Angie's point about the price is very valid. For example, speaking of trapeze jackets, I could probably find one that works for me if I tried hard enough, but I prefer nicer quality for jackets, and in my mind it was too trendy for a big investment. (I know, I know it's supposed to be classic, but I am so conservative it's still trendy).

The thing I don't like about shopping is crowds and lighting in the rooms. Anthropologie is indeed nicer, but I don't like the fragrance

I have a bit of a different issue. It's not me giving up on the looks, it's looks give up on me. I will add things to my list to try to find but I never make the time to shop. Often times, the trend passes before I've even gotten to try it. It can take that long for me to get out there and shop. I can't think of examples at the moment, but I know it's happened.

I'm thinking the pantsuit trend will be one of those. I don't think we've had a thread on pantsuits. They're kind of fringe right now but I think they're going to be big. And I forsee that I'll have an impossible time finding one.

Well I responded before the definitions for the reason you gave up was fleshed out. So I have a mixture of reasons for "giving up on" in my list (I never had a wish to wear open toe boots). I could also add some based on later responses. Marianne, I see a lot of girls with Uggs in Seattle. I just don't fancy them for regular wear. I have see girls wearing them with shorts...shorts!

Sticking to looks I'd be interested in trying:

- skinnies (with boots and longer tops)
- boyfriend cardigans
- halter tops (always seem to be designed for bigger busts)

I'm always surprised to hear people say halter tops look better on a busty frame. I don't think a busty girl could pull it off. Kind of hard to wear a supportive bra with a halter. Non-busty girls can sometimes do with the built-in bra. I think an athletic frame with a nice back wears a halter best regardless of bust size.

I think a certain type of halter top looks better on a bustier women. The sort I am thinking of is the 50's one like this.
http://www.sydneysvintagecloth.....ed=froogle
I don't know about a very big bust, but I know that it doesn't look great with an A-cup!
I borrowed a top once to wear to a cocktail party which look great on its small shouldered C or C cupped owner and did not look great on small chested strong shouldered me.

However there is another sort of halter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halterneck - the ones on the bottom line

which T & S think is good for small busts and they might be right (I haven't tried one on)

As to Maya's original questions; the main things I would like to wear and can't are shoes - so many high heels, flats and thongs I just can't get comfortable in.

It takes me such a long time to get used to new styles that there aren't many ones that I even try.

Shoes are a big one Anne. Our feet just weren't meant to be slanted at a 45 degree angle though, so my feeling is that even if a certain type of shoe is comfortable, it probably isn't marvelous for your feet. Some people are lucky enough to have sturdy feet that can take a bit of abuse, but it often comes at a cost. One of my friends who has worn 3 inch or higher heels since I first met her at 16 years old has the most ghastly feet I've ever seen. Crooked toes, little cuts and marks all over the skin. It's awful. But she still wears heels. I just wonder how much longer she'll be able to do that.

As for halters, I can't wear a strapless bra, so that's why I don't understand how busty women can wear them. This is one of those styles that I think contributes to the woeful misconception that bras aren't always necessary.

I don't know about halters being good for busty women, but I've always heard they are supposed to be good for broad-shouldered (strong shoulder line) women. Something about the halter creating the illusion of narrower shoulders? Certainly better look than spaghetti straps.

However, I have never had much luck with halter tops.

I think for me the issue is more about fit than style though - even in a petite size, I am shortest from shoulder to top of bra band, which is right where it counts most for a halter top to fit correctly!

I do have a halter-style bathing suit and since I can tie it tight as i want around my neck, it seems to work okay - and by tying it really tight, it does lift the "girls" and give adequate support. (At least, as much support as I'm going to get in a bathing suit!). However, I'm not really happy with how it looks from the rear view: probably my worst feature is my upper back. Luckily, I can easily ignore that part of my body.

But in general halter tops are a style I tend to steer clear of... because 99% of the time, they don't work.

As for shoes - I have most definetly given up on thongs!!! I can't wear them without excrutiating pain on my one foot. Culprit, as far as I can tell: my toe on one foot turns in too far. Theoretically, a thong should be good for this (would force the toe back into proper position). But, it just hurts too much. So I give up!

I also gave up a long time ago on heels higher than 2 inches. Not good for your back, highly uncomfortable, and I walk funny in them.

And I've given up on khaki slacks ... but that's probably a GOOD thing, style wise.

Add to my list:

- any tops or coats that have epaulets on the shoulders. NOT a good look for me.

- turtlenecks. I have several, and I will still keep them around for occasional wear, but I just look bad in them. My neck is too short and I get that "uniboob" look too. I look much better - and I'm just as warm - with an open neck style with a scarf tied around my neck.

- strapless tops or dresses

Okay.... in general, I'm of the mind that nearly any style can work on my figure ... if the fit is exactly right. But this may mean extensive tailoring.

That's because my figure is not quite hourglass, not quite inverted triangle, and while I'm only 5'0 (my biggest fit challenge), I'm evenly proportioned vertically. Plus I'm only a B cup.

So that means *theoretically* there are very few styles I can't somehow wear - provided the fit is perfect. Even strapless and turtlenecks might work, if the tailoring and fit was just so.

Epaulets might even work if they were exactly the right scale... not saying it would be my ideal look, but it could be passable.

Of course.. ideal look ... that's a different matter!

Maya, you can find halter bras - so they're not strapless, just the strap wraps around your neck and follows the line of the halter top. If you do try it, I recommend trying it with a specific halter top since you want the bra line to be in sync with the top line. Things I've given up on:

- Heels above 2" (I have one exception at 2.5" - the Franco Sarto booties)
- Non A-line skirts
- Sweater dresses
- Many knits that are too clingy on the belly and not ruched