Um, so, I still mostly wear the same clothes I did in high school. Jeans and t-shirts with band names and sayings on them and my Vans (skater shoes that are uber comfy). I have a couple of skirts and a few dressier shirts and some nice shoes (I actually do okay with shoes, I love cute dress shoes), but I am at a loss as to how to dress like a grown up without dressing up! I'm 26 so it's probably time I learned how, I'm tired of people thinking I'm a teenager. lol I am a stay at home mom, so it's not like I need to get all dressed up in a business suit and heels every day or anything to run around with the kids and clean the house (that's probably part of the reason my wardrobe has never matured). And I'm on a budget, so I can't be spending tons of $$ on grown up clothes. :-) So, any tips or ideas or thoughts on the subject?
The easiest way to start would probably be to get nicer/more tailored jeans and lose the band shirts. As a stay at home mom you probably will spend a lot of time in jeans, skirts, and tops but getting nice v-neck T-shirts in solid colors, with no writing on them, would be a more sophisticated look. You could start collecting some accessories and maybe change up your hair and polish up your makeup an nails.
Have you ever watched the TLC show, 'What Not To Wear' ? They have the best advice, they probably even have a web page that would be full of helpful ideas.
Basically, these are the rules I follow (and some of the generic rules they give most everybody): A good trouser jean looks fabulous on everyone. Get it in a dark wash. Don't be afraid to take them to the tailor to take in the waist or have them hemmed. $10 spent on a good hem job or waist nip is money well spent--especially if you get the jeans on sale!
No more t shirts. You can find all kinds of structured tops on sale in any store you walk into. Find a flattering cut and it will be just as comfortable as a t shirt--I promise! I am blessed to find great stuff and discount stores like TJMaxx, Marshalls, Ross, and Burlington Coat factory.
Any shoe will work as long as it's not a tennis shoe. Ballerina flats, low heeled sandals, whatever is comfortable on your foot.
Start thinking in terms of layering. One good sweater, light weight jacket, shrug, twin set, etc really makes an outfit look 'finished'.
Accessorize. Start off simple, with something that goes with alot of outfits. Think silver tone for example. Earrings, bracelets, necklaces all add some sophistication to an outfit.
Find a fabulous purse that works with most of your outfits. Think solid neutral.
I find it very easy to run around in skirts and dresses. I have a white pencil skirt, and a couple of pencil denim skirts (one black and one blue). People always think I'm dressed up in these and I recieve lots of complements on them. Just as easy to wear as a pair of jeans. Get it in a flattering cut (not too short--think right at the knee). Not too long (think ankle length--looks sloppy and gets in your way, especially if you're short).
A basic wrap dress works for most body types and again, it's just as easy to run around in a dress as it is jeans.
Okay, this got a bit long winded. I obviously was channeling my inner Stacey and Clinton (they host the above mentioned show on TLC). These are some of the basic rules they hand out to anyone (okay, denim skirts--my idea. but they are a fan of skirts and the knee rule.)
What you wear out of the house is not what you wear to clean the house! It's not that big of a deal to change clothes before you leave the house.
Last but not least--good haircut. No more ponytails. Talk to your stylist about how much time you can devote to styling and they will let you know what works with your hair type (thick, thin, naturally curly, coarse, etc.)
And a little bit of makeup never hurts either.
Take you time, get one basic outfit together as finances/time allow. Make sure you can mix and match what you buy. It often helps to buy neutral bottoms so most of your tops go with them.
Again, I apologize for being so long winded. But, I have always loved clothes!
And, BTW, when you get older you will long for the days people thought you looked like a teenager-Thos days are long gone for me and I'm just a little bit jealous
If we're talking about casual dress, then in the winter I live in jeans and I have a variety of nice sweaters to go with them, or a soft top with a black long line cardigan.
Footwear, I always wear black boots with a 2-3" heel in winter.
In summer I have several lovely sundresses, or some lightweight shorts or capris which I wear with vest tops.
Footwear, I wear sandals in summer.
Spring and autumn, if it's too warm for sweaters but not warm enough for sundresses or shorts, then the jeans come out again, but I have some nice light weight tops.
I have other sets of clothes for work wear, formal wear and some in the middle stuff for occasions that are not formal but not casual either.
I don't know where you live but places like Gap and Marks&Spencer sell plain coloured shirts, long and short sleeve I believe, quite cheaply. Maybe getting a few of those would be a good place to start. I'm still a student so I tend to dress like one, but these shirts are great everyday wear. I can put one on with a cardigan or a sweater and not feel like I look like a frumpy student, lol.
There's a show called Gok's Fashion Fix (in England at least) where he sets women up with staples for their wardrobe. He gets things that coordinate so that they can mix and match all of it to get a nice look for every occasion. It's a really good idea and might be worth a watch if you get a chance!
I think the most important thing if you're trying to transition to "grown up" clothes is stay true to what you'll feel comfortable wearing. I would start by thinking about what you feel good in, and what your goals are for your wardrobe, and then develop some sort of a uniform.
Having a standard outfit that you wear everyday makes getting dressed a lot simpler, and it's just as easy to spend 5 minutes putting on nice clothes as it is put on schlubby ones.
We're about the same age and probably have similar wardrobe requirements (I need clothes I can move around in that are okay to get dirty) and I've worn about the same thing since late college. Because I like to emphasize my smallish waist and hide my big hips I usually do a button down shirt with either a dark straight leg jean or an A-line skirt, flat shoes, and a cardigan. All my clothes are around the same color palate for easy mixing and matching, so you get more options for less $$.
I would start small, like changing your sneakers out for a pair of comfy flats, or trying a button down or nicer blouse instead of the t-shirt and going from there. Good luck!
Last edited by Ms GenghisCohen; 06-16-2010 at 09:27 AM.
I dress a lot like I did as a teen too as a SAHM -- jeans, shorts, tees, sneakers.
But the biggest differences are colors and cuts. No more "boxy" t-shirts. Now they are v-neck, scoop neck, and I try to have them have some detailing of interest so it isn't "plain."
I don't do a lot of graphic t's but when I do I try to pick interesting graphics and stay away from band shirts.
I wear dark colored boot cut jeans rather than the straight legged light jeans of my youth.
I wear skirts more too since it upgrades the t's and flats/sandals/ sneakers thing a little bit. There I make them or choose a-line in colorful prints.
I keep away from pastels and prefer jewel tones.
I choose adult jewelry -- not expensive, but neither is it too cutesy or too tweeny/teeny... I don't do string type friendship bracelets for instance.
If I can find them, I snap up casual dresses that will work for errands around town that are still child friendly. These tend to be cotton/cotton blends. I leave the nicer fabrics and dresses for non-child occassions.
Yep, I agree with ANewCreation! "What Not to Wear" changed my whole outlook on what to wear! I only wear dark straight leg or boot cut stretch jeans, paired with a plain tee or a cute empire waisted top, and if I really want to make an impression, I'll top the outfit off with a jacket/blazer/cardigan which will always make me look like I'm in total control. Structure is the key!
Good thing people don't really know me, cuz I look fabulous!! The company Christmas party is another matter
Another suggestion would be to just pick up a few magazines in the grocery store or library such as Glamour or Cosmopolitan. Or check out a few website that offer affordable/fashionable ideas such as the Gap, Old Navy, H&M, etc. This way when your going shopping you have a few 'looks' that you can try to emulate.
I must be the only person who doesn't agree with "What Not To Wear"! I've only seen it a handful of times, and to be honest... it made me laugh. I found the things that they picked out to be quite unattractive. I guess it's just not something I would like.
My wardrobe could use some updating as well, though...
How to dress like an adult?
Great for all bodies!!!
