To ask how your clothes look so good?

[7yo7yo]

A friend bought some clothes from primark. They looked lovely on her. So I went and bought a couple of things I liked too and I looked awful. Clothes that were fitted nicely on her looked like sacks on me.
I messaged her moaning and she said she adjusts all her clothes at home on a sewing machine! A seam here, a tweak there and they look brilliant!
Aibu to ask What people do to their clothes to make them look better??

I don't do anything to make mine look good but...how old is your washing machine?

A few times DM and I have bought the exact same top/cardigan in different sizes and mine always bobbles/gets out of shape quicker because of my rubbish machine.

Clothes look great on thin women. I’m not thin 🤣.

That’s basically the secret.

Get some nice belts to tuck in. I don't make any alterations to them.

I make friends with my local drycleaner and get things altered to fit. I also know which colours suit me and can spot them in a sale or a charity shop at a distance of twenty yards.

@Chillychangchoo

Clothes look great on thin women. I’m not thin 🤣.

That’s basically the secret.

This! Some people just carry clothes well.

I find adding a belt often helps me. Baggy dresses add stones because of my figure.

You need to be thin. I live in jodhpurs and sweatpants and really need to take more care of my appearance.

Good underwear helps a lot

Yep I agree with the above it's often about being thin!

I came across a great series of videos on tiktok called something like "is this fashion or is she just skinny" and it was where a mid size / plus size woman tried on clothes that looked great on slim models / instagram influencers and often once an item of clothing was on a more standard shaped and sized body they didnt look good or fashionable at all.

All good ideas. I have a post c section belly (8 years later).....I feel tucking in tops and wearing baggy clothes makes it more evident!
I will have to check my washing machine too.
I always thought expensive clothes were better material/quality/fit but they don’t look any better on me than cheaper clothes!

Sorry wearing fitted clothes make it more evident so I wear baggy clothes!

Thin works.

I tend to buy a lot from Ebay and charity shops.. but i've a fashion/ textiles degree, so i do a lot of seam taking in and shortening as i hate anything A line or below the knee.
I've also got broad shoulders and not much boobage, so theres a lot of dart adjustment!
Apart from that i turn most things inside out before i wash (and if im drying on the line because of sun bleaching) and am really careful about how i dry i.e lining up side seams, never hanging to dry from the shoulders etc..

@Spiderplants

You need to be thin. I live in jodhpurs and sweatpants and really need to take more care of my appearance.

I am not thin BTW.

For going out clothes: I buy the very best quality I can manage - fabulous, crunchy, natural fabrics that will hold their shapes and colours. Then I look after them scrupulously.

I don't care about home clothes: the things I bought to see me through lockdown are now ready to carry themselves to the bin.

I think knowing what colours suit you make a huge difference whatever your size. Try and think what colours you ever get compliments about. Those usually bring out your eyes and lift your complexion. I also know which colours suit me and if l buy something even in Penny's in one of those colours l know it will fit in with other things in my wardrobe.

What's the relevance of the washing machine?

There are several things that help make clothes look good on people. The main one being they need to suit the persons body shape. The clothes need to suit you and your body. I don't know your body shape or your friends body shape. But say for example she's a rectangle shape and a flowy summer sack type dress looked amazing on her. Well let's say for arguments sake - if you're an hour glass it would make you look shit. Huge. Because your boobs would be bigger and it would just hang off you like a tent and the dress would hide the tiny waist of an hour glass. You'd need to either just accept that's the look you want to portray or wear a belt with the dress to highlight your waist. Or just chose something else.

The other thing is that you mentioned was the clothes were from Primark. I know people love primark, but the cut and fit of a garment from there will not be tailored as well as it would from a more expensive high street or higher end store. The fabrics they use often don't drape very well and fact is, the clothes just look cheap. Don't get me wrong - I have the occasional item from Primark, but I rarely find anything suitable in there for me.

Lastly a big thing is confidence and the way you carry yourself. Your posture, the way you pair the clothes with other pieces and just your general vibe will also play a big role in that.

I'd say first thing to do is try and figure out your body shape and what clothes look good on your shape

Buy things in your size
Adjust things to fit
Maintain - cheap garments need the most care - gentle washes, don't tumble dry and spot of spray starch when you iron won't hurt.

Ironing well, choosing clothes that fit you well and in my opinion good quality materials.

So I need to care for my clothing better and choose colours and shapes that suit me.
I probably need more self care that would help.
We’re both nurses but her nails for example, are short but well cared for. She dyes her hair at home regularly over lockdown but will go to the hair dressers In normal times.
She feels no “guilt” over spending money in herself where as I see it as a waste.

A good bra makes a massive difference.

Winegetsmethroughit, i disagree about price. i've bought cheapy things from H&M that have lasted well for years and more expensive stuff from Toast where side seams have twisted after 1 wash (not cut on the true grain) buttons come off etc..

Being skinny/tones always helps.
Properly tailored clothes look so much better than off the rack. I’m a size 20/22 and I have some amazing looking trousers that look like I’m smaller than I am. I call them my “magic slacks” lol. They were tailored to fit me by a close relative for her wedding. Never before or again will I have magic trousers like them.
Pay attention to the care labels and don’t wash “colours” with colours, you need to wash similar colours together.
Buy yourself a debobbler and a lint roller - both will help to keep your clothes in good shape.
Dress to suit you - think colours that flatter you. For example I look ok in blue and red, but I glow in emeralds/golds/earthy tones. I look dreadful in pastel shades and can’t do yellow at all. It washes me out.

Buy and get fitted for proper underwear somewhere like Bravissimo.
And don’t feel guilty about spending money on yourself, you should be able to!

She feels no “guilt” over spending money in herself where as I see it as a waste.

But if your cheap clothes don't look good to start with, and fall apart after the first wash - you're wasting money anyway. Why not spend a bit more on fewer, better quality items that will flatter you and last longer?

(I'm wondering who has convinced you that you're not worth dressing in decent clothes ...)