Seeking help for a holiday outfit.

Hello all! I'm new here. This seems to be a wonderful forum and I am learning so much just browsing. Wish I had more hours in my day to read! I've mainly been a lurker but have summoned up courage to ask for help.

I have a few events coming up that fortunately all involve entirely different folks so I am hoping I can put together one outfit to get me through them all. I am so frustrated that I am almost wanting just to stay home!

The short version of my fashion history is that I don't really have a "me" wardrobe. I sort of have my work uniform of (Gap Perfect) trousers and a sweater or rather simple knit top, usually. For weekends I wear (bootcut) jeans and a sweater or fitted tee, usually...much as I did in college.

But I'm 36 now :). In the coming year I really hope to identify what my style is but for the moment I'm just in panic mode. I need this taken care of so I can focus on all the other holiday/life stuff. Lol.

My events are 1) a dinner party in a home...not casual, I think, but not super fancy. 2) an evening church concert just before Christmas and then 3) Christmas day itself.

About me...I'm 5' tall, not sure of my body type. Closest to pear, though my hips aren't very wide. It's mainly that my thighs are large in proportion to the rest. My body is quite short, but I can sometimes wear a longer inseam length than many petite pants. I'm a size smaller above the waist than below. Ann Taylor petites fit me as well as anything and I usually go for a 2p or XSP on top and a 4p (curvy fit for my thighs, though sometimes a little roomy in the hips) for pants. I don't own any skirts, though I'd like to eventually.

A big dilemma is I don't think I have the shoes/boots I need to wear a skirt or dress, though I'd like to wear skirts and definitely sweater dresses again. I don't know about boot shaft height for me though? I'm self conscious of my legs because my thighs are big but my calves are quite small. I think booties may not be flattering?

I am shopping this weekend, and I would really, *really* any pointers that might help ensure that I have an outfit before the 16th!

I may well have to purchase everything. I'm okay with that, especially if the pieces are versatile enough to get plenty of use out of. I just don't see any potential in my closet.

Please let me know if I need to give any further information.

Eek. This is long. Thanks for reading :).

12 years ago

FlorenceFearne

Active Member

I'm sure other fabbers will weigh in also, but to me this sounds like a classic little black dress scenario. Or little navy dress, or some other versatile color you prefer. If you don't want to invest in multiple outfits, I think just one versatile dress could definitely carry you through all 3 events and even be worn to work later on. You could also go with a skirt and a sparkly top, and then both items can likely be remixed with other pieces after the holidays. Or wear pants and avoid the issue entirely.

Debra

Veteran

Hi Tummy........welcome
I am only 5' too, so glad to have another to relate to here. I am an apple though, round with legs my plan is to purchase a lace skirt as in Angie's post and a pair of fluid black pants that will mix with a few different tops.
I hope to be able to dress up or down.
A little black dress is another must have, you may need to try a few different styles on and then post some fitting room snaps of your favorites.
Look forward to seeing more of you and have fun shopping

Suz

(website)

Welcome, Tummy!

If what you say is correct about being one size on top and another on the bottom, then separates might be the way to go. You might even be able to economize a bit by borrowing those Perfect Pants from your work wardrobe and supplementing with a sparkly sweater or shiny or silky blouse. Or one of these for one event, and another one for another event, if you like. Shopping for tops tends to be a bit easier for pretty pears and so if you focus on a one or two dressy, flattering tops in colours you love, that might help to reduce the stress. Also, since it's closer to your usual "uniform" you might feel more comfortable and less self-conscious at these events. And if there is money in the budget you could also update with some pointy toed footwear to modernize the pants, along with a clutch.

If that isn't dressy enough, then a skirt and top combo would be wonderful. You might want to try a flared or A line style that would fit you nicely on the waist and emphasize that while gliding over the parts you'd rather not draw attention to.

Beth Ann

I love Suz's idea of a little sparkle or shine in a top! A nice, flowing black skirt would be great, too. Actually, I think the visual weight of booties might balance your upper legs well. The trick would be to not have an awkward gap between ankle and boot.

Glad you're joining the fun on the Forum, it's a great place to explore your own style!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Hi Tummy--
you might have a lot of your shopping done already, but if not, you might take a look at Angie's post on party separates:
http://youlookfab.com/2013/10/.....-fabulous/

This roundup of party sweaters may give you some ideas:
http://youlookfab.com/2013/11/.....-sweaters/

Or her thoughts on party shoes:
http://youlookfab.com/2013/11/.....rty-shoes/

And I love the idea of a tuxedo jacket, worn in a less formal way:
http://youlookfab.com/2013/11/.....do-jacket/

You could peruse her suggestions and see what pieces in your wardrobe you might start with. Then you could focus on adding whatever you need to freshen the look for the holidays. I think the suggestions you've gotten already are great, and these posts may just give you some more inspiration.

Debbie

I love the idea of a basic dress or a sparkly top with pants or a skirt.

As far as footwear is concerned I would go through Angie's recommendations and look to see what catches your eyes. Then try on.

One of the best pieces of advice I got when I first joined the forum was to take a few hours and just try things on. Things I thought wouldn't work do work. Take pictures and Angie and the other aides will get you on track.
Welcome!

Summer

Oh, thanks so much to each of you for your responses! I am thrilled. You have given me much to think about.

Florence--oh, I so need a LBD. I'm working up a list of essentials. Maybe I'll stumble upon just the thing!

Debra--I am seriously ready to try some skirts and I think the lace sounds lovely. I'm personally a little concerned about lace on bottom because my home is rather full of four legged beasts with sharp little toenails. I could do lace on top though!

Suz--I am most likely to stick with pants, though they definitely need to be replaced. Fine enough for work when freshened up with a good press, but to my eye they are beginning to look worn...and I think it might be more obvious with a fancier top. BUT if nothing else, I could (hopefully) find my size in Gap and get a new black pair. I could probably handle the hemming myself. I've got to update my shoe wardrobe, too...pointy toes, I have none!

Beth Ann--I am going to try booties. I'm not sure how to make them work on me, since I think that skinny pants look awful with my leg situation, but maybe with a skirt??

Firecracker--thank you for those links. Glanced through and they look great. I've not seen them before and look forward to reading through more carefully.

Debra--Will try to work up the nerve to post pictures because I really want to get on the road to looking as put together and fabulous as all of you here!

I'm doing some online searching now. I want to branch out, but since I'm likely to fit Ann Taylor the best without alterations, I'm starting there. I've been turned onto Nordstrom through this site, but really don't have time to have anything tailored if need be. This weekend I'll be in a larger city and plan to try on as many things as possible, esp. the new-to-me styles I've avoided. The shopping options are a bit limited, but trying on may still help me make decisions in the future for online purchases.

Thanks again!

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