Keep buying the wrong clothes

[Anonymous]

Does anyone else do this? I'm still trying to get in shape post pregnancy, and I'll buy something that I think looks great only to realize after about 2 wears that it doesn't fit or just isn't flattering on me. How do I get this right without losing all my money? I need clothes to wear, but t-shirts are either saggy after one wash or are looser around my arms than I thought or button down shirts aren't long enough or ooch around too much. And jeans - oy - I have spend a zillion dollars getting those wrong. How do you buy exactly the right thing that you will love forever? And does everyone else have a ton of stuff that just sucks? What do you do? Wear it until you can buy something else or wear the same thing over and over again b/c you have one good outfit at any given time?

[Anonymous]

Are you trying the clothes on before you buy them??? I often take things off the rack that would have looked good on me in my 20's shaped body and once I get a look in the mirror of the dressing room (and often as I'm putting it on) I just realize it doesn't work anymore. I'm not large just not the same. I keep thinking, i guess, that things will go back. But, not likely.

[Anonymous]

I wish I knew back when I was in my 20's and 30's what I know now about what suits me and what doesn't -- I would have saved a ton of money! Take a good hard look in a 3 way mirror at your body. Assess your strong points and your weak ones (we all have them). Do you have a short neck? Then boat necks and jewel necks may not be for you -- V-necks look great. Wide rib cage? Baby doll dresses will not flatter. Short waist? etc. Then, think about the clothes you have that you love and feel and look great in. What are the common elements? Chances are, there will be some that play to your strengths. It took me years before I realized that yellowish green and beige made me look sallow. Now, no matter how much I love something, if it's in that color range, forget it. I've seen others recommend "What Not to Wear" and I checked it out; they have some pretty good suggestions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I knew back when I was in my 20's and 30's what I know now about what suits me and what doesn't -- I would have saved a ton of money! Take a good hard look in a 3 way mirror at your body. Assess your strong points and your weak ones (we all have them). Do you have a short neck? Then boat necks and jewel necks may not be for you -- V-necks look great. Wide rib cage? Baby doll dresses will not flatter. Short waist? etc. Then, think about the clothes you have that you love and feel and look great in. What are the common elements? Chances are, there will be some that play to your strengths. It took me years before I realized that yellowish green and beige made me look sallow. Now, no matter how much I love something, if it's in that color range, forget it. I've seen others recommend "What Not to Wear" and I checked it out; they have some pretty good suggestions.

I agree. They have really helped me. For years if I tried on something and I had to go up a size in it, I would not buy it. I was just filled with so much shame that I would want to go home. After watching WNTW a few times, I got over that and if going up a size or TWO looks flattering I buy the item and enjoy it minus the shame. It really has been freeing and also has taught me how to buy things that I will happily wear instead of buying things that hang in my closet while I wish they looked good on me.

[Anonymous]

Have you thought of using a personal shopper? This might be a worthwhile investment for you as they can help you select the right things forthe new you.

[Anonymous]

Call Tara Luizzi -- she's a personal sytlist/shopper and is REALLY good at helping you find your personal style and clothes that fit your shape so you can stop wasting money on clothes that just don't work for you. She just recently left Relish (Georgetown boutique) to start her own business and is working on her website which isn't up just yet. But you can contact her at [phone] or [e-mail]

She is a personal friend of mine, so not only can I can vouch for her as a highly skilled stylist, but as a really nice person as well.