Dress better

I got a new haircut…and I’m starting to wear more make-up. I have some choices on skirts, dresses, and pants, but I have no nice tops! They’re all very plain and boring. I need something that’s okay for an office environment, but easy to maintain (I can just throw in the wash). I have a hard time finding things I like….

Apparel-wise, I feel like I’ve definitely thrown in a lot of classic, basic pieces mostly because I started working for a corporation that’s very classic and mainstream. Because of their dresscode, I’ve started shopping for pieces that can double for work in order to save money and not have a completely different wardrobe. So on my off days, sometimes it’s just easier to throw a basic piece on and go for it. I don’t have any dressy pieces that I can just throw on anymore. I really need to fix that, but I’ll see when I can afford to shop.

However, in the accessories department, I think I’ve definitely blossomed over the last year. My scarf collection has tripled and my jewelry collection is awesome. I definitely would like more pieces but I’m happy with what I do have. I LOVE rings. This totally new to me because I used to be uncomfortable wearing more than one or two delicate bands. Now I’m doing crazy cocktail rings that could take someone’s eye out and doing up to 3 on one hand at once. It’s so fun! I’m loving layering necklaces as well!

and it’s been such an eye opener. We have group work to do a test shoot and my group got assigned London as our city of theme. So my job was to research cultural trends and street trends for men and women. Wow. What a blast. I’m super intrigued and I’m so inspired. I love how crazy London fashion can be and I love how outrageous people can get with their style. I’m really envious and wish I could do the same!

And you know what…I want to do the same. So I’ve been web shopping a lot in the last week or so…just looking at pieces that will be worthy investments or at least pieces that I can create to be versatile outfits! I’m finally getting leggings (being daring and got glossy shine ones, which normally I’d dread trying on). I also bought a new bag in jade green (which is such a beautiful color but I normally stick to neutrals and darks with bags)...so that’s really exciting.

The best piece, I think, is from topshop.com which is a British company. I found the website (though I knew about the chain from before) through researching London trends and I had to poke around. I saw this amazing sequined blazer (it’s not all bling and tacky) and I had to get it! It’s a difficult investment but I can’t wait for it to come in! Possibly the bravest purchase ever, since I usually hate sequins with a passion.

I’m just super excited!

I’m slowly picking up on more techniques and applying them to myself, such as belting a long tunic (a look I love but would’ve never tried on myself previously) or doing tights with shorter skirts (a combo I still don’t love but I like how it looks). I recently got a vest and dress shirt thing going..and I love it! There are some looks that don’t look as good but I’m glad that I’m stepping further away from my prior uniform of “tank top, jeans, slippers”. It does make a difference. I am wearing more boots, now! Yay. One thing I really need are skinny jeans, though. :( It’s just so tough being petite and finding skinny jeans.

It’s evil having a school that is surrounded by mega stores and tons of flagship stores. EVIL! H&M is on the same block so I frequently pass it and I pop in when I end classes early because it’s like a treat…

I totally went on a spree last Friday but I had a blast. I found a new winter jacket (something I’ve been looking for) so I’m really happy about that. I just bought winter stuff :) and I found a pair of cool boots (but I found that I can’t wear it for what I originally wanted to wear them for).

I also bought some new bangles for myself and a few pairs of earrings. I love earrings to death! I purchased 2 sterling silver rings – they make me happy :).

The great news is that I totally went on a shopping spree a couple weekends ago at New York & Company with one of my closest friends and her sister. I went with a mission to buy pants and I ended up with pants, tops, a camisole, a handbag, a wallet, and sunglasses! Crazy! I love my new clothes, except I can’t wear the pants without having heels on. I need to go buy heels now. The problem is I can’t wear heels without developing major pain or blisters for very long (and I have long school days)....so I have no idea what I will do.

So some not so good things about my half-hearted attempts to dress better and dress more stylishly…I think some of my friends see me as trying too hard. I’m not sure, really. I AM trying hard. In my new environment, everyone is dressed to the nines nearly all the time (as compared to at home, where everyone I know wears uber-casual and loves it). I’m not comfortable dressing up that much but I’d like to at least put on a professional front. I’ve gotten some comments about how I spend so much money (and am willing to – even though it’s not me really wanting to – it’s a necessity now) as compared to me not wanting to spend money on other things that are frivolous. It’s kind of like this constant reminder of who I used to be and what I used to think and how I’ve changed. It’s difficult, but it’s got to happen. As Dorothy said to Toto, “We’re not in Kansas anymore.”

I don’t have any natural flairs so I bought a book that was highly reviewed on Amazon and it had great advice. Wish it was more in-depth but for an intro assist, it’s GREAT.

I’ve been shopping a lot at H&M, actually. I also shopped at Charlotte Russe for jeans and accessories. Got a lot of compliments on the accessories I got there. H&M yielded tons – a huge metallic light copper bag for school that a LOT of people liked, accessories that garnered comments, and tops that really stood out. Whoo! Ross and Marshall’s are my new loves for SHOE-shopping. I still want to check out Aldo but so far I have enough new shoes to last me at least the next couple months (a lot of my flats are not that great).

I also got a haircut! That means I’m styling my hair differently too. I got comments on that. Today was the first day of class and one of my classmates, who knows I have fashion issues, actually noticed that I dressed up and that felt really nice, hehe.

Last week, I was so frustrated with life that I started tidying up my room a little. I happened to stumble upon a bunch of clothes and I decided that I need to really weed out stuff I cannot wear out in public so I did that – ended up with a nice chunk. Oh well – at least I got a bunch of clothes to wear at home now. On the low side, that means I need to repair the already gaping void in my closet! I’ve been been buying lots of flats (I owned none prior to moving to my new city) and I found a couple pairs of sexy slippers! No sexy heels yet but that’ll come. Not like I can wear it anyway.

On Friday, I was so overjoyed that 2 of my classes were done that I went shopping on my short break to H&M. I found another pair of flats – black this time – it’s classier – something to match with everything. I also got a nice chain necklace – add pizazz to my wardrobe, and a blue tank with rhinestones. Last but not least, I found a nice oversized bag that’s metallic peach-gold! It’ll be perfect for school! I actually can fit my laptop in there along with books and stuff. Wonderful!

There was a heatwave in SF this past week so I got to wear a tank top (OMG amazing – I usually have to throw on a jacket anyway). I don’t like shorts, though, so no shorts for me. I didn’t have any dresses or skirts available since I am in the process of moving and they’re all at the new place. Grr. It’s back down to bearable (high 70s) and I love this weather. It should stay like this all through summer. That’d be awesome.

I’ve been dressing “better” I guess but it’s not a huge improvement. It always seems like I’m lacking something. A necklace or a belt or something. I don’t know. I’m still working on this.

Unfortunately, my tendency to go online window shopping yields to a rapidly deflating wallet.

and went shopping!

I hit up H&M, Marshalls, Urban Outfitters, and Bloomingdales. I found some great stuff. I bought a pair of sexy slippers (flip flops) at Marshalls – metallic silver – casual yet sexy. I also bought a top that H&M just got in – it’s grey but soft and it has a light rhinestone pattern on the right shoulder. I also purchased a graphic tee with beach names on the front and a multi-colored dotted dress, plus a couple of hair clips. At UO, I didn’t get anything but I might go back for this awesome charm necklace I saw. I spent way too much at Bloomies – two jackets (on sale) and a pair of jeans (I’m feeling bad about this though).

I still actually NEED to buy a couple pair of jeans more, a pair of Converses, and accessories.

I may go to Macys, Urban Outfitters (again), Forever 21, and Zara sometime this or next week.