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??

Being thin makes a HUGE difference. I don’t alter much but I am relatively small (5’4”, 8.5 stone) & willing to spend a lot on fewer clothes that really fit me properly (good skinny jeans being the number 1 here, willing to spend £150+) I’m also very aware of what shapes/styles/colors flatter me and tend not to buy anything outside of that even if it’s a trend, I like the color etc because I’ll just end up thinking it looks awful.

I do shop in Primark for some stuff such as long sleeved teeshirts, belts, PJs and stuff for holidays ( pfft). Basics really Also every day undies. I stopped buying anything else, and definitely not dresses, jackets etc. Apart from the odd rare find, I think Primark looks cheap. Most people look better in better quality fitting clothing, and you can buy stuff from charity shops, sales, outlets or Ebay without breaking the Bank.

I don't buy it cos it's fashionable. I wear what I know suits me. I wear good bras, I stand up straight and I have coat hanger shoulders.

I know what shapes look good on me, it's no good following fashion if it doesn't work for your body shape/size unfortunately

You don't necessarily need to be thin - just need to have an eye for what suits you and what does not.

There are clothes that my friends look great in but wouldn't suit me well and vice versa.

Some high street shops used to offer some kind of free personal shopping service, but alas, many of these clothes stores are no more.

Knowing what suits your shape- fit, what colours suit or camouflage areas you less like.

Do you suit Dark- cool - warm colours?
Highlighting your assets or areas to draw the eye away from your stomach.
Get a shop assistant to style you and help find what suits your body shape.
I had to go to a function so looked for fresh ideas on Pinterest
Use colour- I disagree you have to be skinny I have seen many a woman dressed perfect because colour, fabric and style does wonders.
All shapes and sizes have its challenges- skinny waist wider back side was a embarrassing time convincing work I had to up a size please when my buttons kept bursting off.

I’ve never ever adjusted anything from the shop. I try it on before buying, if it doesn’t look good, I don’t buy it. That simple.

No, you're not unreasonable to ask! Dressing for your shape, knowing your personal style, picking the right colours for your skin tone, and being mindful of fabric choices: that's all there is to it, really.

I don't think you have to spend loads of money most of my stuff comes from Ebay, new, tagged, and I don't like spending money, so most of my bargains cost about a tenner each including p+p! I think Primark is great, price-wise, and I've had a few good bits in there over the years, but I couldn't rely on it for my whole wardrobe. I can't wear their ordinary jeans: they're just not cut right for my body shape, the rise is always too low and the leg ratio is always a bit weird on me, (so I go to M&S!) but I have a skinny, shorter-legged friend who reckons they're great. I hate that they do loads of things in polyester chiffon I steer away from that kind of thing. Some people can get away with it, but I'm not one of those people.

I always find a gem or two in Primark, though, such as... the year before last it was a pair of coated high waist black jeggings for £15: I wore them everywhere, dressed them up, dressed them down, and got two winters' wear out of them. They went perfectly with my other winter 'rock chick' type pieces, and they looked way more expensive than £15.

Last year there was a white and navy striped linen tailored summer blazer, excellent quality, not lined, neat pockets and lapels, cut well, and I would've easily paid three times as much as I paid for it (was only £20) and I would've still felt like it was a bargain. I wore it with blue jeans, trainers and a basic t-shirt and I'll be wearing it again this summer, too, probably with a white t-shirt, white sandals, and some navy cropped linen trousers I got from monsoon for £40. (These outfits probably sound naff to everyone else, but they work for me).

My 'secret' is... accessories. I like big earrings, quirky necklaces, chunky bangles, that kind of thing -- (not all at once though!) I know it's not what's 'cool' right now, but it's my 'finishing touch', and it works for me. I'm kind of... art teacher vibe, a bit preppy, a bit rock n roll, a bit vintage. Maybe you need some 'signature' thing: cute hats, neon tights, metallic shoes, bright red nails, whatever, and then you can always 'upgrade' your Primarni bits with something that's 'just right' for you...? Happy hunting...

Your friend already told you, get your clothes tailored. I often buy a size up and get my tailor to nip the seams in, add a dart and adjust to the right length. She's amazing with her machine, really fast and it is well worth the small extra cost.

I buy fewer, good quality items and look after them well. For everyday wear the ‘Mia’ slim leg trousers from M&S are a great staple; go with Breton tops/a crisp white big shirt with a colourful knit. I love coats, proper wool coats. Chuck a smart coat over jeans and a white t shirt and it looks great.
I also iron/press my clothes; not a popular idea these days. I only buy colours which suit me ( mostly navy/ mustard/tan/white/some shades of green/a bit of red) , and I like stripes but limit the florals.

Hope it's ok to share a YT link, this Baroness von sketch really describes my dilemma 😂

Hand wash all delicates and woollens. Hang up to dry carefully. No tumble drying. Separate colours from whites in wash.

Also I'm a fan of choosing colours that suit me e g I'm a winter so avoid yellow based colours.

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

Well, there you go. How happy does that stance make you and whom does it benefit?

so much is about what suits you.
I am tall, long bodied, and over wieght.

I can rarely wear dresses, as the waist is always too high.
Most tops and cardigans are too short on me and I look seriously awful. Most trousers are a poor fit, so they sit too low and don't fit round the waist.

I realise that if I wear loose trousers, I need a fitted top. if I wear a loose top, I need slimmer more fitted trousers.

But if I find trousers that fit, and the right top in the right length, then I can look good.

Learn your shape, learn what works, and don;t be a slave to 'fashion' but rather go with what works for you.
And colours. I can't wear grey or beige at all near my face

I buy jeans from Sainsbury's (yes really!) and Marks and Spencer. But only very specific styles, always try on.
I buy from there because they fit me.

And the 2 Marks pairs I have cost £20 each, so not necessarily expensive.

Just here wondering how long a "crisp white shirt" would remain so when worn 🤔

@torquewench

Just here wondering how long a "crisp white shirt" would remain so when worn 🤔

Assuming a serious question.. 😄 I buy a good quality one; I have one which I think is poplin with some stretch, from a Danish company, and another from Massimo Duttii which is lovely. I love linen but hate the crumpled look, and the thin cotton shirts from Gap etc. soon look less crisp!

torque it’s entirely dependent on the blend of fabric. I have a 100% (or near as dammit) cotton white shirt from Jigsaw and it needs ironing every time, whereas a blended cotton shirt from Hobbes is much more forgiving.

Unfortunately yes to ironing, colours and no dumping stuff on a chair - it’s either hanging up/folded nicely or being worn.

Also ironing starch helps shirt stay looking good.

It's not about the clothes.

Your friend has confidence. You don't.

No amount of spray on starch will fix that.

It's the tailoring your friend does to the clothes, makes a huge difference. I really don't think you have to be thin. The lady on Great British Menu (Andi Oliver?) always looks fantastic and she's hardly a size zero.

Clean, shiny hair helps the look, whatever style you choose.
And a good bag; doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Try TKMaxx.
A good bag... now I sound like my mother...

I actually think it is worth having a Colour Me Beautiful consultation, and then to buy a scarf in your colours and to wear it next to your face. Also matching make up. Having a stylist advise you on which styles suit you is a good idea, if affordable, and then remembering the advice and following it for the next however many years - updating advice if your shape changes and you think you need to. It might not be an extravagance if you can go on following the advice about what lines and shapes suit you. You probably could have a consultation done once, then act on it, without actually needing to pay for another session, for the next twenty five years, or so.
Linked to above, I'd say avoid fashion. I have quite a long body, and often a blouse will ride up showing my back or tummy, if I move. I wear dresses over trousers as though I'm wearing a tunic, and feel more confident about shifting position. Obviously, it might not be the fashion, but I'd rather develop a style that suits my shape and nod to fashion over details, like pattern.

For anyone who can afford it, having some outfits made to measure by a dressmaker is a good idea. Basic summer dresses or work tailored-yet- loose-ish tops, maybe in linen to have a stability. I don't know how much it costs, but a local dressmaker might not charge much.

I think very thin close-fitting materials are difficult. They can show bras and not flatter. Under vests make clothes sit better.

Thanks so thats the crispness sorted. Now I just need to figure out keeping it white, as Im a snagging/splash/stain magnet. I ruined a gorgeous blush pink Hobbs top on its first outing. In hindsight, an Italian restaurant and a tomato sauce based dish weren't the wisest choices to compliment my outfit.

It helps to be slim, but you also need to dress for your shape.

Even Kate Middleton who looks fantastic in tight clothes doesn't really suit everything.