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Chit Chat
pinkshorts27
member
Girl Stuff and Questions
in Chit Chat
Hey everyone,
I know you may not be able to help, but I have no clue who to ask. My mom is a farm girl and so isn't much help on this specific topic.
So I've never been much of a girly girl. Like wearing soccer shorts and a t-shirt was a daily occurrence in high school/college. I'm a little bit heavier than I was in high school and have no clue what colors to wear for makeup or how to dress for my body.
Where should I start for that? I need to get clothes for my new job. I'm in engineering, so wearing formal skirts or suits daily is not expected, but I want like dark jeans and slacks as options as well and nice shirts. The guys at my new job wear jeans/kakies (sp?) and collared polo shirts. I have no clue what type of shirts to get or how to find any that look okay, since I'm not super thin (a little overweight right now). I guess I should start wearing makeup daily too? It seems expected, but professional makeup? Is that a thing? When I wear makeup I just always wear some light brown eye shadow, mascara and nude lip gloss and I only wear that when I'm going out. I've tried wearing eye liner and colors on lips and eye shadow but I just think it all looks funny.
Is there someway to learn all of this at 24? I need to "build my brand" at my new job and appear put together and professional.
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Re: Girl Stuff and Questions
For makeup, I highly recommend going to Sephora/Ulta/department store cosmetics counter to get a makeover. Ask for a simple look that you can do easily every morning. There may be a purchase requirement, but if you don't want to buy high-end products you can just take note of what they used and find a more affordable version of the same products. Also, there are some great makeup tutorials on youtube. Really though, you don't need to do a full face every day. Just doing your eyes and a little concealer goes a long way to looking more put together.
That's what I learned when I was going through the same thing several years ago. Hope it helps!
For clothes, do you have a place that you are comfortable shopping at to start? For me, no jeans fit me right ever, unless they come from American Eagle. So if I need pants that is where I start unfortunately. For putting outfits together, I have gone into a Macy's or other department store with nothing, or something I already had and found someone to work with me on what matches best. I tend to stay with neutral colors that I know will work well together.
The only make up I wear is mascara and that is because I have boy eyelashes and need mascara to not look like a child. IF I am feeling adventurous I will put on some eyeshadow and a lite powder but honestly I am too lazy to do a full face of make up. Most of my make up is Clinique and I purchased it all after I had a consultation there. They tried different options on me and told me what would work best, what colors are good for my skin tone, etc. They can also teach you how to apply everything - which looks easy but I have not gotten the hang of it lol. Start small, like you said you use mascara, maybe a pink lip and add some blush, which I found out recently is amazing lol.
good luck!
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/pants/my-jam-jeans
For me, Pinterest is a great source of inspiration, generally
I was on the same boat as you at your age too so I understand what you're going through! I went to a MAC makeup counter and had someone there teach me how to apply makeup, it was such a great help and it started me on my love of cosmetics. For clothes, I would find a store that you're comfortable shopping in (at the time for me it was Lane Bryant) and someone will put together a wardrobe for you.
I don't know what type of engineering you do, but just be careful with wearing suits with jackets being around machinery (if you are). My dad was an engineer for years (still is) and never wore a jacket to work and retired as a senior VP. They weren't allowed since the fabric could get caught in machinery.
With shoes, kitten heels are great. They're not flat and they're not heels so they look really stylish!
As for clothes, my rule of thumb for a flattering top is to locate the smallest part of your torso- for some that's just under the bust, for me its just above my belly button, and wear tops that fit closest to the body at that point. If you are uncomfortable with your belly, wear tops that fit at the waist, but then are a bit more flowy around the stomach area. A nice blazer can be really figure flattering, as long as you pick one with nice shape to it that isn't super boxy. Just make sure the narrowest part of the top lines up with the narrowest part of you and you'll see that it creates a super flattering look. Literally you can look 10 pounds heavier or 10 pounds lighter just by choosing clothes that flatter your shape.
As for pants, I find straight leg jeans tend to be pretty flattering and look professional, definitely go for a dark wash, I personally LOVE dark wash jeans. Also I would recommend not buying at Old Navy. Their jeans are just not as flattering as other brands. And since jeans can be worn with pretty much anything, they're worth investing the extra money in to get a pair you love and makes you feel sexy rather than a pair that's just "meh."
I think you should try on a ton of different stuff. Try on a bunch of different styles and colors and shapes. You'll get to see what works and what doesn't work, and know what to look for to get clothing that you feel great in. I definitely think it's worth it to invest the time and money into clothes that you enjoy wearing and make you feel pretty.
I just wanted to throw out there that you don't have to spend a lot either. I personally won't step foot in Macy's or other department stores due to the price tags. TJ Maxx and Marshalls carry lines by Willie Smith that I love for work. The shirts are cotton and silky and flowy (good for not super skinny) and usually have embellishment around the neck. They also have such a mish mosh of dress pants from all different designers. I have gotten Calvin Klein, BCBG Max Azria, The Limited with original tags up to $150 and I paid $30 for them. Also love the on sale cardigans from Old Navy, can't go wrong with a cardigan over a flowy tank top.
I don't wear makeup. I think the key is to just look clean and put together. In college it was like makeup from last night and a messy bun- that won't work. But all you need is a clean face, brushed teeth, groomed eyebrows, and hair styled. I am too lazy to blow dry, so I wet my hair in the tub (on mornings I don't shower) and pull it into a tight low bun.
I recently found some Levi's jeans that are made for curvey woman and they are awesome! It has the word Curvey in the title. I've found mine at Macy's.
I buy lots of clothes at Macy's. They have a very generous return policy. I usually buy online and then return in store. I've recently bought some t-shirt from Macy's by Karen Scott - they are comfy, dressey enough for our business casual office, and aren't too clingy to the body. They also have some good deals on shirts & pants with their Everday Values. If you have a Macy's card, or wouldn't mind having one, you can save a lot extra just by using the card and you get coupons frequently.
I also recently discovered eshakti.com, they can custom make clothes to your measurements. They also have the standard sizes. Right now they have buy 2, get 1 free. Also new customer's can save $25 on their first order. They can be a little pricey, but they only make the clothes when you order them. They can also customize sleeve size/type and shirt length.
As for makeup, I wear Covergirl's powder & foundation in one. It comes in a dark blue hand sized compact. Then I also wear mascara and that's it.
One thing to remember, your office is business casual, but would you ever have a need for a more formal work outfit? I work in a legal office and while we are business casual everyday, if I have a need to be in court or at a deposition to assist - I need to wear something more formal. Would your office ever have a need for client meetings or anything like that, and would those meetings be more formal dress? Maybe something to ask a co-worker about once you get started, so that you won't be surprised about needing a last minute formal business outfit.
I agree with the PPs on Sephora. They're fabulous!
Beyond that, I just wanted you to know you're not alone. My mom's not girlie in the slightest and I learned this stuff from coworkers in a long-ago job. 2 women- one who is now my boss- pulled me aside and told me that I needed to up my game. I spent the next day at Sephora, the clearance racks of Talbots and Ann Taylor, and covered Macy's. I gets a lot easier.
It sounds odd but watching "What Not To Wear" helped me figure out what works for my body. There were several episodes with women who looked like me (heavy, all chest and belly, no hips or ass) and they helped make the women look amazing. It might be worth checking out show archives online.
Finally, good for you! I grew up being told that you shouldn't be judged on your appearance. That just doesn't prove true in the workplace- it makes a huge difference. I've also found that this holds particularly true in traditionally male fields. I've gotten huge increases in confidence from dressing well and "looking the part" professionally. I'm in a super-casual environment now but I still make an effort most of the time.
@inkdancer @jcbride2015
I'm the fuck out.