Don’t let “Dressing Room Discouragement” Get You Down

Yesterday on Would You Wear It, we discussed this visual display.  I recently came upon it in Dillards, and (Despite what many of you thought) I was attracted to the blue coat in the front.  I am always looking for completer pieces and they are much harder to find in the summertime.  I went up and touched the jacket and it was so lightweight and airy, I thought I need to try this on.  Those are important words.

My mother-in-law rarely tried on clothing.  She hated it and would take home so many things she thought would work and end up either stuck with them or having to make that extra return trip.  I really attempt to take the time to try on as many things as possible, and when I am purchasing online, I ask myself a lot of questions before going for it.

I took two sizes into the dressing room.  The XL was way too big, and this is the L.  I really did not like it on me…at all…  because of the fit.  It is a good reminder that mannequins have no shape and clothing rarely looks the same on us that it does on a mannequin.  It was worthy of trying on, but not of purchasing.  Now, I left the dressing room thinking I need to find more piece for work in the summer that do not need a jacket or topper.  That was when I met this Peter Nygard top…

I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did.  But I am looking forward to styling it for work and posting it here.  I think it will be fun.  The summary is, I expected to like the jacket and didn’t at all, and I did not expect to like the top as much as I did.  We just need to take the time to go to the dressing room and not be in a rush.  Then, we should never beat ourselves up when an outfit doesn’t work.  It is the clothing…not us.  It is the shapeless mannequin…not us.  There are plenty of pieces out there, you just have to take a little time with them.

Always ask yourself, what does this say about me?  What am I communicating if I wear this? Does it have the structure to fit well and be confident building?

Today’s slide show is starts off with this blouse, and then I located some fun summer pieces for your consideration at great prices. Have fun shopping and always

KEEP SMILING!! 

(Monday will have Father’s Day gift ideas!)

 

25 Comments

  1. I am drawn to the checked blue and white jacket but if I had the chance to try it on, I would likely reject it as its shape is boxy. Probably would make my shape look larger. I do like the grey culottes as I have lots that I could pair with it including silver earrings.

  2. You are so right, it is the clothes not me. Clothes are made for such a wide array of customers that they cannot fit everyone and it took me far too many year to get that. I can’t imagine not trying things on before spending my money. Even the way a sleeve is set in can ruin a look that you thought was perfect. I get pretty picky now and ask myself if I really do love it. The jacket did look much better on you with the blue jeans and I would have said yes to trying it on if I saw it on you first. The blouse is great on you as well. Thanks for your very informative posts.

  3. I didn’t comment yesterday, but my objection to the jacket was that it didn’t seem to drape correctly … it was rippled. I too always struggle in the summer, as I don’t like pastels and I have bumps and rolls that need some coverage. I love the black and white blouse and bought something somewhat similar (ivory with a black key print) from Chico’s this spring. I have had a ball styling it. Sometimes I roll/push the sleeves up and wear it open with a tank, and sometimes I just button it and go. In fact, I have been buying cottony, print blouses a size smaller, just to wear with a tank, as they are lighter and more comfortable than jackets. As I too am on the weight loss journey, they can eventually button and be just blouses. Win and win! I don’t mean to ignore your main message (be flexible and spend some quality time in the fitting room), I just wanted to talk about blouses, I guess!

  4. It is always ok to discuss something else, Linda…especially blouses! Thanks for being here.

  5. Especially with jackets I have to be very careful. Recently I was drawn to a linen drawstring jacket and even mentally made up outfits with it using clothes I already had. But when I tried it on I looked like a potato sack! Lesson re-learned. Tailoring is better for me, and length does not always hide the lumps but rather accentuates them!

  6. That is why I am so glad I take the time in the dressing room..or even at home after a online purchase. Never rip those tags off too soon, ladies!

  7. The jacket looks much better on you than it looked on that mannequin but, it is a bit baggy looking. I find for me I need a princess seam front and back that accents my curves. My body definitely isn’t the same as it was 20 years ago but I’m not the same either. I live in Florida and it’s quite warm and sticky 98% of the time. I find myself making clothes especially tops versus buying them as the store-bought ones don’t quite fit right and the ones I make look fantastic and fit perfect.
    Plus I get to decide on the color and pattern I want to wear not the store or the designers.
    I do enjoy all your post and browsing through your slide shows to see what’s available.
    Thank you for your posts, hints & tips.

  8. Thank you for this column and for bring so “real”. I hate, fear, loathe, clothes and shopping for clothes. I can only remember it starting around age 5 and that my mother was there. Whatever was said, it started a lifetime of second guessing myself and stuffing my opinion. Your columns are so soothing that I was able to go into Kohl’s (least threatening) with the goal to find one shirt that was not black! I did it! Although they were t-shirt soft, I was able to find 3. I even went into the dressing room and tried on a complete outfit a manniquin wore. I did feel a twinge of something but I did not let it surround me. I left grateful that your tutelege was with me and I learned that everything I do does not have to make make or break, it can just be a tiny step and it is okay. Hooray!!! Thank you.

  9. I love the topper on you Pam! Cute as a button! I’m glad you found one another!

  10. Wow! Diane, this is huge and means so much to me. Thank you for your willingness to share with others! I look forward to hearing more as you go forward!

  11. I wish I had followed my mom’s advice and learned to sew. Glad you are having fun with it!

  12. I do have brands that I have learned to trust their sizing and that is where I feel most confident ordering online

  13. When I saw it yesterday, I knew it was too overwhelming a print and shape for me. Sometimes we just know. Other times, such as you point out, we need to try something on and view it with a critical eye. Keeping in mind my style requirements based on what I’ve learned from you using the Foundational Five, it makes shopping a whole lot easier!

  14. I am delighted I stumbling upon your site! I’m over 50, but not ready to drop fashion. I’ve been a designer of clothing and shoes until retiring and moving to Baja, Mexico.
    PLEASE, send me links for online shopping!
    Mitzi

  15. I normally don’t like mixing prints, but that top does appeal to me. I’m looking forward to see it future blog posts. I thought the display from yesterday’s post was poorly done. I’m sure I would have liked some of the individual pieces, but the display didn’t do them justice.

  16. Thanks Betty…but I did not purchase the topper. It was the blouse which met my messaging. I liked the topper enough to try it on, but then did not like it on me.

  17. Actually, it was my Foundational Five adjectives which kept me away from the jacket. It did not meet anything I wanted to say about me. But, the blouse did. I know you get it, Karen.

  18. You will need casual clothes! I plan to do more posts for ladies like you, Mitzi. Hope you stick around and thanks for commenting.

  19. This display was far better than many I run across, and it made me want to try the individual pieces. But, I did not end up liking any of them on me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Becky!

  20. I tried on so many items yesterday that didn’t work. I thin,k I bought the only one that looked great on me just to make myself feel better. I love the blouse, but I really question the real reason I bought it. Was it because I was so discouraged with how I looked in everything else? Needless to say, it is hanging with the tags on until I decide if its a keeper. I hope I’m not the only one who does this…

  21. Hi Connie, let me encourage you to do this. Write down five adjectives you would like your clothing to say about you. Our clothing always communicates messages about us. So what do you want to say? Write them down. Put on your new top…look in the mirror…and ask yourself does this piece communicate what I want to say with my clothing. If it does, and you feel confident wearing it…then keep the top. If it does not say what you want to say, then take it back. Begin to ask yourself in the dressing room, what does this communicate to the world about me if I were to wear it. You will then return fewer items and save yourself money and time. Let us know if you return or keep it and if you did this exercise.

  22. Oops!- I meant “top”, as in the Peter Nygard top! ( my bad!). I love the mix of stripes & dots! Very flattering!

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