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Specific dislikes and why

abc

Veteran

I just realized something but don't know why it is - I don't like waffle knits, chunky sweaters or thick ribbing on myself. Also I dislike welted tops.

Could this be bc I skew on the larger side of sizing and these things add bulk to my frame?

The dislike of welted tops could be due to my slight pear shape. I have noticed sometimes they ride up to my natural waist - not where the top is supposed to sit, thereby making it fussy.

Anyone else have similar specific issues? Share yours if you'd like.

Have a nice day!

Dressing

35 replies

Latest reply was from Alassë

catgirl

Veteran

Are we talking poison eyes or things we dislike on ourselves?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I dress many pear shapes in welted tops actually, abc. It might mean that you have to size up a size - because you're right - welts can ride up on a curvier hip. Diana will high five you on that point.

In my experience, welts are EXCELLENT ways to add structure to an oversized top. Very handy for IT's and Apples, larger bust lines, and people with a slight frame like me (otherwise things become very overwhelming). It's all about the fabric, length and cut. High-low hemlines are excellent for the same structural reasons - especially when they are welted.

Welts can be tricky on extremely pear shaped ladies though, unless they fall above the hip and are worn with flared trousers or A-line skirts. Hope that makes sense.

unfrumped

Veteran

What Angie said.
I commented on welted or banded-bottom tops on an earlier post.
Banded bottoms often give me "love bandles" (got that from Una).
I still wear some, but they are not especially useful the way they are on other body types. Worse with pants--have managed to style some with skirts. Also I don't use the semi-tuck a lot, only for casual, so I don't get the advantage of styling it that way either.
I have learned to do the arm-raise thing when trying on tops. Lots of tops will look fine when first on and pulled down, but then will quickly ride up and I know I'll constantly be readjusting.
I don't have a poison eye for them or anything, but just have learned I do better in a different kind of skimming fit, either with a straight bottom hem that is wide enough for hips, or a slight fit and flare to give waist definition (if worn out).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Your dislike of waffle knits and thick ribbing may be due to figure flattery concerns or may be climate related. You live most of the time in a warmer climate, no? So in addition to adding bulk, those styles probably feel like "too much" for other reasons as well, and would certainly be less versatile.

Re: Welting -- for me, it absolutely depends on the shape or cut of the sweater overall. I remember when I was more hourglass/ pear like having the problem you describe, and even now, if the top doesn't hit in exactly the right spot or doesn't fall back against the body, it feels like it adds bulk exactly where I don't want it -- at my waist -- making me look and feel blocky, somehow.

But the right welted top is a dream come true -- super versatile and useful. For me, personally, thinner knits are best for this.

Style Fan

Veteran

There are clothing and shoe trends or styles that I don't like on myself and I just decide not to buy any of those items. I have never liked myself in skinny jeans. I am way too curvy. Not large but curvy. I doubt if I will buy a long cardigan. I feel like a frumpy blob wearing a bathrobe. I think my body shape has something to do with it. I do think other women can wear skinny jeans and long cardigans and look FAB.

However, no one and I mean no one looks good in ballet flats except for ballet dancers. I do not understand that trend. They make feet look enormous and legs look like stumps. And they are ugly. But that is just my opinion because lots of women I know have more than one pair except me.

catgirl

Veteran

A welt that can be half-tucked is my best friend. If its not fluid though, it won't work.

On me, I detest puff shoulders and cap sleeves.

And a general gripe: why does anything dress with a waist have such a proportionately SMALL waist? For those of us with no waist who would like the illusion of fit and flare, it's so hard to find!

Elly

Veteran

I hear you AG, but I'm the opposite. I like a dress with a waist to have a SMALLER waist, so I don't have to pay to tailor it. It is equally frustrating either way, esp. since many styles with "waist-highlighting" elements are prohibitively hard or expensive to tailor so they aren't options for the small of waist either.

I also am not a fan of puff sleeves, cap sleeves (not to be confused with a true diagonal sleeve) and those sleeves that come down very squarely to the middle of the bust, making me look like a linebacker with a boob job.

I don't like the drop-shoulder styles that go straight down on me-- I like it if they flow out a bit. I think it is because it achieves the same look the other ladies are wearing (almost a-line tent effect) vs. making me look very stout (combo of shoulders, boobs and hips all catching the fabric).

I also am not a fan of really feminine-looking footwear on myself in the winter. I as a general rule like my boots to scream BOOTS!!!! In the summer I like a streamlined shoe just fine.

Style fan, is it weird that I've never worried about making my feet look enormous? I find ballet flats hard to fit, but I like the style just fine. I do have dancer's legs though

rabbit

Veteran

The looks that don't work on me and I avoid on myself --

Straight leg jeans, unless I'm going for a bootcut look. The only way to get a jean that looks straight or equally fitted all over my legs is to get a sized up skinny since I have a booty but skinny lower legs.

Slip on Vans type sneakers. I really like the look on others, it fits fine with my style, the price is right, the colors and patterns are many, and every one I've tried on has just looked meh with whatever jeans or skirts. Lace up sneakers work great to my eye though.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

"Linebacker with a boob job."

Funniest line today.

And the thing is, I know exactly what you mean, Elly. And I don't even HAVE a bust!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

On me....I dislike:

Puffed sleeves (yet I am not an IT)
Frills, lots of draping, or ruffles (feel awkward and unlike myself)
Low necklines, droopy/ sliding necklines (exposes my bony upper chest, feels fussy)
Flat shoes (can't keep them on besides the fact I need height -- an inch is okay, even 3/4 of an inch, but please not completely flat)

I'm sure there are more. Give me time.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I've realized I don't like my skirts to have any gathers or pleats. They tend to add bulk in my case. I probably won't buy a long cardigan either because I spent way too much time wearing cardigans that were too long for me and I hated the way they emphasized my hips...these are just my weird feelings though, I can appreciate long cardigans or gathers on skirts on other people.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

I dislike cable & chunky knits, and yes I'm larger on top than bottom, but I also just don't like how they feel: heavy, droopy, hard to scrunch the sleeves.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

My biggest style dislike has to do with fabric, and I know it's very specific to me. Tissue-weight knits drive me absolutely batty and inevitably look/feel like absolute crap on my curves that demand decent drape. A sweater could possess everyy sleeve length, neck line, colour and shape virtue under the sun, and I'll still let it go if the fabric feels too thin.
I've also never gotten the aesthetic appeal of excessively strappy shoes, but I'm sure I'm on my own there.
Your reply

Windchime

Veteran

Fringe. On me. Don't like it; didn't like it last time it was in. I think it may have to do with not wanting to look like a "hippie." As a child, I saw many real-life hippies sporting plenty of fringe. I can't identify with the look, for myself. So I probably won't ever wear a leather jacket with fringe or carry a bag with fringe. Now, if I'd been born ten years earlier, I'd probably have a whole different feeling about wearing fringe.

Anonymous

What I dislike on myself: Shoulder pads, puff sleeves, sleeves that hit at the elbow, bell-shaped sleeves, drop waist, pleats, fringe, ruffles, glittery or shiny fabric, fabric that wrinkles too easily, fabric that itches, anything too tight or too loose, banded bottom tops, palazzo pants, ballet flats. I could go on, but those are the main things I avoid.

There are styles I like on others that don't flatter me, but one thing I've always disliked is Clogs (the original style). How on earth did those shoes ever become so popular? Second to that is Berkenstocks. I just don't like that shoe style.

Carole

Veteran

LOLing....linebacker with a boob job! Boy, do I know what you mean by that, Elly. You must be a broad shoulder IT, like me because most of your dislikes are mine also. The thing that makes me feel most like a linebacker (boob job or no) are turtlenecks...even the more fluid fits look terrible on me:( cap sleeves, puff sleeve, shoulder details. I also think chunkier footwear helps to balance off the upper half.

DonnaF

Veteran

I echo everything that Style Fan said. Maybe we have similar body types? I don't have a poison eye for it, but on my body I tend to dislike anything drapey on top. This is probably due to my narrowish sloping shoulders combined with my heavy arms and lowish full (but not big) bust. Even when I was a teen, drapey = frumpy and dumpy looking. I have always been drawn to a lot of structure on top.

I dislike how every shift dress I've tried on makes me look. If I found one with a wide neck that showed my collar bone, was somewhat fitted at the bust and slightly A-line and had sleeves to the elbow would it still be a shift dress? [That's what I need to get one to flatter reasonably well.]

I avoid polyester tops because I find them comfy in only a narrow range of temperatures. I also avoid rayon knits and acrylics due to pilling.

I confess I have a poison eye for super rounded toe ballet flats since they don't look very graceful. I walk out of ballet flats anyway, so it hasn't been much of an issue.

I've been brainwashed since I was a teen to make figure flattery my top priority, so it has been a tough mindset to break. JFE? What's that? I have a super long trunk and super short legs so I have been avoiding cropped/ankle pants like the plague. But today, I ordered HIGH WAIST cropped pants (in three sizes *just to be sure*), so maybe they will help me move into 2014.

shedev

Veteran

Chunky knits, wide legged pants, and anything bunchy at the waist. I like drop sleeve tops in theory but the seam makes me feel like my bra strap is falling down.

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

Wow! I'm pretty easy going. I like turtlenecks on other people but they make me feel like I'm being executed. Not a lot else I dislike. Oh! The front platform stilettos are looking pretty bad these days. Hopefully they're going back to the strip clubs from whence they came... I love birks! and clogs! and Japanese split toe flats! Bring me all the other weird shoes! I have love in my heart...

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

But I missed one: high heeled sneakers. Abomination of the lowest order. Vile.

rabbit

Veteran

Haha thimblelina I've got some love for high heeled sneakers, I'll pass on the the other odd duck shoes to you shall I?

Anonymous

I don't like floral prints or most prints on clothing except for polka dots and stripes. I have no idea why and even if someone says the print looks great on me I will not buy it. I also hate lapels on jackets. Again no idea why, just don't like the look on me. Finally, I will never ever wear anything low cut in which my boobs are exposed, not even a little bit.

Style Fan

Veteran

I am not alone in my dislike of ballet flats. Elly I do not worry about the size of my feet either. I don't think it is weird although I know some women do.

After reading other forum member's posts I realize there are more things I stay away from. No frills, nothing girly, nothing pink, no pastels, no flowers of any kind, probably more I haven't thought of.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Pussy bow blouses-they belong on Kathryn Hepburn in B&W movies, not me.

Sal

Veteran

I have a few colours that I totally avoid wearing
- Maroon/Burgundy (school uniform)
- Most purples (just not me)
- Camel/oatmeal (makes me look sallow and ill)

I share others dislike for wearing ballet flats, I constantly walk out of them so have given up totally.

I also struggle with tops riding up - I should do the lifting arms test - I have a high hip and a sway back and constantly have gaping issues/flattery issues in this area which is why I love dresses so much!

retailgirl

Veteran

I don't like little prints on me...although I think they're pretty. Solids, stripes and some plaids look better on me. My hair is salt and pepper and I think it reads like a print and is too much with a print. Does anyone remember the Belle France dresses that were popular in the 80's? I wanted one so badly but every time I tried one on, it just looked like a house dress on me. Less pattern and more structure are better for me.

Meow

Veteran

You guys are hilarious! and I thought I had issues! I'm just laughing picturing shopping with Angie in person going through my list and her shaking her head. So.. Here's my list.....no to ....puffed sleeves, anything with a pattern, ruffles, bows, short skirts, boat neck, cuffed trousers, anything tight, itchy, wool, bright color, sports team themed, holiday themed, animal themed, anything with a french or other cute saying or for that matter any clothing with words on them - double no if the words are on the behind, anything with a designer logo, anything too low cut or too sexy, anything with extra emboroidary (like jeans can have on the pockets), anything with studs or rhinestones, sweatshirts with hoods and kangaroo pockets, fabric with too much spandex that streatches throughout the day.......ok I'm exhausted ...I think I could go on and on. I also have another list in my head of not sure but think I don't like....ballet flats are on that list. They look really good on Audrey Hepburn but not so good for some reason I can't explain on the rest of us.
,

tulle

Veteran

Interesting question and answers . . . On me :
I detest short sleeves, adore sleeves to the elbow;
wouldn't be caught dead in shorts, love cropped pants;
will never again wear a mini, feel great in a knee-grazing skirt.
I conclude that only my ankles and wrists are still ready for prime time.
Oh well.

bj1111

Veteran

High necked crews and frou.

High necks make me feel like I am choking. Frou makes me feel 12 years old...it was not a good year. Also the last time I wore a plaid shirt.

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