New member... with a body type/dress question! - YouLookFab Forum

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New member... with a body type/dress question!

marianna

Veteran

Hi, all! I'm new around here. I've been lurking for a while, commenting here and there, and finally decided to reach out for some help! I'm 22, just graduated college, just got my first job (working in television production) and I am that transitional point in my life where I can't dress like a college kid anymore! I wear pretty much only jeans... jeans are my staple, my comfort zone. My chihuahua owns more dresses than me (no joke!). But now that I'm out of school and trying to really get my career started, I know I need to get out of the jeans. The girls I work with all wear dresses and dress so FAB and I feel frumpy and lumpy in my jeans... although I try to compensate with nice tops and accessories. Nonetheless, my look is casual to say the least and I really really really want to start dressing a little more girly.

A huge barrier for me is my weight. I love clothes and feel that I have a great notion of what is "in" but I can't really put my fashion savvy to use because I am so insecure. My weight is constantly up and down, and currently it's way up there, which obviously doesn't make me feel any prettier. But that's not a topic for this forum! Luckily I am tall and at 5'10" I feel that my fat is sort of "spread out." I'd say my body is proportional (you be the judge!) with an emphasis on my stomach which is quite round and protrudes in most clothes I wear. I wear a size 16 in jeans and an XL in tops. I also have a huge love for shoes which is battled by my larger than life feet (women's size 12). I only wear flats because my boyfriend is shorter than me. Anyway, I feel like my love for clothes is stunted by insecurity and simply lack of knowledge about how to dress my shape properly!

So I come to YLF with my first question: I want to wear dresses and skirts but don't know how. Prior to reading YLF I went out and bought three maxi dresses. I was under the impression that they were really flattering and slimming and I loved that my legs were covered! But then I read the not-so-great thoughts about the long dresses and took a picture of myself in one of them and was horrified -- I did look completely covered and frumpy. I returned all three maxis.

Here are a few recent pictures of my body type. These are pre-YLF so excuse any fashion faux pas! It seems like my shirts are all too tight and my stomach is emphasized. I'd love recommendations of what kind of dresses (or any outfit ideas) that would look good on me. Much appreciated!

http://i985.photobucket.com/al.....otanic.jpg
http://i985.photobucket.com/al.....G_0001.jpg
http://i985.photobucket.com/al.....G_0700.jpg

My face:
http://i985.photobucket.com/al.....G_0133.jpg
http://i985.photobucket.com/al.....G_0815.jpg

Body Type

16 replies

Latest reply was from Vani

Louise

Veteran

You and your puppy dog are sooooo cute. I love your turquoise cascade cardi and the patterened top in the 3rd piccie. I'm guessing you're an apple but many of the others are better at body shapes than me x

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Welcome!

I am also relatively tall (5'7", which isn't much except when we are surrounded by shorties *g*) and for many years I struggled with my weight, usually staying in the size 18 area. So I completely understand where you're coming from.

I am guessing from your photos that you are likely an apple, and Angie has a lot of great blog posts about suggestions for that body type that you should check out.

http://youlookfab.com/2006/05/.....ble-apple/

http://youlookfab.com/2007/05/.....le-apples/

I will say this, more generally speaking: DO NOT let your assumptions about your weight keep you from dressing nicely and enjoying fashion and your body! Experiment, listen and hear the advice I am sure you will be given, don't think you can't wear such-and-such because you're too big. You won't know until you try!

Also, it is totally possible to be fashionable and happy with yourself at any size. I spent a lot of time looking for stores that carried pretty clothes for my size, but once I found them, there was no going back. A lot of "regular size" retailers do carry larger sizes online only, and if you look around at coupon sites or get a credit card at the ones you like the best, you can find free shipping almost all the time. Gap, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic -- all go up to 16 online.

Have fun! And let me just add that you are LOVELY! You are going to have a blast finding new dresses and outfits with your coloring.

Anonymous

MariannaCecile (beautiful name!), you are so pretty! It looks like you have apple tendancies, and these posts by Angie may help you with clothing choices.
http://youlookfab.com/2006/05/.....ble-apple/

Here is one especially about dresses:
http://youlookfab.com/2007/05/.....le-apples/

The important thing is to have fun with fashion and accent what you want people to notice. They will notice your confidence and general polished look more than your figure.
Edit: I see Kristen already posted the same links.

marianna

Veteran

Thanks for the links and comments so far! Angie's apple advice is very helpful!

KristenKP - I browsed through your blog and saw that coincidentally we live nearby. I went to school in the Chicago area and live in Evanston for work now. I'm originally from the Bay Area and people in Chicago dress SO much better!

medusa

Veteran

MariannaCecile - welcome to the forum. I definitely want to echo what others have said: you can dress well and feel good about yourself independent of weight.

It looks to me like you have an apple shape, as previous commenters said. You also are already wearing stylish and trendy items - your pictures include a cascading cardigan, a pretty patterned top, and a funky handbag. I didn't even know such things existed a few months ago, so you're way ahead of me.

I am particularly struck by how beautiful your skin and hair are. You have such pretty eyes!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome to the forum! I see the lasses have you sorted. Brilliant. And I love your puppy :0)

You are apple shaped and utterly adorable. The cascading cardi from Nordies is AMAZING. You’re on the right track by adding volume to the mid riff area, so well done. Nice bag too :0)

You and Kristen should meet!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

MariannaCecile, how cool that we are so close! I just had a YLF shopping trip with Laura65, who is also in the area; the next time we are arranging another to Old Orchard, we will be sure to include you!

I do agree, people in Chicago do dress better than in many smaller Midwest cities, but I think we've still got a long way to go before we hit any best-dressed city awards, LOL! But if we dig in and show everyone how to do it right, maybe we can boost the style quotient of our neighbors and friends.

hanna

(website)

LOL - just had to chime in because I used to go to college in Evanston! And not so long ago, either. I work in the elmhurst area now though. Anyway, welcome!!

marianna

Veteran

Kristen - I am at Old Orchard way too often. I'd love to tag along and learn some fab fashion tips from you!

marianna

Veteran

Angie, I think it's hilarious that you were able to identify that cascading cardi as being from Nordstrom! Good eye! It was a gift from my mother (who has fab style) but I'm not quite sure about the color... I thought it was too mature for me? I really like how it fits, though. I love cascading cardis in general. I also have a black one from Banana Republic and a navy one from Anthropologie.

I'm excited to be active in the forum!

Anonymous

Welcome. You are so pretty and I think you will have a fun style evolution for your future in television production. That sounds VERY exciting. Also congratulations on your recent graduation, what an exciting time in life for you and a wonderful time to get to know yourself style wise. Yay! Nothing but excitement here!
You are going to look amazing in dresses. You have a very feminine look about you and I think dresses are going to become a great friend.
I do not think you look overly casual in your jeans because you still have pretty tops on and your hair and makeup look nice too.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Hello! Just wanted to add my greetings and encouragement as you get to know everyone on the forum. You have most definitely come to the right place -- this group is incredibly helpful, intelligent and non-judgmental, just exactly what we self-conscious ladies need! I'm a big girl myself and not very happy about it at all, but Angie and the ladies help boost my confidence by giving me sound advice and honest feedback. I won't be able to offer you critiques on specific items of clothing, since I'm totally blind, but everyone else will be able to help you take your style in any direction you choose!!

Your job sounds exciting, btw. I'm a journalist writing and editing on the print side, but I always loved the broadcast scene too. What sort of show are you producing for?

Your name is gorgeous, too!

marianna

Veteran

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Michelle, I'm working for a reality court television show. She's a daytime TV judge. I'm not producing quite yet as I'm fresh out of college but that's definitely my ultimate career goal!

cciele

Veteran

Hi MariannaCecile! I just wanted to say welcome; I don't have anything to add stylewise that the ladies haven't already covered. I really like your current sense of style, and your hair and makeup!

It's cool that you are close to other YLFers! Definitely hook up with them for a shopping trip; I'm sure they'll give you great feedback.

Alecia

Veteran

MariannaCecile, welcome! You are so beautiful. I hope that with our help it won't take long before you feel confident in your clothes. I can attest to the wonderfulness of this forum and how amazing the style evolution feels.

Vani

Veteran

Welcome MariannaCecile! You are so pretty and have the most beautiful eyes
I'm in the same boat as you, going through phases where I'm feeling abs awesome and then a few days not so much. It doesn't help that most of the "regular" places folks end up shopping cater to such a limited set of styles and body types.
As everyone here has already said, we'll have you sorted out soon as to how and wear to shop. I have learnt so much in the 3 mos I have been here, it is incredible. I was the sort who would be intimidated to step into a Nordies and frustrated at Forever 21. Last Friday I went to the NAS 3 times And I have plans to go back. Anyways, a long winded way to say, you're in great hands and soon you'll be feeling FAB