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This is me... what should I wear ... and not wear?

NCyogini

I have to admit I have never really thought about fashion or style until very recently when I turned 30 and figured maybe it was time to start.

Part of the reason I never bothered is because I think I look really bad in so many things. I'm 5'6" and 105 pounds, with a long torso and shorter legs, stick-straight with few curves, and in my opinion, a little pinhead. Finding clothes that fit and look well on me is not easy (then again, it probably isn't for anyone). Sometimes I wonder if don't see myself how I really am, because I feel so many things make me look bad.

Here is a link to a photo of what I would wear to work on a typical day (I am a yoga teacher):

http://i682.photobucket.com/al.....effie1.jpg
http://i682.photobucket.com/al.....effie2.jpg

I am most comfortable in my work/yoga clothes. I feel like they fit well and suit my body type. However I am aware they're not suitable for running errands and social events. I really don't know what suits me though. My closet is full of empire waist tops and floofy dresses and baggy pants and knee-length peasant skirts, all of which are unflattering. I feel like I look especially awkward in boatnecks, stripes, (okay, and patterns), turtlenecks, scarves, belts, short tops, knee-length skirts, long skirts, anything that doesn't have a super-defined waist or is the least bit baggy. And I have this bizarre notion that collars make my head look even more pinhead-y. Oy, who knows?

What sort of things should I wear? Or avoid?

Any advice is appreciated!

Many Thanks!
Steffie

Body Type

27 replies

Latest reply was from Adrienne

Maya

Veteran

You must be kidding! Your body was MADE for fashion and clothes! You are tall and very slim and fabulous. The first thing I would say you should get are some skinny jeans because your body was basically created to wear them. I'm sure others will have plenty of suggestions but the first thing that entered my brain when I saw you was "she needs skinny jeans NOW."

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Holy crow! Is that mirror tilted, because to me, your legs look long. Like, seriously--a mile long! I'm very jealous.

To me, you look very proportional (your head is normal, don't worry, lol), and have a nice figure! I'm going to guess a racy rectangle. We'll see what other have to say, and then we can make recommendations if you want. Here's a post Angie made about rectangles with some general guidelines:

http://youlookfab.com/2006/05/.....rectangle/

Boatnecks don't work because you have straight shoulders (they don't work for me either, don't worry).

Lee Hovey

IMO the best things a rectangle can do are keep clothes close fitting. Baggy stuff can make this type look frumpy. Belt everything on your natural waist, it will visually give you more of an hourglass shape. Your slim frame can carry almost any embellishment, ruffles, bows, jewels, etc... so rock it!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

There are other racy rectangles on the board as well. Patience and Kyle are two that I can think of off the top of my head, so you're definitely not alone.

These are two of my favorite outfits they've posted:

http://i282.photobucket.com/al.....G_1036.jpg

http://i302.photobucket.com/al.....skirt1.jpg

Lee Hovey

Ana those are awesome examples!

shiny

Veteran

Steffie, it makes me want to cry when I read posts like this.... it's not your body, it's the clothes. You have a gorgeous figure!

Since you feel most confident wearing yoga clothes, that would be the first place I'd start. Think about what it is about the yoga outfit you're wearing that flatters your figure - and then look for those elements in clothing:

1) The yoga tank top is form-fitting. So ditch those empire waist tops straight-away! Look for tops that are form-fitting instead. Try Sweet Pea - see Tarzy's recent photos. That is what you want.

2) The yoga top has a straight, low-ish neckline, that shows off your chest and collarbone. This is another clue. I can't tell from the photo, but maybe you don't like turtlenecks and collared shirts because your neck is short? With a short neck you want to show off some chest for an elongating effect. Try scoop neck or V-neck. And for summer..... you can easily rock a spaghetti strap sundress!

3) The yoga pants go straight down from your hips. This gives you the illusion of having more hips and thus tinier waist. While I agree with Maya about the skinny jeans, I'm guessing that a safe place to ease into fashion is to start with jeans that emulate the cut of the yoga slacks first. You're so tall with such enviously long legs, I bet you can get away with wide-leg style jeans (think of your yoga pants, but in denim and with a zipper etc) - you want to be sure they are PPL though (just like your yoga pants). We'll get you into skinnies eventually, but wide-leg jeans may be a good "gateway jean" for you.... then once you're used to those, try bootcut next... then skinnies.

anne

Veteran

Steffie you look great and I agree with everyone - you have long legs! And I don't think you have a pinhead either. You are getting some great suggestions here - enjoy your shopping trip!

tarzy

Veteran

I think Shiny has some excellent advice for you!

You do have a killer body. Short legs? No way! Unless the mirror is playing tricks.

I would suggest reading Angie's post about your body type, and then taking a day at the mall to try things on. No pressure - just try on. See what fits, what looks good. Don't judge by how it looks on the hanger. Just try styles you wouldn't normally try, things that are recommended for your body type, in your favorite colors.

If you can zero in on one great pair of jeans and the right top, you'll instantly feel better! And then you can slowly build up, adding more basic pieces.

I've found it very helpful to post pictures here and listen to the great advice of the ladies on the forum. The pictures really help. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Alecia

Veteran

Steffie, I hope you'll continue to post as you continue on this journey. I agree with Tara (Tarzy) that posting pictures is really so much more helpful than just reading the "rules" for our body type. Everyone here is so wonderful and you'll learn a lot.

When I turned 30 last year, I too decided it was time to step up the style. This site, more than anything, has helped me make progress toward that goal.

NCyogini

Wow, this is so helpful, thank you guys so much. Each of your answers was really informative and encouraging, and I feel so much less overwhelmed.

The main reason I say my legs are short is because I ride bicycles and my husband is always having to adjust my bike position to adjust for what he lovingly calls my 'short' legs. I'd never really taken a picture before. Although the mirror was a little tilted, but not by much.

I guess I always figured floofy would make me look more feminine. I don't know why I have all these pants that are sagging off my bum, or M sized shirts. I've been the same size forever.

In yoga, one of the biggest struggles new students have is a simple lack of body awareness. I wonder if the same thing is an obstacle in fashion?

Thanks for all your kind advice. I am going to go to Gap and J Crew today, which is where my sister-in-law shops, and she is very beautiful and stylish. I'll get a couple pairs of pants and a couple fitted tops and let you know what I come up with.

I put together a few photos of me in my most stylin' outfits. It's actually pretty cringe-worthy, but wow, what a good tool for me to see what working.. and what's not. If you'd like to see what I've been wearing until now... go for it.

http://s682.photobucket.com/al.....unateness/

Thanks again, I'm looking forward to being your friend!

Steffie

Anonymous

You are gorgeous and there is nothing pin headed about you. You have a beautiful face and figure and your head seems very normal with a beautiful head of thick hair. That's what everyone wants. I honestly have a similar self image. I think I am built like a stick and that my head is small and pointy.
I think you are lost in a sea of styles. There are so many out there and you have not found your best yet. Your closet is full of many different styles and you will narrow it down here with the help of Angie aand the other talented ladies.
http://i477.photobucket.com/al.....0_0567.jpg
Here is me. I am much older than you. I think posting pictures and seeing ourself in pictures is a lot better for our judgement than looking in a mirror for some reason. You'll be straightened away in no time I'm sure.

Anonymous

I just looked at the pictures you posted of your "most stylin" outfits. I think you are absolutely beautiful. You will be so happy with Angie's guidance. I also was stuck in a rut of T-shirts and Columbia tops, more gear than street clothing. I think it is easy to do that because of the commercial side pushing for sales, and we believe that gear is a style for us. I'm not saying I've made a total transformation, because I haven't yet. It's hard for old dogs to learn new tricks, I guess. I actually think you look really cute in all the pictures. You don't have any problem areas at all so you can wear what ever you want.

Violet

Steffie, just wanted to welcome you to the forum. You are beautiful and have a wonderful figure that is totally made for fashion. You have gotten some really good advice here and I hope that helps as you go shopping. I look forward to seeing more of your outfits as you progress through your fashion journey.

Ariadne

Veteran

Wow, Steffie, you're gorgeous and your body is amazing. I think you've received some amazing advice. I also think you'd rock a pair of skinnies and should give them a try. Why not jump right in, eh? And you should get yourself to a Nordstrom's and try on some Sweet Pea wrap tops stat (I'd be doing the same if I lived in the US, LOL).

Ariadne

Veteran

Oh, I just looked at your photos--I love your mala beads. I think you should wear them when you go out shopping. They can be your safety blanket, so to speak.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Hi Steffie! Welcome. You are going to have so much fun on this forum - if you follow Angie's process, it is transformative (inside and out). You are a gorgeous woman and we are happy you're here!

shiny

Veteran

First stop - a good bra-fitting. I would do this first; it will make a big difference in how tops fit.

What is your inseam? I don't think you have short legs - is your husband really tall, or what?

Keep the mala beads.

Inge

(website)

A big welcome from me too Steffie. I agree with everybody else: you really have an enviable figure (and such great posture!) and there are so many things you CAN wear.

I think you'd look good in bootcut trousers, wide-legged trousers, skinny jeans, any style really.

Or how about a shirt dress like the one Laura just bought:
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....geID=10200
Pair it with a fun pair of flats, leggings, straight-legged or skinny jeans and you're good to go.

And please don't give up on skirts yet either. Maybe Jean (her screen name is Greenglove) can inspire you? She's also very slim and about as tall as you (I might be mistaken there), and she always looks amazing. E.g. I love this skirt on her:
http://i41.photobucket.com/alb.....istmas.jpg

Or how about a beautiful ruffled blouse with a pair of bootcut jeans/trousers, worn with a long cardigan, finished off with a low-slung wide belt?

I can't wait to see what you got on your shopping trip today!

By the way: If I were you, I'd hold on to that head of yours a little while longer, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it;-)
You're beautiful (and I loved your short hair too)!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome, Steffie! I’m glad you posted here and provided us with visuals. That’s GREAT. Thank you.

The lasses have you sorted but the first place to start is in the lingerie department. When did you last go for a bra fitting?

NCyogini

Ah... the bra thing. Well, I haven't worn a bra in my life until last year (excluding a sports bra when exercising), at which point I went and got some cheap thingy at a department store.

Anyway, I got fitted today! I am a 33 B. The gal at Victoria's Secret was very nice and I got myself "T-Shirt Bra" which apparently disappears under your clothes.

Thanks again to everyone for the warm welcome.

Tanya

Veteran

Hi Steffie and another big welcome. You have an amazing figure and can wear pretty much anything. Fashion is made for bodies like you.

You have already been given a lot of wonderful advice. Have you checked Angie's posts on smart casual dressing?

http://youlookfab.com/2006/09/.....or-ladies/

I am sorry to say this, but Victoria's Secret usually does really bad job with bra fitting. I would recommend Nordstrom or a specialty lingerie store for that.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the bra fitting effort, Steffie. I can scarcely believe you never wore a bra!!!

Anyway, Tanya is spot on. Sorry to give you a hard time about the fitting, but Victoria Secret is a bra fitting joke. Get yourself off to a lingerie specialist or a Nordstrom as soon as you can. I'm willing to bet you won't be a 33B.

Amanda

Welcome to the forum -- I loved the commentary on your "past style" -- it's good to have a sense of humor when making the fashion transition! I'll just chime in that I agree that you should try skinny jeans and fitted tops like the Sweet Pea. I think they will have the same characteristics that you like about your yoga clothes and will look great. We've all gone through the process so don't get discourage -- it's a matter of trying on clothes and trying on clothes and trying on clothes and figuring out what you like and what looks great on you. We've all been there (are still there!) and this is a great place to get assistance.

NCyogini

Amazing advice!! Thank you all. Bummer about going to the wrong bra place- Tuesday is my day off so I'll head back to the stores then and get fitted properly.

I ordered myself a little Sweet Pea wrap top from Bluefly, I will post pics when I get it.

I'm going to pick up a pair of skinnies or maybe straight leg jeans next week, but I'm still struggling to understand tops. I have more reading to do. I'll be sure to get everyone's stamp of approval on what I pick up!

Thanks again to everyone for the great advice and support.

Steffie

tarzy

Veteran

You will look amazing in the Sweet Pea tops! We have completely different bodies but those tops are great and I'll bet you love them.

About the bra - I didn't even think there was such as size as "33." I thought bands came in even sizes - 32, 34, 36, etc. If you can get to a Nordstrom's I'll be interested to hear what they say. Even one of those little dusty old lady lingerie shops can usually do a decent fitting. Or you can ask Nicole, our resident expert, for advice on measuring yourself. I just bought a new bra at Nordstrom's the other day and the woman was so knowledgalbe about all the different styles, what they did, how they shaped - it was almost scary! But I got a fantastic bra.

Kellee

Hi Steffie,

You have been given such great feedback already, I have nothing to offer, but a BIG welcome to YLF.

Adrienne

Okay where to begin with you. I think your self esteem needs help. YOU ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE. This should become your new mantra... You look great with short hair. Im wondering if your style is sporty casual and you are looking for a newer look more edgy? JCrew and Gap and Banana Republic have great classic clothes that are the basics. I get the feeling that you might have a need for more accessories. The prayer beads as a bracelet were a nice touch. I happen to think that a pencil skirt would look fab on you. I think you have a petite bone structure so be careful to not overwhelm yourself with too large of a scale print or stripe. I think any color is going to look good on you but a purple blouse might really offset your (I think) brown eyes. Jeans are where to start and boot cut look good on everyone. Straight leg sometimes make you look heavy in the waist when your not. V neck will look good on you. Too much fabric under a empire waist makes it look too maturnity. Go and find some fab clothes.