iMSN Dressing Room aka What NOT To Wear

[Vishenka69]

Hope I'm not overwhelming you guys. But had to share this find from Nordstrom. It's a machine washable cashmere sweater for only $35. Cashmere looks and feels much fancier than merino wool and can be dressed down with jeans (pair it with a white shirt underneath for extra layer) or up with a skirt or pants and some jewerly.



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[Vishenka69]

I fear you have created a monster. I just can't stop myself.

Ok, here are some more sweater options. Janet, these also come in petite. I think a chocolate brown or green for the cords and a bright color for the jeans with turtleneck. These are two for $99 and I'll look around for some coupon codes.

Ahhhhh! I want money!!!!! (insert head hitting brick wall emoticon here)

[Vishenka69]

Just wanted to add that prior to making ANY online purchase, you should check out this site for any coupon codes (if there's one out there, they've got it).

http://www.coupon-codes.net/index.php

Also, unless you need new clothes immediately, wait until after Xmas. The sales in Jan and Feb are amazing. Retails practically give stuff out for free.

Ann Taylor had spectacular sales last year. I got a $200 blazer for $35, fits like a glove. And their petite trousers don't require 3" heels!

[DCJenn]

Just wanted to let you know that my order from Overstock.com came today and everything fits and I'm going to be that stylish fitness professional...

Jenn

[Vishenka69]

Jenn, how about some pics of the new stylish you? I'm glad this thread has actually served as inspiration to some of you.

Shoe shopping complete. I went through my closet and my shoes didn't quite work and I didn't want to wear the neighbor's shoes again (pinched a little last year).
I stopped by at Nordstroms and saw those Stuart Weitzman pumps and then pried myself away. Now I'm thinking, I couldn't afford them but I still should have tried them on! (Sure they are fabulous but why can't I get the photo smaller? Sorry).


I ended up going back to the basic black. I think these will be something I can wear again (I'm hoping that in a year and half I might go out in the evening more frequently). I found something similar to this:

[Vishenka69]

Nellie, you can always dress up sensible shoes with some fun pantyhose or knee highs.

[Vanquisher]

I am a big girl, and I have no money. Clothes are not and have never been my friend. I have a Christmas party this Saturday. It is pretty casual. I worse a skirt last year, and not only did I freeze, but I was plenty well dressed. This year I was thinking of wearing my chocolate brown slacks and a cream turtleneck sweater. Also, I was planning on wearing brown loafers for shoes, with a bit of a heel. I'm really tall, and I hate wearing a large heel. Plus, I don't need the extra attention. Plus, I don't need to break my neck. My question is jewely and hosiery. What kind of necklace would work with a turtleneck sweater. It is a big neck. Second, what color of socks or hose should I go with. I don't want cold tootsies. I will have to buy this probably as most of the year I wear sandals with a t-shirt and jeans and hair in a pony. I hate socks. I hate shoes for that matter. I'd rather be barefoot. I've never figured out the mystery of socks with an outfit. I am guessing a sock color to match my pants. But, and this is a not good I am assuming, but I can't afford new shoes, my shoes aren't the same brown as my pants. They are a dark brown, but have a more red hue. I think. Ugh, this whole thing is lost on me. I am totally hopeless. Remember cheapness here. Oh and take your version of cheap and then run it through the K-Mart cycle.

Keep in mind that I have really big feet and I cannot shop in average stores. Sigh.

[SueC]

OK Vishenka, I have a challenge for you.
I'm in the early stages of pregnancy. Most of what I own is sort of fitted (I swear I don't dress trampy, at least I don't think I do), so it looks very silly now that my stomach is pooching out. I can't really wear maternity clothes yet because I'm not big enough yet. I'm usually at this awkward phase for several months. Since I mostly wear jeans, what are some good things I can wear on the top half? I like to be comfortable, but I feel like a slug wearing bulky sweatshirts all the time.

Challenge #2: I would like some basic athletic inspired shoes that I can wear with almost anything. I already have some black and tan mary janes I got at Nordstroms, as well as some grey mule sneaker Cole Haan's with a red stripe, and a pair of brown Diesels with a pinkish stripe. I always feel compelled to try to match my clothes to the shoes, though I don't think think that is necessary. I've tried finding a solid color like brown (I wear more brown than black), but I can't find any I like and am always drawn to the ones with colors on them.

[SueC]

Nellie, those are awesome shoes! I especially love the first ones, though I'm not coordinated enough to wear heels. The second ones are cute, too, and look pretty versatile.

Sue, check out the Liz Lang maternity stuff from Target. I STILL wear a white peasant blouse I got when I was pregnant with Henry, and I'm totally deflated.

[Vishenka69]

Heidi, I know you said you can't afford new shoes, but what about these? The idea of wearing loafers to any sort of party is just wrong (unless they are suede Gucci ones and even then I'm not too sure).

Only $23 and available up to size 12 in Target.



As for accessories, I would go with a pin vs a necklace. Here are some ideas from Nordstrom. In NY there are tons sold by street vendors for about $5-10, I can't seem to find those prices on line. These types of brooches will draw attention away from the loafers and the fact that they may not match the pants and tie all the colors of the outfit together.



For socks, I would suggest going with neutral color knee-highs. Any type of cotton/wool sock will just stand out.

[Vishenka69]

Sue, for the shoes, I would suggest something along the lines of Donald Pliner and Cole Haan, since they have athletically themed lines that are still regular shoes/boot. For a trully athletic footwear that is still stylish, I like Puma. Since you said that you mostly wear jeans, what about something in the blue hues? I'm trying to look for something, but can't find exactly what I have in mind. Also since you're in midwest, you may want to look at boots for the current season. Something along the updated version of the snowboot variety (Cole Haan, Coach and Michael Kors have very cute ones). http://www.bluefly.com often have good deals (I can't open it from work).



For sweaters, I'm thinking wrap ones that hit at the hip will be good because they can be expanded as needed.
These are from http://www.SmartBargains.com



And here are a couple from Nordstrom.