Cardigans For Women Trendy

...: The short sleeve sweater for women features v neck, colorblock, ribbed... for business casual outfits for women or teacher work tops. Match: .... Layer it under blazers or cardigans for trendy outfits year-round. Paired with a ... Instructions: The summer tops for women are vacuum-packed and may wrinkle ...

Explore the latest Women Winter Dresses Collection at Rage, featuring stylish, cozy, and affordable outfits perfect for the cold season. From trendy co-ord sets and knit dresses to elegant coats and cardigans, find versatile winter styles designed for both comfort and fashion. https://www.rageonline.co.in/ submitted by /u/nasirbobby to r/ApperalCollection [link] [comments]

Lime Lush Boutique is a popular online women’s clothing boutique offering fun, trendy, and stylish outfits. They specialize in dresses, tops, bottoms, cardigans, shoes, and accessories with a flirty, feminine, and comfortable vibe — perfect for everyday wear, date nights, or special occasions. I have personally tested the following Lime Lush promo code, and it is currently working: ✅ Recommended Promo Code Angeliki15 → 25% Off Storewide This code gives you 25% off your entire order with no minimum purchase mentioned. Extra Savings Opportunities Regular sitewide sales and clearance section with up to 50% off or more New arrivals and seasonal collections frequently discounted Free shipping is often available on orders over a certain amount (check at checkout) Easy returns policy (usually 10 days) How to Use: Copy the Codes Add your favorite items to the cart At checkout, enter the code Angeliki15 The 25% discount should apply automatically Tips: Best used on full-priced items for maximum savings. Some exclusions (like final sale items) may apply — always double-check at checkout. This code was verified as of May 2026. I will update this post if it stops working. If you need me to test more Lime Lush codes or check promo codes for other fashion boutiques, just drop a comment below! Happy Shopping! 🛍️✨ submitted by /u/Alex_Thompson2000 to r/TrulyCodesVerified [link] [comments]

Hey Deal Finders, 👋 Searching for today’s Amazon deals ? You’re in the right place! Our team of deal-spotters works around the clock to find and share the best discounts Amazon has to offer. Join our Reddit community to stay updated with fresh, hand-picked Amazon deals posted daily! Welcome to your daily digest of the hottest Amazon deals! Today’s limited-time discounts on top brands and everyday essentials make it the perfect moment to save big. Whether you’re eyeing new tech, home essentials, or stylish upgrades, these curated deals are refreshed often—so snag your picks before they’re gone! You can find all today's deals here: 👉 Today’s Top Amazon Deals 🔥 Best Hand-Picked Amazon Deals for Today 🔥 Note: Product links are embedded into the product names. Click the product name to view the deal on Amazon. Here you go — with the 👉 emoji added in front of each deal: 👉 73% off – Smart Digital 4 Slice Toaster with Touch Screen, Extra Wide Slots for Bagel, 6 Bread Types & 6 Shade Settings, Digital Countdown, Sound/Standby/Defrost/Reheat, Stainless Steel 👉 78% off – Vacuum Sealer Machine 75KPa Food with 6-in-1 Dry/Moist Modes & Digital Timer 👉 50% off – Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning with Swivel Steering (HV301), Gray/Orange 👉 45% off – Roc Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board 10' 6" with Premium SUP Paddle Board Accessories, Wide Stable Design, Non-Slip Comfort Deck for Youth & Adults 👉 52% off – Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless Bluetooth Headphones with Multi-Sensory Bass, Noise Isolating Over-Ear Fit, Up to 40 Hours Battery – True Black 👉 50% off – Chefman Air Fryer – 6 QT Compact Airfryer with Hi-Fry Technology & Touchscreen Controls 👉 40% off – Puffer Tote Bag for Women, Lightweight Puffy Work Handbag 👉 35% off – PocBuds Bluetooth Headphones Wireless Earbuds 👉 48% off – LILLUSORY Womens 2 Piece Lounge Sets 👉 55% off – Trendy Queen Cropped Cardigan Sweaters 👉 46% off – Amerdeco 10 Pack Matte Black 5 Inch (128mm) Hole Centers Kitchen Cabinet Pulls 👉 52% off – FDW 8 Inch Twin Mattress 👉 40% off – Aquasonic Black Series Ultra Whitening Toothbrush 👉 22% off – Ninja BN301 Nutri-Blender Plus Compact Personal Blender 📱 Today Best Tech & Electronics Deals Smartphone Deals Laptop Deals Tablet Deals Phone Accessories Electronics Deals 👚Today Best Clothing & Personal Deals Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry Beauty & Personal Care 🏡 Today Best Home & Kitchen Deals Home & Kitchen Kitchen Appliances Appliances Patio / Lawn / Garden Tools & Home Improvement 🎮 Today Best Kids, Hobbies Deals Toys & Games Sports & Outdoors Musical Instruments Baby Products 💼 Today Best deals on Office & Auto Products Office Supplies Automotive These deals are time-sensitive and stock may run out quickly. Prices and discounts are accurate at the time of posting but may change without notice. Grab your favorites before they’re gone! Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our community and keeps these daily deal posts coming! submitted by /u/Effective_Bus9310 to r/TopDealsUsa [link] [comments]

Make sure to ask for pre shipment photos after ordering. If you don't like some details like sizing or flaws etc in your order, you can still cancel the order. Dior Leather Belt Lululemon Men Tops Loewe Bomber Jacket Dior denim dress Arc'teryx Kyanite and Rethel Loewe x On CloudSolo Marty x Supreme Jacket LV Apparel LV MULE LV Half Zip LV Jacquard Damier Clematis Blue Woolen Sweater LV Trio Messenger Louis Vuitton Keepall Bandouliere 25 Ralph Lauren Collar Quarter Zip Ralph Lauren Work Jacket Celine Sweater Supreme Jackets Nocta Tech Fleece Prada knitted short sleeve top Nike Fleeced Jacket submitted by /u/9schoolboy to r/DHgateRepSquad [link] [comments]

Looking for the perfect cardigan that combines comfort, style, and versatility? You're in the right place. Let me walk you through everything you need to know about Hathne cardigan sweaters and why they might just become your new wardrobe staple. What Are Hathne Cardigan Sweaters for Women Hathne cardigan sweaters are women's knit outerwear pieces designed to offer both warmth and style. These ladies cardigan sweaters come in various styles, from classic button front designs to trendy open front cardigans, making them incredibly versatile for any occasion. What sets these female knit cardigans apart is their focus on quality construction and thoughtful design. Whether you're looking for a lightweight cardigan sweater women can wear year-round or a chunky knit cardigan women love for colder months, Hathne offers options that balance fashion with function. These womens sweater cardigan pieces aren't just another layer—they're statement pieces that can transform your entire outfit. From casual weekend looks to professional work attire, a well-chosen cardigan becomes that reliable piece you reach for again and again. The beauty of these cozy cardigan sweaters lies in their ability to adapt to your lifestyle without compromising on comfort or style. Benefits of Choosing a Hathne Cardigan Why invest in a quality women's cardigan sweater? The benefits go beyond just staying warm. First, versatility tops the list. A good cardigan sweater women can style multiple ways means more outfit combinations with less closet space. You can dress it up for work meetings or keep it casual for coffee runs. Durability matters too. Quality construction means your investment lasts season after season. You're not replacing cheap cardigans every few months—you're building a reliable wardrobe. Plus, the right cardigan offers year-round wearability. Lightweight options work for spring and summer evenings, while heavier knits keep you cozy through fall and winter. Comfort plays a huge role in why women love these pieces. There's something reassuring about slipping into a soft, well-fitting cardigan on a chilly morning. It's like a wearable hug that also happens to look polished. And let's not forget the practical side—most designs include pockets, which honestly makes any garment better. Whether you're working from home or running errands, having that extra functionality just makes life easier. Key Features to Look For Not all cardigans are created equal. Knowing what to look for helps you choose wisely and avoid buyer's remorse. Fabric Quality The material determines everything from how your cardigan feels against your skin to how long it lasts. Look for quality fibers like cotton blends, acrylic knits, or if your budget allows, cashmere cardigan women's options. The fabric should feel substantial without being heavy or scratchy. Check for even knitting with no loose threads or irregular stitching. Fit and Sizing A women's cardigan sweater should fit comfortably across your shoulders and fall naturally along your torso. It shouldn't pull across your back or gape open at the front. Pay attention to sizing charts, especially if you're shopping online. Some brands run small, while others offer more generous fits. Warmth and Comfort Consider when and where you'll wear your cardigan. An oversized cardigan women can layer over multiple pieces works great for winter, while a cropped cardigan sweater women prefer for warmer months keeps you from overheating. The knit density matters—looser knits offer breathability, while tighter knits provide more warmth. Design Details Small touches make big differences. Quality buttons that don't snag or fall off, reinforced seams that won't split, and a women's cardigan sweater with pockets add both style and function. Look for details that match your personal aesthetic, whether that's minimalist simplicity or eye-catching patterns. Types of Hathne Cardigan Sweaters Understanding the different styles helps you choose the best women's cardigan for layering and your specific needs. Open Front Cardigans The open front cardigan women love for its effortless style never goes out of fashion. Without buttons or closures, these drape naturally and create a relaxed, flowing silhouette. They're perfect for when you want easy on-and-off convenience. This style works beautifully over everything from basic tees to dressy blouses. Button Front Cardigans Classic and structured, a button front cardigan women can wear fully buttoned or leave open offers maximum versatility. These provide a more tailored look and work wonderfully in professional settings. You control how much warmth you need by adjusting which buttons you fasten. Longline Cardigans A women's longline cardigan extends past your hips, sometimes reaching mid-thigh or even knee length. These create elegant, elongating lines and make fantastic statement pieces. They're especially flattering when paired with fitted pants or leggings. Chunky Knit Cardigans When temperatures drop, a chunky knit cardigan women trust for serious warmth becomes essential. These feature thick, textured knitting that provides excellent insulation while looking stylishly cozy. Perfect for those days when you need real protection from the cold. Lightweight Everyday Cardigans Don't underestimate the power of a lightweight cardigan sweater women can wear almost anywhere. These thin knits work year-round, offering just enough coverage for air-conditioned offices or cool summer evenings. They're your reliable, go-to option that travels well and takes up minimal space in your closet. How to Choose the Right Cardigan for Your Style Finding your perfect match means considering how a cardigan fits into your existing wardrobe and lifestyle. Match with Your Wardrobe Take stock of what you already own. If you wear mostly jeans and tees, a casual open front cardigan makes sense. Professional wardrobe? A structured button-front style works better. Your cardigan should complement your most-worn pieces, not sit unused because it doesn't match anything. Pick Colors That Flatter Neutral colors like black, gray, navy, and cream offer maximum versatility—they work with virtually everything. But don't shy away from color if that's your style. Consider your skin tone and hair color. Warmer complexions typically shine in earth tones and warm hues, while cooler complexions look fantastic in jewel tones and cooler shades. Choose the Right Length Your body proportions matter here. Petite frames often look best in cardigans that hit at the hip or just below. Taller women can pull off dramatic longline styles beautifully. Consider what you'll wear underneath too—longer cardigans pair perfectly with fitted bottoms, while shorter styles work with almost anything. Find the Best Fit for Your Body Shape Every body is beautiful, and the right cardigan enhances your natural shape. Curvier figures often love open front styles that create a vertical line. Athletic builds might prefer cardigans with more structure and definition. If you're shopping for a women's cardigan sweater plus size, look for designs that offer room without looking boxy. The women's cardigan sweater petite fit options provide proper proportions for smaller frames. How to Style a Hathne Cardigan Let's talk about putting together outfits that work in real life, not just on fashion blogs. Casual Everyday Outfits For your standard day out, pair your cardigan with dark jeans and a simple tee or tank top. Add sneakers or flats, and you're done. An oversized cardigan women throw on over leggings and a fitted top creates that perfect "I'm comfortable but still look put-together" vibe. This is where your women's cardigan sweater casual weekend style truly shines. Work Friendly Looks A button front cardigan over a collared shirt instantly elevates your professional appearance. Pair with tailored pants or a pencil skirt for a polished women's cardigan sweater work wear ensemble. Stick with solid colors or subtle patterns for the office. A neutral women's cardigan sweater work wear piece in black or navy becomes your reliable meeting-ready option. Cozy Weekend Styles When you're relaxing at home or running quick errands, comfort reigns supreme. A chunky knit cardigan women love for lazy Sundays pairs perfectly with joggers or your favorite loungewear. Layer over a hoodie for extra warmth, or keep it simple with a soft tee underneath. This is when you can really embrace that oversized, cozy aesthetic. Layering Tips for Fall and Winter Mastering the art of layering extends your wardrobe exponentially. Start with a fitted base layer like a long-sleeve tee or thermal. Add your cardigan as the middle layer, then top with a coat if needed. A women's cardigan sweater fall trends piece works beautifully under denim or leather jackets. The best women's cardigan for layering allows room without adding bulk. Consider a lightweight option under heavier outerwear, or choose a chunky cardigan as your outer layer for milder days. How to Care for Your Cardigan Proper care ensures your investment lasts for years, not just one season. Washing Instructions Always check the care label first, but most quality cardigans do best with hand washing or the delicate cycle in cold water. Turn your cardigan inside out to protect the outer surface. Use a gentle detergent designed for knitwear. Even if the label says machine washable, treating your cardigan gently extends its life significantly. For women's cardigan sweater sustainable material options, proper washing maintains both quality and eco-friendly benefits. Drying and Storage Never wring out a wet cardigan—that stretches the fibers and ruins the shape. Instead, gently press out excess water with a towel. Lay flat to dry on a clean towel or drying rack. Hanging wet cardigans causes them to stretch and lose their shape. Once completely dry, fold rather than hang to prevent shoulder bumps and stretching. Store in a cool, dry place, and consider adding cedar blocks to prevent moths. How to Prevent Pilling Those annoying little fabric balls that appear on knitwear are called pills, and they're preventable. Avoid excessive rubbing against rough surfaces like backpack straps or rough upholstery. When pills do appear, use a fabric shaver or sweater comb to remove them gently. Washing your cardigan inside out reduces friction during washing. Better quality materials typically pill less, which is another reason to invest in good construction from the start. Top Reasons Shoppers Love These Cardigans Real feedback from real women reveals what makes these cardigans worth buying. Comfort consistently ranks at the top—the soft fabrics feel wonderful against skin without any itchiness or scratching. Versatility comes in close second because one cardigan genuinely works for multiple occasions and seasons. Shoppers appreciate the thoughtful design elements like functional pockets and quality hardware that doesn't break after a few wears. The variety of styles means there's truly something for everyone, whether you prefer a women's cardigan sweater open front knit or a classic button style. Value matters too. While these aren't the cheapest options available, women report that their cardigans hold up through countless washes and wears. That longevity makes the initial investment worthwhile. Plus, the flattering fits work across various body types, which shoppers mention repeatedly in reviews. Finding a women's cardigan sweater oversized knit that looks intentional rather than sloppy isn't always easy, but quality designs nail that balance. Best Places to Buy Hathne Cardigans Ready to add one to your wardrobe? Shopping online offers convenience and often better selection than local stores. Amazon provides excellent options with customer reviews, easy returns, and quick shipping. You can filter by size, color, and style to find exactly what you need. Department stores both online and in-person carry various styles, allowing you to feel the fabric quality before buying if you prefer shopping that way. Specialty knitwear boutiques sometimes offer unique designs not found elsewhere. Don't overlook seasonal sales—late winter and early fall often bring significant discounts on cardigan sweaters. Wherever you shop, read customer reviews carefully, check return policies, and verify sizing charts before ordering. Many retailers offer free returns, which takes the risk out of trying something new. Frequently Asked Questions Are These Cardigans True to Size? Most Hathne cardigans run true to size, but always check specific product reviews. Some styles like oversized designs intentionally run larger. When in doubt, reference the size chart and measure yourself. If you're between sizes and want a fitted look, size down. For a women's cardigan sweater oversized knit style, sizing up works perfectly. What Materials Are Used? Common materials include cotton blends, acrylic, polyester blends, and premium options like cashmere or merino wool. Each material offers different benefits—cotton breathes well, acrylic provides warmth and easy care, while cashmere offers luxury softness. Check product descriptions for specific fiber content and any women's cardigan sweater sustainable material certifications. Can You Machine Wash Them? Many cardigans are machine washable, though hand washing or the delicate cycle works best. Always use cold water and a gentle detergent. Turn garments inside out before washing. Air drying preserves shape and prevents shrinkage better than machine drying. Do They Feel Soft or Scratchy? Quality cardigans should feel soft and comfortable from the first wear. Avoid anything that feels scratchy or stiff. Cotton and cotton-blend cardigans typically feel softest. If shopping online, read reviews specifically mentioning texture and comfort. Are They Warm Enough for Winter? It depends on the style and your climate. A chunky knit cardigan women wear in cold climates provides substantial warmth. Lightweight options work better as transitional pieces or for layering. Consider your specific needs—will this be your only outer layer, or can you add a coat over it? Do They Shrink After Washing? Shrinkage depends on fiber content and washing method. Cotton cardigans may shrink slightly if washed in hot water or dried in a machine. Following care instructions prevents most shrinkage. When in doubt, wash cold and air dry flat for best results. Which Style Works Best for Everyday Wear? An open front cardigan offers maximum versatility for daily wear. The casual style works with almost any outfit, and the lack of buttons means quick, easy layering. For women's cardigan sweater everyday use, neutral colors and medium-weight knits provide the most mileage. How Do I Pick the Right Size for Layering? Consider what you'll wear underneath. If layering over bulky sweaters, size up for comfortable room. For wearing over just tees or tanks, your regular size works fine. A best women's cardigan for layering should allow movement without pulling or restricting. Read reviews about fit—other customers often mention whether items run small, large, or true to size. Finding the perfect women's cardigan sweater transforms your wardrobe from good to great. With the right style, fit, and quality, your cardigan becomes that reliable piece you reach for constantly. Whether you're drawn to a cozy oversized cardigan women love for weekends or a polished style for work, there's an option that fits your lifestyle perfectly. Take your time choosing, care for your investment properly, and enjoy years of comfortable, stylish wear. submitted by /u/Lucifer19821 to r/TheBeautyCircle [link] [comments]

https://amzn.to/3I6bYr2 submitted by /u/Apprehensive-Mind679 to r/teachersfashion [link] [comments]

https://amzn.to/4nnuCd3 submitted by /u/Apprehensive-Mind679 to r/teachersfashion [link] [comments]

So a common “burn” that the throes of stan twitter and TikTok like to cite against Taylor is that her recent albums, as big as they are, don’t have any hits. That despite the sales and charting success of albums like TTPD, “no one’s heard any of the songs”. And while music tastes and trends are deeply personal and more niche due to the lack of a monoculture these days, it did feel like songs such as Birds of a Feather, Good Luck Babe!, or any Sabrina Carpenter single were more popular with the general public last year while TTPD was more contained to the swifties. I’d even venture that Taylor’s albums and songs haven’t been the “trendy” music for awhile. We consider folklore the pandemic album, yet people are still surprised to learn that cardigan is by Taylor. I’d say Taylor’s last hit was Anti-Hero, but even then I don’t think that and Midnights was “everywhere” the same way 1989 was. And evermore is niche even for swifties lol. Despite that, Taylor is still a huge success because she’s cultivated such a large and loyal fanbase. But there does seem to be some desire for Taylor to be a hitmaker again. Most swifties are going to be perfectly content with whatever Taylor puts out and just like to speculate what TS12 will sound like, but there’s definitely an undertone of “Oh Taylor’s going to finally shed this sad synth vibe and give us some real hits with this next one.” And to be honest, I don’t personally feel Taylor is going for that anymore? Of course, every artist would like their songs to be on top, but Taylor has been acknowledging since the Lover era that pop stars, especially women, have a limited time in the spotlight. So I have this feeling that Taylor’s music will continue to reflect her life as she gets older, whatever form or genre it takes. I’ve seen some here describe it as “adult contemporary”. And it will still probably top charts when it drops. “Taylor Swift my favorite underground indie artist 😍” submitted by /u/Relevant_Nebula to r/TaylorSwift [link] [comments]

So in another subreddit I read last morning someone, I read a thread on how you don't need Trans-Brand clothes in order to dress masculine or dress well. It was a good thread, though it got locked by the mods because it got a lot of comments from people who were deeply frustrated with buying clothes who said that, no, their bodies were incorrect and awful and only the transbrand clothes could solve them. The OG poster didn't call out names but I'm pretty sure they were talking about Both&. Their articles are very predatory on our dysphoria around our bodies and they list all parts of us that are "wrong" before selling the solution. Yes they're trans-owned but it doesn't keep impede from being predatory on their marketing tactics. What the original thread failed to do, regardless, was to address was what to do instead of buying the special transbrand clothes. So I came here as a trans man who lived five years without T but still presented masc to society, be it misgendering me or not, be I passing or not. I also live in the global south and had to learn what to do without going to (specific brand store that only exists in the global north). Here it goes: Mental State: Your worth as a person is not related to how well or poorly you pass. You do not own passability to anyone. Passing does not have to be your goal. Even if you do not pass, looking out for clothes that make you confident is still a worthwhile and fulfilling endeavor. Your desire to not engage with fashion until you reach your desired capstones is also valid. Cis men and cis women are also preyed upon by the cosmetic industries. Self-image negativity is very endemic on trans communities because it walks side by side with dysphoria, but it's important to remember it's a problem that a very big amount of cis people suffer from, specially short people, fat people and non-white people. They don't fit perfectly on clothes and cosmetics off-the-rack either. Fashion is a fun hobby that gets often too crapped on due to being associated with women. Viewing fashion as a hobby lesser to cars or videogames indicates you have a streak of internalized misogyny on you. You don't need expensive, branded or new clothes to look good. I mostly buy secondhand stuff myself (either going to thrift stores on my area or online). T-Shirts: Boxy fit and oversized fits do not mean "bad fit". Slim fit does not mean "good fit". This is just true of certain looksmaxxing Instagram/Youtube circles of very loud and confident but incorrect advice. On the fashion scene nowadays slim fit is considered dated while wide fits are very trendy. Get a shirt that fits you well and measure its width and height. Personally, when I did this I got the measurements of 54/52cm, so I know that T-shirts that will fit me well are square in shape. If you wear a binder with thick straps, consider taking heavy weight shirts rather than light weight shirts because they'll hide the volume of the straps better. If you wear a binder with straps, consider buying crew neck shirts because they'll fit closer to your neck. If you wear a binder with a zip on middle, get a busy and big stamp right on your chest, like a band tee. Yes, this goes contrary to every online advice there is on "not calling attention to your chest". It also works. Opt for more static materials (like cotton) rather than more clingy materials (like silk) when buying online. Opt for darker colors because light colors are usually more transparent. If T-shirts are too long on you off-the-rack, simply buy a shirt with a good width and then find your friendly local neighborhood seamstress and tell them the shirt is too long on you and you would like to keep it boxy, just shorter (the "proper" length for a shirt is mid-pant fly but you shouldn't have to specify that). This is a very simple alteration that won't cost you much (about $10 per T-shirt, ask for a bulk discount if you bring multiple shirts). Logos are fine. The hate on logos is also a looksmaxxing #menswear Instagram/Youtube thing and is even slightly classist when you stop to think about it (because logos are associated with streetwear). Button Shirts: Button shirts are very effective on hiding the zipper in the middle of strapless binders. I do not recommend buying from the kid's section unless you're actually a minor because they'll make you look like a kid. They have different cuts and fits than adult clothes. No one pays attention if your buttons are on the right or left side, but traditional women's cuts have a dent on your waist to make it look slimmer. I found some women's shirts that were straight however. Be careful with deep collars like the cuban collar because they may show your binder off. You can follow the T-shirt advice for fabric and colors, with the exception that you don't need a big loud stamp if you use a zipper binder because the buttons are already doing the work for you. Those won't look good without ironing or steaming. Learn to do that. The "short-sleeved shirt over T-shirt" look is already dated. I see it every here and there on trans subs because a 2010 guide recommends it. If it makes you more confident go ahead though. That same guide hates tartan because "it makes you look lesbian". I think this is a very silly, judgemental and absurd statement. Wear tartan if you like (tartan is also already dated fashion-wise though). Straight fit is currently on vogue. See bullet point 1 in the T-shirts section. If you need those shirts for a very formal setting, like a wedding or because you work at a law firm or something, ignore this post and seek a tailor in your area for advice and adjustments. This is out of my league. Seek shirts that fit your shoulders and have a good width. Body length and arm length are also cheap alterations in a tailor/seamstress. Shorts: Serge made my hips look wider so beware. Straight/wide shorts over slim shorts all the way. If you need a belt to keep your shorts on your waist, it's too large. If your pockets are flaring out, if when you sit your shorts feel too tight or if you get creases on the beginning of your thighs, they're too small. Your ideal size is usually the largest one you can wear before you need to use a belt to support the shorts. There isn't an ideal inseam length for shorts, it depends on your personal style. I personally like either right under thigh shorts or past the knee shorts, both which are considered "incorrect" by the #menswear blogs for being too short or too long, but make me feel stylish and confident. Pants: Straight cut or wide cut all the way. It disguises curves better but also because skinny/slim pants are also out of fashion (yes, I know that the Gabriel guide recommends them and the Basic Bastard guide also recommends them, but do consider those are respectively from 2010 and 2014). Hemming your pants if they're too long is something every seamstress knows how to do for cheap. If you're young and do not have a job with a dress code, you can go a very long way by having just a pair of light wash jeans and a pair of dark wash jeans. If your job has a "business casual" dress code, this means you'll need a pair of chino pants in non-black colors. Dark wash jeans are also business casual so you can rotate it with the chinos. I honestly don't have much to say about pants because I live in a tropical climate. See the shorts section for sizing tips. Hoodies: Anything goes. Oversized hoodies not only fit you better, but also feel better than too-small hoodies. Err on the side of larger clothes if you don't know your size. Jackets: Jackets with more structure on them can square off your shoulders and the way a open jacket sits helps to hide your curves, so before I settled on a personal style that's very sweater-based I found them jackets way more euphoric to wear than hoodies. Make sure your jackets match the style of the rest of your clothes. I used to have a lot of athletic jackets that didn't fit well with the rest of my clothes. Jackets with "cushioned" interiors (like puffer jackets) are generally very hard (and thus expensive) to adjust. "Single-layer" jackets are easier to cuff. I prefer sweaters and I live in a climate where laying is unnecessary, so I don't have much to say about jackets. Coats: I wore a coat once in the last four years don't look at me for coat advice. Sweaters: Some guides will say that turtlenecks and cardigans are "feminine", however do consider that both are very dapper and a bit queer. If you want to be very masc hetero-coded I'd avoid but otherwise don't feel insecure about those pieces. Avoid sweaters that cling to your body. If you hang out a sweater and it falls down straight rather than taping out in the bottom in a V, it means it won't cling to your body unless it's the wrong size. Like hoodies, size up if you're unsure. submitted by /u/Whisdeer to r/ftm [link] [comments]

Warning: this is long, but I hope it will be helpful to someone. I posted this a few years ago and a lot of people found it really helpful, so thought I would just post it again. TL;DR: Either read it if you want, or don't read it if it's too long for you. There's no way to easily summarize it. I'm active in a lot of decluttering and minimalism groups on Reddit and Facebook, and I frequently see people post about struggling with minimizing clothing. I often respond to these posts with my experience and methods for decluttering, which I've been told numerous times is helpful, so I thought I'd post it here for anyone struggling with this area. It's pretty in depth, and goes into more than just the decluttering aspect. I've had a TON of clothes since I was a teenager, and always had the hardest time getting rid of things. I never felt comfortable in my skin and always had a hard time finding clothes that I felt looked good on me, partially because of body image issues, and partially because things never seemed to fit me right. I'm a perfectly average 5'6" female, but I found that shirts were always really short and showed my belly (which I was self-conscious about) and pants were always really long and dragged on the floor. It wasn't until I was in my mid-30s that I finally started to understand WHY clothes never fit me properly, because I happened upon an article that talked about body proportions. Figure Out What Actually Fits You So, apparently most off-the-rack clothing is designed to fit the "average" person who has generally equal body proportions; that is, their inseam (crotch to floor) length is approximately the same as their torso (crotch to top of head) length. So, for my very average height of 5'6", or 66 inches, my inseam length should be about 33" and my torso (crotch to crown) length should also be about 33". However, when I actually measured, my inseam is 30" and my torso is 36". I essentially have the legs of someone who is 5 feet tall and the torso of someone who is 6 feet tall. My 5 foot tall best friend gave me some jeans that no longer fit her, and they fit me perfectly, even though I am 6 inches taller than her (my mother still doesn't understand how this works). Because my top and bottom halves are disproportionate in length, I now buy my shirts in the tall section and my pants in the petite section. This alone, even before I further honed in what my actual style is, made a HUGE difference in how I looked and felt in clothes, because they actually FIT me properly for the first time. I trucked along for several years with finally having properly fitting clothes, but still having way too many and not wearing the vast majority of them, before I really embraced trying to declutter and lead a more minimalist lifestyle (we've moved across the country a lot, and to be honest, I just got tired of hauling shit across the country every few years). My husband is 5'10" and actually has similar proportions as me (long torso and short legs) and while men's pants usually have inseams as part of their sizing, we have found that even though he is not particularly "tall," he also has to buy his shirts from the men's tall section (which can be difficult to find because he is very slender, and often times the men's tall sizes are only available in "big and tall."). So my above advice on body measurements can be just as applicable to men as it is to women. Making a Capsule Wardrobe A few years ago, I discovered the concept of a capsule wardrobe. Essentially, a capsule wardrobe is a curated closet of items that all go together. You can mix and match and layer and grab any random item, or even get dressed in the dark, and still look put together. I have ADHD and get decision fatigue easily, so I thought this would be a good way to start paring down my wardrobe and minimizing the number of decisions I have to make in a day to give my poor brain a break. Also, visual clutter stresses me out, so I was trying to minimize that, as well. The basic steps of making a capsule wardrobe are: pick your base color; pick your coordinating neutrals; pick your accent color; add a few patterns and layers; and add shoes and accessories. There are a ton of websites out there that talk about capsule wardrobes, but the one I prefer is called Classy Yet Trendy, and her method is the one I loosely follow (I'm not affiliated with her or anything, I just like her method). Here's the link to her capsule wardrobe intro guide if people want more info: https://classyyettrendy.com/2017/02/start-capsule-wardrobe-5-steps.html/ Step 1: Start with your base color So, I initially started out my capsule wardrobe with a base color of black, because that was what I mostly had in my closet. So I got rid of everything that was navy. But after wearing that for about 6-12 months, I realized black really washed me out and that navy actually complemented my skin tone better, so I had to overhaul my entire wardrobe. So, don't make my mistake. Try on a black shirt, and try on a navy shirt (edit: you could also use brown or grey as a base; it’s totally up to you). Decide which one you think you look better in. Which color makes you look healthier, more vibrant? Maybe even take a picture and compare the pictures side by side. Do you feel better and more like yourself in one color or the other? Or are you someone who could look equally good in either color (ie you have a neutral skin tone)? You may need someone to help you with this if you truly can't decide which one looks better. Other than the two shirts that you are trying on to determine your base color, DO NOT TRY ON ANY CLOTHES at this point. Once you've picked your base color (I'm going to use navy in my examples, since that's my base) get rid of EVERYTHING in your closet that is black. If you are really, REALLY not sure what you want your base color to be, box up everything black and put it in storage for now, and just work with what's left. Hopefully, just by removing everything that is not your base color, your wardrobe is already pared down quite significantly for the next steps. Step 2: Pick your coordinating neutrals Coordinating neutrals are things like ivory, cream, white, tan, and brown. (Edit: grey can also be a coordinating neutral if it’s not your base). I have shades of all of these as my neutrals in my capsule, and I also use chambray as a neutral. You may not pull anything out at this stage, and that is totally okay. Edit: Ideally you should have like 2-3 coordinating neutrals. You are STILL NOT TRYING ANYTHING ON. Step 3: Pick your accent color. At this point, you are deciding what non-base, non-neutral color you look and feel the best in. You may need to start with color tones, such as jewel tones versus pastels. Put on a plain white shirt, and start holding clothes up in front of you and looking in the mirror (DO NOT TRY ANYTHING ON). I figured out that I personally do NOT look good in pastels, but I DO look good in jewel tones. So everything pastel was automatically put into the discard pile, and I was left with jewel tones. If you look equally good in both, start instead with the next paragraph. Once you've figured out what tone looks best, now you are going to figure out what color you feel the best in. Are there specific colors that make you feel good whenever you wear them, or that you gravitate towards the most? Do you get a ton of compliments when you wear a certain color? For me, that color is bright royal blue. So of all of the shirts I have left, I only kept the ones that were royal blue, or had royal blue in the pattern. You are STILL NOT TRYING ANYTHING ON. Step 4: Pick patterns At this point, I had so few clothes left that I only had a few patterns, so I just stuck with what I had. But if you still have a ton of clothes left, pick like 3 or 4 patterns (stripes, polka dots, plaid, etc) to accent your wardrobe. You are STILL NOT TRYING ANYTHING ON in this step. Step 5: Add in shoes and accessories. With a base color of navy, get rid of any shoes that are black. Or vice versa if your base is black. I'm not going to go into minimizing accessories. Post-capsule Minimizing So, now you are left with the makings of a capsule wardrobe. Only now are you actually going to start trying things on. Try on everything that is left. Do those pants kind of sit at a funny height, giving you a muffin top? Is that shirt a little too snug and you have to constantly adjust it to make it sit right? Does that shirt fit, but maybe it's just not your style? Get rid of them. Be ruthless. If you don't look good or feel good in an item of clothing, it is not serving its purpose, and you shouldn't allow it to waste your valuable space and time. Your clothing should make you feel good and confident. Going back to measurements and style, I found that because of my weird body proportions, and because I have to buy petite pants, I can only buy pants that are high rise, because otherwise they are too low cut and I'm showing off things that nobody needs to see. If you have a short torso and long legs, you might find the opposite, that you need tall pants but in a low or mid rise unless you want your waistband up to your neck. I also found that because of my job (in a healthcare office setting) I need the majority of my clothes to be business casual, and I like a French minimalist style, so I tend to wear pants, a blouse, and a cardigan on most days, even my weekends because that's what I'm comfortable in. I hate shorts, so I own no shorts other than two pairs of workout shorts. A capsule wardrobe is not a one-size-fits-all approach; you can customize it to be whatever you want. If you love pattern and color, by all means, pick several accent colors and patterns. You might be alarmed at this point how little you have left. What are you going to wear if you get rid of things in colors that don't suit you, or styles that don't fit you? Well, you're going to wear things that look good on you and that make you feel good. And maybe your wardrobe is going to be a little sparse for a while, and that's okay. You might find that you get by perfectly fine with a sparse wardrobe. Maybe the things you have left are the only things that you were wearing anyway, because most people are going to reach for the things that make them look and feel good. I have no idea how true that saying of "you wear 20% of your clothing 80% of the time" is, but I would guess it's probably pretty accurate. You very well might just be left with your 20% at this point. If not, and you feel like you need to add some more pieces in, by all means, you should. BUT. You are ONLY going to add pieces in IF they fit ALL of your criteria. Found a really cute top that's jade green, and you know you would look good in it but your accent color is royal blue? You're not going to buy it. Super cute black cardigan, but your base color is navy? No, thanks. Super cute royal blue blouse that fits your capsule colors, but it's a little too form-fitting and you have to suck in your belly when you sit in a chair? Hard pass. Just like you were ruthless with getting things OUT of your closet, you are now going to be ruthless about bringing things IN to your closet. I buy a LOT of clothes secondhand from ThredUP cuz I'm cheap and ain't no way I'm paying $200 for a pair of jeans thankyouverymuch. But what I will do is figure out what item I need, such as a pair of flare leg jeans, then buy 10 or 15 pairs off the site at once, try them on at home, and send back everything that doesn't fit me perfectly. It's a lot of trial and error, but I am no longer wasting money on things that are "good enough" when I know if I'm just patient I will find things that I love that are perfect. I am constantly editing my wardrobe, and if I find that I'm never reaching for a particular shirt, out it goes. For example, I bought this really pretty blouse with bell sleeves that I really liked, it looked good on me, and I felt good in it, but I found I was never wearing it because the sleeves were just too long and flowy for my lifestyle (I have a messy toddler and I found they just got in the way). So even though it looked good and I felt good in it, it didn't work for my lifestyle so out it went. By constantly evaluating whether my items are working for me, it helps me to hone that for future purchases. My husband and son both look good in the same colors as me, so all three of us have capsule wardrobes with essentially the same colors. So we always look good in pictures! :) As a bonus, laundry is so much easier to do now. I do one load of laundry every single day that contains all of the clothes from that day for our family of 3. Other than doing a load of jeans maybe once a week, or a load of the really light colors once a week, we never have a build up of laundry. I can always find what I'm looking for, and I could list off every single item in my closet right now, in color order because my clothes are categorized by color, which is just soothing to look at. Decluttering my clothes and going to a capsule wardrobe was one of the first things I did when we started our minimalism journey, and the success I had with that has snowballed and shifted my mindset in relation to owning "stuff," which has made it easy to start decluttering in other areas of my life. Also, for people with breasts, it is CRUCIAL to have properly fitting undergarments, as these will make your clothing look, feel, and fit better. I can’t recommend the sub www.Reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits highly enough. submitted by /u/stacer12 to r/declutter [link] [comments]

So you want to upgrade your look in 2025? EDIT: I have edited out the word "timeless" that was used in a couple places as it was a casual/careless use of the term. I don't want squabbling over specific terms to derail this. I am not saying every single look here is "timeless" (I don't believe that) or that conversely these are the hottest, trendiest most cutting edge looks. They are a general update from 2013-14-15 ish era of business casual twee that many of my readers and posters are a little "stuck" in and unsure how to move out of. Let me also say this: For most women in our audience, they are not looking for cutting edge latest most trendy styles and looks. A French tuck being a few years behind the trendiest curve is not an issue, I'm writing to an audience that as a whole is struggling to figure out how to style pants that aren't jeggings, basically. Not people who are "over" French tucking and consider the Alaia rhinestone grommet flats to be "so last season" or whatever. Please be kinder in the comments. Saying you don't like it is one thing, but trashing the work totally (this post took quite a bit of time to write!) and being snarky about how "dated" looks from the last 5 years are creates a crappy, unpleasant atmosphere. I've actually gotten private complaints about the tone and vibes here because of this type of thing. Keep remarks like 'this looks like trash bags' in your mind please it's not constructive and it's not good Reddiquette. --End edit. Maybe you have a new in-person job or you're returning to office, you got a promotion, or you just got tired of the leggings and slouchy tee routine. Maybe you are done with the pregnancy/nursing/toddler/infant whirlwind and want to get back to yourself...but the new styles are confusing and feel weird and off. Maybe you had a milestone birthday and want to refresh your closet. Or maybe just...new year new you! Of course, as always, one is always "allowed" to stay with what works and what feels good, but if you need some direction and inspiration, here ya go! Just to ground us, to give some examples I feel are a tad dated: (note: these women look fab and please don't feel I'm picking on them, they're just older pics) Not to pick on this gal, but this is often what I picture when people say they love skinny jeans a layered crew neck sweater over a button down, skinny jeans with a puddle effect, and skimpy round toe ballet flats. Y'all...this is dated. And to be frank, I don't think this is even all that conventionally flattering on her! This type of polished, very correct, very "done" look feels a bit stale right now plus the peep toe wedges, the bright blue cropped curved bolero, the belt + cardigan Buffalo plaid is never "out" but the rockabilly edge feels a tad stale + skinny jeans don't feel as fresh also the high contrast and red + black combo just isn't as up to date as it could be What is in right now? Smaller top, big bottoms this is for SURE not everyone's bag but I love it this is how we do twee in 2025--very 40's influence with a bit of 80s clowncore. I can hear the shrieking now but you don't have to go full Humans of New York. I'm thinking a fitted 80s does 40s silk blouse with cut-work collar + big paisley pants as shown, boyfriend blazer with sleeves rolled, and fun chunky Docs. Contrast with this type of twee for plus from a few years ago I don't think this is a fashion crime but it does feel a tad stale. Just the sharp edges, the crisp color contrast of black and white, the high heels + formal "lady bag", an overall very "done" look. To me, this feels a bit passe. Same blogger, similar beautiful but a little "out" combination I'm not saying you'll be dragged into the bushes by the fashion police wearing this, but it's not as fresh as other looks. But then again, clearly same blogger in what feels like a fresher outfit Same blogger, more updated look--a midi skirt and Keds--notice the definition of the cross-body bag here too Now here's the thing: if you have kind of a 'look' going that's one thing, but it can feel dated and costume-y if it's not kept up to date in subtle ways. The difference between 2014 pin up girl vs. 2025 vintage pin up...you know it when you see it small top big bottom with a skirt loafers and vest tops are "in" and some of the updates include a varsity or collegiate sweater, slicked back hair, and dainty jewelry. A smaller top with a cropped straight leg/almost loose pant one thing people are doing is using a short, small crescent bag or cross body bag to provide interest and definition to the top half of an otherwise loose outfit like so and shown in the other pin Loose over loose but with focal points I think the linked pinned outfit is a great example of how shorter, curvier even apple or pear shaped bodies can make wide legs work without getting lost. She's doing a platform or chunkier heel, a belt, and a soft tuck. Loose over loose but with some definition in the ties, and ankle showing Solid blocks of color in natural materials aren't going anywhere, and I love this simple, easy, and comfortable look Another option for looser pants: a slim, skimpy top tucked in, dainty jewelry, color-blocking I know this type of loose over loose could feel scary to some but honestly I think she looks adorable The empire waist, solid colors, and draped fabric (as opposed to stiff) help here, as do the relatively skimpy shoes This kind of tone on tone on tone look, with a casual tuck, lots of volume, and just an overall acceptance of the natural body shape is very 'now' to borrow 1960s Vogue terminology Now THIS is a perfect crop top + wide pant combo honestly this gal is SLAYING, notice how the shirt ends right at the waist, they're both solid colored, soft fabric that moves with you, tone on tone on tone, matching lipstick, sleeves end at narrowest point, ankles hinted at, wrists showing. Also a really sharp hairdo. Vest tops of all types are really in as is sleek grooming and minimal accessories with layered more statement-style pieces like this Sneakers with everything and a minimal, casual, effortless feeling is key This type of polished casual classics look is very in note the simple, skimpy shoes, the solid neutral colors, the defined waist with high waisted pants with pleats, and the natural fibers (or appearance of!) Another example of a very simple outfit on a mid sized apple figure Looks like this really work for hot days Key upgrades: Lived-in, loose, natural, draped looks in natural fibers/high quality high waisted or natural waist pants with pleats Dainty jewelry in solid metals like gold, silver, copper Mesh flats, low-profile street sneakers, Keds, loafers Vests and vest tops--woven v neck sweater vests as tops, button front tunic vests Long, full, and wide bottoms--skirts, pants, cropped culottes Visible "hot points"--waist, elbows, wrists, ankles. Knees not so much for now, they tend to be covered except in shorts. Belted or tucked tops, even if it's a loose tuck, French tuck or half tuck Solids over prints, but when prints appear they are either novelty, or big splashy single floral type silk-screen style gingham not plaids, thick stripes rather than thin strappy, thin, skimpy flats or other minimalist footwear is in, but also chunky yet sleek footwear. Nothing with tons of geegaws and buckles and appliques right now unless you're 23. In which case what are you doing here? Heh. comfort rules--matching polished leisure sets with a fun accessory are a great way to be comfortable while running errands or hanging out The focus is no longer on containing the body and making it as visually small and narrow as possible, it's okay to show a little mid-section curve, or wear something that is not conventionally flattering Smart and perky and crisp and preppy aren't really in right now, it's louche, continental, worn-in, lived-in, "de-influenced" heirloom pieces worn with a really personal touch (but suiting and classic old-money looks are in, go figure) Tattoos, piercings, hair, eyewear, and jewelry are more the statement than makeup, if that makes sense. We're seeing much more natural no-makeup looks or looks where the facial jewelry and eyewear takes the place of makeup. Anyway, what upgrades are you planning for 2025? Share to us! submitted by /u/Chazzyphant to r/fashionwomens35 [link] [comments]

Hey! Like some of you, I was a huge fan of original Sezane. While I still like the brand, its recent growth has led to some of the price / quality balance getting out of wack. Hence I’ve been dipping my toe into other similar brands, and thought I would give you my reviews of them in case some of you are also searching for similar stuff. Price-wise, all of these are in the same range as Sezane. Petit Mendigote Probably the most similar to Sezane across the board. Has a range of items, the knitwear and jackets are especially nice. Uses both natural and manmade materials, so read the composition if that’s important. I have a jumper (mohair mix) and a pair of leather sandals from them - very happy with the quality. Some of my current faves include: the Java skirt the Mella cardigan the Osana shearling jacket Rosae Paris A little more minimalist/timeless, less trendy than Sezane. Great materials: lots of wool, leather, silk, and often recycled materials. I have a silk skirt and a wool jacket, both feel more luxe than I was expecting. I also have a pair of wool trousers, but they are a little short on me (I’m 5’7, but proportionally have a shorter torso / longer legs), so might be worth checking garment measurements if you’re on the taller side. Current faves: Le Chopin merino/cashmere jumper Le Nicomede jacket in Chocolate wool Le Doyle suede jacket Tara Jarmon A preppy, colourful take on French style. Note that they do use a lot of polyester, in case that’s not something you like. Still worth scrolling through for the occasional merino/cotton item, but those can be a little harder to find. I have a sweater and a pair of full leather knee-high boots - these were on sale, and are amazing considering I only paid around €150 for them. So keep an eye out for the sales! (I do find their website a little annoying & hard to navigate, though) Current faves: The Ginno cardigan in burgundy The Guetty cardigan the Bis bag Shoe brands: Bobbies Made in Portugal, high quality leather shoes. I have a pair of ankle boots which were comfortable right out the box. Solid leather construction, rubber outsoles. The designs are a combination of more trendy pieces and some classic cuts like chelsea boots. Prices in the €200-300 range. Style-wise, remind me a lot of Alohas, but my Bobbies boots are a lot more comfortable than the one pair of Alohas shoes I have (which kind of put me off that brand just due to how painful they are!). Current faves: Bettany mary janes in ruby Clarisse boots in lacquered ganache Becca babies in Verdana Kiruna snow boots Pied de Biche My most recent discovery! I was looking for an alternative to the Sezane Axelle boots and discovered this brand. And honestly, these feel very premium, more so than my Sezane footwear. My Albane boots have impeccable workmanship, on par with Jimmy Choo & similar level shoes I have, but at half or even one-third of the price (€200-400 range). I love that they have leather outsoles, but were shipped with self-attaching rubber sole protectors, too. Highly recommend. Current faves: Lou loafers Albane ankle boots (I have these, super comfortable!) Charlotte pumps in black suede Juliette wool-lined combat boots submitted by /u/bookishexpat to r/femalefashionadvice [link] [comments]

submitted by /u/AndreaNewsHub to r/ItaliaBox [link] [comments]

submitted by /u/Fit-Nature5163 to r/holidayfashiondeals [link] [comments]

Disclaimer: Fashion and style have become so much more open, individual and fun. Honestly...if you want to keep rockin' a skinny jean in your Christian Girl Fall...Forevermore... go for it! Edit: this phrasing seems to be confusing and upsetting people. It's a pop culture meme from 2020 I didn't make it up FYI! But I've gotten an influx of questions about "what IS the look now?!" from people who are going back to the office, want a fresh start, are catching up with shopping post-'demic, going out more often, want to overhaul their wardrobe and don't know where to start. One really great source for on-trend but not fashion victim advice: Wardrobe Oxygen's "For Grown Ass Women" series Resource: Pinterest board with some interesting and on-trend outfits I picked plus and fuller bodies because that's a concern for many--how do I look up to date while being plus or having a fuller mid-section, bust, thighs, etc. Resource: take inspiration from "Heaven by Marc Jacobs" your eyes may burn, but you'll get the idea of what the "look" is Most of these looks would 100% fly today, even though they're 70s, 80s, and 90s See this gal: she's got several trends on at once ribbons, dopamine dressing, sheer, candy apple red, Grandpa chic, 90s redux, cowboy boots Wrong shoes, sheer, 90s redux, Grandpa chic, chunky v neck 3 button cardigan, moto boots again, very trendy Now compare to this 2013 street style knee length skirt, slightly fitted tee, statement necklace, pumps *link fixed! Or this tucked in button front, pencil skirt, pumps, statement necklace, very matchy-matchy Or this cutsey intarsia, knee length lady like vintage skirt, carpetbag vintage purse, slim line dainty shoes, overall 1950s twee look. Colorful cropped/rolled chino pants, a button front peeking out of an embellished sweater, sky-high stiletto heels see how dated that looks to our eyes now? Let's dive in: Proportions: For the last 15-ish years until about 2019 or so, the look was slim--skinny jeans, tight knee high boots, maybe a chunky slouchy sweater, but more like a slim fit button down with a slim v neck merino sweater on top. Pencil skirts with belted sweaters, sheath dresses, cropped cigarette pants, slim waterfall cardigans, bias cut midi skirts + tissue thin tees. The overarching look was preppy with touches of girlish twee whimsy, upgrading from "indie sleeze" skinny jeans + tank tops with a "rock star girlfriend" look. Pattern matching (florals and stripes especially) was big. A very carefully coordinated and curated look was in. In the 2020s it's "big pants, little top" OR "loose over loose" in a very general sense. Big square oversized men's tees over maxi skirts + sneakers. Baby tees + cargo pants. Slim knit ribbed sweaters with 90s jeans. Corset tops with rip-stop nylon sporty drawstring skirts. We're still seeing a lot of influence of "slow fashion" looks--very work-wear linen boxy over boxy, clogs, jean jackets, slouchy chunky sweaters, jumpsuits or boilersuits, high waisted snug jeans with a belt + a camp shirt. Trend: Dopamine dressing: bright colors, wild prints, playful prints, art prints. Lisa Says Gah and Fashion Brand Company are two brands that make referential, odd, conversation piece items. Power clashing, and bold colors are key. Trend: 90s redux. So the office siren look--slouchy low slung pinstripe pants with a shrunken waistcoat (nothing underneath) and smudged red lips, quiet luxury separates, Prada everything, but also the sporty-chic nylon, luggage straps, paracording, reflective brights, canvas, quilted outerwear, drawstrings, anorak looks. Trend: dark academia/cottagecore. This is a bit past its prime, but for those who are taking baby steps away from skinny jeans, you can still work this for sure. This is dark florals, Victorian puff sleeves, big twirly cloaks and capes, maxi skirts + lace up prairie boots, baroque jewelry, curly hair, wire rimmed glasses. Cottage core overlaps with workwear: boilersuits, calico, ribbons, prairie looks, knee high cable knit socks, corduroy everything, hand-knit sweaters with hay in them, linen, wool, silk, leather, cotton, denim, Doc Martens and Converse. Dark Academia is cottagecore + a gothic vibe. Trend: wrong [item] mostly 'wrong shoes'. Dainty Mary Jane shoes with basketball shorts and a sweatshirt. Sneakers with a gown. Loafers with a mini dress. Socks + pumps or sandals. The deliberate, in your face challenging "ugliness" we saw in the 90s is on the fringes of the hot style now. Trend: ribbons and bows. Honestly y'all, this is tough one for the over-35. But the overall balletcore, coquette and Selkie/For Love and Lemons/Love Shack Fancy vibe is strong. Tying ribbons on whatever is a thing. Consider ribbon neckties, a ribbon around your wrist, a ribbon belt, or a big lush velvet hair ribbon. My predictions: 80s Pierrot and/or clowncore is about to hit big--we're already tiptoeing towards it with bows everywhere, big high waisted pants, cowboy boots, stripes/plaid. It's a natural extension of balletcore and dopamine dressing. Western Gothic: dark Academia + dark boho Western. Fringe, dark botanicals, all black, leather, suede, and a mix of desert/witch influences. 20's Patou style pants with a tunic, "Far East" looks with pants + tunic, extreme dropped waists, tube dresses or hobble dresses, big cocoon coats, bobs + barrettes. I've already seen a 20's bob + side barrette on Nicole Kidman in Expats (new TV show). Sliding into 30s Dust Bowl chic in the last 2020s I predict as well. Flour sack dresses, aprons as fashion, wild coming-undone braids, 'silver nitrate contour' + hollowed out eyes makeup, men's dress shoes + slouchy socks + day dresses. Just watch, I predicted it first. Going out: it's not a "going out top" and jeans, people. It's denim on denim with a big ol' double-G belt, a corset top + leather or pleather pants, a bodysuit + jeans, an ultra-mini dress + moto boots, a sports jersey + no visible pants + heels, a slip dress + sneakers, a band tee + engineer stripe flares, a backless/strappy/cutout top + cargo pants, and for day, brunch dresses + sneakers. Overall: embellishment and lots of detail aren't really in right now. It's mostly prints, patterns, volume, texture, or a "clean girl" look. Embroidery in particular feels a bit dated, unless it's thick yarn on a chunky cropped sweater or intarsia style. Novelty prints like little foxes, birds, etc--those are "out". Statement necklaces, brocade boots, arm parties--those are out. I've noticed Gen Z is wearing TONS of gold jewelry but in a new way: multiple earrings, stacked rings, and coordinated chains with pendants or charms. A "curated ear" is the new arm party. I personally have been rocking a thin rigid ankle bracelet--almost a bangle style-- from Jenny Bird because I think those are coming back. Workwear: Shoes: lug sole loafers, kitten heels, street sneakers (leather or suede), wider-shaft boots, sling-back flats and sandals, mules of all kinds Pants: wide leg, straight leg, carrot/barrel, full length or at ankle. High waisted generally. Tops: natural waist tops of all kind, 90s silk tops, camp shirts, Victorian-style eyelet, bishop sleeves, or piecrust collars, slouchy sweaters, big chunky 3-button cardigans over polished tees, button fronts but cropped to natural waist/boxy. We are getting closer to the revival of the peplum (which I am here for and always have been). Toppers: oversized slouchy borrowed from the boys suit jacket (not part of matching suit), jean jacket, varsity style sweaters, long boxy square thicker "kimono" style dusters/toppers--almost lab-coat style, maxi cardigans in a lush material like angora Suits: pant suits in interesting colors, casual drapey 90s Armani style suits Alright, add your 2 cents! Let's avoid "no way/cold dead hands/I've been wearing my Gap chinos since 2002 and I'll die in them" type of remarks. If trends isn't for you, that's cool, but keep it pushin'. submitted by /u/Chazzyphant to r/fashionwomens35 [link] [comments]

It’s only September, but we’ve already started planning outfits for the fall season. Have you already started noticing the new trends creeping into stores and magazines? It’s a real mixed bag of styles and elements for every taste and age, a lot of it predictably inspired by the 2000s. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of trends or all the most popular influences, they do tend to be some of the recurring styles I’ve seen in the new collections so far. If you’re still getting your shopping list ready, here are some of the trends you’ll see this fall season: 1 sheer If you’ve taken a gander at online stores lately, there’s no way you missed the fact that sheer clothes are in. Very appropriate for summer, but not inconvenient for fall, a sheer element is the perfect way to bring a touch of sexy to an outfit, while also adding texture and visual interest. Sheer tops are everywhere - mostly mesh and organza - but they’re not the only garments that are getting the see-through treatment. Sheer midi skirts and dresses - with or without slips underneath, depending on how daring you are - are an ideal choice for any holiday parties you’ve got coming up, or just regular nights out. Best way to wear it: Jeans a nice top, anyone? Why not make that top sheer? If you feel uncomfortable going all out, then a sheer element goes perfectly with an otherwise conservative outfit. If you’re wearing a midi skirt and a blazer, a peek of a sheer top can be a great contrast. A sheer midi with high boots and a turtleneck sweater is perfectly appropriate, while still flashing a little calf to keep things interesting. 2 marked waists Have you heard The Good News about waists? Boxy haters, rejoice, and get your credit cards ready: the tide is turning back towards 2000s style tops and jackets, and that means fewer long, boxy blazers, and more hip length, wasp-waisted garments. Blazers aren’t the only ones that are getting the cinched treatment, that also goes for coats, shirts, and dresses. It’s a structured, feminine style that looks great with voluminous pieces and is made even more impactful by the addition of prominent shoulders. Versace calls it an "hourglass" blazer, for those furiously keyword-ing at home. Best way to wear it: A top with a cinched waist looks especially harmonious with voluminous pants. A pair of high-waisted palazzos goes perfectly with a tie-waist shirt. A blazer with this kind of detail can work with pants, but you can also pair a straight mini skirt with it for an 80s inspired skirt suit look. Midi skirts can also work with this style of blazer, albeit with a bit more care for proportions. It won't necessarily be a "traditional" silhouette, but it can be an interesting one. Full midi skirts can also be beautiful here, especially for a more formal look that steps a bit outside the norm. 3 wrap sweaters Ballet-core may be older news, but it’s still going strong, and it’s sprouting new iterations and trends. After leg warmers and sheer skirts, it also gave way to the return of the wrap sweater. Usually made of thinner fabric and typically in shades of delicate pink, black, white, or gray, a ballet-inspired wrap sweater is as feminine as it is practical. Sheer ones are common, but it’s not the only style out there, by any means. In the coming months we can expect to see them in various fabrics and colors, as they make a great fresh alternative to other types of cardigans that may feel a little stale. Best way to wear it: It can be worn by itself, on top of a satin cami, paired with jeans or a midi skirt. Or it can even work as a top layer for an evening dress. It’s a great topper for evening weddings going into fall. The temperatures go lower, but the dresses stay thin and strappy, so an elegant cover-up that isn’t a pashmina doesn’t hurt. Or you can go in the complete opposite direction and lean fully into a ballet-core flavored athleisure look and wear it with leggings and sneakers 4 fringe skirt Fringe is creeping back into fashion in all sorts of ways - we’ve been seeing some leather fringed purses and hopefully vests soon - and one of the most fun iterations has to be the fringe skirt. The fringe skirt, or the carwash skirt, as it’s affectionately nicknamed, is technically a midi skirt, but the length is - you guessed it - FRINGE. It has movement, it has drama, it’s comfortable, and it’s a way more interesting way to wear a skirt. Functioning as both a mini and a midi, basically, the fringe skirt is sexy without being revealing, it’s fun without being exaggerated, and it’s a totally unique way to wear a skirt. It also sort of plays into the sheer trend because it puts some leg on show, but not really. It’s more a of a peek-a-boo. Best way to wear it: Because the skirt is the fun element of the outfit, you can keep the rest simple. A button-down shirt, a basic boot, neutral colors. Orrr you can kick it up a notch with some fun heels and an oversized blazer. 5 silver Even if you’re not a big Bowie fan, silver is surprisingly versatile. Basically anything you wear can be made in a cool metallic silver fabric. For now, it seems to be mostly relegated to silver denim - jackets, jeans, skirts, even dresses - but space-ier fabric is coming. Target is already there. Is it just the 2000s coming back or is it inspired by our most recent forays into space? Shall we call it Elon Musk-core? No, we shall not, ew. It may seem like a lot of statement, and it can be, but not necessarily. If you’re not ready to invest all your money in silver, you can start with something small, like an accessory. A silver bag is easy, but even more current - a pair of silver shoes. Silver Jadons are still on sale if you’re an unhinged Dr. Martens stan like me, or you can go for a subtler, more classic, or ~feminine~ option of a heeled silver boot, preferably with a pointed toe. Best way to wear it: The best way to wear it, in my opinion, is top to bottom silver for a baked potato-core look but if you’re not there yet, one silver element with a monochrome look is fine, too. We’ve already covered shoes and bags, but a jacket is an easy statement “topper” as well. 6 ruffles Another nod to the 2000s - although it’s less of a nod, and more of a full-on head tilt - delicate, sheer ruffled blouses and dresses are quickly capturing the imagination of trendy consumers and lining up for fall. The vibe is light, feminine, and diaphanous. This type of top or dress can be worn by itself, but it also works great with a blazer or leather jacket on top, for a peek of something cute under otherwise masculine-leaning or serious outerwear. Best way to wear it: You don’t have to go over the top femme just because you’re wearing ruffles. This type of top goes perfectly with a pair of flare jeans and a pair of pointy boots. 2000s nostalgia in the best way, only without the acne and the emo bangs, this time. 7 satin Rarely do we get fabrics as a trend, but satin has been a star all year-long. While we’ve mainly seen it in slinky midi skirts and 90s-esque slip dresses, the fall season also brings satin tops, shirts, and blouses, perfect for the office. You can go for a satin pussy-bow blouse if you want to be high femme, or you can opt for a classic button-up shirt in a satin fabric for just a hint of a special texture. Satin is great for adding texture to an outfit, because it contrasts most casual fabric. Its shiny quality can make it ideal for special occasion dressing, but it’s also appropriate for everyday situations, including professional dressing. Best way to wear it: Short of going for a satin top + satin skirt combo, it can be worn in almost any formula. My favorite way to wear satin is to use to elevate and contrast a more casual, understated piece. Think midi satin skirt with a chunky sweater, or a satin shirt with a pair of jeans. It’s still casual, but just a little bit special. 8 pointed toes/kitten heels Controversially, kitten heels are back. Their toes are pointy, but they’re not angry; in fact, they’re sleek, elegant, and occasionally come with ankle straps and mary-jane detailing that’s so in vogue right now. The mule version is also popular, and for now, they’ve mostly appeared in various black leathers for fall, but there’s more to come. If leather pointed toe kitten heels are here, then shiny patent (and possibly silver?) pointed toe kitten heels must be right around the corner. Best way to wear it: As you may remember from the 2000s, the pointed toe kitten heel was an office favorite, because it looked excellent under long bootcut office pants. It’s not a coincidence they’re trending together. If you think you can’t possibly bring yourself to do that again, just give it a few months, it’ll get to you. They also happen to look great with the midi skirts that have so captured the imagination of women of all ages these past few seasons. That satin midi skirt you wore all summer can transition seamlessly into fall with a pair of kitten heels and a short, tweedy, collarless blazer. Just in time for that mandatory back to office email. 9 wide waist belts/obi belts/corset belts I wasn’t kidding when I said waists are back; you can get the silhouette through tailoring, but otherwise, you can turn any existing outfit by adding a wide waist belt. Also known as obi belts, corset belts, or wrap belts, in case you want to do some Pinterest-ing later, this kind of belt makes a statement and adds a harder edge to an outfit, while still maintaining the distinctly feminine silhouette. You can opt for a softer, lighter “edge” if you wish, with white or brown leather, or a different material, for more of an architectural vibe, or an Asian-inspired accessory, but the majority of are categorically in the black leather category. If a full-on harness feels too teenage and NSFW even outside the workplace, then a soft black leather underbust corset might be elegant enough to make a subtler statement, but still play into this look. Best way to wear it: They work best with dresses in a contrasting color, but you can also make them work with tops, as long as they’re longer, or at least stay tucked into the belt. The nice thing about this type of belt is that it can be edgy and “hard”, but it can also be super soft and feminine. Wrap details are great for curvy bodies, because they follow the contour of your silhouette. Of course, it goes without saying these are not all the fall fashion influences and this is not a prescriptive or complete guide - just what I’ve noticed with the early fall crop of collections that have been hitting the stores. If there are any trends you’d particularly like to see detailed or styled, let me know and I’ll do more of an in-depth write-up. submitted by /u/squeegee-beckenheim to r/femalefashionadvice [link] [comments]

I’d like to first thank everybody for the great feedback on the first part of this series, I’m glad so many of you found it helpful! One of the more requested categories was office wear, so that’s what I wanted to tackle next. The thing about office wear is that it changes more slowly than casual wear. That means you get more mileage out of your clothes, and you have to think about it less. However, “changes slowly” doesn’t mean “never”. Of course, you may be entirely uninterested in that and in upgrading your work look. And that’s 100% fine. However. IF you would like to remain current, there are tweaks that you can eventually make in your work wardrobe. I want to specifically point out that this is not meant to focus on looking TRENDY, but on looking CURRENT. These are not cutting edge trends, these are not trends worn by 18 year-olds. They’re styles that are more updated than, say, 2010 - 2016 office wear. Please keep in mind that updating your work wardrobe DOES NOT mean: ● That you need to throw out all your existing wardrobe ● That you need to dress in a way that doesn’t feel like “you” ● That you’re trying to dress “like a teenager” or in any way non “age-appropriate” ● That you’re a slave to trends ● That your wardrobe will now be “unflattering” Updating your wardrobe DOES mean: ● Assessing your current wardrobe with a critical eye and identifying what works and what doesn’t ● Taking a look at more current/modern fashion styles and picking out some elements that would work for your tastes/wardrobe ● Setting some goals for what your ideal wardrobe/look/message is ● TRYING THINGS ON before forming an opinion on new styles ● Planning your wardrobe for the next few years and making strategic changes/purchases Another thing I want to insist on is that everybody’s workplace is different. That means different expectations, levels of formality, dress codes, and rules. Every idea/example will not suit EVERY workplace and every dress code. I’m not mandating anything here. I’m simply reporting on what’s current and what isn’t, for those who are interested. I tried to include outfits and ideas that run the gamut of formality. It’s up to you to assess which ones would fit your needs and which are inappropriate. You also do not need to make ALL the changes. I’m including examples of different clothes and elements, how they may have changed over the years, and what is their more current version, compared to what was fashionable a few years ago. But it’s up to you to swap the elements that make sense for you and that fit in your wardrobe. No one’s telling you to change everything from head to toe, unless that’s what you want! The Basics Most people aren’t looking to reinvent the wheel when it comes to workwear, and that’s fair. The workplace is not (usually) a fashion show - unless you work IN fashion or an otherwise creative field. But that doesn’t mean you can’t look modern and current, if that’s what you want. Even if you’re keeping your outfits basic, there is still room to update, upgrade, and style an outfit that’s as simple and “timeless” as a white shirt and black pants. The blazer Some examples: blazer 1 blazer 2 blazer 3 blazer 4 blazer 5 blazer 6 blazer 7 blazer 8 The jackets we’re currently seeing are longer and roomier than jackets of yesteryear, more menswear-inspired OR a very snatched-waist Balmain-inspired look that’s come in over the past few years, with an emphasis on power shoulders and a contrast with a smaller waist. The straight cut jacket is long (sometimes even covering the butt), double-breasted, and can be oversized. The new crop of jackets are shorter, go in at the waist, and are either single button or have a single row of buttons, a la Dior Bar Jacket. If you feel like your office is too casual for a blazer, you can opt for a more casual material than the classic black suiting. Tweed is always a good choice, you can go for wool, and for a jacket that is patterned, rather than solid-colored. That’s going to look less formal. Suit vests have also been very fashionable in recent years, and they can be a good alternative if a blazer feels too stuffy or is Too Much for your office. The button down shirt Some examples: shirt 1 shirt 2 shirt 3 Despite what “timeless classics” bloggers would have you believe, a (white) shirt is not, in fact, timeless. Nothing is. Allow me to explain. Yes, the concept of wearing a white shirt will never be “dated” because that’s not how fashion works. An entire category of clothes rarely goes out of style. However, the specific characteristics of a shirt can, and do become outdated. Things like the shape and size of the collar, the cuffs, the buttons, and the length and the shape itself are all very specific to a certain era. The “classic” white shirt from 2003 is tight, short (because it was worn untucked), oftentimes with an oversized and pointy collar and cuffs. The “classic” white shirt from 2010 is longer and straighter, with a tunic collar that does not button up, occasionally meant to be worn with a wide belt on top to emphasize the waist. It was meant to be worn untucked, on top of tight pants. The sleeves had tabs that buttoned up to keep your sleeves rolled up around elbow-level. There might have been some square pockets that were placed too high. We also saw more long, empire-waist tunic-type shirts in this 2008-2012-ish period. The “classic” white shirt from 2023 is a generous cut that’s long enough to tuck into your pants or skirt, but not long enough to cover your butt. It should end around your hip. That means that you can also wear it untucked, over your pants, without it looking frumpy. Seeing as the fashion is moving towards tighter and shorter shirts (no, we’re not talking about crop tops) to go with the wider bottoms, you can also expect to find more body-conforming shirts in the near future. Shirts with a marked waist, princess seams, and generally a variety of tops that go in at the waist. The blazers and jackets with tapered waists are already present, so we can expect the shirts to not lag too far behind. The pants Some examples: pants 1 pants 2 pants 3 pants 4 pants 5 pants 6 pants 7 pants 8 pants 9 pants 10 Slacks The current standard cut for a pair of office slacks (including suits) is a high-waisted straight leg or wide leg pair of pants, usually full length. Cropped, ankle length pants are still encountered, but usually in culotte, or wide styles, less so skinny pants. The high-waisted cigarette pants (or carrot leg, or peg leg) are still out there, but the style is meant to be a little roomier in the butt and thighs; the office is not the place for your tightest pair of pants. These often come in a paperbag waist style, which is very flattering on a lot of body types, as well as comfortable - because the belt is adjustable. The rise is getting lower, however, as low rise is coming back into fashion, meaning that you should be able to find midrise and lowrise pants in wide cuts if that’s what you’ve been waiting for. That won’t change much for footwear, but it might trigger some changes in terms of tops, depending on what styles you’re wearing now. If you were used to tucking shirts into high waisted pants, a low waist doesn’t allow for that. So, you probably need to rethink and re-strategize towards a top that sits untucked, at the top of the hips, for the most traditionally harmonious proportions. Nowadays, a lot of pants have elasticated back waistbands, or even entirely elasticated waists or drawstring waists. Office joggers exist for the new iteration of the more casual and relaxed post-pandemic office. Rises and cuts are encountered in generous varieties. There is no reason for a standard pair of slacks to be uncomfortable. And god, are there office pants of all varieties right now. (A quick note on fit: Even without stretch, a pair of pants that fits well should not be uncomfortable, should not pinch you anywhere, dig into your stomach, or feel tight or constricting. Size up, go for a straight or wide leg if a tight leg is constricting, and try a higher or lower rise if your waistband cuts into your stomach. Do not purchase the smallest size you can fit into. Bosquerella did an excellent write-up on the matter you can revisit if you need the reminder. Everyone deserves pants that fit. Whatever type of rise you’re searching for, I recommend measuring your ideal rise from between the legs and up to where you want it to hit, whether that’s 11 inches, 14 inches, 8 inches, etc. Take a tape measure shopping if you have to. Measure the pants you’re interested in or learn to eyeball it, the name of the style doesn’t necessarily tell you anything about how they’re going to fit ON YOU, because all our bodies are different. Depending on the length of your torso, you may need a different rise than the model does. Shop for your body.) Stretchy pants Leggings have never exactly been business casual, and regardless of their debatable status, they’re just not current anymore. Leggings just don’t read as polished when paired with business casual clothes, and they require a high level of effort in every other aspect of the outfit in order to elevate them and make them presentable and current in the workplace. The exception to this is an athleisure look in a workplace that is very casual and allows sportswear. Think tech or non client-facing roles in other industries. And speaking of leggings, let’s address their ugly stepsister, ponte pants. Despite their misleading name, they do not look like pants, let’s be honest. If stretchy pants are your go-to, the much better - and more modern - option is a pair of straight leg athletic fabric pants. Straight leg or flared, usually with a front seam or crease and even equipped with pockets, this version at least attempts to mimic the look of regular pants. The heels Some examples: heels 1 heels 2 heels 3 heels 4 While there are still plenty of industries and offices where heels are common or even explicitly required, they are becoming less and less expected. The current heel has changed both in height and in shape/thickness. Thicker block heels are more current than stilettos. A patent, square mid heel will serve you well. Heeled mary-janes are currently the IT shoe, and there are variations on the strappy, mid heel style at many different price points. Usually patent - but also leather, for easier maintenance, or satin, for the high-maintenance dressers - mary janes are comfortable, versatile, inoffensive, and come in many different colors at the moment. Sole thickness differs, as does shape, but a lot of them follow the rounded square shape that is currently popular in footwear. Boots haven’t gone anywhere, either. A block heel ankle or knee high boot can be perfectly appropriate for the office, as long as the heel isn’t too high and they’re not a very irreverent design. The flats Some examples: flats1 flats2 flats3 flats4 flats5 flats6 flats7 flats8 flats9 flats10 There seems to be a disconnect in mentality where a lot of people think that “trendy” shoes can’t be comfortable. Dressing for comfort doesn’t mean you need to wear basic shoes. I’m about to say something that I know is upsetting for like, 70% of this sub, but it needs to be said: Rothys are not a modern shoe. More supportive shoes are in style, thankfully, and a loafer is much more current and better for your feet. The Gucci-type loafer and the trend it sparked is a little more basic and doesn’t stand out as much. It’s less of a statement, and more of a supporting character in an outfit. The platform loafers, like the Prada ones, for example, are trendier, but they’re also very comfortable. The thicker sole is very supportive and provides good shock absorption if you’re going to be walking miles in them. If you want to retain the ballet flat style, the modern ballet flat has a flatter, square shape and dance-inspired detailing that is meant to mimic actual ballet shoes. Pointed toe shoes are also coming back in fashion, and the most modern iteration of a pointed ballet flat is a slingback. Mary-janes also have a strong presence among flat shoe styles. One, two, or multi-strap, in patent, leather or canvas, for summer, mary-janes are the perfect feminine, but sophisticated shoe that can work with a variety of outfits, including pants and skirts of varying lengths. The bag Some examples: bag1 bag2 bag3 bag4 Bags for the office can be tricky, because they oftentimes have to carry your whole life, but still remain professional-looking. That’s one of the reasons why huge, unstructured bags like the LV Neverfull and the Longchamp Le Pliage were popular for so long - they’re not cute, but they’re practical. Thankfully, something even better came along, and that is the bizcas backpack. Carrying a laptop, your lunch, your water bottle, your umbrella, and your gym shoes on your shoulder is a one-way ticket to a messed up posture, health problems, and an expensive chiropractor bill. Choose comfort, practicality, and fashion by opting for a modern backpack, instead of a gaping nylon bag with thin straps that dig into your shoulder. Leather is the most elevated choice, but leather backpacks can be heavy, depending on size and construction, so take your time assessing the best material for your needs. Fun/casual/out of the box alternatives The colorful suit Some examples: suit1 suit2 suit3 suit4 suit5 suit6 suit7 If you’re in a more formal industry that still expects a suit, the best thing you can do for your work wardrobe is to get yourself a colorful one. Suiting is huge right now - and has been for a few years - so there is no shortage of office-appropriate options that won’t bore you to death. Valentino pink is particularly prevalent as it’s one of the hot colors of the season, but Bottega green is also in, and you can find an entire range of power colors to give you that extra pop. If you’d rather play it more subdued, there are plenty of pastel options to choose from. Softer, more feminine, but still 100% professional, pastel suits allow you to cheer up your office wardrobe, particularly for the spring and summer seasons, as these tend to come in summer-weight fabrics. The interesting top Some examples: top1 top2 top3 top4 top5 top6 top7 If you want a look that’s more elevated, but still retains the same basic neutral top + neutral bottoms formula, all you have to do is tweak the style of the shirt. You can still keep it white, or another neutral shade, but make sure there’s an interesting design to it. You can play with shape - oversized, billowy, straight, cropped, voluminous, etc. - it’s up to you and your preferences, design details - voluminous sleeves, interesting neckline details, contrasting trims or buttons, etc., material - silk, linen, satin (very current), which also impact drape and silhouette. Again, color is not something you need to shy away from in the workplace, especially if you’re going to pair it with neutrals. There is nothing about colorful clothes that is inherently unprofessional (unless you work at a funeral home). If a top is professional in white, it’s also professional in blue, or magenta. A “spicy” shirt can be the visual interest you need in an otherwise drab work outfit. The midi skirt Some examples: midi 1 midi 2 midi 3 midi 4 midi 5 midi 6 midi 7 midi 8 You may have noticed that in recent years, THE skirt/dress length has been the midi. Reaching around mid calf, the midi oftentimes has a medium to long leg slit. BUT there are simpler and less sexy versions for the office. The shape is straight or conical, rather than the A-line accordion pleated midis we saw around 2016. However, it’s not the tight pencil skirt shape of the 2010s, either. Think more body-skimming, rather than a spandex-y bodycon. In addition to being very current, the midi is very office-friendly because of the conservative length. It goes great with heels, but it also looks good with flats, especially the more modern chunky shoes. A midi skirt can be worn with a classic button-up shirt, or a thin turtleneck, a chunky knit, a t-shirt for more casual offices, and it can even be taken out for drinks or shopping after work or on the weekend. A very versatile piece that can work hard in your wardrobe for the next few years. The danger with a long skirt is to not veer into frumpy, church-y territory. If you’re going for a midi look, I recommend styling it in a very intentional way, with some very modern accessories. A midi skirt with a thin-soled ballet shoe from 2012 and a long, thin cardigan might look frumpy and awkward, but a midi with a chunky loafer and an oversized blazer looks like an intentional outfit. Same with boots - forego the heeled low cut ankle boot and instead, opt for a chunky knee-high boot. It can also look very chic with a longer, oversized, chunky knit. Another way to make sure it’s not reading frumpy is to pick a modern fabric. Leather skirts are very in right now, as are satin slip-style skirts. In the right cut and in a high-quality material, they can be professional, while still remaining stylish. The sneakers Some examples: sneakers1 sneakers2 sneakers3 sneakers4 sneakers5 sneakers6 sneakers7 sneakers8 sneakers9 The main aspect people appreciate about wearing sneakers is that they are comfortable. But if you’re looking to update your work wardrobe, you should know that Allbirds-style shoes are an outdated style. A black pair could be somewhat neutral, especially combined with a chic, modern all-black outfit. But there are equally comfortable sneakers out there that are sleeker, more modern, and more professional. You don’t have to wear the chunky dad sneakers your 15 year-old is wearing, but a sleek, white sneaker with a clean shape that’s not overly stylized or embellished is a perfectly respectable choice that will bring your work style closer to 2023. No synthetic mesh, please. If you feel like white is too stark and stands out too much as an athletic shoe, black is always a safe choice. If you can afford to be really daring in a casual office, you can even try a pair of platform converse. They’re not just more current, but they’re also much more comfortable, because the sole isn’t as thin and lacking in support as the classic version. Plus you get a tiny bit of height, even without heels. The jeans Some examples: jeans1 jeans2 jeans3 jeans4 jeans5 Jeans in the workplace were once a hotly debated matter and it may still depend entirely on your specific office. But in a post-covid world, where so many are reluctant to even go back to the office at all, dress codes have relaxed and jeans are more prevalent than ever before. And why shouldn’t they be? A good rule of thumb for wearing jeans in the office is to stick to a pair that is non-distressed, and solid-colored. No rips, stone washing, or fading and whiskering. Black, dark blue, or mid-blue are all okay colors. Maybe even white, in the summer. For an updated outfit, the new styles of jeans are all very workplace-friendly, because they don’t cling to the body so tightly like skinny jeans did, so they’re not emphasizing anything that an old white man might be offended by or overly taken by. There is no reason why a pair of straight leg or wide leg jeans shouldn’t pair great with a shirt, a sweater, a blazer, and a pair of loafers for a casual office environment. I’d stick to jeans that are actually hemmed, and not distressed, but at the same time, your legs are mostly under a desk, so only you know what you can get away with! Modernize your office fit Finally, let’s look at some typical, average office fits you’d see 10 years ago, and how we can retain the same basic, reliable structure, but with updated pieces. Allow me to remind you that we don’t need to throw out the clothes in the outdated examples and replace them all with clothes from the updated ones! You can get more mileage out of your clothes if you mix and match with some more modern pieces. sweater + black pants do this instead of this The cut matters so much in an outfit, as you can see in these examples. We’re still retaining the exact same formula, but we’re simply updating the pieces. While it’s still a big, oversized gray sweater, the style becomes chunkier, with balloon sleeves. The black pants are flared instead of skinny, which is a more modern cut. The boots aren’t almond-toe, but pointed, and they match the other light-colored accessories. long top/sweater + leggings + flats do this instead of this If your office is casual enough, you may still be able to get away with wearing leggings. Rather than pairing them with ballet flats, opt for a pair of sleek sneakers. You can still keep the white shirt and the knit format, but update to a chunky knit sweater, instead of the thin cardigan. Accessorizing with a big scarf indoors is unnecessary, unless it’s cold. If you want to keep the accent scarf, opt for a thinner silk square scarf, instead. top + cardigan + slacks do this instead of this This is a great example of how you can still wear your long cardigans in a much more modern fit. If you look at the first example, that short, tight cardigan on top of a tight top makes it look like the cardigan doesn’t fit her properly; it’s straining on her body. That’s never a flattering fit. The looser cardigan with a more generous cut in the second example allows for a more comfortable fit. The belt is present in both examples for waist emphasis, but tucking the top inside the pants rather than letting it hang on top is an instant update you can easily make to your everyday fit. If you prefer an untucked top, that’s perfectly fine, but choose a looser fit and not a tight jersey top. Accessories also irrevocably date an outfit. The chunky statement jewelry can easily be swapped for simpler pieces that subtly enhance and highlight, rather than being the focus of your overall fit. sweater + jeans do this instead of this If you’re gonna do a knit with jeans for work, you can easily update the look. Swap the skinnies for a pair of straight leg jeans. The riding boots or ankle boots can be changed into combat boots or a chunky pair of oxfords, and the knit can be swapped for a chunkier, either cropped or oversized sweater. Or you can opt for an oversized knit vest. It’s worn over a t-shirt in this example, but it works beautifully over a long-sleeved button-up shirt, or even over a tight turtleneck. dark suit + heels do this or this instead of this The basic suit has changed shape, with slim ankle pants being less current than straight, long pants with a crease. The blazer is longer, less fitted, and more oversized, and the heels have more of a square toe (or a more elongated point), rather than the short pointed heel in the first example. white shirt + jeans + flats do this instead of this As you can see, sometimes it’s just a matter of styling. The two examples aren’t that different, just slightly updated. The jeans are no longer skinny, but straight-cut. It’s still a style that conforms to your shape, just more modern and less constricting. The shirt is tucked into the jeans, instead of a long, untucked shirt. We still keep flat shoes, but we choose something with a platform. Again, opting for minimal jewelry over the chunky, statement necklaces will instantly make your otufit feel fresher and more modern. If you found this helpful, check out the previous post on updating skinny jeans & new jean styles to try: https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/11cp9nb/your_wardrobe_is_outdated_what_now_step_1_skinny submitted by /u/squeegee-beckenheim to r/femalefashionadvice [link] [comments]

Do you feel stale? Is your wardrobe a little tired? Are the fashionable styles increasingly different from your own wardrobe? Is the last time you went shopping 10 years ago? Do you find yourself uttering the phrase “cold dead hands” in the same sentence as “skinny jeans”? You might be a Millennial with an outdated wardrobe. It’s not a sin - if you still feel fun, fresh, and comfortable in your wardrobe, that’s cool, and feel free to click away. No one’s taking away your skinny jeans. If, however, you’re wondering how to update your wardrobe, make it feel a little fresher, and look more current, then you’re in the right place. The important thing to know is that a wardrobe update doesn’t mean that you need to throw away all your clothes and start over - unless that’s what you desire. You can update some key pieces and restyle some old ones in order to refresh your wardrobe and keep up with the times. The other thing to keep in mind is that wanting to be more current, and updating your wardrobe doesn’t mean you need to dress like a teenager. Nor does wanting a current wardrobe mean you’re desperately trying to look 20. It’s about being interested in style and wanting to remain current, stylish, and even - god forbid - trendy. Being interested in fashion and wanting to look modern isn’t just for the kids. Step 1 - Skinny jeans We all know why you’re here, skinny jeans and your cold dead hands. Skinny jeans have become somewhat of a security blanket for a lot of people. It was the dominant silhouette for so long, and a lot of our wardrobes have been created around that. However, just like your college boyfriend, just because it’s comfortable and you met them when you were 20, it doesn’t mean you’re married to them until you die. Keeping your skinnies Of course, no one is forcing anyone to give up their skinny jeans. Contrary to popular belief, the trend police will not break into your house to take them away, and your cold dead hands are safe, they needn’t be deployed. If you’re not going to replace them, then you can use a different styling approach. Styling them the same way you have been for 15 years will inevitably feel stale and old-fashioned. But that can be remedied by making some changes and tweaking other elements in your wardrobe. If you’re wearing skinny jeans, Don’t do this: These are examples that together create looks that can feel a little stale, old-fashioned, and less than fresh. Just like skinny jeans, it doesn’t mean that you have to throw away these things, but maybe don’t style them together, in the exact same way you did in 2010. 1 Low/mid waist Example: low rise look Well, what’s wrong with low/mid-rise? And wait, isn’t low rise coming back in style? Yes, it is. Just not in skinny jeans. When the pants style changes (every 15 to 20 years), that usually brings a change in silhouette. In this case, we have moved from skinny bottom, oversized top, to skinny top, oversized bottom. In that case, wearing a slim, cropped shirt and low-rise, wide-leg pants is an outfit with a nice balance, that is meant to emphasize the midriff. Wearing the same cropped outfit with low-rise skinny jeans throws off the visual balance and just ends up looking like you’ve outgrown your clothes because both elements are tight. Seeing as tucking a shirt in or wearing a more cropped, boxy top is currently in style, that also poses a problem with mid or low rises, because they are very awkward to tuck into. Once again, it disrupts the proportions and the visual balance. Tucking into low or mid rise skinny pants forces a 50/50 proportion that is both unnatural and not out of left field enough to be avant-garde. It’s just awkward. 2 Tunics/long sweaters Example: tunic top look Again, an issue of silhouette. Wearing skinny jeans with a tunic is probably your comfort zone, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s not going to read as modern or stylish. If that’s your goal, then I’d avoid pairing skinnies with any kind of long top. “Skinny jeans and a nice top” can still be your go-to, but consider updating the style of the top. A top with more structure and more waist emphasis will read more modern than a long, loose, shapeless top. If you’re still keen on covering the derriere, then a boxy, oversized sweater or top with structure is a fresher alternative. 3 Thin long cardigans Example: look with long cardigan Cardigans made out of thin materials have never been especially flattering, because they tend to cling. It also makes it difficult to layer underneath them. The slimmer and thinner the cardigan, the bulkier the layers under it. A long, unstructured cardigan over skinny jeans is also an outdated silhouette. There are still duster cardigans out there, but they’re heavier, chunkier, and a little more oversized, occasionally with a tie waist. They allow layering and look more structured and less boho. 4 Ballet flats Example: ballet flat outfit Grab your tutus, ballet flats are actually coming back into fashion. But paired with skinny jeans, the look is straight out of 2010. Thin soles and light, “nothing”-type shoes are definitely not the freshest style (yes, that includes Rothys, but that’s a conversation for next time), but they can still be passable with a more modern pants cut - preferably something straight or wide leg, and cropped. The new ballet flats are also more dance-inspired, with specific detailing, so the round toe Tory Burch flats from 2008 are not exactly cutting edge. 5 Low ankle boots Example: low ankle boots outfit Like ballet flats, the time of low ankle boots has come and gone. Once, skinny jeans and ankle boots were the power couple of the early 2010s, now it’s just what middle-aged moms wear out to date night at Cheesecake Factory. And there’s nothing wrong with any of that! But the ankle boot has also had a makeover - the shaft is higher, the heel is thicker, and the sole is chunkier. The Cheesecake Factory regulars won’t know what hit them. 6 Tight knee high/OTK boots Example: OTK boots look I know skinny jeans and slim over the knee boots go together like peanut butter and jelly. And they did - for years and years. Which is precisely why that particular combination will read as dated. You can still keep both, just change up the styling, and don’t pair them together. Knee high boots are back in style, but instead of a 2010s slim riding boot, it’s a wider, more generous cut with a chunkier sole. The OTK boots can also still be worn, but rather with a mini skirt/dress, a slim midi skirt, or a pair of winter-weight shorts, like leather or tweed. 7 Graphic tees Example: graphic t-shirt look If anything in your house or wardrobe says “Live, Laugh, Love”, I urge you to get rid of it immediately. Same with any saying related to coffee or the word “vibe”. You’ll thank me later. Now, I’m not saying you can’t wear graphic t-shirts with skinny jeans. I’m saying the type of graphic t-shirt has changed a lot over the last 15 years. The slim fit, tiny sleeve crew neck t-shirts with flowery Etsy font is dead, you can downgrade it to the shirts you wear when you’re cleaning or painting. So is the thin, loose, cropped, 80s t-shirt that says “Bridesmaid”. Instead, an oversized and boxy, OR straight fit t-shirt is the more modern and current option. Neither long nor short, neither wide nor tight, a comfortably loose t-shirt with a regular short sleeve is a perfect basic, non-offensive choice for any woman of any age. If it has to have a graphic, make it a band tee. Not something that says “Namaste”. 8 Big slouchy bags Example: big purse outfit The LV Neverfull is a practical bag, I know, but wearing it with cropped skinny jeans and ballet flats looks like you’re cosplaying Christian Girl Autumn 10 years too late. A canvas tote bag is a more modern choice, or a sleek leather backpack. You’ve got both the comfort and the style. For smaller bags and needs, an uncertain-shaped cross-body is also going to date your outfit. Try to be more intentional with the bag choice and shape. Something more structured, with a top handle (as well as a cross body strap) is a fresher choice. Or a small, perhaps embellished, backpack. Do this instead: I would like to first preface this by saying that you do not have to do ALL of these. These are also not mandates. They’re options. I picked a few different categories where updating other elements of your outfit can make skinny jeans feel less stale in 2023, something for everyone. 1 High waist Example: high-waisted look Updating the rise is the easiest way to bring your skinnies into 2023. A higher rise gives you some new and modern styling options, including tucking tops into your jeans or wearing tops that are more cropped - t-shirts, shirts, blouses, hoodies, jackets - they all look better with a higher rise to balance out the silhouette. High waisted jeans make your legs look longer, they emphasize the waist, and are comfortable to sit in, since the waist should hit at your natural waist, above your stomach, and not cutting into it. 2 Full length hems Example: full length skinnies outfit Another style element that betrays the age of your skinny jeans is that outdated, scrunched or cropped look. This may very well be a matter of opinion, but cropped skinny jeans don’t work as well as other cropped styles. Because they’re so tight, it visually strangles your calf instead of highlighting the ankle and has the opposite effect. The overly long, scrunched look is not just outdated, it’s a sign your jeans don’t fit well. Petites, hem your skinny jeans - or buy the cropped ones as full length). Full length skinnies have a more streamlined look and work better with any type of shoe. 3 Belts Example: belted skinnies look A high rise goes great with a belt, both to highlight your waist - if that’s the look you’re after - and to serve as an extra accessory and styling device. Belting your jeans can tie in your shoes or bag in a nice way, or it can visually break up a fit that needs a little extra something-something. Be advised that belting a pair of pants that do not sit at your waist will emphasize your hips or stomach, so if you’re not keen on making that area seem wider, then avoid belting and/or tucking into mid or low rise bottoms. 4 Cropped cardigans Example: boxy cardi look It’s time to let go of this weird notion that a cropped silhouette is only for 15 year-olds. A cropped top, shirt, cardigan, jacket, etc. is simply a change in silhouette and proportion and it does not - I repeat, it does not mean that you’re necessarily showing off your midriff or that it’s a strictly “youthful” style. The key to incorporating a cropped element is to pair it with high rise bottoms - in this case, your skinnies. Styling them with an opposite style cardigan - short and bulky, instead of long and thin - automatically freshens up the look and brings them into 2023. High rise + crop shirt is an excellent way to emphasize the waist or create an hourglass or pear silhouette. Like a belt, the “break” in the outfit can be a much needed styling element to take the outfit from basic to stylish. 5 Oversized blazers Example: oversized blazer outfit Raise your hand if you wore skinny jeans, low cut ankle boots and a blazer in 2010. I’m not knocking it, it’s a good look, but when worn all together, it dates you. But you can update the look by swapping out the blazer with a more current, oversized style. An oversized blazer vs. a shorter, slimmer fit one from the 2010s makes great contrast with the tightness of the pants and it gives the outfit a cooler, slightly masculine edge. While an all-tight outfit can look a little try-hard, an oversized element makes it a little cooler and more modern. 6 Tucked in tops Example: tucked in look Tucking is one of my favorite styling choices and I can’t find much fault with it. In fact, it may very well make skinny jeans look modern. Like belts and crop tops, tucking in a shirt achieves the same waist emphasis we’re going for and it pulls away from the outdated lowrise + muffin top + long shirt look of the 2010s. 7 Chunky shoes Example: platform boots look Shoes can totally transform an outfit, including taking it from 2013 to 2023. No one’s trying to take away your heeled ankle boots, but consider pairing those with a cropped straight leg instead, and swap them out for a pair of chunky loafers or platform boot in a skinny jean outfit. Same with ballet flats, let’s mix and match trends and decades instead of doing The Greatest Hits of 2011 from head to toe. 8 Voluminous tops Example: voluminous top outfit So we said no long tops - what do we do for “nice” tops, instead? There are a few different details that make for a modern top. Volume is one of the key words, so a top that is short and boxy OR that has voluminous sleeves OR a voluminous collar, etc. Very feminine corset tops are also very popular, with or without sleeves or straps. Square necklines are extremely flattering on everyone and can be the one feature on an otherwise completely basic top that can have long sleeves or be tucked into the pants, etc. As for sweaters, bulky wins over slim fitting for a modern look. Alternatives to skinny jeans If you’re ready to move on and see what else is out there, then a world of new styles awaits you. You’ll be surprised at how much variety and excitement you can add to your wardrobe with one simple jean style swap. The beautiful thing about transitional periods in fashion is that there’s something for everybody. There is no primary cut or style, so you can find anything. Slim, baggy, wide leg, bell bottoms, bootcuts, high rise, low, or mid, it’s all out there, and you can make any of them work for you. Straight leg jeans A good alternative are straight leg jeans and pants - the shape is not a huge departure from your usual, while still being more modern. Straight leg jeans still allow for some of your longer tops to be worn without looking baggy from top to bottom, you can still wear them with higher boots if you want, and they’re not very adventurous, which means they’re never the focus of the outfit itself. They can play it safe and be quietly understated to support other, more interesting design elements, whether it’s a big sleeve, a bold color, a collar, a ruffle, interesting buttons, or other detailing on your top, coat, or accessories. This style can still be successfully worn with a boxier or longer sweater, for example, without looking outdated. Example: 1. straight leg 1 2. straight leg 2 3. straight leg 3 4. straight leg 4 5. straight leg 5 Mom jeans Mom jeans are the cut that largely replaced skinny jeans back in 2015-2016. Favored because they’re very high waisted, with more room in the hips, and a flattering, conical shape, they are as comfortable as they are durable, owing to their rigid, 100% cotton fabric. However, because of the lack of elastane in their composition, mom jeans are trickier to size, so a few shopping trips may be necessary. For skinny jeans wearers, the familiar thing with mom jeans is that they retain the high waist, and you’re still showing off your shoes, as they’re closely cut around the ankle, and usually a little cropped. Like straight leg jeans, an oversized, untucked top can still look good and fresh with this cut because of the conical shape. They slim down towards the ankle, giving the leg a little shape that contrasts with the baggy top, if you don’t want to go for a loose-on-loose silhouette. Example: 1. mom jeans 1 2. mom jeans 2 3. mom jeans 3 4. mom jeans 4 5. mom jeans 5 Wide leg jeans The other prominent cut that arose in the meantime are wide leg jeans, which are very much a total departure from skinny jeans, in terms of shape and style. However, they have become extremely popular, even among older Millennials, because they’re very comfortable. High waisted, with a lot of room in the hips and leg, wide leg jeans allow for free movement and completely eliminate the constricted feeling skinny jeans can sometimes be guilty of. Usually cropped, they still allow you to show off your shoes, and are surprisingly versatile. They can be successfully worn with boots, sandals, loafers, birks, heels, or flats - they go with pretty much anything. Personally, I prefer them with boots. Example: 1. wide leg jeans 1 2. wide leg jeans 2 3. wide leg jeans 3 4. wide leg jeans 4 5. wide leg jeans 5 Flared jeans However, you can also obtain some of the same effects as skinnies with bootcut or flared pants. When you think about it, flared pants aren’t all that different. Yes, the flare at the bottom is a change in silhouette and it’s more visual interest than you’re used to having with pants. However, the top is very much still the same fit as skinny jeans, if what you’re concerned about is losing a “flattering” shape around your waist/butt/thighs. Flares tend to be the same skinny shape on top, and still have elastane. The only thing you’re trading in is the way you’re pairing your shoes. The longer hems visually elongate the legs, but they do usually cover the shoes, so more thought will need to be put into that. Heels work best paired with flared pants, but with the chunky, platform styles of today, flats can also be worn successfully with bootcut and flared, and wide leg pants, even without dragging and stepping on your hems. Example: 1. flared jeans 1 2. flared jeans 2 3. flared jeans 3 4. flared jeans 4 5. flared jeans 5 I’d also like to make a note that hair, makeup, and general styling (like jewelry) also make a big impact in the way outfits are perceived. With a modern, intentional haircut, any outfit automatically reads are more stylish, instead of just the first thing you grabbed that looked like pants. Makeup plays an equally big role. Overplucked eyebrows made an entire generation of women look like they were stuck in the past, as does harsh contouring, and other major elements of hair and makeup, like thick, blocky eyebrows. The Kate Gosselin haircut, the too-light blonde hair curled with a 2-inch barrel curling iron that every single woman on Pinterest has, the ring finger painted in a different color than all the others. Think of those ladies who wore permed hair and blue eyeshadow into the 90s and 00s. You don’t want to be the 2023 version of that lady - unless you do it extremely well and intentional for the camp factor. If you found this helpful, I’m interested in creating more spotlight posts on specific items that can be updated. We could just do bigger categories - shoes, outerwear, dresses, etc. or we could focus on one specific item people are finding particularly difficult to part with, but would like to freshen up. If you have any ideas or requests, please let me know. You can read part 2 about office wear here: https://www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/11m7yxr/updating_an_outdated_wardrobe_part_2_office_wear/ submitted by /u/squeegee-beckenheim to r/femalefashionadvice [link] [comments]

The ad was bizarre but straightforward enough. Late fifties male seeks woman in twenties to manage large-scale dollhouse Candidate needs to maintain a household of eleven Real Dolls by tending to the daily wardrobe, grooming, and other needs of the dolls. Nothing inappropriate. $250 paid in cash at the end of every shift. A lot of women would be put off by that ad, but not me. Let’s just say, I’ve seen some shit in my life. I was finally starting to dig myself out of a trash pile of childhood trauma by getting into a good college, when the reality of tuition fees set in. I needed a part-time job to stay afloat, and creepy sex doll man would have to be it. I tried calling the number on the ad, but nobody picked up. A few minutes later I got a text asking my name, age, and times of availability. Another text later, I was asked to start at nine the following day. I was surprised at the ease of the interview, if you could even call it that, but I didn’t feel like questioning it. Whatever the guy’s deal was, that was his business, not mine. As long as he didn’t breach any boundaries and paid me on time, we’d get along just fine. I wasn’t stupid, though. I called my cousin Ronnie and told him what was going on and where I’d be the next day. Ronnie sighed but didn’t question my decision. We grew up with the same shitty guardians, and he knew I could handle myself. “Just be careful, Lu,” he said at the end of the call, “pack the bag, okay?” “Of course, Ronnie,” I smiled into the phone, “I’ll be in touch if anything happens.” ‘The bag’ was a backpack of essentials for any kid that was unfortunate enough to grow up in a neighborhood like mine. My bag contained pepper spray, a swiss army knife, drinking water, a couple of protein bars, and a cheap disposable phone with Ronnie’s number saved in contacts. I hoped for the best but prepared for the worst. Always. I was at the given address at exactly 9 o’clock the next morning. The house was breathtaking. A tall, asymmetrical two-story with whitewash walls and a multifaceted roof. The windows were different sizes and shapes, the panes a charming baby blue with glass that sparkled like morning dew on grass. I walked up the cobblestone path, admiring the clean-cut lawn and tulip flower beds that lined the perimeter. Maybe this won’t be so bad, I thought, climbing the porch steps. I couldn’t find a doorbell, only a large bronze knocker designed to look like some sort of horned creature, possibly a bull. It was as though the sculptor had chosen to make the beast in man’s image, the result being a grotesque blend of the two. I banged the knocker three times and waited. Nothing happened. I tried again. No one came to the door. I pulled my phone from my back pocket just as it received a message from the Craigslist number. Go inside. The girls are on the second floor. Whatever you’re into, buddy, I thought as I pulled the door open and stepped inside. The entrance hall was everything the exterior suggested. Polished hardwood floors shimmered like glaciers on a sunny day. A needlessly large chandelier descended from somewhere far above my head. Quaint antique hall cupboards and paintings of flower pots tied the look together. It was all meant to be quite lovely but something felt off. The interior seemed almost too precise, as though crafted after the idea of an old Victorian home. The passing of time generally implied a dash of ruggedness, and this place had none. A large-scale dollhouse, I thought, remembering the ad with a slight shudder. I clutched at the straps of my backpack, straining to hear any hint of life within the house. There was only the slight echo of my sneakers scraping across the floor as I crossed the hall on my way to the grand staircase. I lingered before taking the first step. It wasn’t too late to turn around and find something less creepy to do. Sure, the pay was excellent, but my gut was telling me there was something very wrong with the house. Determination and a hint of curiosity argued with my better instincts and won. I walked up the carpeted steps. “Hello?” I called upon reaching the second floor. No answer. To my left, a door stood open, revealing an old-school parlor room. I stalled before entering, realizing that the distant concept of eleven life-sized dolls had been far more agreeable than the actual sight of them. What can I say? The dolls were exquisite in a vacant, detached sort of way. Someone had dressed them in a variety of colorful nightgowns and bathrobes. Some faced windows, others were seated around a coffee table. All were positioned in poses that were meant to look natural. Their size was that of your basic, petite woman, with some evident variation in the hip and breast departments. There were blondes with blue eyes, sultry brunettes, a redhead, African Americans, Asians, you name it. One even had rainbow-colored hair and blue lips. “Louisa,” a soft voice interrupted my doll-induced trance. My right hand instantly went for the pepper spray as I whirled around in one swift, jumpy motion. “Jesus,” I muttered, slipping the spray back in place, “You scared me, lady.” The owner of the voice was a tall, thin woman well into her fifties. She wore a long, red cardigan that she buttoned over a lilac turtleneck and a full-length, plaid skirt. The entire outfit was so hideous that I barely even registered the fact that the woman herself was attractive for her age. She had a very dignified sort of face, with a dainty nose and knowledgeable eyes. A good amount of thick, greying hair was tied back in a low ponytail. “My apologies, Lousia,” the woman smiled politely, “I didn’t mean to scare you.” “It’s Lu actually,” I mumbled, trying to compose myself. “Nice to meet you, Lu,” the woman’s smile held, though her gaze sharpened, “My name is Mrs. Claymore and I am the mistress of Vanderley House.” “First time I’ve been in a house with a name,” I replied, watching her face. Much like my surroundings, the woman carried herself in a manner of welcome, but it all felt a bit scripted. “I believe my husband has given you the general gist of your duties here at Vanderley?” “Well,” I surveyed the kinky mannequins lounging around the room, “The text messages mentioned I would have to watch the dolls.” “Yes,” she spoke slowly as though addressing a small child, “You will be acting as the part-time manager of the household. In essence, you will be filling my shoes while I’m away.” “I see,” I nodded, feeling uneasy. For the next hour or so Mrs. Claymore took me around the house, showing me the different rooms and explaining my increasingly bizarre work tasks. Every morning, I was to change ‘the girls’ into their daytime outfits and carry them around the house, setting them up at their respective activities. I would learn the dolls’ names and activities from a chart. My shift would end around the time the so-called hygienist showed up to perform cleaning procedures on the dolls. “If all that is clear,” Mrs. Claymore concluded, “I will leave you to your job.” “Alright,” I nodded, struggling with my apprehensive feelings. I let out a long breath as soon as Mrs. Claymore retreated downstairs. If ever there was a master at not asking questions, it was me. And yet, I had so many. Everything about Mrs. Claymore indicated that she was an intelligent, proper sort of woman, and I just couldn’t reconcile that image with the things she was saying. Was she unhinged? I half wished the husband had met me instead. A creepy old man with a sex doll fetish, while super gross, was something that I could understand and even turn a blind eye to. For the right amount of money, of course. But this? What the hell was this? Walking back to the parlor room, I felt my resolve strengthen. Late morning sunshine spilled in through the sheer curtains, illuminating the dolls in a cool, gray light. Not a single speck of dust could be seen in the rays. The dead eyes of the dolls reflected my mood. I studied the clipboard Mrs. Claymore had given me. It contained the aforementioned doll chart printed on a crisp, expensive-looking sheet of paper. Cynthia was the first doll on the list. With a flicker of dread, I stared at the tiny picture printed on the page. The photograph, while small and a little blurry, was clearly of a real person, not a doll. It showed a pretty redhead somewhere outside, with locks of hair lifted by a gust of wind. I scanned the room, quickly locating Cynthia in a nearby armchair. The resemblance to the person in the picture was uncanny. I walked up to the doll and stared at her face, reaching out a hand to graze a cheek with my fingers. She was definitely a doll, not a person. Even so, the fact that her image was molded after a human being felt all sorts of wrong. I turned my attention back to the chart: Cynthia - 21 y.o. - 5′7″/122lbs. - Biochemistry student - Plays violin - 11:00 AM violin lesson in drawing room - 12:30 quiet reading time in study; What an oddly specific type of girl. Hardly your average boner inducer. Scanning the other five entries on the page disturbed me more than I could say. Valeria - 20 y.o. - 5′7″ / 107 lbs - Athlete - Ballroom dancer - 11:00 AM dance lesson in drawing room - 12:30 yoga in downstairs hallway; Gina - 22 y.o. - 5′6″ / 121 lbs - Barista - Cat lover - 11:00 disciplinary session in entrance hall - 12:30 quiet reading time in study; Katryn - 25 y.o. - 5′5″ / 115 lbs - Nurse - Enjoys video games - 11:00 AM - dance lesson in drawing room - 12:30 yoga in downstairs hallway; Angelique - 21 y.o. - 5′7″ / 135 lbs - Unemployed - Recreational drug user - 11:00 AM - double disciplinary session; Madison - 28 y.o. - 5′6″ / 118lbs - Daycare teacher - Enjoys reading - 11:00 AM - dance lesson in drawing room - 12:30 quiet reading time in study; ​ My hands trembled as I finished reading the last entry on the page. There have been so many times in my life where I have felt helpless and afraid. While horrible, each instance had an identifiable source of danger. A drunken uncle, an abusive social worker, a school bully. It was easy to work through fear when you knew what to expect. The place had me stumped. There was something very wrong about it, about Mrs. Claymore and her yet-to-be-seen husband. About the dolls that were meant to look like real people. I knew then that I should leave, but there was a part of me that didn’t want to. Call me the collector of evils, but I just had to know what sort of fucked up darkness lurked the serene halls of Vanderley House. I left the parlor and located the closet, a room on the second floor which was dedicated to all eleven doll wardrobes. I’d caught a glimpse of it during the walkthrough, but didn’t get a chance to take it all in. It was the size of a bedroom, with shelves of shoes, folded clothes, and hanging garments lining the walls to my left and right. The other end of the room consisted of a mirror wall. I stared at my small frame reflected in four distinct angles. A couple of jet-black curls fell loose from my ponytail and I tucked them behind an ear. I looked very pale, not unlike a doll myself. That thought sent a visible shiver through my reflection. The shelves of the closet were an obsessive-compulsive dream come to life. Everything was sorted by clothing type and color. The chart hadn’t specified what the dolls should wear, so I trusted my better judgment in picking the outfits. There were few modern garments available, but there was a large variety of basics that would look decent on most people. I pulled some items from the shelves and went to pick out the shoes. Not many options there either, mostly pumps. I was about to head back to the parlor when another glance at the mirrors revealed a detail I had very nearly missed. Though three of the full-length mirrors were visibly nailed to the wall, the one on the far right had no bolts in the corners of the frame. I tried wedging my fingers in the small crack between mirrors and pulling it, but that yielded nothing. After a second’s thought, I tried pushing instead and the hidden door popped open. Inside was the first hint of the real Vanderley. The mirror concealed a small, dusty room. A bare lightbulb dangled from a wire, revealing unfinished concrete walls and stacks of moving boxes. I approached the nearest box and looked inside. It was filled with clothes, but they were nothing like the garments in the outer closet. These were trendy crop tops, boy shorts, cocktail dresses. A lump formed in my throat. I opened more, finding high heels, hoodies, sunglasses, watches, trinkets. I had to stop myself then. There were a lot of boxes and I didn’t have time to ransack the place. Mrs. Claymore could find me at any moment, and I needed more proof of my growing suspicions. I walked out to the front closet, closing the mirror door behind me. I did my best to wipe away the fingerprints that revealed my intrusion. I reached for the phone in my back pocket so I could call Ronnie, and found that it was missing. Of course, I thought, reaching for the hidden zipper on the inner side of my backpack. I powered on the flip phone and auto dialed Ronnie. He picked up on the first ring. “Code red,” I whispered into the passé gadget. “I fucking knew it, Lu,” Ronnie reprimanded, “I’ll be there in forty, an hour tops. Keep safe.” “Will do,” I promised, replacing the cell before picking up the pile of clothes I’d selected for the dolls. Mrs. Claymore must have fished my phone out of my back jean pocket at some point during the walkthrough, but why? Was it to snoop on me, mess with me, potentially cause me harm? None of the answers quite fit the bill, but I had a feeling I would learn the truth soon enough. I made sure to keep calm as I walked back to the parlor room. There was no use for panic, I needed to keep my thoughts clear. I set down the pile of clothes on the coffee table and approached Cynthia. I lifted her arms and pulled her nightgown off. Putting her arms back at her side, I took a step back and surveyed the dolls’ body. There was no doubt in my mind that Cynthia was molded after a living, breathing young woman. While her body held true to the beauty standards of today, it was not perfect. Her large breasts hung low without the support of a push-up bra and there was a birthmark to the right of her bellybutton. Again, I felt the need to reach out and feel her, to make sure that she wasn’t alive. I placed my hand on her lean stomach. She felt plastic as ever. Room temperature, high-grade silicone, and yet. There was an energy. I’d had that feeling before in museums, on school trips where I snuck away from the crowd and stared at some old army general’s chair, or an early telephone set. I thought it was common, getting vibes from items, but Ronnie told me it wasn’t. I didn’t dwell on it much. To me, objects carried stories, just like people did. So what was Cynthia’s? I placed my other hand in her palm and an overwhelming sense of sorrow erupted inside me. The force of it made me fall to the floor, laying my head on Cynthia’s knees. I didn’t let go of her, I couldn’t. The doll was telling me her truth. One so awful that my limited imagination could only produce it in dull aches that ran through my body. The grief was insurmountable, and I let it flow through the both of us. “What did they do to you?” I asked, choking back tears. There was no reply as the immense darkness receded into heavy but manageable despair. It was then that I noticed the small tattoo on Cynthia’s inner left wrist. It was a black stencil of the bull-man I had seen on the entrance door of the Vanderley House. I couldn’t waste time. I had to gather as much information as possible before Ronnie showed up. I got up and started checking all the other dolls. Every one of them had the same tattoo. I picked up the doll chart, now fully convinced it was a list of victims. I needed to learn as much about them in the short amount of time I had left. Cynthia. Valeria. Gina. Katryn. Angelique. Madison. They were all here. Each headshot contained a girl outside, not a doll. They were REAL, but were they alive? I felt my breath falter as nausea threatened the scant contents of my breakfast. There were only six girls on this page. The truth hit me like a punch to the face as eleven sets of dead eyes stared at me. The link I always suspected, but couldn’t prove. Until now. With shaky hands, I unclipped the piece of paper and flipped it over. There were six more entries on the back, but my eyes instantly went to the last one on the page. Right there, beside a tiny, pixelated photograph of me standing outside Vanderley House that very morning, I read the following: ​ Louisa - 20 y.o. - 5′4″/115 lbs - ex tenebris lux - ex malo bonum - 11:00 AM - The Hygienist ​ A door slammed downstairs, and though I wished with all my being that it was Ronnie arriving early to get me out of this mess, the large Roman numeral clock on the wall of the parlor told me that it was far too soon to get my hopes up. Heavy footfall ascended the stairs in a slow, confident stride. Echoes of the intruder carried through the house and into the parlor. I picked up the pepper spray and rummaged around my backpack for the swiss army knife. I slipped the spray in my back pocket and held the knife on the inside of my palm so it was out of view. It was time for my appointment with the hygienist. READ PART 2 HERE This is part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | final submitted by /u/peculi_dar to r/nosleep [link] [comments]

Hello Everyone! Back at it again with another List for y’all! Thank you! NOTE:I have NOT bought any of these items. T-SHIRTS/HOODIES/JACKETS Supreme Bandana Box Logo Gosha T-Shirt Lacoste Polo Shirt Diamond Supply Co. T-Shirt Bape T-Shirt BAPE Hoodie C.P. Company Crewneck Stone Island Crewneck Stone Island T-Shirt Astroworld T-Shirt Cactus Jack T-Shirt Just do Buy it Givenchy Sweater Stone Island Longsleeve Tee AMBUSH T-Shirt Various ASSC T-Shirts LV Longsleeve Monogram Balmain Crewneck Various Sweatshirts FOG T-Shirt Commes Des Garcons Longsleeve Gucci Cardigan Yves Saint Laurent T-Shirt Various Vlone Paris T-Shirt Balenciaga Amiri Crewneck Stone Island Jacket Black Lives Matter T-Shirt Lacoste Polo Shirt More Lacoste Polo Shirts Balenciaga T-Shirt Gosha T-Shirt Adidas x C.P. Company Jacket Bape x MCM T-Shirt Vetements Haute Couture Palace T-Shirt Gucci Polo Vlone T-Shirts Gucci T-Shirt Stussy T-Shirt Fendi Allover Hoodie Moschino Denim Jacket Plush LV Jacket Balenciaga Denim Jacket Palm Angels Bear Hoodie Gucci Common Sense T-Shirt Givenchy T-Shirt Broccoli Godzilla T-Shirt Palm Angels T-Shirt Balenciaga Speedhunters T-Shirt Yeezus Jacket Balmain Distressed Denim Jacket Givenchy Track Jacket Nasa Bomber Moncler Vest TNF Jacket TNF Puffer Vest FOG T-Shirt Polo Ralph Lauren Hoodie Gucci Manifesto Swearshirt Various T-Shirts Various Commes des Garcons T-Shirts Commes Des Garcons Hoodie AMBUSH Hoodie Become Kanye West Starter Pack I Feel Like Pablo Hoodie Off-White Type T-Shirt Stussy Hoodie TNF x Supreme Jacket Bandana TNF x Supreme Jacket Christian Dior Atelier T-Shirt Another Christian Dior Atelier Tommy Hilfiger Collared Shirt Polo Ralph Lauren Collared Shirt Vetements T-Shirt BAPE x UNDFTD T-Shirt Patagonia T-Shirt Gucci Blade T-Shirt Fendi Sweater Raymond Pettibon x Dior T-Shirt Vetements T-Shirt Gucci Windbreaker LV T-Shirt Givenchy T-Shirt Astroworld T-Shirt Amiri T-Shirt C.P. Company Zip-Up Another C.P. Company Zip-Up Nike Jacket Polo Ralph Lauren Zip-Up Hoodie Dior T-Shirt Jil Sanders T-Shirt Gucci Belt T-Shirt Travis Scott Highest In The Room T-Shirt Balenciaga Mode T-Shirt Thrasher T-Shirt Givenchy Rainbow T-Shirt Givenchy T-Shirt Moncler Jacket Canada Goose Jacket Prada Pullover Canada Goose Vest Stone Island Jacket Vlone T-Shirt Dior Saddle Bag T-Shirt SHOES Travis Scott shoes Balenciaga Runners Another Balenciaga Runner Yeezy 500 Alexander Mcqueens More Alexander Mcqueens Nike Air Max Givenchy Shoes Gucci Aces Nike 270s Nike Air Barrage Uptempos Travis Scott Trails Air Max 95 Sneakerboot Converse x Commes Des Garcons Various Nike Shoes Nike N. 354 Comfortable Yeezys Various Jordans More Various Jordans Travis Scott Lows Another Travis Scott Low Various Travis Scott’s Travis Scott Retro 4 and more Grape 5s Jordan Fearless Christian Louboutins Converse x Off-White Another Off-White Converse Yeezys Yeezy 380s and more Yeezy 500s and more Dior B23s Another Dior B23 Chanel Trainers Chanel Shoes Prada Cloudbust Thunder Gucci Dad Shoes Balenciaga Track Sneakers Gucci Fur Slippers Asics Vans Chanel Sandals Checkered Vans Converse Off-White AJ1 Dior Trainers Chanel Nike Air Forces Jordan 5s Ultraboosts DOPECustom LV x Nike Air Force shoes Lebron 12s Off-White Prestos Off-White Vapormax Houston Texans Jordan 11s Air Max 720 More Air Max 720s Nike Joyride Nike Air Panda Pigeon Nikes Off-White 4 Off-White Dunks Strangelove Dunks Nike React Presto Valentino Shoes LV Shoes Nike Air Presto Dolce & Gabbana Shoes Human Races Louis Vuitton Shoes Air Mags FOG Converse FOG x Nike Timbs Kanye Sandals and more Casual Balenciaga shoes JORDANS Jordan 11s Lebron 11s Soldier Lebron 17s Lebron 11s Reflective Jordan 13s Kyrie 5s Nike’s Yeezy 350s Hella reviews Nike Yeezys Nike Sacai Off-White Blazers Another Off-White AJ1 Dolce & Gabbana Graffiti Shoes Gucci Shoes Gucci Loafers More Jordan 11s Givenchy Sandals Converse Off-White Sandals BAGS Supreme Side Bag Supreme x LV Tote TNF x Supreme Backpack Off-White Fanny Pack Prada Big Fanny Gucci Fanny Vest Bag Thing Jordan Backpack Lous Vuitton Trunk Bag Gucci Messenger Bag Another Gucci Messenger Bag Louis Vuitton Messenger Bag Another Louis Vuitton Messenger Bag Louis Vuitton Shoulder Bag Louis Vuitton Fanny Pack Gucci Fanny Pack Fendi Fanny Pack Lacoste Wallet MCM Fanny Pack Prada Bag Louis Vuitton Backpack Balenciaga Backpack Supreme Backpack Another Supreme Backpack Moschino Backpack Chanel Backpack Prada Backpack Chanel Fanny Pack Champion Fanny Pack Gucci Bag Supreme Fanny Different From Last List Fendi Backpack Louis Vuitton Backpack Cheaper Than One In Previous list LV Trunk Bag Adidas Side Bag Tommy Hilfiger Places+Faces Side Bag Off-White Bag Fendi Bag Goyard Bag Gucci Backpack LV Backpack ACCESSORIES/EVERYTHING ELSE Crease Protector Off-White Laces and Tie Travis Scott Socks Nike Socks Palace Socks Gucci Socks Vetements Socks Off-White Socks Balenciaga Socks Gucci Socks Rolex Prada Wallet LV wallet Masks Hermes Wallet Salvatore Ferragamo Wallet Goyard Wallet DSQUARD Hat LV Shades LV Sunglasses Gucci Big Bee Shades Gucci Circle Shades LV Shades Big Gucci Shades SI Beanie LV Belt Louis Vuitton Belt Lowkey LV belt Various Louis Vuitton Belts Gucci Belt Gucci Snake Belt Gucci Printed Snake Belt Hermes Belt Another Hermes Belt Salvatore Ferragamo Belt Off-White Belt Tommy Hilfiger Hat Kenzo Hat Gucci Hat MCM Hat Prada Hat Gucci Hat The Hundreds Rose Hat Chanel Visor Ugg Gloves Louis Vuitton Bear Keychain Cartier Bracelets Louis Vuitton Bracelet Different Louis Vuitton Bracelet Christian Dior Bracelet LV Cardholder Hermes Bracelet Tiffany & Co. Bracelet LV Chain Bracelet Silver LV Chain Bracelet Simple Gold Chain KAWS Figure Iced Out Chain Bracelet Chanel Cuffs LV Bracelet For That Special Someone Cartier Thin Ring ALYX Belt ASSC Hat Louis Vuitton Zip Wallet Stussy Bucket Hat Palace Hat Supreme Hat Vans Hat Wu-Tang Beanie submitted by /u/Trainwrecck to r/DHgate [link] [comments]

My mother got sick when I was a teenager. Well, the truth is I guess that she was always sick. At least, as long as I can remember, and probably as long as she could. I can remember her giant pill case and tagging along to doctor’s appointments when I was small, playing with the little reflex-testing hammers, pretending I could read the textbooks from the office, and squeezing my eyes shut with my little hands snapped tight over my ears as she had blood drawn. Her doctors would coo over how cute I was, and I somehow always ended up with a pocket full of lollipops and colorful Band-Aids slapped over pretend booboos. But that was really the extent of it until I was 15. Then, her body started rejecting her kidney, turning on itself and attacking it until the organ started leaking toxins into her body and poisoning her from the inside out. She survived that, but everything about her changed. Instead of the involved, caring, probably a little bit smothering woman I’d grown up loving, she became childlike and immature. Quick to anger and sadness, but nearly incapable of taking care of herself. The next ten years were marred with tantrums and hospital visits, heart attacks and deep, throaty coughs until suddenly, it stopped and she was gone. Everything after is a blur, blobs of oak paneling and black wool murmuring half-sincere statements about the “good woman gone too soon”. The slow, painful death isn’t pretty, and many of the sentiment-bearers were mostly-forgotten ghosts who brought a casserole a decade ago but then forgot about us when my mother didn’t have the good sense to die quickly enough to be memorialized. As for me, those ten years were etched in my skin and coded into my DNA. The smell of antiseptic clung to me, infusing my hair and my clothes and warning people to stay away. Avoid the sad girl and her sad life and dead mother. When she’d first gotten sick, I was young and it was tragic enough that it seemed like people surrounded me but now I was an outcast, stuck in my motherless youth with no real example of what adulthood was outside of a hospital bed. I stuck around for a while after the funeral, used up my bereavement leave and then my year’s vacation, but ultimately escaped back to my anonymous life in another state where I pretended I had an identity outside of being a nursemaid. So life went on, and there were even days that I forgot to feel guilty for that fact. Not many, mind you, an adolescence spent shaping oneself around the needs of another person is difficult to overcome. There were still nights I cried myself to sleep, and days that the realization that the world no longer housed the only person who would ever love me more than themselves threatened to break me completely. But there also was a kind of peace to not fearing the worst every time my phone flashed the area code from my hometown, and the emptiness after a good cry was strangely lighter than the bone-weary exhaustion that comes from ten years of fighting the inevitable. It was in this odd state of nearly-okay that I found myself opening my mailbox one random Tuesday evening, nearly six months after her death. I’d gotten home late from work and I was tired, hungry, and probably smelled less than optimal, so I yanked the letters out of my mail slot with more forced than the task probably required, shutting the door and locking it haphazardly. I tossed the mail onto the already-full table next to the door and plopped down on the hardwood of the entryway as my cat stretched sinuously, getting a good, satisfying yawn out before trotting over to plant her chubby butt on my lap for her nightly routine of pets and kisses. It may sound pathetic, but she’d been instrumental in me holding myself together during the bad nights, so I definitely tended to spoil her with affection more than the average FurMommy probably let their mini-dictator demand. Which is why, when she flopped over in my lap with her belly up and paws curled toward her chest for a nap, I leaned back against the door with a sigh and braced myself for an extended sit on the floor. I groped mindlessly up onto the table for my mail, figuring that I may as well get something useful done while my monarch took up my time and personal space, and began flipping through the never-ending stack of pennysavers and bills I paid online but constantly forgot to actually cancel paper mailing for. Tucked between a credit card offer I’d never reply to and a plea for donations from my alma mater, I found a blank envelope. No postage, no return address, no address at all really. Just my childhood nickname, Chrissy, scrawled across the front. I can’t really fault myself too much for not recognizing the writing, because who would expect something like that months later, but considering the sheer amount of time I’d spent trying to copy that style, first on absence excuses and later on rent checks as I’d tried to keep the family afloat, it does surprise me a little how long it took me to connect the dots. But once I’d ripped open the envelope and pulled out the pages, I couldn’t deny it for long. Chrissy, I always told myself I’d have so much to say when this time came, but really, I’m having a hard time thinking of the words. I guess for you, it’s only been a few months but I’ve been silent for years, watching you grow and change and realizing how little part I could really have in it. I’m probably confusing you, aren’t I? I should start at the beginning. You already know how lost I was after your sister passed, of course. And you know what a very long time there was between her death and your birth. Seven years without a baby in my arms was heart-breaking in a way I hope you can never imagine. But what you don’t know, can’t know, is how hard I tried for you during that time. I always called you my Miracle Baby, and you hated it, but it was true! You were the miracle that helped me keep on living, and I can never tell you how special you are to me. But the truth is, the magic behind your conception was less a miracle and more a… transaction, if you will. You have to understand how devastating it is to lose a child. First to miscarriage, then to SIDs, and I just couldn’t take it again. From the time I was young I’d wanted to be a mother and the idea of never being one again, doomed to parent only a child frozen in time, would have been too much. As the years passed with no change, and my doctors saying more and more that it was unlikely I’d have another, I began to look into other methods. At first it was herbs. Nothing too crazy, mind you, just a few leaves here and there, or a special tea blend to be consumed right before I ovulated. It gave me hope, I guess. Something to hold onto. Your father noticed the difference, but I think he naively attributed it to me moving on from the loss. He responded to my advances enthusiastically, as I’m sure any husband after years of mourning would, and never questioned the various cups and vials I sampled before and after. Maybe he told himself they were some kind of trendy, new-age health concoctions I’d started taking at the advice of a girlfriend, I don’t know. But it wasn’t until he knocked one over during sex and I flew into a rage at him, screaming about him taking my baby from me, that he put his foot down. A week later, I found myself deposited in front of a set of large, orange metal doors leading to a drab rec center basement with nothing but a circle of chairs and a card table with a dozen or so donuts and some lukewarm coffee in tiny foam cups. I finished mine in a single swig and clutched my cardigan closer to me as we went around the circle introducing ourselves--first names only-- and listening to “brave volunteers” offer up their stories of loss while the others nodded and sniffled, trading empty words about strength and durability. When the eyes of the collective fell on me, I began twisting my hands together into the fabric of my clothing and stared at the floor as I spoke. “About five years ago, my daughter died. Rebecca. It was the day after her half-birthday. My husband, he was at work and I wasn’t feeling well so I laid down to nap when she did. I… I got up and she didn’t.” I took a deep, shuddering breath. “Since then, all I want is another child. We can’t afford to adopt and I think fostering would break my heart. My husband says I’m obsessed and sent me here to ‘work through’ it, but I don’t think anything else will ever make me happy again. Not like being a mother did.” I rapidly blinked to clear my vision as the group gave their polite applause after my words trailed off. The group leader whose name I’d already forgotten gave me a watery smile and nodded. “It’s hard to be a mother with no baby to hold, but you are still a mother. Never forget that. But you’re also so much more and it’s important to find those again.” “But I don’t want those things, I want a baby!” I snapped back hotly, surprising even myself. The leader coughed out an awkward chuckle and moved the group along quickly, and after we adjourned I threw my purse over my shoulder to attempt a quick escape. Instead, one of the women whispered my name and beckoned me over to share a cigarette under the dripping corner gutter of the building. As she dug in her purse for a lighter, she pulled out a plain white card as well, with only a phone number written on the top. She inhaled her menthol deeply, the glowing ember casting strange shadows across her face in the darkness of the overcast evening. Finally, she spoke, smoke streaming from both her nose and mouth and wrapping us both in its tendrils as she did so. “Call when you’re alone. Only let the phone ring once. Any more and she won’t answer.” “She?” I asked, nervously shifting from one foot to the other while ashing my own cigarette. “It won’t be right away. She follows you for a while first to make sure you’re worthy. If you don’t hear back in a month, you won’t at all.” “What… what can she do?” The grin the woman gave felt predatory, and I found myself taking a tiny step back without fully knowing why. “Anything you’re willing to pay for.” That was the end of the conversation, we smoked our cigarettes in absolute silence until the sound of the rattling muffler and worn-out breaks alerted me to the fact that your father had finally pulled up. I stomped my cigarette out on the damp sidewalk and raised a hand to my companion, who offered a sharp nod in farewell. I never saw her at another meeting again. The card felt warm in my pocket the whole way home as my normally quiet, almost distant husband asked me continuous questions about my evening. He’d been raised to believe therapy was a hack and that people just got over their feelings, so I knew that this was probably killing him, but the fact that he’d not only found this place but was trying to fake an active interest in my progress told me he was completely out of his depth with my grief. I tried to take pity on him, but I could only replay the conversation in my head and fidget with the worn corner of the card. We pulled into the spot in front of our building, and he clasped my hand in his as we hurried up the walk to get out of the rain. I felt guilty for yearning to pull away and put my hand back in my pocket instead of enjoying the unprompted affection as I normally would. I gave a tight smile when he held up a movie from the Hollywood Video that I’d been eyeing, knowing I had no logical reason to say no and demand time alone. With the phone. He was often oblivious, but there was no way that he wouldn’t question that, especially when he was trying so hard to be supportive. You know your father, and he really wasn’t much softer in our early marriage either. Planning a nice night in for us, asking for details about my day, it was all so out of character that I may have teared up had I been any less preoccupied with that small, mysterious rectangle. I didn’t get the chance to call that night, or the next day, because he called out of work to go take me to the conservatory. We took you there when you were little, you loved to trot up the cobblestone paths in that tremulous, unstable way of someone who’d just learned to walk but was convinced they could fly. He’d proposed to me there, and I think he was trying to show me the best parts of our relationship all over again, to convince me there was value in life without children. I wished I could see it, and know that I did love him very much, but it just wasn’t enough for me. The lifestyle your father was begging me to accept would never be more than a consolation prize, I’d never be fulfilled. I don’t know if I believed he would be either, honestly. He’d shared a bond with your sister that I sometimes envied as much as I adored, and I’d seen his sadness whenever a test would come back negative. He wanted to be a father, and his desperate attempts to convince me otherwise only strengthened my resolve to fix things. That night, after we got home, I threw him a bashful smile and asked if he would mind grabbing some takeout from our favorite place. I didn’t feel like cooking, I told him, but would get out the nice places and set the table to make it feel like a fancy meal anyway. He didn’t take much convincing, and as soon as the door clicked shut, I pulled the card from my pocket where I had stuffed it when getting dressed this morning. I checked the number five times before lifting the receiver from the cradle, so that by the time I heard the dial tone drone in my ear, I basically had all 7 digits memorized. The harsh screech of the first ring startled me for some reason, to where I nearly forgot the directions I was given. ‘Only let the phone ring once. Any more and she won’t answer.’ I hung up the phone just as I heard the start of the second ring and let out a muffled sob while running to the kitchen to dig out our nice plates while praying that it had only rung once on her end. The next month was the longest of my life. Hope seemed to give me something to live for again, but the bone-wrenching anxiety made it a very manic energy. I felt like I was vibrating the whole time, stopping only to jump at the smallest noises, convinced that was the sign. I never saw a hair of this mysterious woman, and as the last week drew to a close, I began to tell myself that it was all a hoax, a hurtful joke designed to torture me. Which I realized I hadn’t believed when I began to sob as it approached sundown exactly one month after I’d made the call. At least a part of me had begun to plan for that baby. For you. I dreamt of you. Not just a miscellaneous baby, but of you. There were so many times as you were growing up that the feeling of deja vu would nearly knock me off of my feet because I’d dreamt of that moment, even though I hadn’t agreed to anything yet. And then, she called. It wasn't anything obvious, just a shiver and a thought right before the exact time I’d made the call when your father was out. An address, for a place I’d never been but vaguely knew about, lodged itself in my brain and refused to leave. I’d try to distract myself by reading or watching television, but it would get louder, more insistent. Finally, I made up some excuse and slipped out of the apartment. Your father, exasperated but resigned and accustomed to my erratic and inexplicable behavior as of late, barely grunted in response to my flimsy cover. In the unnatural orange glow of the street lights, I managed not to question the insanity of what I was doing, but as soon I opened the car door, the light on the ceiling flooded my brain and shook off the fog for a second. Was I really driving off in the dark to chase some “psychic message” that all reason was actually just that my desperation had finally caused me to crack? The sound of the ignition confirmed for me that yes, yes I was. The drive over was completely unremarkable, and that helped the illusion that this was a perfectly normal night drive like any other. Honestly, as I navigated the turns with a confidence I shouldn’t have had for a part of town I’d been through so rarely, something (self preservation maybe?) made it almost difficult to recognize any difference between this and, say, a quick jaunt to the store for some toilet paper. Finally, I pulled up in front of a nice house in a middle class suburb that I’d been to a handful of times in the 15 years or so I’d lived here. It wasn’t anything exceptional, ranch-style and tidy with brown shutters and a cobblestone walkway. It was somehow unnerving. I’m not totally sure what I expected, but if I had to guess it would probably include a darkened alleyway and an abandoned building. Not a neatly manicured lawn and the carefully groomed appearance of modestly spent money. As I walked up to the front door and nervously shifted my weight on the welcome mat, I began to seriously question my sanity. I’d become single-minded lately and while I’d shrugged off your father’s concerns about what the loss had done to me, maybe it really had taken its toll. I would find nothing in this house except for a politely confused family whose night I would be disturbing with my obsession. Still, I raised my hand to knock. A petite woman swung the door open nearly immediately, the top of her short, tightly permed hair barely coming up to my shoulder. Her appearance was as shocking to me as the house. She reminded me of your grandmother, even seemed to use the same boxed dye to cover up the wispy grays I could still see at the very edges of her temples. She stared at me for a long moment, and in that time I felt frozen. A thousand half-assed apologies flitted across my brain but died before they reached my mouth. Alarm-bells blared, screaming at me to get back into the car and go home, that no damage had been done yet, but instead I waited. Finally, she turned and walked briskly from the entrance deeper into the house, leaving the door open without so much as a glance back. It took me a moment to follow, but eventually I stepped onto the plush burgundy carpet and wrestled with indecision on whether to close the door or not. I shut it quietly, and even the tiny click of the knob sliding into place seemed harsh in the absolute silence of the house. I hadn't caught sight of which way she had gone, but I made a left on instinct and immediately my nose was assaulted by a strong, chemical smell. Formaldehyde, maybe, though I couldn't imagine what would be the source of that here. The kitchen was as neat as the rest of the house, with only a single mug resting on the counter. She handed it to me and I started to refuse, I hadn't come here for refreshments. She eyed me like I was stupid. “It is simple. You will drink this and become pregnant with a baby girl. You will see her grow and thrive and raise her until she no longer needs you. You will watch her become an adult. Beyond that, though, you are mine.” I jerked my head back as if she'd slapped me. “What do you mean? Are you taking my soul?” She snorted a laugh, something else that reminded me so strongly of your grandmother that I could only blink. “Nothing so Faustian. Your life. Once she's grown, you will die.” A gasp escaped my lips without permission. Did that mean I'd never be a grandmother? I wouldn't grow old with your father, get to be there to give you advice? Could I really give up the end of my life like that? But even now, my arms ached whenever I heard a baby cry in a haunting reminder of my loss. I wanted that ending, yes, but I needed you more. So I drank without another word. As I should have predicted, the smell came from whatever concoction she'd presented me with. My stomach rolled as the drink, thick as tar and caustic, slid down my throat slowly. When I'd finished, I handed her the mug and she immediately turned around to wash it. “How long do I have?” I asked. “To, you know. Have sex?” She didn't turn back to face me, but shook her head. “No need. The agreement was a baby for your life. Hardly worth it if your husband does all of the work. You're pregnant, you may take a test if you'd like.” “Just like that?” She shot me a toothy grin over her shoulder. “Just like that.” And with that, I floated out to the car as if walking on a cloud and drove home. Over the next several weeks, the things you'd expect happened. Vomiting, lightheadedness. I even fainted once. Without knowing when my “conception” really was, I didn't want to take a test too soon and make your father suspicious again, so I waved off his concern and pushed on. At least, until the blood in my urine. Finally, I went to the doctor who confirmed both the pregnancy and that my kidneys were failing. I refused the abortion they offered, of course, which limited the treatment options drastically. I couldn't tell them that I already knew they were doomed, that this must be the first stage of her payment. I spent most of the pregnancy in the hospital, with the timeline for your growth and my kidneys’ complete failure seeming to race each other. By my 8th month, they no longer worked at all and you were suffering for it. I fought them as long as I could but in the end, you had a better chance on the outside than in me, and you were born early. Hearing your cry before I was wheeled off to the ICU was, until my last breath, the best moment of my life. Despite it all, you were big, and whole, and healthy and ready to go home even before I was. Your grandfather stepped forward and donated one of his kidneys to keep me off of dialysis, and though the first several months were chaotic and stressful, I can't imagine trading them for the world. And you grew, just as she said. I was there when you took your first steps and said your first word. I saw you off to your first day of school, year after year. The truth is that even with the anti-rejection medicines and constant check-ups as a reminder, it was easy to forget how you'd gotten here and just enjoy you. Listen to your laugh, see you figure out the world. It was addictive. It wasn't all sunshine and roses, of course. I expected the teen years to be bad, but I didn't expect the to hurt the way they did. Every fight and struggle was a knife. Didn't you know how much I love you? But you were growing, becoming more independent, and you were chafing under my wing. I wanted to hold you as long as I could, but you demanded to be free. Chrissy, nothing that happened was your fault. It was always going to be this way, from the moment the mug touched my lips. Even if you'd never said it, the fact was that it was true. The day had come, and the fight we had-- I don't even remember which one it was that time, probably a boy-- was nothing more than the final nail in the coffin that I built for myself. But even still, nothing could have prepared me for the day that you looked right at me and said, “Mom, just deal with it. I don't need you anymore.” It brought me up short, at first because I had to admit it was true. You were nearly as tall as me now, doing well in high school with good friends by your side. I was still your ride and cooked your dinner but ultimately my job was over. You were as raised as you'd get and from here it was a matter of crossing my fingers and hoping that your father and I had done it well enough for you to take it from here. Less than six months later I was in an ambulance, blood pressure through the roof from fluid build up, stomach swollen with toxins and realizing I hadn't peed in days. Honey, if I'd known what she'd meant by “watch her become an adult”, I don't know that I could have gone through with it. But I was watching, even when it probably seemed like I'd abandoned you. I was there for everything, I just couldn't break through the layers of illness and madness to show you. Every misstep, every heartbreak, I was there with you. And I am so, so proud that you were always able to get back up and try again. I know things seemed bleak and hopeless often, but you did it. And you did it without me. Finally, the day came when you were there. You learned to drive, you graduated and had a job, you'd figured out what love was. The only thing left that I could give you was peace, and so I did. I may never be able to communicate again, not like this, but I will always be there. I get it now, what the group leader said that rainy day so many years ago. I may be gone, but you will always, always be my daughter and so, so loved. Forever, Mom It was likely an hour before I finished sobbing into my generously-still cat’s fur. Her grief and pain, co-mingling with my own, was too much for me to hold and I came apart in that moment, still leaning against the front door to my apartment. I can't imagine the thin walls muffled my howls, and my neighbors must have decided I was insane. It sounds ridiculous but I couldn't bring myself to doubt the authenticity of the letter. The details, the handwriting, the flowery and smothering brand of affection she loved. This could not have been penned by anyone other than my mother, and it was all too strange to be anything other than the truth, or at least, her truth. And the timing of everything lined up so well, was it possible that I was nothing but the culmination of a grieving woman's desperation and a witch’s brew? Finally, when I had no tears left in me and my face was stinging and raw, I reached out to grab the letter again. My fingertips brushed the envelope and I saw something I'd missed when I'd opened it before. There, across the back of the envelope, was a small stamp showing a shadow with eyes so red they seemed to glow. Underneath, written in a neat, almost perfect script, were the words “nothing comes from nothing, and all debts come due. Remember that.” submitted by /u/MittensatemyMitten to r/nosleep [link] [comments]

This guide is meant for primary and secondary school, but if you teach college and are totally lost, you should be fine with the info here. Tl;dr? Don't dress like a teenager; don't look too sexy; dress comfortably for the amount of movement your grade level requires; follow your school's internal guidelines. If you do all of these things, you will be fine. If you want to be better than fine, read on. The main goals are looking professional, mature, and accessible. You should also be comfortable. Teachers can wear things that would not fly at office jobs--a benefit of being in a woman-dominated field. But it is still important to keep in mind that you are in a position of authority. You never know when you'll be going from reading Harold and the Purple Crayon to meeting with a parent. The Basics Take other teachers as your example. Every school (and grade level) is different. Start by erring on the side of overdressing then get more casual if you want, and it's acceptable at your school. If you are a young woman, avoid shopping in the juniors section. (If you are not young, and you still shop in juniors, we have more problems to deal with.) You need the more mature cuts and higher quality of women's clothes to look authoritative. It sucks, but studies have shown that male teachers are taken more seriously. Make sure it looks like you take yourself seriously. While you should (duh) not be dressing intentionally "sexy," it is not your responsibility to keep teenage boys from ogling you. You do not have to be a frump to be a good teacher. Part of looking like a teacher is styling and self-presentation beyond clothes. You should be well-pressed and neat. Even if your clothes are fine, the effortless, just-rolled-out-of-bed look does not convey a teacherly air. Before you get started on style, you need to start at square one-- make sure all your clothes fit and look good on you. Check out these other FFA resources: Guide to Fit, Guide to Proportion, and other sidebar guides. Get to know your local tailor. I have included a lot of inspo that work as complete teacher outfits. That said, the shoes in many of these images are either not appropriate or not comfortable for teaching. Look to the shoe section for advice on the ankles down. Tops Not too tight Not too low cut ??? Profit Cardigans have become something of a teacher uniform. There is nothing wrong with cardigans-- they can look great with the right outfit-- but why not try a blazer? Almost any kind of shirt is fine. Button ups, button downs, tee shirts, shells, sweaters. Check out the other sections for more shirt inspo. Skirts Make sure the length is comfortable and appropriate for the amount of movement you do-- this is dependent on your grade level. The cut of skirts, too, affects the way they move when you bend over and move around. Fuller skirts have more leeway here. Pencil skirts are good, too, but make sure they are not too tight. This can get into sexy teacher fantasy territory pretty quickly. Here is a bunch of teacher-appropriate skirt inspo Dresses Think: structured and well fitting but not tight. Shirt dresses, sheath dresses, and [faux] wrap dresses are good options. As with skirts, consider the length in relation to the kind of movement your job requires. More dresses Chinos (a.k.a. khakis) Choose pants that are not too tight or low rise. (Avoiding juniors/teen stores will help.) Brightly colored chinos are having a moment-- have at it, as long as you style them maturely and not with other loud pieces. Neutrals are nice, too. Cropped and full-length are both a-okay. Trousers/dress pants Be aware: wide-leg and boot cut trousers look frumptastic with flat shoes 99.9% of the time, so stick to slim or straight cuts if you usually wear flat shoes. The rules for chinos apply here, too (not too tight, not too low rise). The difference between chinos and dress pants is in the details: fabric content (cotton chinos vs. more formal fabric), pockets, and fastenings. If you do not know which is which, your workplace is probably fine with either. Some 'spo Jeans Many schools allow teachers to wear jeans. If you cannot, disregard this section. And again I say, not too tight, not too low rise. Dark wash, unembellished, undistressed jeans will keep you from looking like a high school student, and they look more professional. Straight leg or skinny (not thin, skin-tight jeggings) are both appropriate. This not that or that. Jeanspiration Shoes You know your own ability to stand all day in specific shoes, but Danskos are not the only comfortable shoes. Gel inserts are your friend. Oxfords, ankle boots, and loafers are all good choices, if you can't/don't want to do a heel. Low heels and wedges are also good. (Many people who find heels hard to tolerate all day are comfortable in wedges thanks to the additional support.) Avoid soaring stiletto heels or other sexy shoes. If you are comfortable in heels, then knock yourself out, but anything higher than 3" is probably too much. Open-toed shoes may or may not fly in your school. I think this is largely regional-- in some places, they are a no go; in others they're fine. Toms and other espadrilles are just too young-looking and casual. They are basically meant to be worn outdoors in the summer, and they look it. Teachers can wear sneakers in many schools, especially primary schools. They are comfortable and sensible, if you are chasing grubby kids all day. BUT they can veer into messy, juvenile, or just plain unfashionable territory fast. It is best to steer clear of sneakers with visible branding. A plain, comfortable sneaker (probably canvas) that matches what you're wearing is probably your best option. (If you are a total sneakerhead, then you are probably 2nxtlvl4 this guide anyway.) If the rest of your outfit says "sensible teacher" you can have some fun with your shoes, but as with everything else, avoid styles that are too young looking like mary janes, scrunchy ballet flats, Ugg boots, or really embellished shoes. Comfort shoe brands (e.g. Born, Ecco) are really hit or miss on the fashion front, so use your discretion. (We're here to help, so just ask us!) Some sensible shoe-spo On looking young Many new teachers come to FFA worried that they look like they are still in high school. If you follow the guidelines so far, you should be fine, but here are a few more things to consider. Make sure your clothes fit you well. I have already said it, but it bears emphasizing. Read the sidebar links, stop buying clothes in the juniors section, and go to a tailor. Nothing makes you look less authoritative than ill-fitting clothes. Avoid extremely trendy items. Hi-lo skirts, loud printed maxis, heavily embellished items, brightly colored tights, etc. Some of these can be done tastefully (e.g. hi-lo, patterned maxi), but tread lightly. Some clothes, like denim skirts, look young no matter what. Twee, vintage-inspired, and other cute-leaning styles can read as young. Check out this guide to Modcloth and twee by /u/thenshesays for some tasteful twee inspo. Even though she plays a teacher on TV, Zooey Deschanel is not the best style icon for teachers. On Ms. Frizzle Some teachers have an urge to dress for their subject a la Magic Schoolbus's Ms. Frizzle. In general you should avoid this impulse. It can be fun, however, to wear your favorite subject occasionally, so err on the side of taste, rather than dressing like your students' bedsheets. How about a dino brooch instead? Please just don't. Pre-K/Early elementary special Most of the fits I have posted are fine for working with all ages, but I've put together a few guidelines for those of you hanging out with the ankle-biters. Wash and wear. If it is dry clean or hand wash only, you do not want it. Non-iron is also a plus. If you wear skirts/dresses, consider wearing bike shorts underneath, so when the kids crawl under your legs, they cannot announce the color of your underwear. Avoid white or other very stain-showing colors. submitted by /u/ab167 to r/femalefashionadvice [link] [comments]