the FASHION thread

abbadoodles

Glad to see you back, Dotti.  What mall did you go to in Beantown?  Did you do Newbury St.?

Lisa, I would not worry about a cocktail dress at all.  The silk tunic over the short skirt sounds perfect plus the high impact jewels.  Don't make problems where they don't exist.  You will look great.

To be honest, Barbie always looked scary to me.  I am a Ginny doll girl.  Just before Barbie hit the scene, thank God.  I still think she looks evil.  That being confessed, I loved to dress Ginny and lusted over all the different costumes she had.  My family couldn't afford to keep Ginny in fashion, though; I only had maybe three changes but loved them anyway.  Oh, how vivid the imaginary lives lived by our dolls. 

I actually found a nice Ginny at a flea market several years ago for not too much money.  You know how pricey they have become.  Anyway, she was being sold by the former owner's elderly mother.  She said her daughter had no interest in keeping her, so she was for sale.  This Ginny, with strawberry blonde hair, came dressed in the cutest red velvet and black tartan ice skating outfit complete with skates and a peaked cap with pompom.  I love it!  She also has two other outfits.  Every now and then I think of buying more on ebay but just have not gotten around to it. 

iodine

I got a massage on Newbury St. and looked in the windows of all the other HIGH end stores.  I love Chanel---no, I don't wear it, LOL.  I'm more a TJMAXX girl and the one downtown was great.  Missed Filene's because it's been gutted and redone.

I'm not sure the name of the mall, but it had Lord and Taylor, Saks, and some other high end stores.  My knees and other joints are really slowing me down with all the hiking we did in Newport, and also with the plane ride (i think altitude does a number on our joints) so I didn't last very long except in the make up depts where I could sit.  they seemed in great need for customers and most were standing around. 

Our kids put us up in the Commonwealth Hotel for our anniv., the hotel provided chocolates and champange and even a driver to anywhere within 3 miles!  In a silver Mercedes.  Lots of other deluxe stuff, too.

LisaSDCA

Sounds like a great time, Dotti - hotel, champagne and a Mercedes!

Thanks for your encouragement everyone, on my wedding attire. I'll go with the silk tunic as planned!

Lisa

BethNY

Lisa I agree-- the tunic and with a pop of jewelry will be perfect.  I have an afternoon bar mitzvah on Saturday, and I'm wearing a sweater dress to my knees with tights and heels.  I think it may err on the side of slightly underdressed (it's at a fancy place) but I don't care.  I'm not buying something new, and I doubt people will be looking at what I'm wearing compared to the bar and bat mitzvah twins...

Dottie- can your kids call my fiance and tell him he should do this??? lol

iodine

Sure Beth!  Just let me know when-

As far as dressing: My mom always told me it was WAY better to be underdressed than Overdressed!  Even Coco Chanel advised to look at yourself in a mirror before you leave----then take off one thing.

And you are correct about everyone cking out the wedding party, not the guests.

Raye99

Lisa - I'm with the others - wear the tunic as planned - sounds divine and you will look gorgeous.

Kathi - Can't wait to see the new avatar with all of the post rad details. I didn't burn, peel or anything of that nature from radiation - I think I was primed from my years in the tanning bed. eeks. I had Barbi's, and  much to my mom's dismay; cut their hair, used her mascara to make the blonde hair black to be more like mine - totally destroyed them. Ballerina Barbi had a punk cut with blonde roots and black tips.  I would have loved to get my hands on that Ginny doll, Tina. LOL. My favorite was making houses for them from cardboard boxes - hence my dream to be an interior designer.

Beth - how was your weekend? I love the sweater dresses - did I mention that I bought a purple one last week? Oh yeah, think I did. hehe

Dotti - I am going to definitely have to watch my Lifetime movie that's been on TIVO for a month now - Coco - maybe I will learn a few things.

Tina - sorry about the state of affairs on your TJ's - our's here is sometimes really great and at other times, is like a flea market. When it's in flea market state, I turn around and walk right out the door.

KAK

Oh, Raye, I LMAO at your Barbie experiences.  Abbadoodles, I agree she did look evil, especially in those days.  Something about those eyebrows.  I'm old (LOL - 54) so I had an early Barbie that came with 3 wigs, one each in blond, brunette & redhead.  No lie.  They should make her again & call her Chemo Barbie, with all proceeds to go to BC.  All right, this is spurring lots of sicko fantasies . . . let's face it, regular Barbie looks like Breast Recon Barbie with post-op swelling, so they should come out with BC Barbie with interchangeable boobs of various sizes, shapes & SE's depending on what kind of surgery or rads she got.  That one would have to come with tiny tubes of Aquaphor, a jar of Silvadene, some little ice packs, & the wigs.  Then you could get a wardrobe of hats & scarves, plus some pocketed bras & cams with little prostheses in case she doesn't get her recon right away.  Okay, I'll stop now.

Here's my new Survivor, post-rads, with purple high heels, just for the Fashion Thread:

Gee, like lookin' in the mirror . . . all she needs is a camisole with Aquaphor stains on it.

Kathi

abbadoodles

I need help finding a jacket a lot like this one below.  I cannot afford the Lina as it's almost $2K, but I'm sure there is one out there for me at a lower price.  NOT gold, though.  Would look terrible on me.  I like about it:  short length, swing style, 3/4 sleeves.  Need it in a size 4 or 6, preferably petite.  Has anyone seen anything similar?  Help, please. 

Raye99

Tina,

I have been searching high and low for a coat similar to this. VS, Nordstroms, Macy's, Spiegel, Saks...still nothing exactly like the one above. I will keep looking. I did see a cute coat on VS - I will post pic later, not the same as the above though.

Raye99

What's bothering me is I saw a coat similar to the above; I just can't remember where. The model had on long leather gloves as well - a very cool look. It may have been an ad in the In Style mag with Meg Ryan on the cover.

abbadoodles

Thanks, Raye.  I still haven't found the coat of my dreams but have seen a few others that are very cute.  I just like the one in the pic because it is so classy looking.  Like moi.

The new J. Crew catalog came today and I was in awe of some of their new clothes.  Really gorgeous styles and colorsl!  You should see the polka dot pumps!!!  I want them  (stomp) but really, they are pricey for wearing maybe a half-dozen times.  I should figure out a way to make those dots on a pair of plain pumps and really make all you girls swoon. 

Have not yet seen the new In Style but may check it out at the local library soon.

Raye99

MMM, Tina, those shoes are nice. I haven't gotten the J Crew. Just as well.

I did look through the In Style last night desperately seeking that coat I thought looked like the one above. Well, I think it was a cape I was thinking of. The Ralph Lauren ad with the girl with the red and black on. Great ad, she is wearing a black beret, a red/black cape with long black gloves.

I ordered this dress today (whoa, sorry so big). What do you think? This is it! No more shopping.

abbadoodles

Love it!  That will look great on you.

Now, what do I wear over my new, charcoal gray capri leggings?  I assume I have to wear them in the house, not the street.  And, I didn't notice in the store but they have that very low waistline.  I tried them on and it feels like I'm losing my pants!

KAK

OMG, Raye!!  I love that dress!  I might have to be a copycat & get it.  Where did you order it from?

And Tina, you are so right about those polka dot pumps!!  I cannot believe those were in JCrew!  I haven't looked in at JCrew in a long time because they  were always too preppy for me!  But those shoes - YUM!  I have some chartreuse slides almost exactly like them, except without the polka dots.

Kathi

LisaSDCA

Now there's a pair of pumps I could really get excited over!

Love the new dress, Raye. What shoes/boots are you going to wear to complete the ensemble?

BTW - I did end up wearing the black silk tunic over my short skirt to the wedding. Got rave reviews.  Thanks you guyz for encouraging me to just 'go for it'!

Lisa

Daffodil

Raye, I want to know about that great sweater dress too!! Becoming to so many figure types, and wearable for a lot of occasions, depending on accessories.

Wow, I like talking fashion better than {{{politics}}

Raye99

I don't know, Tina. That's a tough one. The tights sound very cute, if a bit low ridin'- you'll get used to that. Maybe a short dress or tunic over them with tall boots? I know that defeats the "capri" purpose, but if you want to wear them outside...

Lisa, glad the tunic outfit worked out for you - I bet you looked fabulicious!

The dress is from Victoria's Secret, hence I haven't tried it on - it may not look great on me as it does on the model in the photo, but we'll see. I was thinking of wearing knee high boots or black tights and these high heeled Chinese Laundry pumps with a strap I have. We'll see. I just love the color and style of the dress.  

abbadoodles

J. Crew seems to be changing its image a bit.  I also thought they were too preppy, teeny-boppery for a long while.  This latest catalog and the new arrivals on their website are making me drool.  But the prices!  I know all these catalogs and stores have sales and everyone is talking about how the clothing retailers, especially, are going to be discounting deeply this holiday season.  No way am I not waiting for the sales!  When can I expect to see them?

Lisa, I'm so glad you were a stunner at the wedding.  Most of the time, simple is best.  At least then we don't look ridiculous, which is a terrible fate. 

And, Daffodil, I'm glad you have sought refuge here from the politics.  Enough is enough.  The happy thing is that there are less than two weeks to go.  Yay!!!  Whoever wins will have my sympathies as it's going to be rough going for a while.  We all need to pull together.

Now, about those capris.  I think a short dress would be better over my arse and on a 60 yo dame, petite though I am.  Talk about not wanting to look ridiculous.  I have seen some knit dresses I like; I just have to find one short enough to be above my knees but long enough to cover my comfortable butt.  Probably must be a petite size for the correct length.  I'd really love a color instead of black.  I have a long-haired cat and it's impossible to keep anything fur-free.  I'm going to look at VS right now.  Maybe they'll have something.

easyquilts

Hi Guys!

This is my first post on The Fashion Thread.....So, forgive me if this has been talked about earlier.

I am wondering what you guys think of What Not to Wear and Stacey/Clinton......I wish they would "do" an older woman....65 like me.....or that they would teach women how to shop at lower end stores and still look good.....Minre is definitely a Wal-Mart budget, though I have been getting some good t hings at Kohl's lately.  I still  have to shop Kohl's sales....But everything eventually ends up on sale there.....

 I could NEVER spend hundreds of dollars on one ooutfit or a pair of shoes....Or casually slip into a three-hundred dollar sweater!  No way!  But...i work, and still want to  look nice.....

Thanks in advance for your input.

Sandy 

abbadoodles

Hi, Sandy.  Well, you are not alone I'm sure with budgetary restraints but we all want to look good.  My own approach to this problem is to buy the best I can afford, more classic than trendy, but buy fewer things.  It helps to sit down and really think about your lifestyle before going out and buying cute stuff.  Well, I may not always practice what I preach!  Do as I say, not as I do. Ha.

I think it was Trinny and Susanna who wrote What Not to Wear, wasn't it?  I read that book and didn't think it was on target for me relative to colors at all.  Really, according to that book, nothing looks good on me.    For instance, they said I couldn't wear black but I've found that I most certainly CAN wear black but I have to be careful about the surface texture.  If it's too shiny or harsh looking, it can make me look drawn.  Softer fabrics/surfaces are very flattering in black.  Very sexy.

Stacy/Clinton?  I dunno.  I'll have to look them up if that is someone other than Trinny, et al.

It's hard to look fashionable/in style at our ages without looking like you are trying to re-visit your youth.  OTOH, you don't want to look like an old fart!  It's a fine line sometimes.  Esp. in the summer, when you can bare too much skin.  What are your thoughts?  I'm sure there are others here that can offer some suggestions.

Emelee26

I got a great jacket at H&M  only $35!!!! They have short ones too.....

KAK

How do you all do with TJ Maxx or Marshall's where you are?  Sometimes one store is awesome & others are awful.  Then you have to hit it right.  But I have gotten some amazing shoes & hats, believe it or not, at a local MegaMarshall's here in RI.  I come from Mass & I used to love Hit or Miss.  Don't know if they're still in business.  We have some great small, boutique-ish stores down here & when they have sales, you get fabulous stuff that's unique but classic & usually well-made.  I just got some great buys on the US site for LaRedoute.  The UK site had more stuff, though.  But the few things I did get were really fun.

I'm with you, Tina, about sticking mostly with the classics.  I'm 54 so I'm old enough to remember the "Color Me Beautiful" thing.  I'm an Autumn, although by the time that fad came around, I had actually already figured out what colors I should wear & they happened to be mainly autumn colors, but that includes a real spectrum.  Purple, plum, teal, emerald green, all that stuff is considered autumn.

Sometime, tho', I think it's the attitude with which you wear what you wear!

Kathi

Daffodil

Thank you, Raye! I will check it out at VS.

I adore What Not to Wear and talk back to the screen; it's on Friday nights on TLC. If you check the prices of some of the final outfits, often the pieces are more moderate in price than some of the pieces they tried on.

I have noticed that a lot of the makeover episodes (How Do I Look is another good one; Tim Gunn's Guide to Style is more upscale but good advice) concentrate on plus-size figures lately. I enjoy it more when they try to wean women from the decade they "froze" in, like the 80's!

If you have time to prowl the outlets and discounters, it's fun~~~but you run the risk of acquiring a lot of odd pieces and few "outfits". Depending on your lifestyle, it seems you don't really need a LOT of clothes, unless you work outside the home, in a place where fashion counts... OR are a New York "IT" girl who gets photographed nightly!

I seem to do better for basics at good department store sales with coupon in hand!! Since my Dx , I've decided this aging Southern Belle is gonna look GOOD! (Once I have my exchange, I'll either be a Playboy Bunny or a stuffed rabbit. DH is hopeful!)

abbadoodles

Oh, gosh, I was thinking you were talking about a book.  Trinny and Sus (from the UK) wrote a couple or few.  I didn't realize there was a show What Not to Wear.  We don't have cable so I have no idea what is going on there.  (Fashion hint:  Not spending a fortune on cable/satellite every year leaves you with lots more to spend on clothes and makeup. Second fashion hint: Not spending a fortune on cell phone service leaves you with a lot more to spend on clothes and makeup.  LOL )

TJMax, Marshall's here in central MA are really the pits.  I remember Dress Barn and Hit'n'Miss but don't think they are around anymore.  I refuse to do the WalMart thing.  I have shopped Target a few times in the past year and have bought a few things there:  a nice, skinny patent leather belt, some pj bottoms, capri leggings, summer halter tops.  They have some nice styles but I'm not sold on the quality overall.  They DO have nice paper goods, though.

I'm a big believer in sales.  Almost "never pay retail" although I did that recently because the saleswoman was so helpful and I really was able to put together a total package in one visit.  Still, the price ouched. 

Don't you wish the models in catalogs/online were more realistic weight so you could tell what the clothes would look like on a real woman?  I don't mean fat and sloppy, just average, maybe a little on the fluffy side.  Real curves, none of that beanpole look.

Edited to add:  Just caught a bit of the Rachel Ray show.  They had a segment on "I Hate My Butt."  One of the women actually complained about having a too flat butt!  Well, there are products for the buttfully deprived.  Did you know there are butt cutlets out there just like bra "chicken cutlets?"  I kid you not. 

BethNY

Yes, I've seen the butt cutlets. There is a better product though- it's built into the underwear and really give you a high round booty.  Clearly, I have no issues with this.

I love what not to wear.  Stacy and Clinton are my favorites-- I even get my fiance to watch it with me.  I can't believe some people dress the way they dress.... they are so lucky to get on that show.   I love seeing the finished results.  I think they do such a great job of picking different women- all shapes and sizes.  They really talk about how to dress for your body type, and how to bring out who you are through your clothes... I love it.

T- have a great trip hunnie!

I have to start spray tanning- one week until vacation, and I can't wait.  I'm starting to get all my clothes together-- just praying the my bathing suits all fit.

Anonymous

I never really post on this thread because I'm so freaking destitute and am just wearing last year's crap, but I gotta respond to the "butt cutlets"..... 

Bwaaaaaaaa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!!

Half of us spend our lives trying to lose our fat asses while the other half look to create them! Yeah, I know, it's all about the round, high, tight, something-to-grab, JLo, Beyonce look. But how does one's bf feel when the cutlets come off? Rather disappointed? I think I'll just sport my sorta skinny, little butt...at least it's all mine!

 Thanks for the laugh though, my chicas. I needed it!

~Marin

Raye99

Hey Sweetheart, is that your butt on the floor?

I am not going to do anymore shopping other than what is absolutely necessary. Too scary out there right now, although I realize I am hurting the consumer confidence by not spending, I just can't afford it right now.

Our TJMaxx is hit or miss here (like the old store Hit or Miss, you guys, which I used to love). Some days it's like a flea market and other days just chock full of good stuff. They closed the Marshall's near me, so I haven't been to one in ages.

Update on the VS dress, which arrived today. It is not as deep of a purple as it appears in the photo above. It is more of a reddish purple (like a reddish grape) than a dark plum color as I had expected. I haven't tried it on yet due to my chowing down big time yesterday and today.

Hi Sandy from Cinci - I've watched the show a couple of times. Cannot even remember the guy, only the girl on the show. Wasn't too bad. I do believe they did a book as well??

K Girls, have a good night.

abbadoodles

Thank heavens my dh has always been a butt man.  For a number of reasons. 

And, yes, Marin, RR did ask the woman showing all the faux butt products about how the bf/date would feel when the cutlets were thrown off for an "encounter."  Lady said "the same way as when the bra/cutlets comes off."  Well, I guess it may not matter in the heat of the moment.  My dh had a rather rude remark to make about all this.  You can just imagine. 

I wish there were some way to neatly catalog our wardrobe components, in graphic form, to print out so we could really study the situation.  Maybe take it with us shopping so we stick to buying what we really need.  I tend to keep buying the same item until they are stacked up so high I have to give some away.  T-shirts are a problem for me.  Somehow I always think I need that new T-shirt.  Long sleeve, short sleeve, etc.  I have piles of them and have been giving them to charity and cutting some up for the dustrag bin.

Right now, I'm thinking maybe I need a cape-type thing I can throw over my new black jacket, which will be too light to wear alone in the really cold weather.  Or, here's an idea, how about a gorgeous shawl in a beautiful color to throw over the jacket?  Does that sound more fashionable?  I'm thinking dripping with color but not too light/bright for the winter.  Hmmmmmm.  Maybe I will knit it myself unless I can find a lovely paisley-type shawl.  Ideas?

The economy is nerve-wracking.  For us, it's not so much the day to day stuff but the retirement accounts plunging in value.  Looks like we will be working until we're 90.  If we hold together that long.  "They" are speculating that today is the day the market hits bottom as everyone runs for the doors.  Wonderful.  At least I won't be watching the news this coming week as I'm leaving for Louisville in the morning.  Will be gone about a week.  I need the break.  See you girls when I return.  Have a good week!

Raye99

Same way I feel when my "strap ons" (bra with prostheses) come off, although it doesn't bother my husband.

Tina, have a great trip to Louisville. I saw a cute cape coat. I will post a pic.

Raye99

I realize you are looking for a cape with color  and this is a cape coat in black,but cute. check it out.

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=330782&CategoryID=10057&LinkType=EverGreen