Monday, February 04, 2008

Fashion Intervention, Please

I recently put away a box of maternity clothes and got out a giant bin of regular clothes. I examined each article of clothing as I put it on a hanger. There were several of my favorite shirts that always manage to be first in my laundry rotation, and the most comfortable and forgiving khakis I've ever worn--I've had them now for 4 years and they have always fit me perfectly (how is that?). But the majority of the clothes came out of the bin with bad karma: I mean when I look at pictures of myself wearing those clothes, I am not completely satisfied with how they made me look. Then I realized that all of those clothes were either acquired before I was ever pregnant and are now too small, or were acquired after I was pregnant but in my pre-pregnancy size, meaning they were always too small. Let me add a brief note about body image: I don't really care what size I have to wear; I just want it to fit right and look good. With that said, I'd still like to eliminate some of the pregnancy weight around my middle. But I've come to terms with the reality that I'll always have a bigger frame than I did before bearing two children.

In this season of the tax return, I asked my husband for some money to go on a "shopping spree" to buy some new clothes that fit me properly. (How much do you have to have for it to be termed a "spree?") He gave me the go-ahead. I'm excited to find some new shirts that are trendy and casual and that fit me properly.

So in the style of TLC's What Not to Wear, I'm asking you, my loyal readers, to be my Clinton and Stacy--guide me in the ways of fashion, and make me over! Let me give you the short and sweet of this fashion victim:

"Our latest cry for help is a new mother of two--her wardrobe consists of oversized maternity clothes that didn't quite make it to storage, and too-small t-shirts that don't fit her now womanly frame. Compliment Jenny's wrong-sized shirts with frumpy sweat pants and shapeless jeans. Since full-time motherhood, she's practically abandoned the use of cosmetics, wears a pony-tail 6 days out of 7, and only wears tennis shoes. Let's teach her what NOT to wear!"

Please, educate me. Tell me what to wear and where to shop. Tell me how to look nice even when I stay home all day. What are the staples I need in order to update my wardrobe? What hair and cosmetic products do I need in order to look nice and feel good with minimal time investment?

Give me your fashion tips. I'm going shopping in about two weeks--whoever gives me the fashion tip I find the most useful will receive a set of 10 hand-stamped cards with your choice of theme or greeting. Let the intervention begin!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

A smile is the number 1 accessory this season. It matches everything and goes from formal to housework in a matter aseconds. Furthermore, it comes in one-size- fits-all, though I prefer large. And as the seasons change, you can take it right into the next one.

Justin and Kitara said...

Hey! I can't believe you have 2 kids and Leah is so big! I must say that I'm not the most current on fashion, but you can't go wrong with a good pair of jeans! I usually have good luck at places like Kohl's and oddly enough TJMaxx and Ross (you can find everything there!)

david and michal said...

jenny, i've tried twice to get online and nominate you for what not to wear, but every time i try and log on it says i'm too young to nominate someone on the website!! i don't know how 27 1/2 is too young, but i tried!!! i'd love you go shopping with you, or watch the kids for you while you go

Jackie said...

Jenny, I've always had great success buying jeans at Vanity in Provo Towne Centre. Before I found Vanity, I always dreaded jeans shopping and scheduled at least a couple of hours to drag myself through the mall to find one pair. Now I go into Vanity and walk out 15 minutes later with a great pair. Plus, they are not expensive!!

angela michelle said...

OK, this I have an opinion on. My ideal is a $100 shopping spree twice a year, one for winter, one for summer, primarily at Old Navy, with spur-of-the-moment grabs in Target. OK--maybe that's not the ideal, as the real reason I buy clothes at Target is that I walk by women's on my way to the diapers. Anyway, I'm a strong advocate of an assortment of Old Navy perfect fit crew necks (long-sleeve for winter, short-sleeve for summer). These are fitted so you don't look schleppy but not TOO fitted. Black yoga crop pants--black so you don't look/feel too schleppy on those days when you're not leaving the house. Cargo pants/jeans. An assortment of cute flats, skimmers, flip flops to dress up the above.

My other mom fashion advice is to take your shower at night. That way, as soon as you get up, you can get dressed (in one of your virtually interchangeable outfits) and get a fast start on the day, rather than waiting til noon for the chance to shower, which I always find very depressing.

That'll teach you to ask me for advice! :)