Fall wardrobe basics - NAS - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Body Type

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Fall wardrobe basics - NAS

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I apologize for starting yet another thread about me, but I was wondering if anyone had any spare time if they could help me out.
Due to my body changing so much, I do not have any fall or winter clothing (coats included). I want to take advantage of the Sale, although I won't be able to wear a lot of those items for a few more months (due to weather).
Budget aside, what would be some good pieces for me to invest in? I am an hourglass with slight pear tendencies and look the best in cool colors (at least I think so).
My work dress code is business casual - there isn't a lot I can't wear, in other words.
I do have one pair of calf lenght black boots (not ideal, right?) that zip up the side. I also have two pair of shorter boots, one black one brown, that are also pointy toe. I currently only have one pair of tights - a nude fishnet.
Thank you for your time, I really appreciate any and all help.

Body Type

14 replies

Latest reply was from

Rosie

Veteran

I've seen some really cute suits that are shapely and feminine. You could break them up for work (say, the skirt with your gorgeous fuschia blouse).

Perhaps a pair of knee-high boots? They'd look great with all of your wrap dresses.

Is there anything you are really dying to try?

Becky

Veteran

I think you mentioned you prefer pants, so I would look for several pairs of suiting trousers in versatile colors, such as basic black, charcoal gray, chocolate brown, subtle patterns, etc. You can then pair different tops with the same pants for a variety of looks.

Dani

Veteran

Sarah, I would start with a couple of good bottoms like Becky mentioned. You can wear your calf and ankle length boots under pants.

I would definitely look for tops that can be layered and maybe a couple of blazers. I worked in a business casual office and found I had no use for suits, even broken up into different outfits, as the jackets were always too formal for the environment. If you found some good blazers, most of your summer tops could be worn under them for the fall. You could also look for some cardigans to take some of your summer tops into the fall as well.

A couple of dresses that can be worn different ways might be a nice investment as well.

Lannie

Don't forget your wrap dress! That will be a great item for fall- just wear a cami underneath and pair it with boots and tights. I agree that a pair of knee-length boots would be a great investment. Blazers, for sure. What about a trench? What do you have in the way of scarves?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hmm....I would maybe invest in some skirts and jackets (blazers) if you find any that you like. If you can find denim that works, that would be good too, but when Patience and I were at the sale, we didn't really see any that appealed to us--a lot of it was a light wash. Skirts and blazers will be great for Austin's mild winters. Also, shoes would be a good investment, and any "statement" pieces that you think you would get a lot of use out of, and that are on major sale right now.

Rosie

Veteran

This is a cute blazer:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....3&P=2

I was thinking of something like this, which would work with a lot, but I've never actually worked in bus cas - only formal and smart cas:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....3&P=1

And the pants:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....3&P=1

Unfortunately, I haven't seen any fab sweaters at the sale. Some nice, lightweight cashmere on sale would have been perfect!

These tops seem lightweight, potential transition pieces:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....9&P=1

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/29.....9&P=1

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Hmm. Can you wear dark jeans to work?

I like you in dresses and skirts too. And I love a suit. How do you feel?

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to help me!
Angie, I can wear dark jeans to work. I usually wear trouser, because I was under the false impression that I could only wear wider leg pants.
I like dresses and skirts, especially with tights and boots. As I said somewhere else, I only have two skirts. One is a solid black, and the other is not fall looking at all.
My boss keeps our office so cold (below 67 degrees-keep in mind we are near the 100s now) so layering is a must. This is why I rarely wear skirts to work in the summer.
Maybe I should take an inventory of my small wardrobe. I have one pair of AG jeans for casual, two pair of dark trouser jeans, and one pair of 7FAM lighter wash Dojo jeans (very wide leg, almost flare). I have one pair of boots, but they zip up the side and the never stay in place (I'm wondering if they've stretched or my calves shrank). I have one coat. It's a creamy colored rain/trench (single buttons down the front) from Kenneth Cole Reaction. I adore this coat, but I'm thinking I might need something darker/colored for the fall/winter. Our summers last forever here, but when the winters arrive, they are VERY cold. I have one cream faux fur scarf, and one my mother crocheted for me (even she realizes it isn't super fabulous but it holds a very special place in my heart).
I have no tights other than nude fishnets.
My dilemma is this - my body and size are constantly changing. I'm not "scheduled" to be done losing weight until the first week of December (I'm on track!). I hesitate purchasing clothing now as it wouldn't fit me for much longer. And I don't want to buy something smaller now because who knows what my body will end up looking like.
I want to take advantage of this sale, so I'm thinking maybe the shoes and accessories (I only have one bag - a Coach logo tote that I know is not appropriate) would be my best option. Maybe I will purchase a few pieces of clothing to hold me over. I can't imagine my top getting a lot smaller because of my chest size.
If I do buy some straight jeans, could those be tucked into boots? I really love that look, but from the post today I'm wondering if skinnies are even doable.
Maybe I should just try things on and show you?

PS: I do love suits, but I just assumed that they are over-dressed for my job. My boss and his son wear polos and khakis every single day. I am the only other person in the office.

Rosie

Veteran

Congratulations on your continued success! (I'd love to hear how you've been doing it!)

I completely understand your thought process and why you're hesitant to buy clothing. If you are feeling frustrated by a lack of options, perhaps you could buy a couple of pieces that you could get tailored when you need to. Accessories, of course, will always fit you!

It sounds like your office is pretty casual. (A great example of how easy it is for guys, but determining a fashionable match to the polo and khaki can be tough!) It's time to take the straight leg/skinny plunge!

Anonymous

I'm in the same predicament as you are with body changing and wanting to take advantage of this sale and having almost nothing that fits. I bought some expensive investment pieces when I thought I'd stopped losing, then started again and they are too big for alternations now. Have you noticed that when you first started losing, things fit for a longer time, but the more you lose, the less it takes to have to go to a smaller size? I don't have any good answers.
My "solution" is to buy a few things I can wear now, but I've probably bought too much. Still using Angie's guidelines, I've found some wonderful pieces at thrift stores and a consignment shop that I won't feel so bad about if I don't get much wear out of them. You can find Ann Taylor, Nordstroms brands, J Crew, Banana Republic, etc. at the thrift store if you go to a store in the area where women are likely to wear those brands and do frequent closet purges. Even my Franco Sarto shoes are from there (My feet got narrower and old shoes don't fit so well either) Good luck and enjoy building your new wardrobe.

Emnoel89

Member

*a trench* they're classic and work for virtually EVERYONE. since you're a pear shape, you could probably get away with a double breasted trench, which are so incredibly cute

*definitely knee high boots* brown or black (or you could spice it up and do an animal print)

*a-line skirts* they work wonders for pear shapes...and tweed is absolutely fabulous for fall...but look for a tweed with some bright colors...such as grey based entertwined with blue, it's gorgeous!

*denim pencil skirt* they can be dressy and casual, and they look amazing on hourglass and slight pear shapes

*brown and black pants* mid-rise, straight leg.

and, if you're brave, skinnies. they're in, they're chic, and they're HOT.

and not just for teenagers anymore

work it girl.

_Em_

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I hear you Sarbear. While I don’t want to discourage you from your weight loss goals - your goal is to dress for the present day. Adding accessories and shoes is a great idea, but you need clothes that fit too. A compromise is in order!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Joy, you hit it right on. Now that I'm in the final stretch my body is changing even faster. All those pants that I bought at Banana Republic last month are too big. And yes, my shoe size changed too. Bizzare!
Angie, you're definitely right. During this whole process I've been tempted to dress like a bag lady because it was easier than trying to keep up with the changes. But I think it's discouraged me more than anything.
So here's my compromise: I definitely need a coat of some sort (we are spending the holidays in the Seattle area), some boots, and a fall bag.
I would also like to purchase some straighter jeans (I love those Miss Sixty Edens).
So, does anybody know if jeans are easy to tailor? What other items would tailor well? My top probably won't get any smaller due to my D size.
Other than that I can spend more time (and less money) purusing huge sales and good thrift shops.
PS: emnoel89, I think I'm actually hourglass with slight pear tendancy. Do you think a double breasted coat would still work? I love the Soia & Kyo coat that Angie and Tanya have, but never considered it for myself.

Anonymous

I went to a highly recommended tailor many sizes ago and was disappointed with the result for all pants. It didn't help that I'd lost more weight from the time I took them in until they were ready. If you have to go down more than 2 sizes, don't bother. If a top gets too big so that the arm holes come down too low and it has set in sleeves, toss it. My best luck is with wrap arounds: dresses, skirt and tops. You can adjust the fit. Sometimes it means moving some buttons, but that's something you can even do yourself.
Why don't you buy the bare minimum that fits at the time you need it and wear it to death to get lots of cost-per-wear advantage.