Starting over with a new body style....

[Lenore]

Goood morning, ladies,

I've been away for a while, but missed you all so much I had to come back.

I've realized this morning that I am in a heck of a rut. My job is in a warehouse envoirnment so the standard is jeans and tennis shoes on a daily basis. While that might be fantastic for some people, it's making me miserable to the point I'm looking for work elsewhere. I want to start dressing up again, but there is a problem. I've gone from a 4 to 8-10 while I've been sitting at this desk for the past two years. My waist is a couple of inches bigger, and my butt... well, I actually HAVE one now.

I'm actually not upset about it in reagrds to the fact that I've gained weight. I'll be 30 next month, and I honestly sort of expected it right after my daughter was born 5 years ago. My "sand has shifted" as my mother would say, and I'm content with my new body style(though who wouldn't want to lose a couple inches in the waist?) My problem is... I have zero clothes that fit... and even if I DID have clothes that fit, I'm not sure how to dress this body.

I'd like to be able to pull off a more hourglass style, and that's having me imagine waist cinchers and wiggle dresses. I suppose I'm not really asking for advice, but rather putting it out there to cause some thought. Has anyone else gone through a body change and had to start all over? If so, what did you start with and why?

 

[Louise Anne]

About 18 months ago I chucked out my entire modern wardrobe and decided to create a new personal style with modern clothes, well not all on the same day or I have nothing to wear.
a) I Did kept all my shoes and lingerie.
I disposed of every thing that did not fit as it was just taking up space with no benefit.
then I slowly phased out each of my outfits as they were replaced with a new one.
I just before this I when to a image consultant who drew up a sort of new style book with style of clothes that suit me, and over the last 18 months I been on four shopping trips with here acting as a personal shopper and image consultant
she show me what suits my figure etc and give pointers as we walk around the shops maybe I only spend a few pound ( $) on clothes with here but I can always go back and buy the item later

18 months on I have a very different style and loads more confident about my outfits and image.
I am 50 years old and a size 18 and now wear maxi skirts to knee length one and even mini skirts it all down to how you style and put things together more than one item.
I also limit my wardrobe to about 25 different outfit ( ex excluding vintage and evening)

Although I paid for advice I feel it's paid off by not buying thing that do not work, and if I am not happy with something I put it to one side until I find another jumper or skirt that makes it work better.

Maybe with vintage you can use the same Principe just it's different style.

Good luck and enjoy it

 

[kamikat]

Yes, I had to start all over. A while back, I had a medical issue that was treated with medications that caused me to gain nearly 60lbs in 2 months. I suddenly felt to fat to dress sexy. I left behind 50s styles in favor of 40s styles. I started with a couple A-lune skirts and blouses.

 

[Lenore]

I've been giving this serious thought, and think I should start out with some new foundation garments first, then buy the clothes to suit my shape in them. I'd hate to buy clothes, then get a new girdle and the clothing hang funny. Am I over thinking this? lol

Hopefully, I'll get a new job soon and I can start my shopping spree. As it is, I'm buying a few vintage style blouses at a time to wear with my most hated jeans.... I swear, with a new job, I'll never wear them again!

 

[lolly_loisides]

Just a thought, maybe you could buy a pair of Freddie's Jeans (or some other kind of repro high waisted jeans) to wear to work? That way you could combine work wear and vintage.

 

[Lenore]

I've thought of it, but as I work in a warehouse, I'd hate to get them messed up...Might buy some for those days that I know I'll be in the office all day, but truthfully, I can't stand denim. I wouldn't want to spend the money on something that I know I'd probably not like. Does that make sense??

 

[newtovintage]

I've thought of it, but as I work in a warehouse, I'd hate to get them messed up...Might buy some for those days that I know I'll be in the office all day, but truthfully, I can't stand denim. I wouldn't want to spend the money on something that I know I'd probably not like. Does that
make sense??

Have you thought about high-waisted, wide legged trousers, in twills or broadcloth, in different colors than denim? It would be an option that wouldn't be too over the top, but still give you a vintage vibe. Etsy might be a place to find such items.

Good luck with your choices.

 

[Jannie]

Jeans

Just for fun's sake, I made a quick search on Ebay for 'high waisted ladies trousers' and 'high waisted ladies jeans', and it came up with lots of items, many of them also very affordable...
So, if you must wear jeans at work for pratical & cultural (read: harassment) reasons, I would definitely make the best of it under the circumstances.
Oh, and by the way, I think you are absolutely right in thinking from-the-inside-out whith regard to planning your new wardrobe (and isn't it the logical way around it), especially if you contemplate wearing foundation garments on a daily basis. I wear stockings and a girdle every day, and I definitely need to take that into consideration whenever I think about buying new clothes.

 

[atomik_momma]

I know this thread is quite old, but I thought I'd reply anyway and say that I'm just beginning this right now. I just had my fifth baby and my oldest is 7, soon to be 8, so I've spent the better part of my twenties either pregnant or nursing. This has led to me having practically nothing that is my style and that fits my body shape and size. It's quite daunting to think that I need to buy a whole new wardrobe. As much as I love dresses, I'm going to focus on separates that all fall within a specific color palette for now they can stretch a wardrobe a lot father.

 

[JessKelly]

atomik_momma, the internet is ablase with 'capsule wardrobe' solutions (most revolve around separates), if you do a google image search you may very well find a layout you like and can use as a template. Perhaps buying a whole new wardrobe won't feel quite so daunting if you focus on getting (for example) three skirts, five tops and two cardigans or jackets to start with. One of the tops and skirts being the same colour/similar fabric can make it seem like a dress so you won't be completely missing out on that or just a throw a dress into the mix if it makes you happy. As you're planning on sticking to a colour palette you will have a lot of options, wise choice there. Good luck with the transition; I hope it turns out to be kind of exciting for you to discover a new twist to your style!

 

[Lady Day]

Wrap dresses are a good alternative if your size is still i n flux and the gathers on some can make a figure look more put together than if you decided to do go for a single sized item.

 

[Lenore]

Wrap dresses are a good alternative if your size is still i n flux and the gathers on some can make a figure look more put together than if you decided to do go for a single sized item.

Many, many Swirls and Swirl-a-likes are in my closet for this very reason! I'm still building a solid wardrobe (and underpinnings!) but at least for the time being if I want to feel pretty, and not stuck in my jeans, I have options.