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Style & Beauty

Styles you'd like to wear but can't?

103 replies

SantasNaughtySack · 03/01/2013 13:07

This year I'm planning to stop trying to wear things that jut aren't 'me', however much I'd like them to be! Does anyone else have this problem?
I'd love to do the androgynous look occasionally, like boyfriend jeans and a plain loose Tshirt- but I just end up looking fat and butch.
Likewise with chunky knits- gorgeous on other people but I look like a Womble Sad
And lastly, scarves. I feel like I'm missing out, their always mentioned on WIWT threads, and I see so many stylish looking women my age wearing them, but I look in the mirror and just end up feeling silly.
So no more! I will admire, but not covet.

Anyone else have styles they'd love to pull off but just can't quite manage?

OP posts:
SantasNaughtySack · 03/01/2013 13:08

Just They're
Blush

OP posts:
Annianni · 03/01/2013 13:14

I bought some ash wedge trainers and I look like a nob in them.

I also bought some all saints damisi boots and I look like a nob in them too.

I don't want to look like a nob :o

DolomitesDonkey · 03/01/2013 13:16

Babydolls on other people = cute, girly, playful, summery
Babydolls on me = pregnant Mama Cass

Thumbwitch · 03/01/2013 13:17

Anything floaty, arty and ephemeral - I just look like a frumpy bag lady instead.

I'd really like to go gothic but just don't have the nerve for it. Didn't when I was a teen, which would have been the right time to do it; don't have now either, which is 30y too late anyway. I save it for parties.

QueenCadbury · 03/01/2013 13:19

Scarves here too. Love them but they look silly. Also can't do:
Collars -not sure why but they just don't look right on me. I love plaid and denim shirts but just can't wear them.
Ankle boots-I have short legs so they just make me look dumpy even though I'm 5'4. Calf length or a shoe boot looks much better.
Costume jewellery- again, it's something I love but just looks silly. I look better with dainty pieces
Anything too long that covers my bum as it just makes it look huger than it is. I don't like tunics anyway but I do like boyfriend type cardigans but can't wear them.
Skinny jeans/trousers-make me look like a parsnip. Straight leg and bootcut/flared are much more flattering.

As you can see I've also thought a lot about this and have realised with some expensive mistakes really what suits me.

noddyholder · 03/01/2013 13:19

Racer back loose vests with a tan and no bra

4aminsomniac · 03/01/2013 13:22

I can't wear any dress or top that has a twist detail between the boobs!

I thought I had just got it into my head about them, but went shopping with a friend yesterday, and she got me to try on a few examples. She totally agrees that they look very weird on me!

I am small framed (size 8), 5'6", and my upper body is petite IYSWIM, with small boobs. This type of dress makes me look as if I have a child size upper body, and make my boobs look very close together.

Of course they are every where at the moment, in lovely colors and lengths that would really suit me!

AllDirections · 03/01/2013 13:22

Anything figure hugging Sad

The 6 month pregnant look is only atrractive if you're actually pregnant Blush

Annianni · 03/01/2013 13:25

I used to wear racer back lose vests with a tan and no bra... daren't do it these days though, I'd scare the children.

Annianni · 03/01/2013 13:26

loose

digerd · 03/01/2013 13:50

Sleeveless tops, high heels, short skirts showing anything knee upwards, and happened during the last 8 years. Before then I could wear anything I liked.
My weight is the same as 30 years ago, but the shape has changed and the skin wrinkled - dratted ageing process grrrrrrrr.

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 03/01/2013 13:52

shorts
nice little sparkly ones with opaques
and short dresses
even when thinnish I am cursed with both thunder thighs and cankles.

BadDog · 03/01/2013 13:58

wide legged trousers

anything not slim fitting on me legs

ifancyashandy · 03/01/2013 13:58

Skater dresses. I'm tall and slim with E cup size but short backed with long legs so need to 'drop' my waist slightly (or raise it to Empire) else I look like a monoboob with a thick waist if I wear a seam right on the middle of it. I have to have that seam nearer my hips. Shame, as I really like the style and with ankle boots, it's a really easy style for work.

BadDog · 03/01/2013 13:58

DIGERD

for sleeveless stuff just go to body pump for a year - i am both cellulite and bingo wings free first time in years

BadDog · 03/01/2013 13:59

no one over 25 should wear skater dresses tbh

ifancyashandy · 03/01/2013 14:02

Dunno Baddog I work with a 50 year old who looks bloody amazing in them. Not age that's important but how you style something.

Blimps, I'm 43 and wear leather leggings, sequin minis, short wool shorts - anything I want, so long as it looks good! Couldn't give a stuff about 'should / shouldn't' based on age.

ifancyashandy · 03/01/2013 14:03

Blimps?! Blimey!

shine0ncrazydiamond · 03/01/2013 14:08

I'd like to wear lots of things that sadly, I'm just too old for. I just about scrape by wearing short skirts,opaques and biker style boots... I'd really like to wear cut off shorts and Ash wedges but sadly I am many years too old.

I also suffer from something I call 'skinny fat.. ' so I am a size 8 /10 but very un toned and chunky knits or loose jeans for example, make me look enormous.

I'd also like to dip dye my hair. Another no -no at 41.

ifancyashandy · 03/01/2013 14:19

At 41, you can wear all of those things! And dip dye your hair! Blimey, we're a long time dead - have fun with your clothes! FWIW, I also have Ash trainers and am often complimented on my look. I used to be a right frump but turned 40, lost 4 stone and thought 'fuck it'! Took a load of things I'd never normally wear into a changing room and just tried stuff on. You'd be surprised!

And do you ever get the Guardian? If not, buy it on Saturday - there's a weekly fashion article called 'All Ages'. They have 70 year old models in shorts who look freakin' amazing!

ToastedTeacakes · 03/01/2013 14:25

*Wrap dresses - I have no nice curves or titties to fill them.
*Boyfriend or masculine style cuts - I am narrow of shoulder and this stuff swamps me.
*Pencil skirts - love them but they make me look like an actual pencil.
*Skinnies with arse on show - I am far from large but self conscious about my rear end unless I wear heels to lengthen legs (I am 5'4). And even then I'm too scared to do it. I can't work out what is wrong with my arse either, but I feel the area where it connects to my thighs is out of proportion.
*Watches, bracelets - wrists too thin, I gave up long ago unless the item can be altered prior to purchase.
*Knee boots - fit me like wellies however narrow they are.
Anything waisted or elasticated at waist - I have a high waist/short torso so these styles appear badly fitting on me and frump up my silhouette. Belts are a no-no also.
*scarves - I suit them, I think, but the feel of all of that fabric around my neck irritates me.

As for age, I am 38 and don't really go by rules. But then I never wore clothes which were super young anyway, so there isn't too much of a transition for me to make. Shorter skirts still suit me better than longer, so I will do what is best for my shape and look until the time feels right to graduate to new things. I really think that changing styles with age is a fun thing and something to be approached with excitement - not depressing at all!

noddyholder · 03/01/2013 14:27

I base nothing on age and all on what shape I am in.

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ifancyashandy · 03/01/2013 14:32

Hear hear Noddy

noddyholder · 03/01/2013 14:33

I am 47 Shock but know what suits me and boden it aint

MirandaWest · 03/01/2013 14:35

Shift dresses. They are never going to work on my pear shaped figure.

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