What not to wear: play Stacey for me

[peach]

Things you should know
- I live in canada and shopping is over an hour away and I have limited stores. Being a big girl also limits me further - I do find things at old navy, gap, reitmans, rickis fit me well. Target clothes are always way too tight in the shoulders and too short in the torso I have never found anything there that fits right. We don't have Ann Taylor, loft, express, forever 21.

-I work with kids. I dress very casual all the time. If I can just elevate myself from frump to "cute soccer mom" status I would be thrilled. Nothing fancy or dressy but I want to look put together and like I actually care about myself.

-my budget is pretty small but I do spend probably $50-$75 on myself for clothes/accessories every 2 months. I know it's a small budget but i will take suggestions on any things you think I need to buy!

- I am fine with any suggestions or criticism you have as long as it's worded kindly. I know my wardrobe needs help so being told to throw things away or that they are ill fitting is fine with me! Any suggestions for a haircut are also welcome!

I will post more below with pics of what I have. Don't laugh too hard!

[peach]

Scarves

Necklaces- I also have a few simple silver chains with tiny pendants but these are my bigger pieces.

[peach]

Jewelry

[peach]

I wear boot cut jeans every day. Here are some pics of tops I own - how would you style them? Would you throw them away? I feel yucky and am so tired of it.

The navy top has leather trim and a zipper detail at the back in silver

[peach]

I can't add any more pics - proboards is being weird. Will try again later

[Deleted]

With the gray shirt I would wear:
-The 4th necklace
or
- The light blue fan looking one
or
-the third blot scarf w/the bluish/purple earrings between the bottom ones and the lia sophia ones Or the top earrings on your earring pic. (BUT that's only if the blots on the scarf are bluish purple. I really can't tell.
-Blot scarf w/the Lia Sophia earrings

ETA:  Whoops.  Just realized you said the top is navy.  For the navy shirt:
-The leopard scarf
-the gold necklace to the far right on your last jewelry pic.
-gold necklace w/the coral earrings


I've got to think of other combos. Will think on it some more. :-)

[peach]

I will try on the shirt tonight and take pics with the things you suggested! Thank you!

[peach]

The navy shirt has a silver Zipper up the back would you still do gold jewelry?

[secretlyevil]

You've got a great collection there. Your jewelry and scarves are great accents. What about shoes?

[peach]

I have really wide feet and most of the shoes I have are painful to wear - but they were the only shoes I could find that my foot got all the way into. If my foot goes in I buy it because it's rare.

I have a pair of tall black boots. A pair of black pumps. A pair of black wedges, a pair of brown wedges with cork. Running shoes. Flip flops.

This year I am going to try ordering some special expensive shoes - I would like a pair of nude pumps and some leopard print flats.

[peach]

I will post some outfit pics in a bit!

[peach]

This was today. I have some things I like, like this sweater but I feel just bla and don't know how to finish an outfit off .

[peach]

I like this top but never wear it.

[secretlyevil]

Oct 1, 2013 19:00:24 GMT -5 peach said:

This was today. I have some things I like, like this sweater but I feel just bla and don't know how to finish an outfit off .

Several of your necklaces would look great with the sweater. Black pants wouldn't bet first choice with that sweater. Chocolate is the darkest I would go. A cream would be nice.

My first choices of your accessories for that top: the dark necklace at the very far left, the aqua-ish necklace or the leopard print scarf.

Eta: cork wedges / trousers

[peach]

The square neck on this is hard for me - I need something under because it's very low. A t shirt looks stupid. I have a couple of button up plaid shirts I could layer underbut all are too right across the shoulders and drive me nuts. I have a hard time finding them that fit across the shoulders.

[peach]

The pants with the camel sweater are actual dark jeans

[peach]

I don't wear trousers except to church. Jeans and sweats - trousers are not practical for my job.

[secretlyevil]

Oct 1, 2013 19:07:34 GMT -5 peach said:

I like this top but never wear it.

Cute! It's neutral, so accessorize with color.

[peach]

Good? No?

[peach]

Thanks again you guys! This is fun!

[secretlyevil]

Oct 1, 2013 19:11:29 GMT -5 peach said:

The square neck on this is hard for me - I need something under because it's very low. A t shirt looks stupid. I have a couple of button up plaid shirts I could layer underbut all are too right across the shoulders and drive me nuts. I have a hard time finding them that fit across the shoulders.

Soma's has a cami bra I love and wear with lower cut things. Again it's a neutral so accessorize with color. Wearing one of the color scarves will cover the girls and finish the outfit.

I'm not sure I understand why trousers wouldn't be ok for you job? Definitely not lighter colors.

[secretlyevil]

Oct 1, 2013 19:18:36 GMT -5 peach said:

Good? No?

Now that I see where that necklace hits, try the longer chunky one - far left in the pic at the top or the scarf.

[peach]

I run a daycare in my home. And I live in a small town where most people wear sweats - if I wore trousers I would get asked why I am so dressed up! I sit on the floor , get peed on, have Playdo stuck to my bum.

I mean I could wear them but I wouldn't.

[secretlyevil]

Well that makes sense.

[narockshard]

Do you have any cardigans? You could do a lot of different looks with the scarves you have if you had a neutral tank or top under a cardigan. I also think a great pair of dark wash skinny jeans would be a great staple to own if you don't have any already. If you're comfortable telling us your size and describing your shape I'm sure someone can recommend a specific brand/style or place to look for them.

[narockshard]

Actually, I can't tell if your first photo is shirts or scarves now lol. Either way, you can find cute scarves plenty cheap at many different places.

[callmehales]

that colorblock sweater is cute! if you know you like the fit of it, get it in a few solids, maybe a bright or 2 and then a good neutral or 2 or 3 (grey, black and camel come to mind). maybe try and find a good pair of straight-leg colored jeans, like bright red or cobalt blue. you'd be amazed how easy you can mix them in with other things you already own.

and get rid of that square-necked shirt, it's doing NOTHING for you.

[KaraOrNot]

I love the color block sweater on you and the necklace you put w/ it looks good. I also I love the first top you posted (w/ the sequins). I like the front of the grey top (w/ the lace), but I don't like the back lace panel. I don't love the square neck sweater.

[bimbi284]

To take the colorblock sweater up a notch, you could get a lightweight chambray blouse to wear underneath with the collar and cuffs peaking out. I'm trying to think of what color would work with that for pants....

[peach]

Yeah I think the grey sweater with the square neck needs to go.