What clothing styles can you just NOT wear?

[DiscoDiva]

I was shopping yesterday and came to a conclusion: I can't wear collars. How weird is that? Any time I try on a shirt with a collar, whether a polo style shirt or a dress shirt, I look terrible. They make me look frumpy, broad shouldered, thick necked, and well, fat. Then, when I try on a collarless shirt, I look 100% better: slimmer, more elongated, and longer necked. Plus, collared shirts just don't seem to fit me as well (maybe it's because I have broad shoulders and they don't lay right?) So, I've finally realized that collars are out for me.

Are there any styles you can't wear?

[ignutzz]

Drop waists - I have a very hourglass figure and this just makes me look like I'm all hip with no waist

Most of the flowy, empire-waist strappy tops - again, makes the hips look extra wide and add the bonus of looking pregnant because of the extra fabric in front.

Anything with a ruffle near the face - makes me look even bigger and frumpier than I am (much like you were describing with the collared shirts, DD)

I can wear, and like the way I look in, collared shirts, but I always buy a style that gives me a deep v when unbuttoned so it elongates the neck/upperchest (I'm broad shouldered as well). Plus, they're always very fitted with seaming and what not so it really plays up the good parts of my figure. Esprit makes some really nice styles.

[IrisHope]

I cannot wear just a tank top since my BBs are so big :(

[megs7384]

My roommate and I were just discussing how we can't wear clothing without some structure to it. Like those cute track suits people wear. We only feel comfortable wearing stuff like that to the gym. I think I feel that way because I don't really like the shape my body is right now so having clothing that just lays right on those parts of me that I don't like is very, very bad!

[Sin Nombre]

Anything oversized or loose-fitting; I look like I’m drowning in material.

Jeans or pants with flared legs; flares make short people look stumpy, IMO. Bootcut is much more flattering.

Strapless styles make my shoulders look very rounded, although for some strange reason, straight-across camisoles with spaghetti straps look just fine!

Knee-length skirts make me look frumpy (unless they are pencil skirts). My skirts (which I rarely wear) need to be either short, or long.

In general, my clothes need to be close-fitting in order to look good on me. The new/old ‘skinny’ jeans look is great on me; anything ‘relaxed’ or baggy (even those cute, slightly baggy chino styles) look like clown pants on me.

[TaterBaby]

I can't wear strapless at all and I think it looks so cute on everyone else. I have tried and tried, but have resigned myself to the fact that it just doesn't work for me.

[DiscoDiva]

Strapless or spaghetti straps - can't wear them. They just don't look right, plus they emphasize my broad shoulders. I look good in halter style or racer back tops.

Flowy, empire-waist strappy tops - make me look pregnant, especially since I'm slim through the hips. It just looks like there's fabric there waiting to be filled in with a baby bump.

Clothing with structure - don't look good. Weird, but collared shirts, oxfords, any type of shirt that you iron generally doesn't look good on me. I look better in knits/softer fabrics.

Backless shoes - I've tried and tried but I'm just not a strappy sandal, flip flop kind of girl. I must have at least some type of strap across my ankle or I just walk out of my shoe!

[greenbunny]

I can't wear dresses or pants cut slim in the thighs and butt, my booty is too lumpy and big. I look best in a big flared-out skirt, a la Sarah Jessica Parker.

Despite my giant ass, I also have a bony pelvis. I cannot for the life of me put on boyshort-style swimsuits without looking like I have a penis.

[DansGirl]

Aysemetrical hems (on skirts, dresses, or shirts)

Flares

Dropped waists

Boxy skirts

Low riders

Shrugs

[kris97]

Any kind of short pants : capris, gauchos, whatever. I'm just too short. They end up looking like my pants just shrunk and that my legs are elven-sized.


Any styles that emphasize that I am two to four sizes smaller on top than bottom. Ah, the perils of being a pear...

[dandelionbeautiful]

Strapless is a big no-no for me. I hate how my armpit fat hangs out.

Sleeveless- The upper arms need to be toned up in a major way before I wear sleeveless.

Shorts/ short skirts- haven't worn them in probably 5 years. They make my legs look stumpy. Not to mention they aren't flattering if you don't have nice, toned legs.

flat shoes- I once heard on Oprah, if you are under 5'7, don't wear flats. It must be true because I have to have some sort of heel. Even with my flip flops.

[tenofcups]

Short sleeves. They look horrible on me. Sleeveless, strapless, spaghetti straps, etc. are no problem, but short sleeves make me look short, fat, and dumpy.

[Sand]

I cannot wear just a tank top since my BBs are so big :(

I'm right there with you. Nor can I wear the cute criss-cross tanks even if the straps are big enough for a bra...then you see the middle of my boulder holder. :mad:

[isign]

*drop waist & empire - both of them take away from my shape

*Round neck tops - adds 10lbs to my chin/neck. Vneck detracts from that
*Shorts - my rule is if the thighs touch to much, the shorts are out

*Skirts - just to or just below the knee - anything longer makes me look
short and fat

*The full skirts with the ruffles. They add weight. It has to be super flowy if it's full

*Shrugs - great way to emphasize the boobs & gut.

I do always wear heels, does great things for my legs :D

[KarenS]

Anything with ruffles.

Anything empire cut (I look pregnant, especially since I already have a tummy)

Right now I can't wear tank tops becuase for some reason clothing manufacturers think if you're a size 18, then your arms are 25" around ... they cut the armholes so big that I can't wear them in public because I'm exposed all the way to my waist and my boobs fall out the sides. :mad: It's one of my biggest clothing pet peeves.

Miniskirts - my thighs are too short and I just wind up looking dumpy

Karen

[Myra]

Shorts. I am much too pale to have my legs exposed.

[boilermaker]

I'm another who can't wear the empire tops/tunic type things. My boobs are big enough that they never come back in. Maybe I'll look ok in them when I am 7 months pg?

Anything high waisted. I have a big butt, small waist. So low rise fits me much better.

And I'm not a fan of button downs. Again, due to chest size, I have to use doubleside tape to keep them from gaping across my chest.

[silvergrey]

Jeans that fall more than about an inch below the bellybutton. I am apple shaped, so low jeans give me a beer belly. :o

[amorey]

I’m tall, and I think all mine relate to that:

-Any top or dress with a seam under the bust. I don’t have especially big boobs, but because I’m tall I have a longer clavicle area. :confused:

-Dresses. I wear a 12, but I’m not overweight, just tall and curvy. My waist is two sizes smaller than my hips and one size smaller than my shoulders. It’s not that I have big hips or a small waist. I’m the same proportion as a size 0, but size 12 s are cut with very different proportions because I guess they assume you’re overweight if you’re a 12. All dresses are way too big at the waist.

-Tailored clothes, for the same reason. I suppose I could buy them and have them altered.

[Daisy]

*Flare leg pants.

*Tops that are tight around the ribs - my rib cage is uneven so it looks werid.

[elladee]

Despite my giant ass, I also have a bony pelvis. I cannot for the life of me put on boyshort-style swimsuits without looking like I have a penis.

I have the penis problem, too. I can't wear lots of yoga type pants, boyshorts swimwear, some tight/pencil skirts...

[Aimee]

Straight-cut dresses. I've got scoliosis, which causes me to have an uneven waistline - my right hip sits about 1/2 inch higher than my left. Anything that's cut straight pulls badly.

I've also got a very short torso, in addition to the uneven waistline. So, anything that hits at the natural waistline is a big no-no for me.

[MSH]

Any kind of short pants : capris, gauchos, whatever. I'm just too short. They end up looking like my pants just shrunk and that my legs are elven-sized.
I can't wear these either, however it is because I am too tall and they just look like extra long shorts on me.

Also skirts which are more than an inch below the knee look silly on me. I probably could wear a mini skirt but you wouldn't catch me wearing one. I like being somewhat covered up.

[Asha]

Any top or dress with a seam under the bust. I don’t have especially big boobs, but because I’m tall I have a longer clavicle area.

i'm tall too, so i have this problem. that's why i usually can't wear empire waist shirts, bc the seam goes in the middle of my boobs rather than under them bc i have a long chest area bc of my height.

i will not wear strapless shirts bc i'm afraid of them falling down and always have to be tugging at it.

right now, i can't really wear low cut shirts or backless shirts bc ever since i went off bcp's i have breakouts on my back and chest.

shorts or skirts that are too short as i have bad cellulite despite being rather slender.

[fuzzy]

1) Strapless anything. I have a roll of fat that collects at my armpits and strapless tops accentuates it.

2) Skinny jeans.

3) Wrap dresses. I love them, but the discrepancy in size between my bottom and my top cause the fabric to lay funky.

[MrsD108]

I can't wear these either, however it is because I am too tall and they just look like extra long shorts on me.

Also skirts which are more than an inch below the knee look silly on me. I probably could wear a mini skirt but you wouldn't catch me wearing one. I like being somewhat covered up.

I am the same way. Skirts look awful on me unless they are form fitting and that makes me look like an old woman trying to look like a teenager

[Mrs. M.]

Anything with a seam under the bust. I am tall and my BBs are lower than on a shorter person, so the seam ends up cutting my BBs in half.

Shorts - I just hate the look.

Capris that hit mid-calf - they make my calves look huge.

[heather1029]

Most shirts! My waist is incredibly smaller and out of proportion with the rest of my body, so all shirts look baggy on me. I also have practially no torso (i'm all leg) so shirts must hang low on my hips to balance out the length of my legs. Ack, so annoying!

[Sophia]

Tapered leg pants/jeans. I'm short & have an ass. I don't need to look like an upside down triangle.

Anything oversized or baggy. Again, I'm very short & have a small frame, so it looks like stores don't carry things in my size.

[msnicolea]

Anything tapered or cut on the bias. I gots me some hips--no one needs to see that!

[rachrich]

as pp have stated, i can't wear spaghetti strap tanks due to being large chested. i don't have a HUGE chest (36C) but there's enough there that I need a lot of support, and i'm sorry but those stupid tanks with "built-in bras" or builtin support do NOTHING, i mean NOTHING for me. it sucks because i'd like to wear them in the summer.
i don't usually wear dress shoes with an ankle strap cause i think the strap makes my ankles look fatter. my ankles are average and i'm sure it's fine but maybe it's just my distorted look at things.
my torso is way short, but my legs are long so i enjoy wearing longer length shirts/tops otherwise i look like i'm all legs.

[la_bride_2004]

-shorts

-empire waisted tops or dresses

-shorts (just can't stand them)

-tapered pants/jeans

-pleated pants or skirts (so not good on an hourglass figure)

-olive, orange, or brown

-pure white shirts

-polo shirts

-khaki pants

-crew neck t-shirts

[2kCougar]

sheath dresses--the "waist" ends up around my ribcage and the "hips" are at the top of my pelvis

bias cut anything--not with my butt

earth tones and cream

any shortened pants--with a 33" inseam they just look stupid

shopping generally is awful b/c I'm typically a size 2, tall, and I have curves. If I can find small sizes, they usually aren't long enough or they are made for a board.

[Brandy]

I have athletic/fat thighs and because of this, I can't wear:

Bermuda shorts. It's just like BAM all thighs.
Gauchos, same thing.
Mini skirts.
Anything with pleats.
Pencil Skirts.
Wide Leg Pants. They make my bottom half look HUGE.

I think I'm the only person in love with empire waists! lol.

[pride&prejudice]

I'm broad shouldered, so I have a hard time with shirts because they never feel comfortable, especially button downs. Also I usually have to buy a size up and because of this they are baggy around the waist, and it doesn't look good.

** These jean skirts that are out now. My hips and runners thighs just don't go with them.

**I have to second the bra top shirts. I'm only a 36C but they just don't have support, and I think I'm getting a little old for the exposed bra strap look.

ETA:** And normal shirts that aren't cut long. I'm 5'9" and have a long torso, and some of these tops really don't go long enough. Plus I don't think I need to be exposing my midriff unless I'm on the beach.

[maplekitty]

- button-up dress shirts look horible on me. I have a very pronounced hourglass shape and they make me look too boxy

- most shorts....damn my hips :(

- "low-rise" pants

[DiscoDiva]

I'm broad shouldered, so I have a hard time with shirts because they never feel comfortable, especially button downs. Also I usually have to buy a size up and because of this they are baggy around the waist, and it doesn't look good.
This is me exactly!

[daydreamer]

Right now I can't wear tank tops becuase for some reason clothing manufacturers think if you're a size 18, then your arms are 25" around ... they cut the armholes so big that I can't wear them in public because I'm exposed all the way to my waist and my boobs fall out the sides. :mad: It's one of my biggest clothing pet peeves.
Karen

Oh, how I feel your pain

As for shirt collars - no,no. I only like crew necks. V-necks are not good if you're bending down all the time. I have a short neck.

I'm so short-waisted, pants are difficult to find

When I find stretch jeans that fit, the waistline stretches too so I'm forever pulling them up.

no beiges, tans or yellow --unless I want to appear "sick"

Empire waists - not attractive attention to my breasts - large full flabby breasts.

[Asha]

I'm broad shouldered, so I have a hard time with shirts because they never feel comfortable, especially button downs. Also I usually have to buy a size up and because of this they are baggy around the waist, and it doesn't look good.

most button down shirts don't fit me well either, but not for broad shoulder reason. the spaces between the buttons always gape. if i get a larger size wihout gapes, then the shirt is way too big in the sleeves and ab area. it's not that i am especially large chested, but its just the way those shirts end up fitting me.

[DiscoDiva]

Black tops - can't wear them anymore. I used to wear them all the time, but I just dyed my hair a very different color and I now look terrible in black! However, I look good in brown. And since brown is the new black, I'm okay! :p

[Etoile]

I loathe collars too. Also, crew necks look bad on me. I need either v-, scoop-, boat-, or square-necks.

Shorts or anything shorter than capris

Mid-length skirts

Any sleeves shorter than 3/4 length look pretty bad

Tapered or straight pants--I need wide-leg or boot-cut.

[greenbunny]

For those of you with the gapping button-downs problem, I often sew snaps at a few strategic places in between the buttons. Cheap and easy, and it doesn't show. The best way to do it is for the piece that will be on top, loop the thread through only the bottom layer of fabric so it won't show from above.

[sue-bert]

Trumpet-cut or other figure-hugging skirts:
In these, I look like a hippo (even though I'm reasonably petite) and I walk like Morticia Addams. Who needs 'em?

Tight ribbed tops:
Wide prominent ribcage + small chest = very weird appearance. I looked like a ribbed condom.

[nektarine]

I only like crew necks.

i'm the opposite! i'm small-chested + broad-shouldered so i tend to go for V-necks over crewnecks any day! the only crewnecks i will wear are form-fitting shirts, like vintage tees or slim-cut sweaters. a boxy crewneck sweater or t-shirt would look horrible!

also because of my shoulders i think i look funny in halter tops that have an X-like design near the clavicle area.

this style -->
http://www2.victoriassecret.com/images/prodpri/V235130.jpg

i *love* normal halter tops, but that particular style looks awful on me!

[LittleFredPunkinHead]

-Just about anything strapless. I have broad shoulders, and strapless tops and dresses make me look like a football player.

-Gaucho pants, capris- anything that stops around mid calf. I have short legs, and stuff like that makes them look even shorter.

[MelodySoul]

Gaucho pants! They look sickeningly awful on me. lol

[Rosebud]

Halter tops. I don't have good shoulders or defined arms. But I do have a large chest. Halters just make me look big all over and it's not cute.

[Scoutesina]

A couple PPs mentioned the shelf-bra camisoles not being supportive enough, so I thought I'd mention this. I noticed in the new J.Jill catalog they have a new cami with an underwire (http://www.jjill.com/shopJJillDetail.asp?AreaID=OL&ColorToUse=780&SizeID=1&txtProductID=622332&offerid=2U&seldept=11&EAquest=underwire+cami&srch=direct&EAST=keyword) built in that's sold in bra sizes (for B, C, or D cups). They're $10 more than their regular camis, but worth it to me. I need the extra support, plus those shelf-bra types sort of give me a weird uni-breast look, if that makes sense.

[emmasart]

** And normal shirts that aren't cut long. I'm 5'9" and have a long torso, and some of these tops really don't go long enough. Plus I don't think I need to be exposing my midriff unless I'm on the beach.

This is me exactly! I'm happy with the trend of super long shirts now, because they actually cover my belly button.

I cant wear low rise jeans because of my "birthing" hips. (much to the dismay of DH... :rolleyes:) My butt always feels like its showing and they always ride down so I'm constantly pulling them up.

I cant wear tapered pants because it makes my legs look like fat chicken drumsticks, even though my legs arn't fat.

Cream clothes are out because I have very pale skin.

On the upside I can rock almost any hat. :)

[rachrich]

Scoutesina- THANKS FOR THE INFO! i'm definitely going to check out the cami w/ underwire you mentioned. do you have one? i'd like to hear some good reviews from a few people before buying one for sure. just because of my bad experiences with the supposedly built in support.....i've become SO skeptical of such claims-because frankly they all claim they give good support....my ass they do. hahaha i'll stop griping. thanks again for the info. i trust that you're speaking truthfully about them! :)

[DiscoDiva]

Cutesy, thin-strap, one hook, demi cup, cutsey bras - I want bras with a wide band and good support!

[bubbles]

strappy tank tops because my boobs look way too big in them!

[cocopop]

Platform shoes. They seem to be the style lately, big wedgie heels with the toe part about an inch (or more!) off the ground. I have big feet and a shoe with that much heel looks ridiculous on me.

[Kanga]

I cannot for the life of me put on boyshort-style swimsuits without looking like I have a penis.

I looked like a ribbed condom.


ROFLMAO - You guys are cracking me up. Maybe you two should get together:p

[Heidi9771]

Skinny jeans. My hips are need to be balanced out with some sort of flare or bootcut style.

[flygirl]

Anything with a seam under the bust. I am tall and my BBs are lower than on a shorter person, so the seam ends up cutting my BBs in half.Major ditto. And cap sleaves.

I cannot for the life of me find a shirt that fits me these days. I'm smack in the middle of a small & a med, so even those that aren't empire don't fit. I have a large rib cage and small waist, including an inward curve in the back, so smalls are too tight across the chest & the lower half of my torso looks like it's swimming in mediums. You won't believe how much time I have spent shopping in vain over the last year!!!!

[Scoutesina]

Scoutesina- THANKS FOR THE INFO! i'm definitely going to check out the cami w/ underwire you mentioned. do you have one?
/hijack/ Woops, sorry, rachrich, I forgot to check back by here. I tried to order the J.Jill cami but most colors are on back order till mid August :( . Someone in the big bbs thread mentioned they have camis with built-in underwires at Norm Thompson (http://www.normthompson.com)though, and they go all the way up to DD cups...

[DiscoDiva]

And cap sleaves.
Yeah, what's up with cap sleeves? They hit at the fattest part of your arm, saying, "Look at what big, flabby arms I have!" How many people can really wear those?

[keska]

I can't wear jeans with stretch in them. I normally wear a size 4, but any jeans with stretch make me look like a sausage. I'm too hippy for pants like that.

[Secret_Squirrel]

Anything with an empire waist - Oh, that's a *great* idea! Let's just skim right over the narrowest part of my body and make me look like my shoulders and hips are joined! Not to mention, hello maternity-wear.

Pleats. As if these hips need to be filled out anymore.

High-waisted pants: I know I don't have much of a torso already. These make sure everyone else knows, too. And from the back, I'm all a**, like the Gobi Desert of a**, it just keeps going and going....

Pointy-toes shoes: Size 9's do not need a couple extra inches of unusable length.

Anything overly "poofy" or "ruffley". The little-girl look just does wear well on me.

[nicole]

I can't wear one-piece swimsuits, even the long waisted ones, because my waist is so long. That should be fun in a few years. :rolleyes:

[mayiko]

Major ditto. And cap sleaves.

I cannot for the life of me find a shirt that fits me these days. I'm smack in the middle of a small & a med, so even those that aren't empire don't fit. I have a large rib cage and small waist, including an inward curve in the back, so smalls are too tight across the chest & the lower half of my torso looks like it's swimming in mediums. You won't believe how much time I have spent shopping in vain over the last year!!!!


According to "What Not To Wear" you buy the shirt to fit the biggest part of your body then have the shirt altered to fit the rest of your body.

[pixiecat]

Here's a few that have been mentioned before:

flat shoes (WAY too short!)
pointy shoes (I already look like an elf, thanks!)
crew neck shirts

And here's a new one:
tucked in shirts - I love the look of a tailored shirt into a pencil or slim skirt but look *ridiculous* ! People in my office look good... I look bunchy and top-heavy.

[ysolde]

Pencil skirts. My hips are too broad an my waist too small. I need a modified A-line. And I love pencil skirts. Sigh.

Men's type button down shirts. My boobs are too big, and the buttons at the front always look like they are going to pop open, while the waist always looks huge and baggy.

Jeans. I always end up with this stupid gap in the back.

[MrsSmith]

I can't wear ankle pants. They don't look stylish on me, just too short.

I also can't do crew neck shirts. I have to do a v neck or something with some other variation to it.

Anything with space specifically designed for the boobs doesn't work for me. I have a very large chest and my boobs never fit in those areas.

[Tonysweetie]

Strapless/tube tops - I feel HUGE when I wear these. Although I own a few of them :rolleyes:

Those flowy shirts- They make me look fat and or pregnant

White spag. shirts- I just feel like I look like a marshmellow when I wear a white spag. shirt. I feel fat and ugly.

Super low rise jeans- I feel like my butt crack shows when I sit down. Yuck!