Thursday, March 19, 2009

Fashion trends I don't understand


Lately, I've been in a spot where all those "moments" when I need something, like a cocktail dress or cute wedding outfit are actually happening and I look in my closet and see no options. Or if I do, they all need altering (the downside to working out) and won't be ready in time to said event. Which is why a dress for a wedding is en route to me now and I will be recreationally shopping for a cocktail dress this weekend. UGH.

And even looking ahead to spring, I'm back to hating everything in my closet because many of the items are finally old enough where they need to be donated. Thus, I am in the midst of heavy spring clothing shopping and to add to my frustration, I'm not loving some of the trends that I'm seeing.

I am not a fashionista but I am puzzled because several of them do not work for my body type: petite, curvy, full chest, etc.

I'm not knocking any of these trends, but I'm just not sure who buys them. Let's take a look at a few examples:

Thin, black socks with open-toed, strappy shoes? Would you wear that? Without tights and a skirt? Just because it's Burberry doesn't make it right

Popped collar? How have I missed the announcement on this? I do pop a jacket collar but that's it. Are you pro- or anti-popped collar? I hope I don't look like this big of a d-bag when I pop it

I love comfy pants in summer, but these are linen (not practical) and something about the front makes me fear what my camel toe could look like. Also, pants would make my "spare tire" look like two are hidden in there

This just looks unflattering. Saggy boobs? Do I need to buy a dress to make mine look saggier?

I don't hate maxi-dresses but I don't want a dress that will associate me with pregnant celebs...or Katie Holmes

Skirts/dresses are my favorite part of summer, but not when fabric is slapped together for a "sack" look. Even with a belt, it'll look like a mumu

I channel my inner Pam Beesly with cardigans, but the longer ones are not "spare tire" friendly and will pill on the butt. I don't need a pilly butt thank you

Now I'm going to focus on a look I'm very excited about for next weekend. God willing, I will be wearing the following items to an evening wedding. And dare I say, I might look a little hot.

My only fear: this dress has a side zipper, which makes me fear getting it stuck on my broad shoulders and being the "fat girl in a size zip dress." Maybe I'm just paranoid.


So while my mind is spinning with crazy scenarios, let me know if I'm way off base with my judgements here or if you have any "red flags" you want to add about clothing.

What is everyone else up to this weekend? 

My fun plans include a day o'fun with my parents, which means free lunch, lots of attention and at least one puppy kicking incident. Can-not wait. I must brush up on my Vanity Fair reading so I have worldly knowledge to contribute to conversation...and so my parents think I don't watch as much TV as I do :)

36 comments:

Maxie said...

I totally have to buy a size up in side zipper dresses. They're always so uncomfortable!

Pretty Unfamous said...

Do people actually still pop their collars??

Mandy said...

I'm not a huge fan of any of the spring fashions. Its a good thing I am not trendy. One aspect of spring I am loving -- the fun accessories!

Lys said...

wait, wait, wait...people are actually wearing THAT burberry fashion thing? what the hell is wrong with people? talk about sheep!

popped collar = douche = early 2000 fad fail

i've always wanted a pair of really comfy linen pants, but i agree completely. they don't make them roomy enough in the waist or the crotch. also, if you find anywhere that makes them in long without me having to purchase them 3 sizes bigger simply for length, let me know.

i have one cardigan, it is long like the one in the picture, but i only wear it around the house when i'm chilly and don't want to get dressed.

Unknown said...

I have to admit, there are some crazy trends happening right now and some are workable ....but many are so reminescent of the past, I wonder how quickly they will fade? Sticking to the classics always works. Jennifer Aniston has classics down!

The dress and shoes are adorable!

Anonymous said...

AHHHHHHH WANT that dress! Let me know how it fits (true to size and whatnot, how much room in the boob area, etc)!

Jamie said...

I have to say that I LOVE the popped collar. My husband laughs each time and I think that only encourages me.

For fashion on a budget, I've recently found a cute, not pilly-butt forming, cardigan at the Gap.

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=8993&pid=594919&scid=594919112

I'm a sucker for White House/Black Market for wedding guest attire.

Good luck shopping for Spring Fashions!

Maris said...

I dig the white pants but I can't promise that I'd leave my apartment in them.

I'm also pro-popped collar for girls but guys have to do it carefully. I've known a lot of dbag guys that reveled in their popped collars and I think if its THAT important to you that's a sign of a problem.

LBluca77 said...

Popped collars are always a no no. I do like linen pants. They are very comfy to me and since they wrinkle so easy you don't really have to make much of an effort with the iron.

Angela said...

Looks like a great dress to me.

Maki said...

Oh definitely poppes collars need to go. It's laughable. Some spring trends or any trends make my head go "?"...

I love the dress and the shoes!!

LBN said...

you are right - the but pilling on the long sweaters is SUCH an issue. what is a girl to do? still i love the long sweater. despite the butt pill. i'm now totally subconscious of butt pill.

Anonymous said...

nice blog. I am regular reader of this blog and i have found interesting blog on fashion accessories.

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Maxi Dresses? Really? That's a pretty awful name. The one thing I don't like about them? They tend to look awful on us short people. Amazonian woman - 1; short person - 0.

Anonymous said...

Great shoes!

Katie said...

For the post part, I would agree with your assessment of the latest spring fashions. I am a fan of the white pants, although I probably wouldn't buy linen ones.

I bought a maxi-dress the other day but haven't tried it on yet. I just think it is a good casual option for 'fat' days.

laurwilk said...

Oh, those popped collars! Back in the college days, frat boys would wear like six pastel shirts all with popped collars.

Most of those only work on tall stick figures. Which kind of sucks for most girls as it's hard to be 'trendy'. But the classics are cut for girls with curvier figures so we're still good to go!

I JUST BOUGHT THAT DRESS FROM JCREW LAST WEEK! I haven't gotten it yet though. I ordered it in the 'Pink Rose' color but I like the navy a lot too. I can't wait for it to get here so I can try it on!

Anonymous said...

Oh, the popped collar is a total no-no for guys. It just screams d-bag. I have a pair of white linen pants from last spring that I adore. I just hate how easily they get wrinkled. Love the dress and shoes - I'm sure you'll look fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Ewe. That first picture is gross.

I am a fan of the popped collar. I enjoy it. Especially in a jacket. I also hope I don't like as much of a douche as those boys.

I love love love that blue dress.

thatShortchick said...

popped collars remind of high school and all of the preppy guys who thought they were so freakin so hot for doing so. whatever.

maxi dresses, I'm loving but due to my height, they don't like me back.

that dress and those shoes? you are going to be SO FIERCE!!

Anonymous said...

I completely agree with you on your fashion dislikes. Some of that stuff is just so frumpy looking. I wouldn't mind the linen pants (but I bet they wouldn't fit because I'm so tall!).

I think your wedding outfit is gorgeous! My prob with side zipper dresses is that they get tough to work with when you are chesty. They can be a pain to close!

Katelin said...

i pretty much agree with you on all of these, haha. except linen pants just look so amazingly comfy, mmmmm.

golublog said...

I so try those sack dresses and ruffley dresses on in the stores thinking just maybe they will look good. They never do though. They never do.

FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said...

I hate linen pants because you get wrinkly butts, and what's the point? :P

I also hate the song popping my collar, and that image brought it up in my head.

Melissa said...

We share a fashion-mind... because all of these things are on my 'do not want' list for the exact same reasons. thanks for the laugh.

Anonymous said...

LOVE that jcrew dress. I'm ordering it in pink :) are those shoes jcrew as well?

and I agree with those fashion things. although the biggest trend i hate are wedding/bridesmaid dresses with all the pickups in the skirt- the cinderella look. i think it's just a trend right now and 15-25years from now people will look back on their wedding pics and think- wtf.

Midtown Girl said...

Wrap dresses are a staple in my closet and you get one for each season in great 'trend-friendly', versatile styles..

BTW - the popped collar pic is seriously freakin' hilarious.

Jenny Grace said...

I hate the maxidress. But omg I LOVE those shoes!

Andhari said...

That is so nice of the heels!!! have a lot of fun!!

andrea said...

LOVE the shoes!

no nonsense said...

where is the dress above the silver shoes from?

Rebekah said...

Burberry has failed everyone with those socky things.
Popped collars are only right when it is a coat and you are cold. All else is douchebaggery.
And I WISH I could wear a long cardi I like that... but anyone whose butt sticks out more than an inch from her spine is dooooomed to look ten pounds heavier.

That said, I am drooling on your strappy silver shoes right now :o( Need a pair for sister's wedding, where did those come from?

Living Dees Life said...

i completely understand and can sympthasize with you 100%.

Anonymous said...

Last summer I found myself knocking the maxi dress, only to buy one literally a week later. I like them for their comfort.

But socks and open toed shoes? Ewww.

And I do love your outfit, I'm sure you rocked it!

jlc said...

OMG me and my hubby HATE the popped collar!! Hahaha.

Great post and thanks so much for your beyond kind compliment!!

Lauren said...

I thought the popped collar trend ended when i was still in college. IT'S BACK? Ugh. It's the worst.

I don't get the socks and shoes either. It's weird looking.

That dress you picked out, however, super cute.