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Feeling lost about my style

Kathleen

I keep reading all of the NAS posts and feeling like I should be finding more items but so far I've only ordered the Halogen leather jacket, bras and underwear. I think some of it is that the more oversized items are not something I'm drawn to and there were some nice pieces in regular sizes that I liked but might be difficult to alter down to a petite size.

I think the other issue though is that I'm struggling with defining my style and trying to move towards a warmer color palette has me a bit confused. My workplace is fairly casual so I find myself wearing a sweater, slim pants and flats or oxfords nearly everyday. It doesn't really bother me but I'm about ready to start dating again and dating outfits have me in an absolute quandary. I tend to wear a lot of monochromatic or tonal outfits so I think that's where the warmer palette is throwing me. Monochromatic is fairly easy when it's black, navy or grey but other colors seem more difficult. I generally like things more tailored and simple but that's not much of a style definition.

Are there any threads or blog posts from Angie I should be reading to help me figure out where to go from here? I haven't gone to Nordstrom in person yet, I may have time tomorrow so I need to decide if that would be helpful or not.

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Kathleen

catgirl

Veteran

Kathleen, could you maybe look at Angie's picks and post two or three looks that appeal to you? We could spin off from there, but some ideas on colors and styles would get us started.

Kathleen

There were 2 dresses from Angie's picks that I sot of liked but wasn't sure if they would be good on me.

The Julia Jordan eyelet one in Masala:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ju.....ZuE8pLBIuw
And the red Betsey Johnson one:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/be.....or)$-_-dat...

I really wanted to find some tops but other than maybe this EF silk tee I'm not seeing much:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ei.....te/4081747

catgirl

Veteran

Also I am going to put in a pitch for this fluid but not oversized NYDJ top which comes in bunch of colors and patterns and is easy to wear untucked or half-tucked with dressy or casual bottoms. I am NOT a big NYDJ customer generally but if this came in less "pretty" patterns I would buy more of them.

NYDJ Henley Blouse (Regular & Petite)

View Info

Top Pick

5

Staysfit

Veteran

You can wear almost everything with olive green, and they seem to be showing a lot of that currently.

Sal

Veteran

Some years are like that, for whatever reasons it is hard.

You like classic simple lines from what I read on your profile, and these pieces fit that description.

Have you had your colours done, and are you in the spring/autumn group?

As Staysfit said olive is great with lots of colours- cream, red, pink, pale blue, denim, maybe even a mustard. Cognac or tan footwear and handbag will add some warmth too, even with your black pieces.

For evening/ dating I think jackets( leather, Moto, blazer) with a simple top underneath, great pants or jeans and a heel is a great look. Heels can be booties, pumps, sandals and high or low, tops can be fluid or fitted, jackets can be cropped or long. I think with earrings or the right necklace it can be a special classy modern look.

I like some colour but tend to wear one colour mostly with a neutral, unless in a print.

Firecracker has lots of warm neutrals in her wardrobe, you might get some colour ideas from her WIW. Also Brooklyn too.

Gigi

Veteran

I can commiserate. I was very underwhelmed by the petite offerings at NAS this year and didn't buy a single thing. It's expensive to have tops altered through the shoulders, and you can never be sure that the alteration will be successful.

I am going through a style shift myself too and feel somewhat like a fish out of water. I'm really not strongly drawn to many things right now. I use these times to shop for basics that I know I need to complete outfits (for instance, I could really use a couple types of black tops to go with certain bottoms I have). That gives me a very clear idea of what to look for so that I don't get overwhelmed.

As far as spicing up your outfits for going dating, perhaps you could focus on accessories? I have found that hair accessories and jewelry can really liven up an otherwise plain outfit. Even just doing your nails can help. You don't have to invest a lot of money either. Maybe by focusing on accessories you can wait out the style shift until you feel it more clearly.

catgirl

Veteran

Not that I have a clue about dating, but do you have a pair of killer jeans? That seems to me like something for the top of a list for going out - dress up, dress down in a perfect fit. Of course, such jeans are the unicorn of the fashion world!

Daria

It's hard to give advice without seeing your photos, but monochromatic and simple is the easiest to achieve with dresses. Although frankly this year I failed to find anything that would be work appropriate.
Have you tried bootcut jeans? They would make a great dating outfit if you add heels.

Kathleen

I have 2 pairs of jeans that I really love, 1 pair of dark skinnies and 1 pair of dark straight legs. I have bought three pairs of pants- 1 brown tweed, 1 olive and 1 pair burnt orange. So in addition to tops, I'm thinking I need to look for more jewelry and a couple of pairs of shoes - probably one pair of heels and one bootie.

I think I am going to try to venture to Nordstrom and the Mall of America tomorrow. I may post some pictures for feedback depending what I find.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Kathleen, you might enjoy and benefit from a personal stylist appointment. I've done it at Nordstrom and it was a good experience. The stylist asked me a few questions ahead of time, which helped me focus on what I wanted to explore. She was very focused, too, on what she brought for me to try on.

tulle

Veteran

I'm with Alaskagirl: dating these days seems more likely to require great skinny jeans and a non-workplace top (lower cut, silky, or even sparkly) under a beautiful leather jacket. Add those boots and/or heels you're thinking of, and you should be all set, unless you're invited to opening night at the opera . . .

Gaylene

Veteran

Why not take a look at some of Angie's ensemble posts to see if any of them resonate with you. If you find a couple that seem promising, you could use them as a template to guide your shopping so you end up with complete, wearable outfits instead of a bunch of individual bits and pieces.

And, that EF top is a total workhorse for me. It launders beautifully, works for both casual and dressy outfits, and is very comfortable to wear. It's a great piece if you want something that will play nicely with other items in your closet.

stainedglass

Are you familiar with the blog, The Vivienne Files? She picks 3-4 colors and then makes a capsule from them. If you're switching from cool to warm colors, it can be useful to start off with a small capsule of 3-4 items in the new colors and slowly build from there; you can mix the new colors with whatever works that is in your current wardrobe. The posts are tagged with colors, so you can search for warm colors like beige or olive. She has many examples of monochromatic looks with warm colors: beige and leopard, brown and burnt orange, all beige with different color accessories.
You also might be limiting your neutrals. Have you tried warm grey? This home decorating page gives a great example comparing three rooms with cool grey, beige, and warm grey towards the bottom of the page.

Summer

Veteran

I think shoes and accessories would be a great place to start. I'd also advise taking things slowly, especially as you are evolving your style and your colour palette - no need to rush.

Kathleen

So far shopping at Nordstrom feels like a bust. Petite sizes and colors were pretty picked over.

Pic 1- WIW as I'm looking for shoes and accessories to go with this top.
Pic 2- Nic and Zoe faux wrap top, like the fit not sure about the print.
Pic 3- Classiques dress- posting so other petite a can see how it looks on.

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Summer

Veteran

Love your orange top, Kathleen. Good luck with the shopping.

Gigi

Veteran

I was just at the MOA last week. I'll be there again this week to return all my online orders that didn't work out (Nordie's, Macy's).

I like your flats, by the way! I ordered a similar pair from Sam Edelman online last week. I can't wait for them to come.

I like your orange top in the WIW. I also like the Nic and Zoe top and think the pattern looks good. But if you don't like the pattern yourself, then you're smart to leave it behind unless you have a true need for such a top.

If you're after jewelry for accessories, I've found some nice things at a kiosk called 925 Sterling Avenue. They're located between Nordstrom and Macy's, on the first floor, not far from Urban Outfitters. They have only gold and silver jewelry (I have reactions to other metals). They also have unusual sizes (very small or very big). What I like about them is that you can buy a single chain and then buy an assortment of pendants to go on the chain; you don't need a new chain for each pendant. Their stuff tends to be pretty conservative, though; not sure if that's what you're looking for or if you want something splashier. They tend to have daintier jewelry rather than large statement pieces (though they do have some of the latter).

kellygirl

Veteran

Great shopping outfit. LOVE the faux wrap top on you. It looks like a pattern that would go with lots of things and the color is beautiful on you. Nice to see the midi dress on a petite. I love the color and pattern but am pretty sure that neckline wouldn't work on me. Good luck!

Kathleen

Thanks everyone.

Gigi- I will definitely check out 925 Sterling Avenue next time I'm at MOA as I do prefer more delicate pieces. I did buy a necklace at Henri Bendel that was a bit more $$$ than I would usually spend but I really love it.

http://www.henribendel.com/lux.....8;start=28

I'm still debating about the Nic and Zoe wrap top. I really like the fit, the pattern is just a little more than I'm used to.

I did find two slightly more dressy tanks at BR Factory Store in colors.

I also looked at lots of shoes but the shoes that I liked best yesterday were wingtip style oxfords at Johnston & Murphy and Cole Haan and some flat Frye ankle boots. I'm not sure that either style really says "date". Maybe I just need to find a man who doesn't care if I wear heels all the time.

kellygirl

Veteran

I just read your comment and had to chime back in because I used to feel the same way as you about pattern pre-YLF. If you like the fit and are unsure of the pattern, perhaps you can take it home and try it with some of your other pieces. A subtle pattern adds interest and may be just the thing to re-vitalize some of your other clothes. I think that top with jeans and an ankle boot would make a great date outfit. Just my 2 cents.

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Anonymous

Those tops are beautiful on you! I kind of understand what you mean about the print on the second one - I often find I don't love Nic and Zoe prints, either. OTOH, both the shape and colors are perfection!
Shopping for petite clothing is so limiting isn't it? It gets tiresome to choose from such a limited number of manufacturers. Have you tried the Lafayette 148 website? Prices are high but lots of items go on sale.
I've also identified some contemporary lines that fit me well because they run shorter in the torso - Trina Turk, Theory, Milly, J Crew, Madewell, Elie Tahari.
Wearing tops that aren't fitted through the waist is another good option for making regular sizes work - but you look terrific in a wrap top, so you might not care for that look. Besides, showing off your cute figure is probably a good move for dating.

Kathleen

Ryce- I stalk, umm visit ...Lafayette 148's sale section regularly. I was hoping there would have been more of their items in petite sizes in the NAS offerings. I also like several of the other lines you mentioned.

And Kelly- I think I may end up ordering that top or picking it up if I end up going back to MOA next week. Trying it on at home with things I already have might help.