Lovelyish

I tend to fid the dress pants from the limited a staple. You can putany top or polo with them and it intantly gives yor outfit some class. Other than that you need to window shop and look through catalouges and figure out what color scheme and style fits you and then try and mimic it. If I could see you in person I culd help more but alas I am stuck in AL

Not really sure how to answer this. I just go to Urban Outfitters or Forever 21 or Buckle and look for fashionable things.

Haha, I need fashion advice as much as you do! Cheap fashion advice. I can’t really afford to update my look every season. Hell, I still have a hoodie my grandmother got for me 5 years ago from American Eagle! According to a post on here about fall fashion trends all I can afford are shaving my eyebrows off, leggings, and blush.

Hope you get some good advice! =]

weardrobe.com will give you many ideas.

Work in academia.  No one there will care how terrible your fashion sense is =)

for fashion ideas i just pay attention to what kind of things people at school are wearing. also helpful are tv shows, movies, and magazines. i’m not really sure how to answer, because part of dressing fashionably is putting your own spin on things. just accept and reject certain trends. for example, i love leggings and boots so i play that trend up a lot. i hate animal print so even though it’s in this fall i refuse to wear any of it. if you’re looking for clothes for a job, though, that’s a little different. i would say some cute button up tops and some slacks. the trick to buying clothes is to shop in the right places. i like forever 21 and charolette ruse, smaller stores like that. department stores,however, tend to be expensive and have stuff for more of an older crowd anyway. target has some pretty good stuff this season, too. they have super cute cardigans and shoes. but yeah basics you’ll need for a job are nice button up tops, some slacks, and nice shoes. also you’ll need accessories. earings and necklaces are nice. headbands are cute and if you get the right kind it might even be formal enough to wear to work. accessories really make the outfit, so if you can afford it definitely get a few accessories. you don’t need many, just a few basics that go with many outfits. hope this helped!

Forgetting Your Audience

When it comes to dressing for work, there’s no such thing as one size fits all. Remember to dress for the company that is paying your salary, avoiding clothes that clash with your corporate culture.

Investment banks still require conservative suits, usually in neutral colors, while individuality and creative flair are expected in fields such as advertising or film. Be sure to pick up cues from your office culture.

Women should convey professionalism, advises Ida Liu, a director in the fashion retail group at Citibank’s private banking arm. “I want to be a trusted adviser to my clients. When they are looking at me I want them to see me as intelligent.”

Above all, remember that what flies in one office might not work so well in another. Don’t be afraid to modify your clothing to fit the culture. Susan Magrino, who runs a New York-based public relations firm, alters her clothes to make them work for the office. She recently purchased a Pucci sweater and added extra hooks to make it less revealing.

Wearing the Same Old Designers Again and Again … and Again

When shopping for the office, most women head straight for the same designer or store. While it’s easy to stick with what has worked before, this is the quickest way to look dated. Instead, vary your designers and shop at different stores to create looks that are fresh.

Another great way to update your office look is to try more cutting-edge brands, such as 3.1 Phillip Lim or Rag & Bone. Buy a blazer from one of these labels and pair it with pants.

And of course, pattern tights, scarves and earrings can work in dozens of combinations to liven up a neutral suit.

Finally, don’t forget that a work wardrobe begins with great basics. Most crucial: one great suit and shirts in your most complimentary colors. Magrino says every woman should also own a jacket; gray flannel, brown and black pants; and brown and black boots and pumps.

Not Paying Attention to Fit

Everyone knows that you should avoid clothes that are too tight or too skimpy. If your clothing is overly revealing, you may have difficulty getting attention for your ideas.

But baggy clothing that’s two sizes too big can be just as detrimental. If your clothing is shapeless, you’ll end up looking sloppy.

When choosing work outfits, stick to items with a contemporary cut and avoid anything that is ill-fitting or too large. “Wearing something that fits you well will give you that extra boost of confidence,” says Liu.

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In most cases, that means taking store-bought clothes to a tailor. “Even movie stars get their clothes tailored,” says stylist Phillip Bloch, who has worked with celebrities such as Salma Hayek and Halle Berry. “Very few people can just go into a store and throw something on and look good.”

Going Trendy Instead of Timeless

Unless you work in fashion, wearing the latest trends to work is a no-no, as wearing overly trendy clothing can overshadow your work accomplishments. “You don’t want to walk in [wearing] a purple fluorescent suit, even if it’s beautiful,” says Citibank’s Liu. Instead, “be a diva in the evenings.”

While it’s important to avoid looking too trendy, this shouldn’t translate into wearing dowdy clothes. Rory Tahari, vice chairman and creative director of the fashion brand Elie Tahari, says women tend not to give themselves the freedom to express their own personal style. Women shouldn’t be afraid to take a risk now and then with color, prints and fabrics, explains Tahari. “You are a woman, you don’t have to dress like a man.”

Bloch suggests adding pops of color like tangerine and yellow to update outfits for spring without overdoing it. “Hillary Clinton was a great example of this on the campaign trail. There she was in her black suit but she was always throwing a pop of color under it.”

Dressing for the Weekend … During the Week

Dress codes have relaxed at many companies, and business casual is now the norm in many workplaces every day of the week. Problem is, many people have no idea what this means.

Don’t interpret business casual as dressing for a Saturday afternoon. Limit jeans to Fridays and make sure they’re neatly pressed. As for the rest of the week, if business casual means skipping the suit in favor of slacks and a blouse or sweater, just remember that you never know when a meeting with a client will spring up or when you’ll have to drop by an unscheduled evening event with colleagues.

Not that I’m much of a fashion expert, but when I’m looking for something a little outside my normal “comfort zone,” I go shopping with a friend that dresses closer to the style that I’m looking for.  Plus a second opinion is always great!

hmn, if your looking to get noticed for work, try black pants and start looking for shirts that might look buisness casual. NY&C tends to carry a lot of the black, pinstripes and such. You could even wear your rocker shirts with them still. Now, for shoes, try and stray from tennies. After you buy some clothes, you might look for a pair of flats to match (Scince your about comfort). Ross tends to have a lot of buisness casual stuff there too, if you are on a budget. If you want, send me a messege, Id be glad to help.

I used to wear just jeans and t-shirts too, but then my friend dragged me into Forever 21, and I found really great stuff and I’m still comfortable you should go there and see if you can find anything too, I’m sure you will.

the show “what not to wear” often features people who are having the same dilemma as you but in many different age ranges. it comes on TLC throughout weekdays at noon i believe, and almost all episodes will tell you what’s work-appropriate and casually appropriate for your body type. of course, some episodes are older and feature things that aren’t fashionable, but there are certain timeless staples featured on every episode and that every woman can wear. i highly recommend watching it. pay attention and if the person on the episode has a different body type or situation than yours then i would immediately turn the tv off. you don’t want to watch somebody with a body that’s the complete opposite of yours and attempt to get tips on fit and style from that. you can watch it for the entertainment value, though. it’s usually pretty funny episodes.

as far as trends for fall, a bing search for fall/winter 2009 trends will result in many options that you can sift through to find what you like best.

good luck!

I have a very similar problem. Maybe the best thing to do is try to clean out all the older shirts and jeans you never wear from your closet, and sell them to thrift stores or donate them all. Then go out shopping and limit yourself to anything you like that isn’t jeans or a t-shirt. The rest is just wearing it. You don’t need to worry about being trendy as long as you like what you wear.

Check out:
lookbook.nu

I would really go somewhere (with a finite amount of cash, of course) and try to find a salesperson who can understand what you’re looking for, and will be willing to help you find things that fit you. Fashion sense is really easy if you can start out with basic pieces and basic cute jewelry.

trouser pants (meaning pants that go straight from the thigh down to your feet), any top that ISNT a tshirt (its good to have tops that accentuate a waistline/under the bust line), not converse (aka heels, flats, boots, really nice looking sneakers)…jewelery if you want to. oh and JACKETS. nice structured jackets that hit at the hip. and KNEE LENGTH dresses and skirts. no longer or shorter unless you are at a club. and sweaters aka cardigans

ask the store clerk at a store of your preferred style. you’ll get the hang of things =)

I think there’s a lot of good advice here. I haven’t read all of it but the key to fashion is not necessarily blindly following trends.

The key is to let you fashionable wardrobe grow out of your style.

Anyone here could tell you what’s in for the season or what to wear to job interviews. Buying and wearing clothes is easy. It’s feeling comfortable in them that can make all the difference.

I know a philosophical approach to fashion isn’t what you were looking for but I do hope this helps. If you like that sort of rocker-esque look run with it. I would check out Lookbook and look for styles that jump at your rocker appeal. Notice the staples they use and try to incorporate them into your new wardrobe.

I was in your exact shoes not too long ago. You’ll get the hang of it quickly.

try watching some makeover shows…now i don’t mean that you need a makeover but they usually spend quite a bit of time on the wardrobe part and get the person to try a few outfit (esp. for professional wear) and they explain why it works..usually the pieces they chose are timeless that way you wont have to keep updating it. =)

i spose it all depends on ur body type as to what kind of clothes you want to wear
and whether or not you had a particular style like rock chick/punk/asianstyles/cute/elegant, etc.
x

oh, you just need a few helpful friends tis’ not the end of the world miss. 

x Aim

I guess just go out, and look at others your age who seem to have some style for inspiration, find styles that are comfy and mature at the same time.

I’d start by figuring out styles that you just like.  Then I would figure out your body type and what styles flatter your body type.  Then I’d go out and buy things you like and that flatter your body.

Haha, make this one epic shopping trip! Look online before going that is for sure. Lovelyish here has many posts regarding the latest trends and what to look for so maybe check that out.

Get a few pairs of jeans, non-ripped this time. Skinny’s, boot cut. Try Urban Outfitters or H&M. Invest in a pair of tights, tank tops, long dress-y type shirts. Just try on anything and everything lol. Maybe get a sales rep from that store to help you out or take a few friends along with you that could give you suggestions. Good luck!

Take a friend with you shopping. That always helps.

also like the girl above said, sales reps are amazing in most boutiques and clothing stores. If you just explain your shopping, but dont really know where to begin, they will help you.

and if you dont like something they put you in, DONT BUY IT.

being fashionable is much less important than being yourself. (:

also, try looking on websites of popular clothing stores, decipher what types of clothing you want, and look for those in the stores around you.

might i suggest websites for stores like,

http://www.charlotterusse.com/home/index.jsp?cid=

http://www.forever21.com/

I wiush you the best of luck, you should keep us updated on your search for fashion sense(:

@sick_of_dreams@xanga - ”dress pants [are] a staple. You can put any top or polo with them and it instantly gives your outfit some class.”

i totally agree! black dress pants are a good investment, and simple, casual chic shoes w/a low or no heel in a neutral to go with anything.<—starting out a new wardrobe, especially on a limited budget, you want to begin by getting separates that you can mix and match with each other in order to create more outfit possibilities and give the illusion of a larger wardrobe. 

you can throw in a few tops in your favorite color(s) to break up the monotony of the other neutral basics you pair them with (you’ll figure out which colors look best on you when you try stuff on).  versatility is key; i shy away from pieces that only look good when worn one certain way, or only looks good in one outfit combination.  and a couple good layering pieces (i.e., vests, pullover sweaters) can increase your outfit options, plus help when the weather gets cold or if you get a job in a place w/really good a/c, lol.

i don’t even know if half of what i said made any kind of sense, and really i’m an amateur that’s had to find my way through fashion like yourself (as a pre-teen in the most crucial years of my development my parents thought it would be a good idea to dress me in boys’ clothes, haha).  and because of my limited funds i didn’t buy everything all at once, it was all about getting basic/staple items first, and then periodically adding various other things to my wardrobe as my wallet would permit

i wish you the best of luck! <3

Go to adult department stores with the LOOKS/STYLE that you seek. For a job interview, select a store that looks like it has the right clothes for the clothes you desire.

Its atually very simple. Go in and Look and what the mannequins are wearing. Buy the same thing (who gives a **** if you copied it… -_-. it’s about looking nice, feeling good, and getting that job!). Or buy some other pieces from that store that look very similar. Or are different but still look good.

Another alternative. Go to…. Macy’s or some equalivalent. There are many different sections in Macys. Depending on what the clothes are for, say job interview or professional job, go to that particular section. Ask someone for help picking out an outfit. AND MAKE THEM find pieces for you. It’s their job. Don’t feel bad. People have brought pieces to me many time while I waited in the dressing room. They loveeee it when you like something and you buy it!

Next:
Get tailored clothing. Go to Ross or Marshalls and find cheap jeans that are too long and have them cut and taiilored to your size. Some places near my house go for 5-15 dollars to tailor a pair of jeans. awesomeness. they will fit you PERFECTLY after. nothing looks better on you than this.

next:
if you are shy, or worried about what people think, then try online shopping. you will see that they too have already put together outfits. Some online stores, when you click on a piece of clothing, they have something on the bottom that says .. “recomended pieces that go with this” and they show you what looks good with it or what other people bought with it.
if you do not have a credit card and can only pay with cash, then go find a friend, parent, aunt, anyone that does have a credit card. you can select the pieces you like and pay them cash to order them for you.
don’t worry about things not fitting. most stores have measurement charts on their websites and you can always return something if you dont like it. Or have it tailored.

next:
if you liike street fashion,
try lookbook.nu

its awesomely awesome. check out their outfits. its updated everyday. get some ideas.

good luck!

It’s too bad that people are judged so much by what they wear.

I have the same daily outfit as you do now – jeans, a band t-shirt, studded belt, and converse. Thankfully, though, I’m still in high school, so I have plenty of time to stay comfortable before I have to worry about looking good for a job.

i think you can get something simple like a basic t-shirt then wear an outerwear like vest, blazers, cardigans over it.. find more fashion websites!

I can relate to you on that! Since high school, I was not one to be fashionable since I was insecure to even try new things. How I wanted to look inside my head was impossible to translate into reality because I was so unconfident in myself. I’m 20 right now and since college has allowed me to be more comfortable with myself, I’m more confident to try new things without feeling as judged as I did in high school. Plus, having a boyfriend who loves me for who I am has helped me see the beauty in me that I couldn’t see before. I’m not saying that you should find someone who can boost your self-esteem, but that it’s important that you understand and love yourself for who you are first, despite the clothes you wear or the make-up you put on *cheesy I know!* This self-confidence from being who you are translates into how you express yourself physically (i.e. clothes). I am currently now a fashion-blog junkie. I remember coming across http://www.chictopia.com and as lame as this sounds, it totally changed my sense of fashion. The site is about regular people who style themselves. While high-end fashion models in magazines were a bit hard for me to relate to, the whole fashion world seemed to make more sense later on. As other users pointed out, lookbook.nu is extremely helpful as well! Just finding inspiration in seeing how different people express themselves can help you learn how to be more fashion conscious so that eventually you can express yourself in the way that you want! I hope this helps. Good luck!  

I would say that being fashionable (and buying trendy s*&^) is less important than maybe looking into some classic items that fit you well.

Get some killer black pants for interviews that flatter. Try the Express Editor pant, or Banana Republic as your budget allows.  In general think about getting items that are fitted- what flatters your waistline?

Also get comfy flats that look good.

Transition to t shirts that are still cozy but solids and prints instead of band T’s. gap or whatever could totally fit your needs here.  Use scarfs, earrings, etc to add color and a little bit of rocker or ethnic/ funky asthetic. this part is fun and cheap.

Get a trendy cardigan or two- this season it’s about a slouchy, longer cut.

I had a transition like this and I figured out, my newer ‘classier’ more ‘fashionable’ clothes had to be comfy otherwise I wouldn’t wear them.

Also going through this transition gets you a lot of complements! good luck girl!

Here’s a crazy idea – go out on a limb. wear something you didnt think you would ever wear. go for quality, not quantity.

Try stores like Express, Forever21, and Urban Outfitters.

refrain from buying ripped jeans – those are more for teenagers. NO MORE BAND T-SHIRTS.

For work days, try a dress, a suit, or dress pants and a blouse. HEELS ARE YOUR FRIEND. hahah. or flats will work.

[:

When I was at school I had the feeling I was not cool and hip enough to wear trendy clothes and/or I was too self-concious to go into certain shops. Now I am more confident with myself those problems vanished. My advice would be: if you want fashionable clothes, go to fashionable shops

Take what you like and tweak it a bit, if you need a change. Fashion is supposed to be personal. If you love band tees and jeans, dont abandon them. If you wear something totally opposite of that style just to feel more “fashionable”, you may not be comfortable and it will come across looking like a costume, not a great outfit. Take your band tees and jeans and pair them with a cute pair of heels and a great necklace. Then you look trendy and put together but not sloppy, and you will feel more trendy, too, I bet. Or take ONE trend you love (band tee, jeans, OR converse, but not all 3) and combine that with a new fashion trend like a pencil skirt, trendy top or blazer. Then you’re still “you”, but mixed up a bit. 

Keep your personal style, otherwise you won’t be yourself and will feel like you’re wearing martian clothes. Just incorporate your punky style with something older and more sophisticated. Just look for accents that complement you’re personality without going over board. Remember to keep it conservative if you’re dressing to impress.

To dress for work or interviews, you really can’t go wrong with these few basics: a black, fitted blazer; a black, khaki, or brown knee-length skirt, black or khaki pants, and button down, collared shirts in a bunch of colors. These can all be mixed & matched together, or you can always pair any of these items with other, a little bit less preppy, items without making it seem UNprofessional. I would lose the converse for work though; I live in mine outside of work, but for work I either wear a plain pair of heels (definitely no more than 3 inches!) or even flats, they have really cute, sophistocated ones now that don’t look like “ballet shoes” and are really comfortable! Good luck

Go to a store like  H&M and look around, try on different things.  Ask help from a sales associate or a girl friend.  I go to Chictopia.com  The girls on their are great inspiration!

beging fashionable dosent mean you have to follow what everyone else is wearing . look at a few looks and see what you like and develop your own style (:

You should shop by outfit. Go through a magazine, and pull out pages of models whose outfit you like and want to mimic. Make a general list of each piece of clothing and when you go shopping, look for those items. Try to find outfits that use some of the same general pieces so you don’t have to buy a ton of different things. Sometimes, it’s just the accessorizing that makes the outfit, like a basic black vest or knee length boots. For example, if you wore one of your band tees with a vest and straight jeans tucked into a pair of boots, it would instantly add style to a basic and comfortable outfit. A lot of magazines make articles that showcase assets that you would want to highlight, like nice hips, or long legs, so you could get outfit advice there. They also have spreads about different body types, so if you don’t have an average body, that would be good to take a look at. Like if you’re short, a dress that ends mid-calf, would make you look even shorter. Hope this helps, and good luck. Oh yeah, and a new haircut would be a great jumpstart into the fashion world, seeing as your hair is the first thing people notice when they meet you.