Friday, March 5, 2010

Fashionable Fridays

I'm linking up to One Crafty Mommy's Fashionable Fridays! Check it out! One Crafty Mommy and Fashionista on a Dime are working together to share affordable fashion! You can link up posts of your fashion, questions about fashion, etc.!

They can let me know what they think of these clothes that I bought from a "shopping trip" I did back in July when I was still breastfeeding and still had 5-10 lbs. left to lose to get down to my pre-pregnancy weight. (As of today, my son is finally weaned by 15 months old and I'm actually 5 lbs. under my pre-pregnancy weight - too bad my stomach still isn't the same and my butt is now flat!)

You can let me know what you think of these clothes too - do I look like a 25 year old Mom and not a teenager!?

So I've been watching What Not to Wear a lot....my favorite show. I'm going to be 25 this year and I am now a mother.....time for new clothes. Now that I am a mother who breast feeds...it's a little difficult going out shopping for clothes when technically there's only 2 stores in town just for clothes.....to get a little more variety, have to drive 30 minutes. So I've been shopping online. My tricks are shopping at Kohls'....spending the minimum $75 to get free shipping, trying it all on and then returning things I don't want next time I head out to Idaho Falls. Recently I also shopped Old Navy and Gap because they along with Banana Republic and PiperLime all have one flat shipping rate for all 4 stores! I also use Pinch Your Pennies site; they e-mail me all sorts of discount codes and deals going online from clothing to tupperware to toys. Then I also use those when I order stuff online to save.
So I spent about $200 at each store trying to find things that would follow the rules of What Not to Wear: some pattern, the right fit, knee length yet all still modest (I'm all about modesty!). You're probably thinking $400 worth of clothes...don't worry I knew that I wouldn't keep all that because sizing is important....in the end I only kept $80 worth. After I get the clothes I try them all on and figure out what's good on me and then look at the prices to stay within a budget.
Oh and I've decided to start shopping the women's section from now on because women's clothing fits curves better and can hide the "baby" fat better.
All my tops I decided to buy petite. I'm right at the cut-off for petite sizes. I'm surprised they all fit me perfectly and even when I lift my arms above my head, the tops stay in place!

With these two outfits - I'm wearing my favorite wedge heels!

White cardigan with ruffled center $24
Gray shorts $10
all from OldNavy.com

same ruffled center cardigan but in green $24
jean shorts $5
purple lace tank $5
all from OldNavy.com



 
This is a new windbreaker type of jacket I bought during the summer. It's perfect for those 50 degree days that you just need a little something to cover up with. It fit me perfectly (First time I have a jacket where they sleeves weren't too long.)- it was a petite so I'll have to remember to start looking in the petite section from now on. I'm 5'4 so I'm right in between petite and average.
fitted jacket $18.50
from Kohls.com

I promise I will find some more recent pictures for next week!

Again - You can let me know what you think of these clothes too - do I look like a 25 year old Mom and not a teenager!? Be honest! I love honesty! Be like Stacy and Clinton from What not to Wear!

3 comments:

Sarah said...

You found some great deals, even better because those prices are in USD I assume.

I really like the second outfit!! And that coat looks good, especially for the price you paid! :)

Amanda said...

Maryanne,

First off, thank you for giving Fashionable Fridays a shout out! Shannon and I love hearing from readers like you! Second, you are such a beautiful woman! Congrats on becoming a Mommy! I love that you are finding great clothes for cheap. - That's so my motto too. ;)

I would really like to help you dress your best. So, let's talk shape. Very important to identify the areas you want to conceal. I hear that your tummy area is your main concern? Let's structure this area by choosing jackets and tops that have shape.

Choose a jackets like this one for support. http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=730323002&tid=ONAF86&ap=2&siteID=3759543

This jacket will not only give you shape, but it's casual enough to wear to the grocery store, to parties, and other such errands. To add more color and pizzaz, add a patterned scarf. Very, very easy.http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3759543-10420955?url=http%3A%2F%2Foldnavy.gap.com%2Fbrowse%2Fproduct.do%3Fpid%3D732518052%26tid%3DONAF86%26ap%3D2%26siteID%3D%25zp&cjsku=732518052" target="_top

The last tid bit to remember is to balance your shape. So if you're wearing a slimming jackets like the one above, choose pants/jeans that are flared. This balancing act will focus on the teeniest part of your waist and the flared jeans will draw the eye down and away from your concealed area, making you look 10 pounds slimmer!

I hope this helps you out. If you have anymore questions, feel free to email me at FashionGal101@yahoo.com also check out my past blog-icles on shape at http://FashionistaOnAdime.blogspot.com Enjoy!

~Amanda

Shaela said...

I like them all! I think you look "fashionably mature". :) Kohl's is one of my favorite places to shop too. I'm 5'3" but have a LONG torso so petites don't fit me at all :(