, they are about your height and weight.
http://www.extrapetite.com/
http://www.alterationsneeded.com/
http://www.reallypetite.com/
http://www.wendyslookbook.com/
http://www.thechloeconspiracy.com/
This ADORABLE blogger doesn't state anywhere that she is a petite...but I suspect she is about your height and weight too
http://www.bravoerunway.com/

bj1111

Veteran

tailors are your friends.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Taylor, I love extrapetite.com! I'm already a huge fan of her style (I also like alterationsneeded.com)...I don't know if I'm just lacking creativity or what, but she pulls off the trends very well, and even manages to look tall in flats. I am getting my skinny jeans hemmed this week, and have resolved that I WILL try to wear them, so at least that's something, right? (Of course by now they're probably about to go out of style, lol.)

ETA: Thanks for the link to reallypetite.com, I haven't explored that one yet.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm a little confused by your choice of moniker.

anne

Veteran

We aren't going to hate you!! Don't worry. And I do relate to your dislike of 80's stuff. I share it ( with only a very few exceptions, that are mostly when 80's style was copying an earlier era).
And a lot of stuff is hard enough at my 5:4 height, let alone yours.

Hope some of those links help

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Bj1111, Good advice. I do love my tailor. But even if a short and wide top, for example, fit me perfectly, wouldn't it still be less than flattering? Maybe it's not the trends I hate...it's the way they look on ME. Normally I feel pretty secure about both my body and my clothes...but not today I guess. I must say that my 5'10" sister-in-law looks great in trendy stuff.

Okay, trying to be positive here...I do like both bright and printed blazers, and peplum tops. Maybe I'll try to find some of those.

taylor

Veteran

I am actually 5'4 but your weight...I tailor/ alter everything...I get lots of inspiration from these petite gals:) Who are much shorter and younger...I just take what works and go from there:) If it looks good on them it will likely look good on you...forget the trends for now find the basics and classics that work , then add your trends!

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Taylor, somehow you are actually making me feel better. Thanks. You know I never actually really went to a tailor (for anything but hems) until a few months ago...can you believe it??!! I can't.

annagybe, your post made me lol. Hey, I did buy a (gray) belt and two bras today. Not sure how fun it was though!

Elly

Veteran

If you are a small petite that likes jewel tones, I'd concentrate on the trends that do work for you, and mix them with things that you already love. Emerald is a jewel tone and is one of the "hot" colors of the season, even if it hasn't trickled down to target yet. Skinny jeans are still going strong, and depending on your body type probably look very nice on you. Angie isn't a petite, but usually shows great ways to look both trendy and sophisticated. If printed pants aren't your thing, maybe you could pair one of the many blouses that are available with your black blazer, or try a cropped printed blazer (we've seen many on the forum so far). There are a ton of chic petite posters here, many of which shop target, express, h&m, ect. Even if you don't love everything they are wearing, maybe something will catch your eye. Accessories are a great way to add a trendy element to your "flattering" formula.

Good luck!

taylor

Veteran

I believe it. I was well into my 30's before it hit me to tailor/alter my clothes...used to be the smallest clothes I could buy was a 2 petite...those didn't always work...I am 5'4... and they were too big all over....so I fell hard when I found Ann Taylor and they made 00's...Omg...this was a dream come true...anything else gets altered....even my cardigans:)

sarah

Veteran

FYI, I am 5'1" (but definitely >100 lbs). Angie has often given suggestions for making trends "work" for petites - for example, she suggests that petites DO wear bootcuts instead of flares, because they are proportioned in a way that gives the same vibe but doens't overwhelm. And I don't think you have to take on loose boyfriend jackets and give up on your more structured jackets if those are what work for you. I look ridiculous in boyfriend jackets and was so much happier after I figured out that shorter more structured jackets just look better on me. I do have a few boxier cropped tops, which seem to work if I keep the bottom half narrow (skinny jeans).

I don't know what to say about the overabundance of 80s inspired trends, but maybe you just need to stay away from Target for awhile - sounds like the two of you need a break from each other!

Hope you feel better soon...

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Target has some cute stuff right now, I have found some gems. Did you see the coral pencil skirt or green bird shirt with the waist belt? You really really have to dig. Some stores are just going to have more for petites. If this store isn't speaking to you, go somewhere else. I get about 75% of my clothes online - stores don't usually have petites in stock.

You can wear all of those styles you mentioned, they just have to be the right proportion for you.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Have you tried other stores? You may find more "grown up" trends there. Also have you tried these trends on of you just don't like the look? I find that a couple of years ago (before YLF) I would go through the store saying to myself "this is not my style..and this is not my style..." without trying anything. Now I do differently: even if I think this new look is not for me I still try it on and sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. the recent example is that H&M orange tulip dress I posted on the weekend. I would never thought before that this shape can work on my curvy bottom and would bypass it. Now I tried it on just to have fun and loved it. You never know until you try!

taylor

Veteran

I actually think Target may not be the best place for your tiny frame to find great clothes that fit...you would have better luck at H&M, LOFT and Ann Taylor along with Forever21 and Gap petite!...these petite bloggers have the best luck with these places finding clothes small enough to fit your small frame!
It is important to fit your height as well as your *small frame*...more important for the fit actually:)

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Elly: I have noticed that I'm seeing a lot of green everywhere, which is one of my best colors! I could totally rock some green. And I'm going to be going to H&M again pretty soon too...I would be willing to try a printed blazer as long as it's not too wild.

Sarah: I think Angie's advice (which I apparently missed the first time, thanks for pointing it out) about bootcuts is wise...things that look a little flared on other people tend to look REALLY flared us short people.

ETA: You guys are right, Target is definitely not the best place for me to shop. I was really only there to buy cat food, but you know how it is...I have a shopping date with one of my super petite buddies in a couple of weeks. I find it easier to shop with other people who are around the same size, as it's easier to get an idea of how things will look on me! LOFT and Banana Republic (and H&M for jackets!) are pretty much my best stores when it comes to finding things that need minimal alterations. Later this month I may go out with my super tall sis-in-laws for a shopping date, too (because, despite my negative post, I DO LOVE TO SHOP!!)...that should be interesting, since we would probably have to shop in completely different stores.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I was just going to say that you need to shop at other retailers to get your style and fit fix. Ann Taylor petites is the way to go - Taylor, who has KILLER style, does most of her shopping there! She is as classic as she is trendy and spunky.

Chin up! You will enjoy shopping again

MNsara

Veteran

I'm not able to give any sage petite adivce, and I'm barely able to read thru the comments, but I did want to point out another blog of a petite cutie - chloe

http://www.thechloeconspiracy.com/

you just never know where you might find inspiration for the trends!

Anonymous

SIF you are so beautiful and so perfectly proportioned. I had no idea that you were 5ft. tall. I promise you won't become your mother. Bootcuts are NOT the new mom jean. I'm one that "wondered if they would become" the new mom jean, but there is no sign of that happening anytime soon. I also wonded if stainless steel appliances were going to become the "ewwww avocado" of the 1970's but they're still de rigeur in any state-of-the-art kitchen, lol! They'll probably go out of style right when I finally get some.

As for the trends, many of them leave me cold too. Sometimes it takes seeing them on my YLF sisters for me to understand their translation into real life. And Angie is brilliant for giving us flattering ways to wear them. I feel for you with your size challenge. I'm no where near as small as you, yet sometimes I fall in the cracks between misses and juniors sizing at some mass retailers and it's frustrating. I hope you'll get to Ann Taylor to check out the petites; I love their clothes! I hope today is a better day for you.

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, ladies, for cheering me up and pointing to solutions! I think I was having a slight shopping anxiety attack last night. Do you ever try on your clothes and you think everything looks awful? That's what was happening. I have cheered myself up by ordering a couple of items from Bananarepublic.com this morning (great petite department, although some of their stuff does run a little big for me). Hopefully I will have a great white sleeveless top (not button-down, though, oh well) to post about soon. We will see!!

krishnidoux

Veteran

I second Sveta's advice. You have to try some things out, you will be surprised. I am also a petite who wore the 80's fashion in her teens. But it's very different today. Less dramatic exagerations, lots of better fabrics too, so it fits better. Try it!

Kim

Veteran

Perhaps a lot of the anxiety is in your head? I have a hard time getting into the trends when I'm doing them the 2nd (or 3rd!) time around! They often have mental baggage from the past for me and I have to overcome that (Big 80's shoulder pads, yellow jeans? Acid wash??? NEVER AGAIN...Well, maybe just one more time, after I mentally forget the entire 80's!! LOL)

When it get's like that I just remind myself that I have a modern classic type style and I don't *need* to do every (or ANY) trend out there to have style!

Wait it out, more trends are on the way! LOL

bj1111

Veteran

i think comparing yourself to your sister in law who has a much different body habitus is counterproductive. i'll bet you can wear many trends with some adjustments to your size. and guess what, your sil may think that you're the lucky one because of your size.

christieanne

Veteran

Last week I wandered an entire mall wondering who buys all the ugly styles and colors so it isn't just you
Target is certainly hit and miss and right now they seem to be on the miss side for you.

So you think some days our brains and eyes are just looking for some freshness/some inspiration to pop out and when it isn't there, it is frustrating.

Glad you found some BR petites and have a shop day planned.