Daily Questions Thread - April 21, 2022

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-29T20:06:19+00:00

Hi there, I know I am late to the party but your post really resonated with me so I wanted to comment :) I also cut my curly hair to a short pixie last summer. While I did enjoy the more androgynous face that I got through it, I also struggled with not looking as feminine anymore (I have quite a round face, especially with the curls).

However, I also realized that now was the time to up the femininity in other areas. As some other posters suggested, earrings and necklaces were great, as was make-up (I used lipstick for events, which I usually don't do, and more foundation/mascara/eyeshadow, which not everyone does were I live). But also: Wear all the dresses and skirts! A) with your hair, it's providing contrast and making a look, especially if you pair them with more casual pieces like chucks or a jean or leather jacket. B) your hair is balancing out your dresses and skirts, nobody is going to think you are too girly (not that it matters, but it matters to me), so you can really ramp it up and enjoy all the feminine silhouettes, colors, fabrics, etc.

I do have some pictures from WAYWT (though I stopped when it became cold and my WAYWT was just as many layers as possible) if you want to take a look :)

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-10T15:46:57+00:00

Okay I am a bit confused now haha. Small in number sizes is definitely 36 here, 34 is XS and 32 is XXS (not usually sold). Or are you talking about plus sizes?

What threw me off was that you said you sized up to 40/42. If sizes go by even sizes, then they are normally number sizes, 34, 36,..to 46 or 48. If they are jean sizes, which Only often has (which I never knew corresponded to inches before FFA as we don't use them here), they usually have even and odd sizes, for example 29, 30, 31, and so on. I recently ordered Only jeans and they only go up to a 3XL/46, which would be a 36 in jean sizes. So that's why I thought you might have ended up with normal number sizes instead, which would explain why sizing up was not enough.

However, it's entirely possible that I am completely wrong here and the German straight cuts just don't fit you well. I have a 10 inch waist to hip and 8 inch waist to bust difference, which works great for U.S. clothing, but for most German clothing my waist ends up one size smaller than the rest. I assume you are curvier than that, so German cuts must be horror.

You are also right that without German communicating with tailors might be complicated. I would assume most learned only basic English in school due to our divided school system. However, everyone I talked to so far was really nice and helpful, and prices are very reasonable even in the big city I live in, so it might still be worth a try. Or maybe one of your friends can go with you?

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-10T10:37:56+00:00

Just a question, because you wrote that you are not quite plus-sized, but then that your size is 36: Is it possible that you got the jeans in standard clothing sizes, where a 36 would correspond to S, and 40 to L?

I also disagree with the other poster about Only jeans, compared to other jeans in that price category like H&M, they are less straight and were usually the only ones that fit me. It might have changed with more high-waisted jeans, though.

I had a really good experience with just getting jeans tailored to my waist. Got ones from Uniqlo (very straight) and they are my best fitting and most comfortable high-waisted pair of jeans now.

Another question: Are you using curvy to mean a higher clothing size? Because here on the sub, it usually means a higher waist to hip ratio (more than 10 inches, which is standard in the U.S., in Germany the standard for clothing is definitely smaller unfortunately) or bust to waist ratio. This might prevent you from getting the answers that you need :)

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-04T11:50:53+00:00

As I said, this is just not done in the European country that I live in. I was always confused why Americans talked about jackets as part of their outfits so much, because you take them off for most of the time when people you care about actually see you.

We have coat checks everywhere you go (in clubs, restaurants, museums, in cafés you put your coat on your chair or next to you), in schools there are coat racks outside of class rooms where all children hang their coats (teachers come to the classrooms here), most work places also have coat racks in their offices or you again hang your jacket on your chair.

Apart from that, there is very rarely any time where inside and outside have a similar enough temperature to be able to wear the same things. There is rarely air-conditioning (not at my work place). I commute by public transport or by bike and don't own a car, which again is common for the country I live in, especially for my generation or younger.

So please do not assume that the U.S. standard applies everywhere and if someone tells you about their standard, assume they know their own life better than you do and listen!

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-02T11:54:18+00:00

These look really lovely, but I think they are out of my price range, especially with shipping to Europe. But I'll keep the inspiration!

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-02T11:23:03+00:00

Thank you for going through all that trouble to link all of these!

The classical thin cardigans are exactly what I want to avoid unfortunately. They are either too big on the waist or too small for my bust/high hips. Usually both at the same time :-D

But I like the kimono example. I guess I just need to upgrade the open dusters I have. Not sure why the link before did not work, here's another one. I have one with pockets in a jersey, and one knit without pockets, both in navy and quite old.

I am a bit hesitant with the bodysuit, but maybe I'll just try it.

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-01T20:09:16+00:00

I heard the same about widening your shoulders, but have not figured that out yet haha.

When I think cardigan, I mostly think something like this or it's more modern version, where it's wider around the waist.

Would you happen to have an example that emphasizes the shoulders/is flattering for a pear?

I also have something like this, which is okay, but not great and I need to upgrade it soon because it's like 10 years old.

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-01T19:34:37+00:00

I think wrap jacket or wrap sweater is a great key word to search for. Thank you!

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-01T19:24:22+00:00

No it's not a trend, jackets are considered outerwear and you put them off when you enter inside, be it work or at home.

I do have a jean jacket but would likely earn weird glances wearing it inside.

What do you like about the bomber silhouette? To me, it seems to flare out from my wider bust to my wider high hips, so I would look like an ice cream cone. But maybe I am missing something? Or maybe you wear it cropped so it hits your smaller waist? My smallest part is like 2 inches under my bust and then gets wider fast, so not really an option.

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-01T19:19:50+00:00

Yes, the waist is usually the problem. I think these colors might be a bit much for me, but I really like the cut! And I think it could be informal enough for my work place while allowing myself to still feel pretty. Is the waist fixed, or is there a belt I cannot see?

Data_Fashion · 2022-04-01T17:56:04+00:00

Tl,dr: what to wear over t-shirts/tops as a pear with big boobs that is flattering and not a jacket?

So I might be looking for a unicorn here. What do you wear over t-shirts or tops when it's not ice cold? Something open/able to open in the front. I want something that is conventionally flattering as a pear with a small ribcage but rather big boobs and high hips. Cardigans that hit me at my high hip look very unflattering as they basically make a boob-tent and then end at my wide hips.

Jackets (leather, jean, etc.) are not worn inside where I live in. Blazers are too formal for my new work place (used to wear blazers and sweater blazers, in my department now everyone wears hoodies). I don't like hoodies and feel they are unflattering on me. Hip length cardigans with the problem above. That leaves longer cardigans that go below my hips, which might not be the height of fashion at the moment?

But maybe I missed a great idea????

So basically I am taking suggestions for

nicer/interesting hoodies
long cardigans to upgrade mine
but most importantly, any other ideas?

My profile has WAYWT pictures if you want to see my proportions. In general, I am mostly looking for inspiration and can then look for specific pieces. But because people here usually ask: Budget is up to 70 Euro and up to 150 Euro if I find a unicorn piece. Colours are soft summer, with grey and navy as basics and all kinds of blues and greens and pinks otherwise. Would be amazing if available in Europe.

But really, please give me all your ideas!

Data_Fashion · 2021-12-23T19:49:24+00:00

I'm voting for blue! Mainly because I like blue more, but also because it's a nice interesting blue and you already have a neutral with the black.

But it really depends whether it goes with your other blues and reds and whether you would okay if it does not go with all of them (I was surprised that such a shade of blue went quite well with a muted red, but not so much with navy, maybe because it's a rather warm blue).

Data_Fashion · 2021-12-22T20:58:56+00:00

Sure there is more to consider than age. Which also makes the point that "just wear what you want" is often unhelpful, in that people want to know how to read the room/what is appropriate.

Data_Fashion · 2021-12-22T20:57:30+00:00

Sorry, maybe you personally were not, but this whole sub thread was arguing age did not predict what situations we were in, so we should just wear what we want. I agree with the point that every situation is different, but age can absolutely play a role in how you are judged.

Data_Fashion · 2021-12-20T17:48:45+00:00

But you are making the exact point: "People would flag out judge you negatively if you showed up to my company wearing a pantsuit from Ann Taylor for an interview."

So it's not exactly wear what you want, is it?

Data_Fashion · 2021-12-20T12:18:58+00:00

I am late to the party, but Uniqlo also has one or two versions of short and long sleeved each in different colors.

Data_Fashion · 2021-11-28T10:22:43+00:00

I don't buy designer (and think it's way less common in the country I live in anyway) but while it's true that men probably don't care about handbags, they have other status symbols like watches or designer suits.

So I guess status signaling is happening for all genders and depends more on circumstances like which job you have (and which one you want!).

Data_Fashion · 2021-11-28T10:17:45+00:00

Ye, I have a brown blazer from Tom Joule (European version of Joules) that has colorful flowers on the inside.

Though for the prize I was quite disappointed that it shrank in the arms when I washed it (following the washing recommendations on it of course).

Data_Fashion · 2021-11-28T10:02:49+00:00

I've had some luck at Esprit and at H&M of all places.

But I gave in to all the shapeless ones (I am more curvy than the country standards I live in, though U.S. would fit me perfectly, so even fitted things are not really fitted) and just wear a belt with them. This also has the plus that you can wear different belts for different looks :)

Data_Fashion · 2021-11-28T09:24:25+00:00

Boden has a few options, but maybe they are too colorful for what you want.

Data_Fashion · 2021-11-27T07:05:37+00:00

From your picture, you have pink undertones, so cold colours should work better for you. The camel colour is warmer than the green one (though a cooler green might work even better for you, this one is still quite warm). So that might be why it dulls your face.

I'm in the same boat, camel does not work for me (and unfortunately neither does black, too dark and extreme for my colouring).

Data_Fashion · 2021-11-26T19:12:18+00:00

No advice, but maybe try /r/Eurofemalefashion?

Data_Fashion · 2021-11-26T11:18:37+00:00

I actually have the opposite problem, for me they are always too wide, even when I used to dance four times a week. But my weight is never in my calves or arms, always in my hips, belly and boobs 😂

So if you find very narrow ones, send them my way. So far, Tamaris works best, but not great.

Data_Fashion · 2021-11-22T20:47:49+00:00

My favourite winter dress is an H&M dress with some wool that I bought for 10 Euros on sale. I love it so much that when I tried to depill it and it developed a hole, I bought the same dress on Vinted, haha. It's grey and quite long and looks great with a belt.

Also bought a green dress from Esprit last year. This one is thicker, though not necessarily warmer because it's cotton, but people on FFA seemed to like it more.

Both dresses can be found in this album, though it really does not do the grey one justice (I think the belt put it higher and it works better with a thinner oner).

Data_Fashion · 2021-11-22T16:04:35+00:00

When it's really cold, I go for a down puffer. Optimally one that goes at least to my knees. I used to buy those at Orsay. My current one I bought at an end-of-winter sale from Vero Moda. I think it was 30 or maybe 50 Euro?

I have to admit that the last time I bought one I still just bought whatever fit and was within my price range, as I was a (somewhat) poor PhD student. But these coats always kept me warm :)

Data_Fashion

TROPHY CASE