Best products from r/femalefashionadvice

1. Skinny
   
   
2. American Eagle jegging
   
   
3. $39.95-49.95 depending on the wash -- I tend to buy mine on sale anywhere between $15 and $30, depending on clearance availability and earned rewards
   
   
4. I usually take a 4 short, but can fit into a 2 short depending on the materials. Measurements for 4S -- Waist: 26.5", hip: 36", leg opening: 10.75", inseam: 28". The 28" inseam is crucial for me because I'm 5'3" so 29" inseams are just a tad too long, creating the ankle scrunching which I hate. They also occasionally have ankle versions of their jeggings which have a 27" inseam.
   
   
5. Various light, medium, dark washes, including a pitch black color, grey and a couple of distressed designs. I own several pairs, including the clean rinse, black, a light blue that is no longer available and have just ordered the medium tinted ankle jegging for fall.
   
   
6. Low rise. Website says 8.25" inches in the front, 13.5" rise in the back <-- the higher back rise is super helpful for not flashing underwear when sitting! The jegging also comes in a "hi-rise" (their medium rise) and a "sky high rise" (their high waisted rise).
   
   
7. It varies. The solid dark wash (clean rinse) is 65% Cotton, 23% Viscose, 11% Polyester, 1% Elastane, but the black is 65% Cotton, 23% Rayon, 11% Polyester, 1% Spandex and the medium tinted ankle pair is 99% Cotton, 1% Elastane.
   
   
8. I've had the clean rinse and black for just under a year now with dozens and dozens of wears.
   
   
9. I love the fit, hands down. These jeggings are great at conforming to my petite, ruler-shaped body and the leg opening is wonderfully fitted. They do stretch out a bit as the day goes on but not enough to be baggy per se, and they do tend to snap back into shape after as little as a day of non-wear. The clean rinse stretches out more than my black pair. My lightest blue pair run a bit larger and stretch out much more (I sometimes need a belt for them) but it's actually great because I've repurposed them as almost-boyfriend jeans.
   
   
10. Honestly, I don't wash my jeans too often, but all of them have held up well and not faded much at all.
    
    
11. Clean rinse aka dark wash. Light blue.
    
    
12. Would repurchase for sure! They are my favorite affordable skinny jeans and can be found on sale all the time.
    
    
13. Definitely try a couple of pairs on before you buy (or take advantage of their free shipping + returns on jeans right now) as the different washes can fit slightly differently. Also, the jeggings have these half-front pockets which aren't those fake sewn on pockets but are only big enough to fit a lip balm or some folded cash.
    
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14. Skinny
    
    
15. Levi's 535 legging jean in Night Out.
    
    
16. Retail for $46, I bought them for $35 on Amazon.
    
    
17. I take a 5 short in these. Measurements -- Waist: 25.5-26.5", hip: 35.5-36.5", inseam: 30", leg opening: 9.5". I would say this pair runs closer to the lower end of those measurements, and is more of a 29" inseam than 30". The ankle is super skinny! Even a little hard to put on sometimes.
    
    
18. Comes in a fuckton of washes and some colors if you check places like Amazon or Zappos.
    
    
19. Low rise. Site says 8".
    
    
20. 84% Cotton, 14% Polyester, 2% Elastane
    
    
21. I've only had them a few months and it's been too hot to wear jeans so I've worn them maybe 5 times total.
    
    
22. Though they are called legging jeans, they feel much more substantial, like actual jeans. They're not very stretchy so sitting in them for a long time with legs crossed can be uncomfortable, but they keep their shape well and don't really stretch out during the day.
    
    
23. Haven't.. washed them yet..
    
    
24. Here's one fit and another with them cuffed.
    
    
25. If they are on sale, I might repurchase. They are a smidge tight on me but I think another size up would be too loose fitting. I'm actually hoping they stretch out a tad over time, but they are quite nice in how substantial they feel. The inseam is a bit long for me, but they don't look terribly scrunched at the ankles and work well cuffed due to their skinny leg opening.
    
    
26. Real pockets!

>Do you happen to know of some recommended reads by your friend whos into fashion history, memoirs, etc?


I'll definitely ask for more details, but one of the things she's turned me onto to is the Dressed podcast! They tell very interesting historical fashion stories.

>Also, how did you start learning the numerous textile arts? What have been your go to resources in those cases? Tutorials? Books? etc?

Haha this is a long story! But basically, I've been interested in making clothes since I was a kid...one of my earliest memories is making a sailor moon costume out of paper and taping it to myself. :) I learned sewing from community college classes and knitting purely from youtube, and the rest has been slow osmosis in the textile art community...I actually wrote a whole post about how to start making your own clothes here, which reminds me I really need to finish up part 2!

>How do you relate mindfulness to fashion?

Hmm...I like the idea of mindfulness and living with purpose in general. I think it's too easy to be a consumer these days, to get swept along with whatever the current trends are, losing sight of what's really important to you--and that rabbit hole of indiscriminate consumption becomes its own trap, which is why you have people with enormous closets and nothing to wear. So I take care to question everything: what do I want to buy? What do I like about it? Is it high quality? Is it ethical? Am I really going to wear it? It sounds tedious to some, but it's not difficult once you get started.

>Where do you do research for the ethics of fashion?

That's a tough one. It's very piecemeal--unfortunately there isn't one good standard or source for this information, partly because the fashion industry is purposefully so nontransparent. For the basics of what to watch out for, there are really good books (Deluxe, Overdressed are both really good) and movies (The True Cost is a big one, I also LOVE this short documentary series about Swedish fashion bloggers going to Cambodia).

Once you're fired up about buying ethically, it's important to always think critically and be skeptical, especially as ethics/sustainability becomes more mainstream and big companies start to capitalize on it. Remember that the norm is exploitation in the fashion industry, and that ethical production is difficult and expensive--if a company is truly doing it, it's going to be a major selling point for them, not a short amorphous "we treat workers well lol" blurb at the bottom of their "About Us" page. Always be wary of promises, especially those that can't be verified and can be worked around. This John Oliver piece goes into how big companies make promises and reneg or find loopholes around them.

There are some reliable, third party certifications--certified B corps, GOTS certification for textiles, etc.

Something I'd like to point out is that many of these things are connected and symbiotic--making textiles and clothing gives me intimate knowledge about how yarn/fabrics/clothing is made, what makes something high quality, which helps me be mindful of purchasing only high quality items, or know what processes to look out for to determine if something is ethical or sustainable. I truly believe that education and understanding is the bedrock of all of this, and unfortunately we're so removed from these low level processes these days as average western consumers, not just for clothing but also food, products, etc. That's why I love that it's becoming hip to start making things with your hands again. :)

> -What favorite item in your wardrobe wrings your hands because while it is beautiful, it's also fragile or high maintenance?

A light blue shirt in a 70/30 cotton/silk mix and a mohair/wool sweater. I'm sure they'll be ok to clean once the time comes, but I wish they'd just stay new forever... Haha.

> -What are your handy hints that have saved your clothes?

Get a steamer. Seriously they're so handy and much easier to use than an iron to de-wrinkle your clothes. You can even use a steamer to gently refresh delicate clothes like silk because the hot steam kills off bacteria and the humidity gently refreshes the fabric. Also, I have one of these guys which is the bee's knees for drying delicate clothes like knitwear and other soft fabrics. I wish I'd gotten one years ago. You can get tiered versions as well to dry multiple garments at once!

> -What do you do when you drop food on a much loved piece in a restaurant?

For food stains, regardless of garment, I carefully scoop any excess off with a spoon/fork (never rub it with a napkin!). I then gracefully run to the bathroom and gently dab the stained spot with a wet napkin to try and wash out as much of the stain as possible. When I get home I handwash the spot with gentle soap which usually takes care of it.

> -Do you wear your favorite pieces a lot and pay no mind to wear and tear or do you save them for special times only?

For fancy fabrics like silk, I try to save them for occasions when I know they're unlikely to get dirty. Accidents happen of course, but those can't be helped. Knitwear I just wear without worry! I can treat spot stains easily and knits don't really need washing as often as other tops.

> -How much handwashing do you do (e.g. 5 garments a week, or never)

Rarely. If a hand wash-only garment gets dirty I try to wash it as soon as possible so it doesn't get forgotten in the back of the closet, and then I can't wear it when I reach out for it again because I forgot to wash it. My washing machine has a delicate cycle which is essentially just a handwash program. I have had good results with it with my hand wash clothes.

I just read The Curated Closet and found it to be very helpful. I didn't do every exercise in the book, but it's SO helpful and sounds perfect for what you are looking for. I got mine from the library.

The book first has you basically brainstorm what styles you love and what you love about them. Then, through a very detailed process, you distill down to eventually curating your dream wardrobe with clothes you absolutely love and fit your lifestyle, including a wardrobe for work, after hours, exercise, etc. The book also include comprehensive selections on how to identify quality clothing and a good fit, what can be tailored easily, how to shop, how to update your wardrobe, how to style, etc.

It was very helpful for me as someone who has worn hand-me-downs most of her life (thanks big sister!) but is almost 30 and never really defined a personal style. I encourage you to take a look at it before going out and making any purchases. You won't regret it!

Hi, congrats on your internship. I remember asking myself the same questions at my first office gig. I think you are off to a good start in terms of the look you are going for, but as you mentioned, there are some things you can do for a little more polish.

First off -- buy a steamer pronto! I am happy with this one. I hardly iron anymore at all. When in doubt, turn clothes inside out to steam and use distilled water to prolong the life of your steamer. Try to find the least crumpled top when shopping.

Next - level up on some skin-tone bras for wearing under white and sheer blouses.

Your Monday outfit is beautiful, timeless, and classic but I find black shoes with brown pants to be jarring. Though I do love flats for comfort, a low heeled pump is a more professional look, esp. if you are only 5'1". If you walk a lot in your commute, you can always bring the heels with you and just wear them in the office. Heels vs flats is also seasonal, with summer being more casual. Look around the office and assess. If you are pretty much going to wear these with flats, have them hemmed.

Tuesday is nice but you need a shorter chain instead of the one hitting your collar. Add a subtle bracelet to take some focus off of the neck and balance it out. If I were to get really picky, I would say that maybe this top doesn't fit you; notice the pull across the bust, but it's very slight so no worries. And you wear those heels like a boss! An excellent choice to go with a blend-in color, as that top already has enough going on.

Today's outfit is nicely put together. Being picky about fit, the pants look very loose around your waist which leaves a lot of room for the top to move around. You may need to wear belted pants for a more polished look. Getting even pickier, I think the pants are a teeny bit short for those shoes. In fact, I'd almost swap Monday and today's shoes and see how that looks.

You are off to a great start. Rock on!

I actually know what I've spent exactly since February 1!

I'm a post-grad student who lives at home, and basically my only other expense at the moment is food. I pay for everything out of my savings right now as my program doesn't allow time for a job :(

Clothes: $751. A lot! I bought a pair of prescription sunglasses I was reimbursed for which were included, but I also bought white jeans and a Hillary-esque pantsuit which were both kinda expense, as well as other bits and bobs. I don't thrift as I'm a bit of a weird shape and I just don't have the energy to find things that would fit! I know I like interesting cuts and patterns, so I'm willing to pay a little more for something that isn't basic.

Beauty: $487. Also a lot! I prepaid for eyebrow waxing services for the year, and a haircut. These are basically the only services I pay for. I have nail colours that go with my clothes at home, and I'm pretty into skincare so I spend a bit on that. I'm obsessed with glossier makeup right now so it's a bit of a premium over drug store.

When I was working I had a pretty strict budget for everything. Once I had taken all my money for rent, utilities, groceries, savings and insurance, what I was left with was my fun money which I could use however I wanted, usually on clothes, skincare, and makeup. I had different spending and savings accounts to keep everything separate. It's boring but it worked to keep my spending under control!

My feeling is that you should try to meditate a bit on what kind of look genuinely makes you feel your best. Don't think about what other people wear, just on what you feel good in. Your best tools to get you outta the rut are pinterest for your aesthetic goals, and a trusty excel sheet for the planning and expensing. I also read a book called The Curated Closet that I really liked that I think would be a helping hand in getting you started on actually building a wardrobe.

Are you a reader? I have a couple suggestions that you may enjoy, and your local library should be able to get them for you--maybe they have them, maybe they get them transferred from another library, maybe they acquire them.

I'm working my way through The Curated Closet by Anuschka Rees and it's brilliant. It helps you identify and build your style step by step with a series of really smart exercises. I think what's difficult for a lot of people is that style is about 1) self-knowledge and 2) editing. I can buy something I think I look cute in for a party, but if it's in a color or a style that doesn't match the rest of my closet, I may hate it and only wear it once. She'll help with all that.

The other is Suze Orman's The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying. The ONLY reason I'm recommending this one is because you identified a mindset of yours that it seems like you want to change. This book gets into the emotional crap behind money in a way I haven't encountered before.

Because there are a lot of emotions behind money. My husband and I both grew up very humbly. He had two working class parents and a sister, and they passed down a lot of feelings of scarcity, of not having enough. They thrift shopped and hoarded (not badly, but elsewhere in his family it's much worse). For my husband, it's very difficult to get rid of old things, and he buys the same items over and over.

Me, I grew up with my single mom and brother. My dad had money, but he was incredibly stingy with it. We were never poor in an institutional way--but we were broke all through my childhood. I did not get new clothes during the school year. I didn't have the cool shoes. My adidas were from Payless, and they had only two stripes. All of this was made much worse by the fact that my dad married a woman who dressed her kids in brand-name clothes. They were popular, well-dressed, well-to-do, and my dad was the one who wound up paying for my step-mom's overspending.

So while I don't have a problem getting rid of old things--we got rid of lots of stuff when my mom moved us to a cheaper place to live every year--I know that I have to be careful treating myself, because part of me feels like that very small, very uncool new girl in school with the wrong shoes and no money to make it right.

I like nice things now. It's intertwined with my personality in a way. I want the ability to dress like who I think I am. And that's okay! But if I don't examine those feelings, I can easily wind up overspending, trying to make myself feel good in all the wrong ways.

What I do: Set money aside just for clothes every paycheck. I made it a percentage of my total pay, but for you it might be something else. If I want something nice, I have to wait until the money is in there. If I need something simple, like to replace a pair of jeans or shoes, it makes me really think about what I already have, how much I want to spend, and how it will fit within my existing clothes.

There's nothing wrong with being frugal. But frugal doesn't have to mean cheap. Frugal could mean buying a $300 wool coat and keeping it for 10 years.

Thinking about your style, analyzing your wardrobe and planning for your purchases will help you know when it makes sense to spend more money on an item like boots you will wear every day, or a good bra, etc. And when it's fine to buy something cheaper, like a white tank top you'll sweat through all summer and be able to easily replace next year.

You've got this. I mean, I'm a total nerd, but I always start with books. Best of all, the library is free!

I’ve been reading about capsule wardrobes lately and am trying to move that way with my wardrobe. I realized that despite my over abundance of clothing, there are only certain specific pieces that i wear over and over again and really love. Personally, I don’t think an extremely strict capsule wardrobe would be very realistic for me, but I think there are a lot of good principles that can be pulled out of the concept. I love the idea of focusing on quality, versatile pieces that fit you well and that you feel great in vs. as many fast fashion/trendy/cheap pieces as you can afford (which I realized is how I currently shop and is definitely why i always feel like i have nothing to wear even though my closet is overflowing).

I ordered a book on Amazon called (the Curated Closet. I haven’t finished it yet so I can’t 100% vouch for it, but I’ve flipped through it and read the first couple chapters and I think it will be really useful for me. It’s very functional, it gives you exercises to do to help you develop your personal style and then build your wardrobe around that as a guide.

If you're actually going to use it that infrequently, I would recommend something like this instead: cheap, waterproof booties that will be perfect for this occasion. I actually bought these a couple years ago and liked them fairly well, though the ratings seem to have gone down so perhaps they changed something in production since I last bought them.

Anyway, they're not completely waterproof in heavy snow but should be fine in DC fall weather. They're fairly comfortable and were very warm...because I live in New England, I ultimately decided I prefer some nice quality, expensive boots that would last me at least a few years, rather than these, which were fine but fell apart after one winter, but again, these should work perfectly fine for a short trip to a rainy place like DC. For the record, I bought one half size up because I have wide feet, but if you have normal/narrow feet, I'd say these are pretty true to size.

I love the idea of having a signature timepiece! Most days I wear a super retro-looking gold Casio digital watch. I do prefer analog watches, but I like that it's light, has an alarm, and can tell me the date (and was super cheap, lol). If I'm feeling like looking a bit smarter I throw on my Daniel Wellington Classic Bristol in rose gold/dark brown leather. I love the men's watch trend but I'm very petite with tiny wrists so I can't quite tell if I look cool or just silly wearing it, but I love it all the same!

> Super minimalist and comfortable, but just enough structure to look casually elegant, especially with a nice pedi.

Maybe, but it depends on the exact style of the sandal and the rest of your outfit.

> ...tell me of this item. Do you mean a Spanx-esque garment, or an actual belt that goes through belt loops?

Belt. Not something I want to be seen wearing, but definitely something I want to be wearing all of the time :).

> Do you have any examples to point me towards of ankle boots worn with skirts?

Search this subreddit (e.g.), or google images, or google (e.g.). As for the leg shape, I would imagine it would depend on the height of the rise, the style of the heel/sole/toebox and the color of the boots/tights, but why not order a few different styles, play around and see what your eye tells you, instead of following the guides. Rules of thumb can be useful, but they can be unnecessarily restrictive too, since we come in so many shapes and sizes, and we may have different ideal silhouettes.

> If you know of a brand that caters to that sort of foot shape and ankle stability (or lack thereof), please share! Otherwise I'm afraid they're just not for me.

I don't have that problem, so I don't know, but I can tell you that there are more brands and shoe styles and fashion hacks out there than I had even imagined before I started reading this sub. So keep your eyes and ears open, and maybe ask in the Simple Questions thread.

I typically wear a 6.5 in flats and a 6 in heels.

I discovered these heel grips recently and they're AMAZING. It is almost impossible for me to find flats/heels that fit both feet perfectly because my left foot is a tiny bit smaller than my right. My left foot used to slip out pretty frequently. I've stuck the grips on two pairs of heels and they fit great now. The suede feels really nice and the adhesive is strong. I recommend purchasing them if you have problems with shoe sizing.

I found the Konmari method in The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up to be very helpful. It was therapeutic to accept that it's okay to get rid of things that don't make you feel good (or "spark joy") when you wear them.

I had several dresses that were basically new, with the tags still on, but didn't fit quite right... I was holding onto them with a sense of optimistic potential (maybe someday I'll get them altered, maybe after I lose some weight they will work, it seems like such a waste to get rid of them). After I Konmari-ed my closet it felt like a weight was off my shoulders and I could actually see the clothes I wanted to wear!

For old clothes -- I had been keeping a lot of old shirts that used to look great, so I had almost sentimental attachments to them, but I hadn't worn them in years. The Konmari perspective is that if they felt good and worked well in the past, then they have done their job. It's okay to let them go if you don't enjoy wearing them anymore.

First, I want to congratulate you on losing the weight! I started a new job about six months ago and wardrobe was basically what I wore in college and graduate school. I wanted to step up my wardrobe a little bit, so I picked up The Curated Closet from my local library. It has helped me define my style and helped refine my wardrobe. One of the 'exercises' it has you do is to create Pinterest boards of your clothes to help you define your style and what not.

I've only tried Poshmark and had mostly successes. I've gotten some great pieces (dresses, sweaters, jeans, and flats). But I would agree with u/Truant_Muse, patience is key and knowing measurements.

Good Luck with building your wardrobe! I can't wait to see it :)

Depends on exactly what you're looking for, but you can definitely find nicer looking analog watched. Casio has some nicer looking ones, this one from Sketchers has a nicer look to it. Fossil also has some more attractive digital watches, but they are at a higher price point.

As a cat-mom to five, satin. Good luck finding a way to wear it well (I have not yet) but it really does work. I buy all my bedsheets and comforters in satin only because cat hair doesn't stick to my bed that way.

Also, for repairing things that you would think are ruined by cat hair being embedded into the fabric a fabric shaver is excellent. They can be used on furniture too. If you have a lot of delicate things, maybe a manual one instead of electric. I knit and I use this one for both my more delicate handknits and my normal, storebought clothes, it works really great. I don't even buy sticky lint rollers anymore because the non-shaving end of the Gleener picks up hair just as well.

I feel the same way! The author of The Curated Closet (which I got from the library) recommends putting your favorite images into a separate folder (not just Pinterest). I did that, deleted the ones that didn't match, and was left with a pretty clear winter style. I made a list of key pieces, crossed off the few things I already owned, and then I was ready to check thrift stores. I'll probably ask for jewelry and a jacket for Christmas/birthday, so I'd only have to spend a lot if I buy shoes. Good luck!

[This dress](Milumia Women's Button Up Split Floral Print Flowy Party Maxi Dress Black M https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LL50S4K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_joXqzb6FZ7A3H) fits like it came from Gods personal closet. It's lightweight, breathes like Egyptian cotton, and the slit goes to your knees so it's extra breezy.

It comes in literally 30 colors, you're bound to find something you like.

It makes me feel like a princess!

Also, [this skirt](Milumia Women's Bohemian Floral Print Wrap Skirt Summer Long Maxi Skirt Black XS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MPY9XNH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AsXqzbS8G79YB) fits my flowy, California cool summer aesthetic perfectly.

I apologize for the link formatting. I'm on mobile, but...Here ya go! Keep in mind, this is my own symbolism...Not necessarily about the type of fit, but more about the pattern, which "felt" right.

This felt sexy, but also like Zelda might wear it in Montgomery before NYC. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LL50S4K/ref=sxts1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486894830&sr=1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65

This also reminded me of a modernised Montgomery. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IXZS6HW/ref=ya_st_dp_summary

This reminded me of her first night in NYC, just being wild, but also a little sweet with the sleeves. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01LL50S4K/ref=sxts1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486894830&sr=1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65

Again, more about symbolism than actual fit, plus I'm on a budget :), but I tried.

I love this one! I originally had this one which I used all the time and it worked fine, but I had to get one that would work in european outlets for travel. I'm glad I did, because I like my new one better. :)

It looks like the bad reviews are from people who can't follow directions. Don't fill it above the "max fill" line and you'll be golden.

I did the same after reading Overdressed

If I google "slow fashion" I got more results than "ethical clothing," especially since the word "ethical" is used pretty loosely.

It was a great book, way more interesting than the movie. I'd highly recommend it.

I switched to a backpack last year when my giant purse bit the dust and it's like, the biggest quality of life improvement ever. I have this one from Amazon and love it, it's the absolute perfect size to fit all my stuff, plus my lunch for work, plus shove my coat in there if I need to. I'm kind of thinking about downsizing for summer since I don't need to lug around as many layers with me as I do the rest of the year, though.

I have a Shark brand but it's a little bulky. My mom has something that looks like this one (maybe even smaller?) and it does the job just as well! I feel like hers is Joy Mangano's brand, maybe?

This Casio watch in gold. Three of my friends noticed that they had the same watch and it spread like wildfire throughout the rest of my group. Now we all have some type of Casio watch.

Friendship aside lol, I really like how slim and simple the watch is. I also have a rose gold Michael Kors watch, but I reach for my Casio watch all. the. time. Plus it's so cheap that I don't feel bad when I bang it around, like I tend to do with everything I own lol.

Those are the Nine West Speakup. I can't say they're the most comfortable flats I own but I like the overall look so I just throw in some insoles and deal haha

My pairs from Dr. Scholls and Corso Como are more comfortable out of the box

I saw Women in Clothes recommended in this sub, so I checked it out from my local library. I loved it so much I bought it! It's really fun to hear very different perspectives on how other women think about and wear clothes, and the format is super fun--short essays, photo galleries, interviews, even a few poems.

On another note, there is a fascinating book called [Women in Clothes] (http://www.amazon.com/Women-Clothes-Sheila-Heti/dp/0399166564) that tackles a lot of similar questions.

Onward!

>>What do you remember your family wearing during your childhood? Did this change into your teenage years?

>>How did your family feel about the way you dressed as a child or teen? Were your clothing choices ever a source of tension?

As a child, I didn't have much say in what I wore. But through middle school/high school, I remember there being a lot of tension about wanting to buy/wear the same branded clothing as everyone else and not getting to do so. I grew up in a suburb in the late 90s/early 2000s, so it was all about the obnoxiously branded clothing from Limited Too, AF, American Eagle, etc.

A lot of these brands were extremely expensive, and my family never wanted to buy that stuff for obvious reasons. When I went off to college, I lost quite a bit of weight, started taking care of my appearance, and started dressing in a more "provocative" fashion (at least by the standards of my immigrant Indian family), and there were always (and continue to be!) arguments about my dresses being too short or me revealing too much cleavage (even when it really wasn't that bad by my own standards.) I think they get nervous when I look overly done up or overtly attractive. I find their fixation on me looking as frumpy as is socially acceptable quite strange.

>>Where did your family buy most of their clothing? Did you go on shopping trips with them?

My parents are Indian immigrants, which influenced a lot of their ideas about "Western" clothing. My mother isn't necessarily the most fashionable woman when it comes to American/Western-style clothing. She's very conservative and set in her ways when it comes to fashion, so she always bought conservative clothes for me from large department stores or from mall stores, even as a kid. Indian fashion is a totally different story, though - her eye for color, cut, and overall style in a Indian clothing is fantastic. If I go shopping for Indian clothes, I always take her with me, because she knows exactly what to get. Western clothing was another story, especially when I was younger. Mall trips were always difficult because I didn't have the frame needed to wear a lot of the clothes that the so-called "popular" kids were wearing, and my Mom was absolutely not in favor of me dressing that way.

My dad is drawn to nice, tailored shirts and business wear for the daytime. When he's not at work, he's also pretty standard "Dad"-like in his fashion choices -- his standard non-work uniform is a Hawaiian shirt with khakis. (LOL) Interestingly, he has very good taste in jewelry.

>>Did you wear hand-me-downs from older relatives? Did you get to choose which hand-me-downs?
How did/does your family dress relative to their community? Was your family's clothing or style ever a source of embarrassment for you?

My sister and I steal each other's jewelry/clothes/etc all the time. Growing up, I would feel self-conscious and shy if we were wearing Indian clothes in public, but these days, my mom loves wearing long Indian tunics and pants underneath. It suits her, and as an adult, I'm less pushy/concerned about what other people are wearing. My grandmother pretty much lives in Kanchipuram silk sarees, which I think are beautiful.

Overall, as a child/teen, I never enjoyed shopping because I had little control over what I could wear, and I had well-intentioned but not-so-savvy parents who didn't really get the point of being fashionable by American cultural standards or what that meant. Now that I'm slightly older, I can wear what I like, but whenever I go home, my clothing choices are a constant source of tension and consternation, so I try to dress a little more modestly in front of my family to avoid that tension (which still comes up since it's never really modest enough).

I haven't read much about runway fashion but over the past year I've become more interested in the business of fashion and how clothes are actually made. I enjoyed reading Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion. A lot of the information I kinda knew already just from this sub but it was still a good read.

I love buying multiples of the same item in different colors! I have four pairs of these Loft ponte leggings, five of these Joules breton tops, five BR v neck t shirts, two pairs of these Tevas, two pairs of BR skinny jeans, three pairs of these J Jill ponte slim leg pants, and I'm sure there are more!

i'm not a big jewelry person, but i have a couple of pieces that i wear pretty regularly. one is [this necklace] (http://needsupply.com/blah-blah-blah.html) from Need Supply. i also wear my [casio classic gold watch] (https://www.amazon.com/Casio-Womens-LA670WGA-1DF-Digital-Gold-tone/dp/B003BJFQW4/ref=sr_1_4?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1469833917&sr=1-4&nodeID=7147440011&keywords=women%27s+casio+classic) every day, and although it isn't really super "scandinavian minimalist" in design, i feel like it integrates really well into my fairly minimal wardrobe and ties in well with other gold jewelry.

If you like preppy shoes, look at penny loafers. You mentioned trouble with boat shoes lasting, though - to make any closed shoe last longer, wear it with no-show socks or terrycloth insoles. Either of those will absorb sweat and so your shoe lining won't deteriorate as quickly. Using cedar shoe trees at night will make them last even longer, and getting two pairs to alternate would be even better. Taking good care of your shoes can really help lengthen their lifespan.

Don't worry, Amazon's got you covered. I love that they have a category called "Lint Removal". XD

These nipple covers are the best. I can wear them with a really tight top and they don't show at all. Just make sure you get the right color. I have both the adhesive and non-adhesive versions, but I like the adhesive version better for when I'm wearing a loose top.

Depends on your feet, but I have Dr. Scholls flats on Amazon on my wish list and it sends me a notification when they go on sale, so I never spend more than $30 on any given pair. They last me a long time.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BTYTRRS/

I'd never heard of Rothy's until I saw your post, and they look so good! I'm going to keep my eyes on those too :)

I haven't had that specific cut but I've had a few pairs of black jeans and jeggings from Levi's. I have the same ankle issues and the 535 leggings fit well in that respect, the ones I have now, not so much.

Both pairs of jeggings faded in about a year, the jeans seem to be less prone to that. Didn't have any issues with either stretching out.

I've used this Conair steamer for a year and a half


It works really well: heats up in 30-60 seconds, comes with some helpful attachments, budget-friendly (~$30). The water chamber lasts me 2-4 garments before I have to refill it (and refill is super easy, I just keep a water bottle next to it so I don't have to go to my kitchen in the middle of steaming)


The only downside to this one is portability. It's not huge, but it's definitely too big to pack in luggage

Sometimes I like the silicone nipple pasties(pros: reusable, comfortable, smooth, skin like. cons: expensive, sometimes thick and visible): one, the petals tend to blend better

But then other times I want something simpler, so I go for the paper-y, one use ones. You can find these with all adhesive and with no adhesive in the middle if your nips are sensitive. one two

I only go braless in really loose tops, or really snug ones that help shape my boobs a little. Or in clothing where a bra would show(fancy dresses, hellooo).



As far as nipples in our culture, I don't really want to see your whole entire boob hanging out of your shirt in public, but I won't die if I do see it. I don't take a stance, really, on the whole "men can walk around shirtless but women can't and that's wrong" debate.

Wear your shirt, don't wear your shirt, wear a bra, don't wear a bra--unless you're trying to be sexual to my toddler, it doesn't bother me.

It's this awesome practice outlined in this book by Marie Kondo. Honestly it's an organizing / tidying up book but it's so spiritual for me! Once you start you can't stop and I promise it works if you do it her way. I love it!

I just bought three pairs of these heel grips and lined the back and sides of my oxfords with them. My half-size-too-big shoes now fit! They're pretty cheap (but you do need to buy them with something else since Amazon is now doing that add-on item thing), so I think it's worth a shot.

My office is business casual. I used to wear heels every day, but my feet couldn't take it anymore, so now I wear ballet flats or loafers. I really like these Dr. Scholls' flats and these flats. I even have a pair of Crocs that I wear to work! They just look like regular ballet flats.

I get most of my work clothes from Target and Marshall's/Ross/TJ Maxx!

This is kind of a dumb quesiton but whatever. I have pretty small feet (usually a size 5, but sometimes 4.5, depending on the shoe). I feel like "no show" socks (this style, not the really tiny style) are not no show on me. Like they come up over my ankle bone, instead of being under it like the models in that amazon picture. Does anyone else have the same problem? Do I just need to convert to the really tiny socks if I want "no show"?

I'm also considering knitting all of my socks by hand, because I am an insane person.

Here are my fits with my loafers on d.so: http://dressed.so/item/view/53cbeb131ed60

I find them to be really versatile, actually. I wore them all through the spring with no socks (with shoe liners) and they are much more comfortable in warm weather than boots, obviously. I'd have to see specific fits to know for sure, but it sounds like you should be able to wear them easily. I think loafers used to have more of an old-lady connotation, but they are quite fashionable at the moment.

I made a loafer album with a variety of styles for someone ages ago--maybe something will strike your fancy: http://imgur.com/a/qY5Da

I have this backpack in black that I use to carry my 17 inch MacBook and a random assortment of crap. I've also travelled with it several times.

https://www.amazon.com/KROSER-Backpack-Computer-Repellent-Men-Black/dp/B074FWDQWW

Bonus: it has wiring so when you open it it opens into a big wide open square cavern so you can easily see and grab your stuff!

I'm pretty picky about not looking frumpy and I find it very fashionable and grown up.

I've had mine for 6 months and carried heavy loads and it is not showing any signs of wear.

Women in Clothes is great for reading about different women's styles and fashion journeys. A lot of the book is in interview format with really interesting questions about personal style.

I highly suggest reading KonMari's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. She has a bit about "thanking your items for their service to you" and the enjoyment they brought when you wore and bought them. It really helped me clear out my closet!

Have you tried these particular inserts? http://www.amazon.com/Pedag-Stop-Padded-Leather-Grips/dp/B004BD71JK

I find that they seem to be pretty much permanently attached to the shoe. The adhesive is extremely strong, they don't fall out.

You can wash knits in the sink with a handwash detergent then dry using a towel... lay a large towel out, put the jumper on top then fold the towel over it. Roll the whole thing into a sausage and twist it to get the water out, then dry it flat on a frrsh towel or [mesh airer] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Leifheit-72408-Clothes-Drying-Sensitive/dp/B0029F1Q66). That airer folds up as well, so not a pain to store. Bit of a faff but quite satisfying!

I have the Pure Enrichment one from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ORC2Z2S/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've had it since 2015. I've tried the "shower as steamer" thing and never worked for me. This steamer works great. I use it as an alternative to ironing (I find ironing more difficult and plus I don't want to have to own an iron + an ironing board/mat). I also use it to do a light clean (really focus on areas like collars/ arm pits, sleeves) on some dry-clean only delicates, which allows me to wear them 3-10 times before needing to take to the cleaner. It kills bacteria so you won't have odor issues.

Something that really helped me cut back on my fast fashion purchasing was learning more about how exactly those clothes were made. Once I better understood the environmental impact, poor labor conditions, etc it was easier to switch my mindset.

I recommend the book Over-Dressed, but there is also a ton of info available for free online.

I got Women in Clothes as a Christmas, gift, and have enjoyed it so far. It gives a lot of different perspectives on fashion and style, more lifestyle-related than specific fashion advice.

I own this Conair steamer. Is it safe to use the lower heat setting for a 100% silk top and a 100% wool skirt (which has a liner)? Thanks in advance!

I'm hoping to change my shopping habits this year.

It's been a slow descent into zero waste so I've been buying my clothes from thrift stores, but I left a little wiggle room for myself. New clothes have got to be ethically made from natural materials. Goodbye Forever21! If you're interested in reading about the detriments of fast fashion, I suggest Overdressed: the Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline.

So I've seen these series of dresses get referenced on FFA a lot lately. I love them conceptually, but my style doesn't really line up with florals or too much boho. I'm really enamored with these dresses, though, and feel like that breezy aesthetic is something I could work with in the summer. (Usually being much more of a minimalistic, I-like-my-geometrics-and-hard-lines sort of gal.)

Has anyone come across a dress that they'd consider similar, albeit less high-femme?

NIPPLE COVERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go. Be free.

hands down, the best. they have diff colors, i believe, to best suit your skin tone.

It depends on the outfit for me. If it was cold or I didn't want my ankles exposed, I'd wear some taller black socks. If I wanted my ankle to be exposed, I'd go for a boat shoe sock (like this style). I like the boat sock style a lot because it has a little more material on the fore foot, so I find they stay on my feet better. It also helps to find some that have a bit of silicone in the heel. Another option are washable shoe liners.

I've used 2 steamers (mine and my roommate's), this one and this one. Personally haven't had any issues with either of them after 9 months of use between 3 roommates. I prefer the first one because it:

• heats up faster (in like 20 seconds, what a madman)
  
  
• stronger/more steam
  
  
• fits a bit more water (can do like 3 shirts compared to 2)
  
  
• easier to use (the Rowenta one is really awkward. It lacks as an iron and lets out very little steam as a steamer)
  
  The 2nd one is smaller/lighter, but it's just not as efficient. If I'm steaming a tee, it takes longer to straighten out all the wrinkles (1min vs 3min). Sure it isn't much of a difference, but you can really feel it for formal button-ups.

Hue no show socks are worth a try - they have grips on the back and won't fall down. The only issue with them is they're so thin and sometimes boots fit better with thick socks.

I just bought [this] (https://www.amazon.com/Conair-ExtremeSteam-Fabric-Steamer-White/dp/B006CR9KGA/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1506025057&sr=1-1&keywords=conair%2Bsteamer&th=1) one the other day. I like it so far, it heats up fast and is easy to use. The only thing I don't like is that it is kind of bulky, so even if it's handheld, I wouldn't necessarily want to travel with it.

I've had this steamer on my wishlist for awhile. I don't own it, but the reviews seem good enough.

These just cover your nips, which I find more comfortable than a whole silicone bra thing. They're great for all but the sheerest of shirts.

My old roommate has this one and loves it for her work clothes.

I have one of these belts and have been pretty happy with it so far. It's not totally invisible, unfortunately, but it's much less noticeable than a regular belt buckle.

None. There's at least one benefit to having tiny tatas!
ETA: I actually technically wear these all the time, and they've changed my life.

I have this one that I really like, but it's cheap and has its flaws (needs to be emptied almost constantly). Definitely look into it!

I look for ones like these that are low enough for a smoking slipper/flat and have a silicone piece at the heel. I also don't buy "one size fits all" and look towards ones that are divided into small/large categories. When I leave the house in the morning, they will unclip from my heel once or twice, and then they are good for the rest of the day.

Seconding this! I really like [Pedag's Padded Leather Heel Grips] (https://www.amazon.com/Pedag-Stop-Padded-Leather-Grips/dp/B004BD71JK/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1469463023&sr=8-1&keywords=pedag+heel+insert). They also help out when your flats are just a little bit too small (to keep them from slipping).

Aww! :( must've been a crap motor! I'm pretty happy with my Conair one ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008I25368/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_228sub0ARKPYC). It's gotten through 2 sweaters, 3 dresses, and a peacoat all done in a row so far, and you can change how close you shave to the fabric (nothing fancy, just 3 settings). I'll probably have to replace it by the end of the winter since the blades will probably dull from cleaning coats. Hopefully the motor lasts.

Into Mind is recommended here a lot, as well as her book, The Curated Closet.

Washable insertable insoles like these!

This gold Casio digital watch! I saw another user post it in FFA last year and bought it immediately. I like that it’s fairly cheap and digital without looking like a sports watch. amazon link

Yep. I just use these. I like visible bralettes for some outfits, but I've totally given up on strapless bras. I find this more comfortable.

I use the small Conair one as well.

Have you seen this book? https://www.amazon.com/Curated-Closet-Discovering-Personal-Building/dp/1607749483/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501584822&sr=8-1&keywords=closet+book

I have so many clothes but find myself only wearing less than 1/10th of my closet. One big problem is we get tempted by clothes that are "good deals" so we end up buying what we don't necessarily love. I am working on shrinking my closet as well but it's so hard to let go.

Deluxe: How Luxury Lost its Luster is incredible and important in today's market that focuses on aspirations towards high end purchases.

Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Fast Fashion is another good one.

I use this fabric shaver, it does the job on my wool and cashmere and I don't have any complaints about it

These are the ones I use.

A quick search on Amazon shows they are! I've never used them myself. Just saw them suggested here at some point

Link

I have this one. I use distilled water in it because tap water where I live is hard and causes scale/buildup. As part of my Sunday evening prep for the week, I pick out my work outfits and steam them all at once.

I am in need of new shoes for walking/everyday wear and I am torn between purchasing Jack Purcells, Adidas ZX flux slip ons, Nike Huaraches, or Adidas Tubulars. If I go with Tubulars, should I get them in white or bliss purple?

Also, does anyone have any recommendations for a casio watch? I'm digging these in gold, black, and black.