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Style With Limitations?

Anonymous

Hello dear YLF readers! I recently became active in the blog and have struggled some time with the dilemma in my life regarding style. I currently work full-time as a RN Health Coach and my work wardrobe is nothing more than athletic shoes and scrubs. On the weekends, I don't have much opportunity to be out and about due to two young children. One son is almost 4 and the other will be 16 months. My outings usually revolve around the library, shopping for household provisions, and church.

I very much enjoy gamine style and have long coveted the look of Jean Seberg, Audrey Hepburn, Audrey Tautou and others. However, I am worried that I do not possess the right body type. I'm a bit more than 5' 2" and have a pear shape with a 30C bust and 36 inch hips. My weight is also 110 pounds. None of the women above look remotely pear-shaped. In addition, I have several limitations that forces me to reconsider what sort of style I can have it at all. Let me explain...

I was diagnosed 6 years ago with significant allergies. So significant that I needed to completely rid my home of all personal care products and change my hairstyle. I have fine, thin hair and am no longer able to color it or grow it out as I have found one styling product that will work. I have also only found one shampoo and conditioner that will work. I currently have a pixie cut as I possess some natural wave.

On the clothing side, I am also allergic to wool, the lanolin in wool, cashmere, mohair, angora, and rabbit-hair. I also need to avoid down-filled jackets as I have severe dust mite allergies. Most of my sweaters are acrylic or cotton blends as these do not irritate my skin but they also have a significantly shorter lifespan than wool and wool blends.

Finally, I had surgery a few months ago on the right foot to relieve pain from a Morton's Neuroma. My left is needing to be repaired but that will wait until my husband and I have the finances to do so. I need to wear custom orthotics' at all times and find it incredibly difficult to find stylish and supportive footwear that can accommodate my rigid full-length orthotics' and metatarsal pads. I am also limited to only wearing flat shoes as anything with a heel will exacerbate pain and not work with the orthotics'.

I am thankful for my wonderful family and other blessings but it is downright depressing when things are so limited. My family (mother, sister, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law) have no concept of my dressing challenges or difficulties in finding items that work. I also have a limited budget which makes things even more challenging.

I have provided photos of the shoes I have in my wardrobe in the hope that anyone could provide guidance or advice on what way to go with styling myself. I would prefer to look like a put-together mother and am desperate for help.

Thoughts?

Dromedaris Dromedaris Women's Keira Boot

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SOREL Women's Major Maverick Boot

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Naot Naot Women's Lako Flat

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Naot Naot Women's Viento Riding Boot

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Dressing

39 replies

Latest reply was from

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Lots of us have some of these challenges. For example, if I ignored my body type, I'd love a different style. But, for me at least, for my self confidence I find it is much better to look good and be comfortable with my look than to look exactly as I'd love to. I have no idea if your desired style works with your shape and challenges, I'll leave that to others. But I'd suggest that you figure out what about your preferred style appeals to you, and try to add that to your look. For example, I need more ease due to my pear shape, but I still like fairly streamlined lines, so my clothing has ease but not bulk.

Right now heavier shoes are in style with everything, so you can make it work. For some FABBERS it is their preference. Have you tried dresses with your shoes? Your new style might not be exactly what you imagine, but it could have elements of it.

How about adding the look you want through your accessories? And can you add some to your work outfits?

This style journey is a process, not a destination, in my opinion. And you may find that after the first update the next step is not the one you presently expect. I never expected that I would want so much less black in my wardrobe. And this fall/winter I want to add some more softness to my outfits.

I have better luck avoiding itchy to me fabrics (your list and more) at the outlets and less expensive stores. Yes, they don't last as well, but then again, they cost less. Then again, with kids, easily washable is a big plus!

My summer sandals suit my look, but my winter shoes are much more challenging. My ankle is narrow and my toe box is wide, and I can't stand the feeling of cramped toes. So I can't wear a lot of the dressier shoes, or loafers, or...Well you get the idea. We all work within some limitations. As you know, Angie gave away all heels over 1 1/2 inches.

I would focus on making one change and do it, and then the next when time or budget or life allows. And maybe cut yourself some slack. You are busy with working and two young kids.

rachylou

Veteran

My first thought is 'A line' skirt... pear-friendly and Gamine worthy.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hi, MidwestMarie! And welcome.

Re the footwear challenges -- I know for a fact that some of our members struggle with the exact same issue and/or have had surgery for similar issues. I think it would be a great idea to post a new thread with the heading -- best footwear finds for Morton's Neuroma? (or similar). You will get more detailed advice on the footwear by going that route. I have some foot issues myself, but completely different, so cannot advise on that front. I will say that flat footwear is absolutely consistent with a gamine style and slight platforms could also work. So I don't necessarily see any obstacle with that. Online shopping may assist.

On the clothing style issue, however, I can weigh in. Your height, hairstyle, and general body type all sound perfect for a gamine style! I don't think being pear shaped is necessarily a problem for that. It's just a question of finding the bottoms that fit and flatter. You sound as if you are overall quite slim! I agree with Rachylou that A-line skirts might work. Jeans and trousers will also be great but you will have to search longer to find the right ones, and may have to size up for hips and then adjust for waist (depending on the differential between waist and hip).

I am a bit taller at 5'4" and weigh more but I consider myself more of a slim hourglass/ rectangle than pear -- and honestly, our measurements are not that different. (My hips are about 35, my bust is 30D.) It will depend a bit on your shoulder measurement. My shoulders are about 39" around (or even 40") but square rather than broad so I do not appear like an IT. I am most definitely a gamine type.

3style

Veteran

I said to myself after I read your post "forget the details: tell her to focus on figuring out the intersection of her favorite colors with the most flattering colors for her skin tone." That's imho what people see first and remember most.

Angie is such an amazing color inspiration. Just try copying some of the more offbeat color combinations which she suggests and that are appealing or just interesting to you. I never thought I could wear Citron until she demonstrated how to do it.

Play with fashion. Don't try to solve everything at once. It took me a decade of seeing other people do pattern mixing to feel my own rhythm of doing it and being comfortable with it in a way that works for me.

As far as colorful gamine, you can look at Zooey Deschanel's style. If you are limited to not wearing makeup or hair color, I think that Zooey's type of colorful gamine might be the best way for you to go. And she has definitely got fairly wide hips and substantial muscular legs. If you can't see yourself dressing like Zooey, I think you should maybe reconsider whether gamine is a good fit for your personality and lifestyle. I think that the more subtle monochromatic version of gamine relies on things like heavy eyeliner and eyebrows and black ballet flats and it seems likely from what you've said that the mechanics of those things would not work for you.

Anonymous

Barbara - Thank you for your words! I enjoy the gamine style as it is classic, feminine, and polished. The outfits portrayed by those women appear ageless and easy to put together. I am seeking that same ease in my off-duty wardrobe. My work wardrobe of navy blue scrubs is employer-mandated and so, no room for improvement there but plenty of opportunity outside of work!

rachylou - Indeed! Thank you for the suggestion! I don't own skirts as they aren't practical with two little boys but do don a dress now and then for church and other social engagements.

Suz - Thank you for the many suggestions! I will certainly post in another location asking for assistance in finding footwear. I had my husband help and my shoulders measure 37 inches but they are sloped. Perhaps that is why my hips appear more prominently in my shape assessment?

3style - Thank you for responding! I am limited to what makeup I can wear and cannot color my hair in any way so unfortunately, the bold style of Zooey Deschanel is out of my reach. Her style strikes me more as Mod than gamine due to the patterns, bows, tights, etc. I do know that I am a cool complexion and cannot wear a shade such as citron or I will look less than healthy. I will take a look and see what cool color combinations she has posted. My ash brown hair (with significant grey), pale verging on paper white skin, and green eyes are better suited to jewel tones than other color combinations.

rachylou

Veteran

My second thought is 'tailored peplum tops'... Also Gamine and pear friendly. Oh yes, and a pixie is the right track...

I'm thinking 'hipster gamine'... great with those moto boots and oxfords...

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I was thinking something similar to Rachy - does punky gamine or rock-n-roll gamine appeal at all? Those would work really well with the slightly clunky shoe vibe. If not, then you could go classic/retro, sort of 50s period / rockabilly, although that might work best with more makeup and 'done' hair.

I agree with everyone, go through some of Angie's blog posts, go through your closet and see if there are any pieces that work for you, and start collecting specific looks that appeal. It's definitely an iterative process but the folks here are great for ideas and problem solving.

Do you know the blog Barking Dog Shoes? They are a great source for recommendations for stylish but comfortable shoes for all kinds of foot issues.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I am imagining that you can certainly carry off gamine style, just as Suz suggested. Maybe with the more solid footwear, you could think in terms of a gamine/tomboy mix. Instead of Audrey's tapered pencil pants and pointy flats, you can wear skinnies tucked into your gorgeous tall boots or your more stompy moto-inspired boots. You could wear tapered cotton trousers rolled or hemmed above the ankle with your cool oxfords. The Sorels will look good with casual chinos, cords, or jeans--I can envision a boyfriend style rolled to show the boots or straight-leg styles worn slouched a bit over the boots. Given your Pretty Pear shape, I think shorter jackets (like a short swing shape or cropped moto) and tops or sweaters with bands, or welts as Angie calls them, would work well for you and give a current gamine look.

3style

Veteran

Above when you say you think of gamine as "ageless" do you mean:
(1) time tested, tried and true
(2) appropriate for a person of any age
(3) something that you have always identified with and can see yourself sticking with as the foundation for your outfits ever after.

I asked because gamine was considered very radical when it came out. That's because instead of celebrating the curvy bombshell body, it gave a distinct identity to those women who were previously left out of the fashion conversation. The style was inherently playful and a bit androgynous and prepubescent. The sprightly and childlike aspect is what I associate with Zooey. I do think she is more of a "flamboyant gamine" sometimes and a "soft gamine" at other times. Search for those words if you haven't already.

I think of mod as being the opposite vibe, in terms of it being more cool and nonchalant and mature and sophisticated.

I think that I was unclear previously with regards to wearing color. So I will try again. I think that a person who doesn't wear much makeup or hair color and is on the fair skin and lighter hair side is not going to be able to successfully pull off the very simple traditional gamine color palette which requires lots of black as the basis for the wardrobe. But, I think that the more colorful variants like flamboyant or soft gamine are pretty accessible to you. I was not trying to say that you should go as colorful as Zooey, but more importantly, that I think that it would be helpful to look at her as an example of a fun, easy and youthful style. The color does most of the work in her outfits to make them interesting, and she doesn't follow fashion trends whatsoever. This makes her style ageless in the sense that you can imagine her wearing any of her outfits at any age. In terms of jewel tones, she wears a lot of cobalt, that's such an easy color for purses, belts, socks etc.

To get a little bit philosophical on you, I think that you have to get a little bit wild before you can find your personal distinctive version of the calm elegant center which you seek. This involves shifting to think about all of the fun stuff that you can wear, and not worrying about what you can't. This advice is coming to you from someone else who has insane allergies, fabric sensitivities and foot problems, and other constriction and pressure and garment weight issues, so I definitely can relate.

Anonymous

Laura - Yes, punky or rock does appeal to me. I adore Kate Lanphear's style but cannot carry off her high heels! Her hairstyle and edgy clothing is what I dearly wish I had the confidence to carry off.

Firecracker - Wonderful suggestions! I do like skinnies although I'm not certain how my hips fare. I also love oxford shirts although I struggle with finding sweaters and tops that have welts.

I decided to enclose a few pictures. The first is front my engagement photo session and was as gamine as I could be with my pixie, cardigan, and cropped pants. The second is of my wedding dress. I definitely felt like myself in those outfits although I am willing to try and push the boundaries!

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kerlyn

Veteran

Welcome MidwestMarie! Your photos are lovely, and you most definitely possess a strong gamine quality. How about a black turtleneck, pencil pants or chinos, and your black oxfords for an Audrey sort of vibe? Also, I didn't notice whether you mentioned sensitivities to cosmetics or not, but I think you could play up your eyes with lots of mascara for that wide-eyed look .

Gaylene

Veteran

Welcome MidwestMarie!

Since your footwear is obviously important, maybe use it as a starting point? It's not going to be easy substituting a Dromedaris boot for Audrey's ballet flat.

Since you have a better sense of what your lifestyle and physical requirements are, maybe try to pull together a couple of outfits from your closet--or in a changing room--using your current footwear as an integral component of the look. Aim for a look which makes you feel good when you see yourself in a mirror. Experiment, be prepared to laugh, and, most important, don't give up. Putting in some time and effort here pays off because those outfits and pieces will become your benchmark--even if you can't articulate yet what "style" they represent.

While you are figuring out what clothes make you feel good when the pieces are actually on your body, spend your dollars on a new bra and knickers. Do some research online to educate yourself on what kind of bra works best for your shape, go for a fitting (or two), ask lots questions, and don't settle until you are totally pleased with the look and comfort of what is on your body. If you wear glasses, update your specs. If you wear a watch, find one that really speaks to you. All of these updates will increase your confidence because they help you focus on YOUR style preferences.

Post pictures on this forum to get feedback as you try new directions and ideas. Ask for tweaks and suggestions, but filter them through your own needs and preferences. Everyone has their own preferences, but what is important are YOUR feelings when you look in a mirror.

ETA: And wow, you are gorgeous in those pictures! Am I the only one who is seeing Kibbe's romantic?

minimalist

Veteran

We need a "like" function on here so I can "like" Barbara Diane's post about a hundred times. I haven't read the other replies, but will come back to do so as soon as I can make time.

3style

Veteran

You look fab in your wedding dress! It reads Edwardian to me. And if you like punk and Edwardian suits you, how about steampunk? Obviously this isn't an easy style, but I do think that it goes well with substantial shoes and boots.

Gigi

Veteran

I'm sorry that you are having to deal with so many style limitations. It can be frustrating. But if you keep at it, you will build a wardrobe you love, bit by bit. It takes a long time, but it's well worth the effort.

My only suggestions have to do with shopping. I like to wear natural fabrics (mostly cotton and linen), and I seem to find that Express and Anthropologie seem to carry a fair amount of natural-fiber options. Anthropologie's clothes can also have a gamine vibe to them.

As far as hair products go, you might want to consider posting something on naturallycurly.com's board about your specific allergies and whether anyone has product recommendations. Maybe you would be able to add a few more products to your limited selection.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

MidwestMarie, don't worry--you will look fab in skinnies. It's a leg style, not a comment on hips at all, and they look super fab on curvy hips. Love the photos you added--you are gorgeous in both!

rachylou

Veteran

You look pretty perfect to me! Lovely wedding photo. Very romantic! (Yes, I see Kibbe Romantic too! Although, I also see Kibbe Soft Gamine, like Claudette Colbert.)

karen13

Veteran

Welcome Marie - you have come to the right place! You are gorgeous and I love your pics - your hair is gorgeous. I have had a pixie for about 4 years and am sort of growing it out - if mine looked as good as yours, I would not change!

Footwear is one of my special challenges as well. I have different issues (slight pump bum or Haglunds deformity) wide forefoot and narrower heels) and I lived in black Merrill Clogs for years. YFL has encouraged me to try a few new things - never sacrificing comfort or health. Your adorable shoes posted are things for me to look at! Look here for recommendations and ideas and when you find people who have similar concerns, look at their Finds on their profile to see what may have worked for them.
I have to run but will keep an eye on this thread and come back with more ideas as you post more questions.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Wow you are a stunner! It's late and I'm tired but will hope to come back tomorrow with thoughts. Kibbe might help actually. I love your tall boots.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Another welcome from me, Marie. You are gorgeous.

You can overcome these dressing challenges with patience. Trust me. I have clients that are allergic to wool and down. We buy cotton, polyester and acrylic, which can work just fine.

Judging by your current footwear collection, you're onto a fab start!

As far a bottoms go - you're after petite curvy fits.

We can steer you in the right direction with all these items as the season unfolds.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You are beautiful! Thank you for sharing your photos! I definitely see soft gamine here.

And yes, I see the slope in your shoulder and that's what makes you look like a pretty pear. But you appear slim and delicate.

My own hair is now completely grey. I am low to medium contrast (dark blue eyes, fair skin, light hair). I actually look good in black as long as I fill in my eyebrows a bit. But my preferred neutrals are navy and grey (all shades). In your case, you might find blues (including denim) and charcoal and possibly taupe would be really useful. As your hair continues to grey that might shift to some degree.

gryffin

Veteran

Hi Midwest Marie - greetings from another person with a Morton's neuroma. I have not had surgery but I can tell you what shoes have worked for me. I have both a 3/4 and full orthotic from Dr. Jarret http://www.thetaorthotics.com. It's an interesting concept. After my orthopedic foot surgeon was completely unhelpful, this stabilized my condition. I have flexible flat feet and began having symptoms after wearing Uggs snow boots - warm feet but pain (no arch support, who knew?!! I certainly didn't) and it's like invisalign for your feet. Sequential custom orthotics to put your arch back into position - no pressure on the nerve, no pain. I am just putting it out there, you should discuss with your surgeon. I do not know if this would be appropriate for you. As a physician, I was disgusted with the dismissive care I received. Surgery, for my condition, made no sense because without changing the architecture it was highly likely that my neuroma would recur. Theta orthotics stabilized my condition, the third sequential, four was too high, and I am pain free but the neuroma is not "gone" If I'm in the shower I still have dull symptoms but no outright pain.

On shoes, tie shoes do fit best with orthotics. Dr Huppen and Hale

https://www.footankle.com/ have a great shoe list. You do need to sign up but they do not send more than the updated list each year which I found very helpful. I would have consulted them if I was living on the west coast. I personally do well with 3/4 orthotics with - ariats - heritage lacers, h2o extreme waterproof, dansko Lucille, keen hiking boots, gentle souls, merrell breeze mocs (take my full orthotic), as will many soft dansko, Naot you already know has removable insoles. I can wear aquatalia and some Eileen fisher but the booties and shoes, if there are not laces, must fit snuggly so that my 3/4 orthotic does not shift. My Uggs adirondak snow boots can still be worn with a 3/4 orthotic.

So sorry I am still culling my old shoe collection. You will find the best solutions for you and there are cute shoes that will be comfortable and orthotics are truly your savior. Hugs to you. But pain free and comfort are worth less choice.

Anonymous

Thank you so much to everyone for your lovely compliments! I truly
don't receive praises on my appearance other than from my dear
husband. What a treat after a busy day at work to read your words

kerlyn – I very much like the thought of adding those
specific items to my wardrobe. They are
all classic and would pair wonderfully with other items within my
wardrobe. Thank you!

Gaylene – Yes, footwear should probably be a starting point.
My Dromedaris boots are quite fun and
slightly edgy but in no way can serve as a substitute for a delicate ballet
flat I will definitely need to experiment and am
happy to report that I have done the groundwork of being fitted, finding a
great watch, and updating my reading glasses.
I’ll need to summon the courage to post pictures donning my
apparel.

Minimalist – Thank you for stopping by! I look forward to
getting to know you and your style better.

3style – Thank you! I felt that my dress was more of a
vintage feel. I don’t think I have the
confidence to pull off steampunk although I admire those that can. I’m an introvert and will need to find my “suit
of armor”.

Gigi – I will certainly check out Express and Anthropologie
for their natural-fiber options. Thank
you for mentioning them. I currently
belong to a site recommended by my allergist that provides products that are free
of the offending allergens. It is
constantly being updated and I will continue to check and hope for more
additions!

Firecracker – Thank you! I feel that skinnies highlight my hips
more than I am comfortable with. Perhaps
it’s because I feel I should be smaller or have a different body style to don
them. I will certainly give them a try!

Rachylou – Claudette Colbert had amazing style and I would
love many of her dresses. I keep hearing
more about Kibbe which makes me think I need to take time to research. Is this a book or specific website? Thank you
for the kind words!

Karen13 – I appreciate the suggestions for footwear! I will
certainly keep those thoughts in mind as I peruse profiles looking for
orthotic-friendly options. There is
hope! My hair is considerably shorter
than on my wedding day but yes, a pixie is for me. Thank you!

Jenni NZ – I love Naot shoes and boots as they are
consistent in sizing and work well with my orthotics’. They also have an element of style to
them. I look forward to hearing more
from you!

Angie – Wow! Bless you for creating such an empowering forum
and blog for all who are on their style journey. I will indeed have faith and embrace the
positive while I begin on the first part of the process. Your mom-on-the-go blog posts were wonderful
to read and I already have gained some ideas that I can put into action. Thank you

Suz – I do indeed love black although I’m not certain it
loves me back. Denim, all shades of
gray, and navy are favorites of mine and thank you for the suggestions
regarding hair color. I worry about looking
washed out once I am completely gray, especially with my fair skin and green
eyes, but that opens up other opportunities for brighter color near my face. Thank you!

Griffin – Hugs to you for your foot woes! Morton’s Neuroma
is quite beastly but I chose surgery as nothing else was improving. Ironically, I have incredibly high arches
where my feet resemble bananas. That
curvature or arch, would be lovely if I was a ballet dancer. It doesn’t translate to nursing practice
well. Your work as a physician also
indicates that concrete floors are not our friends. Dansko professional clogs don’t have a high
enough arch so I gladly wear my full-length orthotics’ with metatarsal pads to
reduce forefoot pressure and mitigate some of the pain. Thank you so much for the shoe
suggestions. I will check them out and
see what I can find. Yes, I do need to
accept that being pain free and comfortable are worth less options.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi again Marie, it is now the next evening. David Kibbe is a writer who wrote a book called "Metamorphosis", which as far as I can check was released in January 1987. Therefore, the images in the book are outdated. I only heard about it this year after joining YLF, when I wrote a post about my "style essence", 4 months ago, and Style Fan suggested I might like to look into it.https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....rning-long
It's the kind of thing I find interesting so I researched it quite a bit, there is a quiz here: http://expressingyourtruth.blo.....kibbe.html and illustrated pics for half of it in the second document here: https://www.tapatalk.com/group.....the-ki-t13
It uses the concept of yin and yang to mean soft and feminine for yin and more masculine shaped and angular for yang.David Kibbe himself is still around ( in New York, I think) and now has a Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/davidkibbemetamorphosis/ so you can hear from the man himself if desired, though I just looked at the page and it is mostly pics. His ideas have naturally changed somewhat in the 30 years since 1987, as have various ideas from writers about colour schemes eg seasonal ones- I remember loving Carole Jackson's "Colour Me Beautiful" in 1984. On holiday a couple of years back the guest house we stayed in had an old copy- wow did the pics look dated!
What I find interesting was the idea of certain styles suiting us more and also what you are drawn to. I decided I could be a "theatrical romantic"- it doesn't really matter in one way but I felt very drawn to those looks. You might just find it helpful to get more of a sense of yourself, as shown in your lovely engagement and wedding photos which do appear to have a consistent style and you look so happy in them. I kind of lost myself for some time with 3 young children and wore most unstytlish things for quite some years. But I'm back!- and I hope you will be too.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We are here to support and encourage, Marie. YLF is a large and engaged community that when combined - has a wealth of knowledge. Pulling resources like this is bound to help you.

JuniperGreen

Veteran

Hi Midwest Marie!

Adore your pics, the pixie is perfect for your gamine look! I immediately thought of Angie's Modern Audrey post, have you checked it out?
https://youlookfab.com/2017/02.....rn-audrey/

Sounds like your Naot's could function as the oxfords in these kinds of looks - might you have other loafers or oxfords that can support your orthotics?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I agree with Suz about your coloring - exploring navy and taupe and less black might be worth trying. It doesn't go classic Audrey Hepburn, but it does definitely go soft romantic, which can be paired with tougher elements to balance it out.

Anonymous

JuniperGreen - I did check out the post you suggested and I enjoy the items posted. I'll need to do some research to find specific petite items but it certainly hits the notes of gamine and classic. At this time I only have one pair of oxfords and haven't found a pair of loafers that I like and that also would fit my orthotics'. I'll keep searching!

Angie - True but is indeed a wonderful sisterhood of sorts to have all of the knowledge be as accessible as it is and truly supportive.

Jenni NZ - Yes, I do believe you identified precisely how I feel. Now that I have had two children, I really don't know what my style is anymore. I am the same size but things have...shifted for lack of a better term. I have also succumbed to wearing less than flattering items as I continue to figure out what would work for me.

I also fell down the rabbit hole on Kibbe. I took the quiz twice as I'm not certain I answered the waist and hip questions correctly. In all regards, I fall under the category of Theatrical Romantic. That was not what I suspected at all although sharing the same category as Vivien Leigh and Elizabeth Taylor is never a bad thing. The clothes themselves have appeal even if they are terribly impractical with 2 rambunctious boys. I have also noticed that there is next to no casual dress inspiration for that category. It seems that the styles I enjoy or could consider are limited by my footwear. It is hard to be glamorous with moto boots and oxfords but perhaps I'm not objective enough when I answer the questions? Sigh...I'm tempted to comfort myself with a glass of wine but perhaps I just need to peruse the forum and blog for inspiration.

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gryffin

Veteran

Marie - just chiming back in to say, after my son was born, all my clothes felt "wrong." I bought a bunch of new things and a year later, all of that felt "wrong" and I found myself slowly shifting back toward my original style, evolved but more on that path. Don't forget, hormones, fatigue, stress all have a huge effect on brain function and mood. My best advice, after glass of wine, many hugs and long confabs with your GF's, is do what feels right at this time, but try not to purchase too much precipitously. Time will clarify and help your sort out your feelings on fashion. But accept that times of intense flux are not necessarily the best for making big changes or investing too much of the income on. Hang in there. Sending you sleep, strength and cyber hugs!!

ETA: you are a gorgeous family!! Your littles are delicious!!!!!

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