I would really appreciate any help cos I feel as though I am stuck in a fashion rut and have no idea where to start… As shallow as it sounds, for once I would like to be well dressed and fashionable as opposed to feeling a little inadequate!
I’m 25, got married earlier on this year and struggle with fashion in general- I really wish I could dress my age and have the confidence to try different looks rather than sticking to my safe, tried and tested grandma-esque style. I sorta regret not being the dressed up bride post wedding because I didn’t really know where to start. To make matters worse my two sisters in law are super stylish and fashionable and don’t really include me in their shopping trips which doesn’t help.
So, if you consider yourself a stylish person, where do you go to for inspiration? How do you work out what suits you and what trends you try? How can you look good on a budget? How do you pick pieces that will work with each other?
Where do you live? What kind of clothes are you talking about (desi or western)? What sort of clothes do you see other people wearing and think "I'd like to wear that"? What's your hair like (what do you do with it)? What about makeup?
Honestly, whatever style you see yourself in and feel confortable in, just polish on that. Do answer stoppit's questions so we can help further. But I will say one thing, don't wear what you don't feel confident and yourself in.
Whether you're talking about desi or Western wear, if you are clueless you can always pick up fashion tips/ fashion updates via magazines. If your hair is super long, go for a nice hair cut and perhaps change the shade of your hair for a different look. Don't go too light. Interms of makeup please avoid very loud lip colours and foundation that is many shades lighter than your skin tone.
Clothes and other things I can't really say anything until you answer stoppit's questions.
Stoppit, i live in the UK and I'm talking about both desi clothes and western. The desi trends I see other people wearing are beautiful long A line style dresses, or simple yet classic looking clothes but I go shopping and get overwhelmed by the choice of different fabrics, let alone additional things like embellishments or laces etc. I don't really have a good idea of what suits me either.
Western clothes wise I would love to dress lady like and feminine but I end up buying different things that don't work well together...then have a bit of a melt down staring at my wardrobe each morning where things don't match with each other or can't pull things together to get an overall look.
My hair is always, always, tied back in a ponytail. It's fine and wavy and shoulder length.
Make up- I love buying it but when it comes to wearing it I sorta chicken out- treated myself to a couple of UD eyeshadow palettes but have barely used them.
I would suggest enlisting the help of a stylist. If you can't hire a professional, do you have a girlfriend, relative or know of someone who's style you admire? Ask them to go shopping with you, or better yet, have them survey your wardrobe, and then work with the existing peices that you have. Take pictures of the outfit that are put together, so that when you are on your own, you already know what to wear with what. As far as hair and make up go, stop with the ponytail everyday! Book yourself a day of pampering at a day spa, and then let the hairdresser give you a fresh, new look. Makeup counters at the mall are a wonderful way to learn how to apply makeup and learn what colors suit you....there also a plethora of tutorials on Youtube!
As far as eastern/desi clothes go, the best thing I can recommend is to hook up with a home based designer, either here on GS or from Facebook. There are many reputable sources. Once they get to know your taste and budget and have a good idea of your body type, let them do the work for you! I know alot of women who just have their designers send them a parcel at the start of each season (like 4-5 lawn dresses in March/April, than another 4-5 heavier cotton or linen suits in the fall, with a couple of semi formal dresses mixed in as well depending on their needs). It completely takes the guess work out of dressing yourself.
Once you enlist the help of people who know what they are doing, you'll see that it will start rubbing off on you and you will not need so much help. But most importantly, style comes from self confidance! Once you achieve that within your self, watch out world!!!!
I agree with khattichic about finding a homebased designer to work with, some advertise in the GS bazaar section. They know what styles are in and can advise you well in regards to what will suit your body shape. You don't really need to worry about stuff like embellishments either as they will take care of the details. If you happen to be in a city where there are Pakistani shops, check them out for semi formals... it's often cheaper than buying them from Pakistan, especially if it's something you're just going to wear a few times when you go places.
Use review sites to help you find a good salon/stylist. It's really important that you have a decent hair style but you need to find someone who can work with how your hair is naturally so you have something that requires minimal effort and makes the best out it. I think if you were to get something, that for example, required straightening everyday, right now it would be too much out of your comfort zone and you'd start tying it up again.
I have fine, wavy hair too. In the summer I had a long bob that was just above the shoulder. But it was cut to make my hair look fuller. On most days, I just put curling mousse in it, scrunch it and give it a blast with the hairdryer.... then leave it out. I only clip my hair up when I'm at home... I find if you have fine hair, it's best volumised and left out.
For makeup.. as someone who knew zero about makeup and products and now helps her friends select stuff and do their makeup... blogs and youtube videos are your best friends. IMO being good at doing your makeup isn't necessarily about being able to pull of complicated eye makeup. It's about making your skin and features look their best. So you need to start with making sure your skin is in good condition.... that you have a good routine and moisturise it well. Then start off with your base which should look as good and as natural as you can get it and cover up things like tired eyes... there is trial and error here. I put on like 5 products (4 eye, 2 face) before I even get around to putting on any colour on my face. Then just play around with eye products and blush... you will figure out what suits you. From reading blogs you can see what products other people use to achieve certain looks and then you can see if you want to try them out. I never used to wear eyeliner and now I wouldn't be without it. I used to practice eyeliner shapes using eyeshadows with an angled brush, it made it a really easy transition when I moved on to gel eyeliner.
For western clothes I think we need more hints. When you say feminine, what sort of clothing? Can you wear dresses? What sort of clothing styles do you like? Have you bought anything recently that you can show us? We may be able to suggest what you can wear with them to complete and outfit.
I shop from ASOS all the time but just looking around the site might help you as you can see how they have styled the models. As an idea, perhaps you can pick out some items from there (or elsewhere) that you like and link them here. Then we can suggest some looks centred around that one thing from UK high street brands.
And in my opinion it's really important to have good quality and nice accessories. So a decent everyday handbag that can go with everything, nice shoes and nice jewellery. Personally, I am not into disposable fashion.
Yay, thanks for the replies guys
Khattichic, I have been having a look at youtube tutorials over the last few days and have tried a few different updo styles with my hair- still not sure about having it out but getting there! Would you be able to recommend some good make up tutorials please?
I’m still looking at different home based designers, so thank you for the ideas. I’ve been learning how to sew and going to try and recreate some looks that I see online.
Stoppit, thank you for your ideas too. I can wear dresses, would like to try them with tights or leggings and maybe shrugs so my arms are covered, but not sure what would go with that. For example here is a dress I like the look of but how would I go about styling it up?
I’ve also recently bought these purple chino’s but would love some ideas of what to buy to go with them.
If you buy it first check it out again properly at home and make sure you feel it flatters you and you feel comfortable in it. Ask other people. I ask my husband to critique stuff usually Take photos at diff angles (even from the back!) to see how it fits.
These sorts of dresses can sometimes make you look frumpy because of they way they are cut, so if it doesn’t flatter you around the shoulder/bust/hip area, consider returning it.
I like the green heels they suggest on the side but only with a bare leg look (bare tights). But this will also look very nice with black opaque tights. I would not go with patterns because of the pattern of the dress itself.
These are the kind of shoes I’d wear depending on when I’d want to wear the dress. I couldn’t find any nice black patent heel pics (peep toe or court) but that’s what I’d go for, for evening.
Depending on your jewellery style, you can wear large dangly earrings or statement studs. Same goes for bracelets.
Anyway, my style is more ‘classic’ I guess. I know some people who would do something totally different with it and look cool. So try to find what you think might work too!
i think the dress would look good with plain black tights and long brown boots. since its too floral a belt or light beige scarf would make it look less busy. long chandelier earrings in green would look gr8. in spring however u can go for green shoes/ sandals and a green handbag.
may be u can post pix of ur existing wardrobe and ppl here can guide u accordingly. also chk polyvore.com
pinkheels, If you need help working on your personal(western) style and feel a bit lost and overwhelmed. I highly suggest evaluating the clothes you already have. Clear out your closet, get rid of things you havn't seen stylish people around you wearing. Keep the classic pieces, such as button up shirts, basic cardigans and sweaters, well fitting jeans and pants and basic tees. DON'T get rid of the clothes you feel you havn't worn just because you don't have the courage to. You'll feel so much composed once you have a better ide of what you own. Notice how your sister in laws dress if they have a similar figure to you. Think about what makes them look stylish? Or find a well dressed celebrity that has a similar figure as you and notice the key pieces that make them look put together and stylish.
Fashion dont's that plague Pakistani women.
1)Jeans with dresses.
2)Over layering( I LOVE TO LAYER. But there is a point after which you should just stop. ex: halter dress with clashing long tee under, a cardi over, jeans under, and a scarf around the neck)
3)Don't put a belt over EVERY shirt just becaus you can.
As a rule of thumb
1) When your outfit is complicated, keep the acessories simple, and vice versa.
2)Play with colors!!
3) Not everything has to match, coordinating is the way to go!
4)If your outfit is simple have fun with color on your lips or eyes, play with hair acessories(without going over the top)!
Work on a signature look and be you! Don't be scared to incorporate your personal touch to every look! If you find yourself putting your hair up in a ponytail just because its convenient, change the look up by putting in a head band,throwing a braid in or creating a messy pony tail, with pieces framing your face!
^ Agree! When I was in high school, I felt like I was confused about my own personal style. I streamlined a lot when I got to university (lost some weight, realized what kind of hairstyle etc made me look good etc) - but the biggest help was my personal style. I cleared out my wardrobe and threw away things that were just blah. I'm way more into classic peices that I can wear whatever way/many ways...disposable fashion sucks. Classic is always 'in'/'stylish'. Like notanothergirl said, keep cardigans and well-fitted jeans, a blazer....and as a lot of people pointed out... fashion isn't just clothing items. Accesorize with a bag, nice shoes, statement peices of jewelry... you gotta look all-around polished. =]
Fashion bloggers are awesome btw. I became interested in vintage clothing when I started following this girl; http://karlascloset.blogspot.com/
Absolutely love her style - i feel like it’s similar to mine, and I find inspiration in things she posts.
Fashion magazines such as Vogue, W, Glamour, Marie Claire, and Allure (very good for beauty advice!) are awesome for ideas as to what will look good for you. They routinely have sections that are about dressing for your shape, pieces that will make you look good. Check out those as well.
If you're starting to build your wardrobe, get the basic building blocks first - like a black or grey skirt, a neutral shirt, leggings, boots, a flattering pair of jeans. You can accessorize these and create a new look every time. Add a fun jacket, a colorful bag, scarves or jewelry. Once you get the basics right go for other stuff.
I have so many clothes and so much makeup but don't use it..
I will be reading this thread a lot..
Stoppit, i live in the UK and I'm talking about both desi clothes and western. The desi trends I see other people wearing are beautiful long A line style dresses, or simple yet classic looking clothes but I go shopping and get overwhelmed by the choice of different fabrics, let alone additional things like embellishments or laces etc. I don't really have a good idea of what suits me either.
Western clothes wise I would love to dress lady like and feminine but I end up buying different things that don't work well together...then have a bit of a melt down staring at my wardrobe each morning where things don't match with each other or can't pull things together to get an overall look.
My hair is always, always, tied back in a ponytail. It's fine and wavy and shoulder length.
Make up- I love buying it but when it comes to wearing it I sorta chicken out- treated myself to a couple of UD eyeshadow palettes but have barely used them.
Take photos at diff angles (even from the back!) to see how it fits.