Style Problem

[zoebird]

I'm struggling with my current style a lot lately.i could greatly use your help!

first, a bit about my style generally. When i consider myself (mind's eye), i think that i have a pretty classic style, with a european edge. i like basics--jeans, black pants, easy to wear skirts with sweater sets, fitted t-shirts, tank tops. i usually wear a demin jacket for three seasons, and i need a new winter coat and the like. For shoes, i like something funky and fun--i like high heels (but not necessarily too high) and boots--but not for everyday wear. for everyday wear, when i'm out walking for instance, i want something comfortable, low, and functional that is still cute (currently, iwear a cure pair of really fitted sporty looking shoes--but they don't go with everything!).

Now, if i worked in an office, i would dress rather fashionably all the time. i mean, i get the rules and such of "what not to wear" and what not, i can accessorize well. most of my clothes in this style i could wear from office to evening without any real struggle--just switch out the jewelry and handbag, perhaps the shoes, and i'm good to go.

but, i don't work in an office. I teach yoga throughout the week, do thai massages and private lessons. in between, i may run errands, get a bite to eat, meet up with friends, or whatever. And here's my problem:

I wear a lot of "sporty" clothes because of this. i'm not terribly fond of gym fashion, and i HATE wearing it to the grocery store or out to lunch. when i do, i feel frumpy and unattractive. It's fine in the gym or yoga studio where i demonstrate a lot and people want to see the alignment and so on, and i don't wear shoes while teaching, but i do have to wear shoes while out. i like quick slip-on/slip off shoes rather than something i have to tie and untie before and after class (sports shoes)--and nothing other than athletic shoes look good with athletic clothing.

I know that i could simply change after class into something else, but that's a lot of changing in one day. it would look like this:

get up, bathe, get yoga outfit on. teach class. change into another outfit. hang out for two hours. change to teach class. teach class. change back and hang out for a couple of hours. change to teach class, teach class. drive to next place and teach class. change clothes. hang out, change clothes for class, teach class, go home. If we go out, change clothes again. that's about 6 or 7 times a day changing outfits. bleh!

i greatly dislike sports suits (track suits) and those weird little hoodies and pants in sweat-suit material or valour. i know that paris hilton and such wears them, and i think she looks silly in them too--and besides, she's younger than i am anyway. someone has recommended wearing dance clothing--but you still look like you're working out, even though it's a lot more elegant than sports clothing.

So, what i'm looking for is something that i can teach in, wear out and not feel horrid, not wear sneakers with--basicly something that is both fashionable and functional that doesn't require me changing in and out of clothes all day long. I really dislike doing that.

I looked at the pants at Girl Skirt Mission (http://girlskirtmission.com) and thought that they might work.

But, i don't really know. i mean, they're not exactly "classic" in shape or style--as i usually am--and i don't want to look too hippy or frumpy if i'm with friends or family during the day. Would i be able to go shopping with my mother in this? would i be able to go out to lunch? i was thinking of pairing the pants with black or white tank tops, a "shrug" sweater (in black or white depending upon the tank) for in class if i'm cold, denim jacket for three season wear.

i don't know about shoes or a winter jacket that would work with it. I also like to show my shape (which is nice), so i don't want anything too boxy either.

do you think something like this would work? my make up, hair, and accessories are pretty basic. For make up, when/if i wear it, it's basicly lip and eye make up. hair is worn up or in a pony tail or braid most of the time. i tend to wear a watch, my wedding ring. my nose is pierced and i usually wear a simple "diamond" stud in it. i also wear earrings either a simple pair of silver hoops or some with "diamonds" in them. (you know they're CZ!).

i know what to wear on weekends, i'm cool with all of that. It's just i want something nice that i can work in AND wear out and not feel like a sporty mess!

So, what do you think of these pants, with basic tank tops and shrug sweaters? What shoes and jacket for my fourth season (winter)?

thanks for your help/ideas.

[xrodolfox]

I think instead of descriptions we need photos.

[zoebird]

yeah, i have no way of doing photos. but, there are pictures of me on the web site (ouryogastudio.com) to see my body type and what i currently wear to teach.

and the other web site has pictures of the pants in some people who are of similar body types.

i guess it's just:

can i wear these?
would they look good going out during the day?
what shoes can i wear with them?
what jacket?

do you think it'll work or will i look silly?

[Skylark]

The Girl Skirt Mission clothes looked fantastic! I'm all about it. My family and friends are accustomed to seeing me in hippie clothes, *gasp* even out in public. For someone who cares a lot about how she looks in individual situations, it might not be your best option.

[zoebird]

ok, so to clarify, you think that they look like 'hippie" clothes and wouldn't be in the right area?

[vegbunny83]

those pants and skirts are super-cute! i'd wear 'em out in public any day, but then again, i'm pretty casual/laid back and don't really care how i look most of the time.

i think they could work... they have interesting enough colors/prints to look stylish. i'm trying to visualize it by looking at the pics of the girls in the gallery 2 and 3 of the pants section... they might be a little more casual than you are looking for... but i'm not sure. the black and khaki colors almost look like dress pants, but more comfy. :)

[Jes]

Those pants are cool! Would you be into buying one pair and trying them out to see how you look and feel in them?

[SallyK]

Zoebird, I think our styles are similar - from your description. I TOTALLY know where you're coming from when you say you don't want to wear those sweat-suit thingies to the grocery store, etc because you feel frumpy. I'm the exact same way. I actually think my fashion paranoia prevents me from getting to the gym as often as I'd like just because changing more than two times in a day and packing the proper accessories requires way too much organization!
Anyway, I personally don't care for the pants you posted. I think they are much too hippy-ish for my look. I wish I had another suggestion for you, but I don't at the moment. Sorry I'm not much help!

[rainbowmoon]

I LOOVE those pants!! I am really into hippie/earthy styles, but I think they look great and are really cute.

[zoebird]

thanks, everyone.

so far, i'm trying one or two pairs (that i'll get for christmas). If nothing else, i know that i can practice in them. I also thought that if the trims are fancy enough, you could even wear them out to dinner with the right type of top (and i think i have the right kind of top).

i think what would make them look too "hippie" is if i wore them with loose fitting tops and "earthy" type shoes. but, i think that i can dress them up if i wear the right kinds of shoes, tops, and jewelry with them. i'm thinking of getting the black with colored trim ones to try at first. . .putting them with black or white tank tops (i found some with underwire bras inside!!!) and then shrugs in black/white. i don't know if i could get away with a poncho though.

i'm considering these types of shoes:

for a sort of sporty look, yet still put together: http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=335

for a more fancy look:
http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=127

perhaps these for something in between, though the detailing isn't quite right:
http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=258

and then for daily handbag, i like simple lines and small because i don't carry much:
http://www.alternativeoutfitters.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=69 though this one is bigger than i like to carry. . .and the "mock croc" ones are nice too.

i do have a black bag that is workable--like a large uhm, what's it. . . tote that can carry a lot. it smells funny though and is 4 years old, so it may need to be "retired" to being a swimming bag). but, i do need a small purse and a larger back for business stuff that doesn't looke like a breif case.

My sister mentioned something like "grace kelly meets yoga" or "audry hepburn meets yoga"--which i think is going to be interesting to try to pull off. I'm not sure if these pants are going to do it--but they might.

[Morticia]

You might try either title 9 sports (www.title9sports.com) or horny toad. (www.hornytoad.com). They both have some cross over clothes that can be athletic or every day. I've had good luck with them.

[zoebird]

thanks. :) i'll check them out.

[clumsy]

lululemon (http://www.lululemon.com/) makes yoga wear that is really popular here, lots of people buy it as streetwear. not sure if that would be too sporty for you.

[zoebird]

title 9, horney toad, and lulumon were all too sporty for me. the title nine casual were basicly loose cotton pants. tacky. the horney toad were outdoorsy-camp pants, also shapeless with elestic waistbands. also tacky. lulumon is yoga clothes. i already have this look and feel tacky in it.

perhaps i'm just being picky, but really, i can't handle things with elastic waistbands, tapered legs, or skin tight athletic/yoga clothes to wear "out." personally, i don't think they look "nice" on anyone. they have their place (in the gym, camping, working around the house or hanging out around the house), but they aren't shopping, fancy garden walking, museum hopping, out to lunch clothes.

i'm thinking that if the fabric is nice enough, and the trim is nice enough, i can wear it out in other locations. i'll see soon enough--otherwise it's back to the drawing board.

[mo' hop]

otherwise it's back to the drawing board.

Have you thought about designing something yourself? You could start with a favorite pair of pants, and have a seamstress sew up a copy in a yoga-friendly fabric. (Or if you know how to sew, make them yourself :) )

I ride my bike to work every day, and am too lazy to change clothes at the office, so I've ended up sewing a new wardrobe for myself over the past few years. As an architect I need to look creative and professional, but I also wanted some pants that can withstand 10 miles on a bike... The key is to get some fabric with stretch, that can be laundered often, and doesn't wrinkle too easily. I actually have one very simple pattern that I developed that I use over and over. I install an invisible zipper, which is very flexible / comfortable, and has a very 'finished', dressy look, and I put in darts at the top, so they are nice and form fitting. Then I just change out the details, like maybe a tuxedo strip down the side, or cuffs, or whatever. It's actually a super-fun hobby.

I could see you coming up with a new outfit, and then all your students will be like "I love your clothes, where'd you get them?" And you would be like "Oh, I designed them" and they'd be like "OOOH, I want some" and then you can have them contract sewn, and sell them, and start a whole revolution in yoga wear :D

[zoebird]

well, it's a long term goal. first, i don't know the first thing about designing anything. second, i don't think that i can afford to have multiple pairs of yoga pants (5-7 pairs) made at this time. it's a good idea that i'll look into, but i just don't know if it will work.

of course, i do know a few clothing designers (who make fetish wear) who may be able to help. . .

[cinthea]

bluecanoe.com
im not sure if this is what you're looking for, but they have some flare-leg pants and a few athletic tops that are nice (i like the wrap one).

what i would do is wear tight, flare or straight leg black pants (if polyester (did i spell that right?) doesn't breathe enough, try to find a sheer-ish cotton one, like the ones from bluecanoe) while teaching with a spaghetti strap tank-top. then you can just put a shirt on over tank top (like the wrap one, or a nicer dress shirt.. id go with the black pants (tan or white might work too)because they can be dressed up the most, and look the best in a stretchy, comfortable fabric) and change your shoes when you go out. then when you go back to class, you can just change your shoes and take the top off (or not, if it's something stretchy and comfy).

[zoebird]

the blue canoe pants look like athletic pants that i already own. while very helpful suggestions (because i haven't been everywhere on the net or whatever), they're still not in the right area.

you can't really "dress" athletic pants. They still have elastic waistbands; they still are cotton-stretch; they still cling to every curve (except where they flare), and they don't look right in a museum. trust me--i wear them day in and day out. I have many nice sweaters and tops that i can put over a tank (that's already the uniform: athletic pants and a tank top and then you put on slip on sneakers and a hip little "zen" top or sweater over the tank)--but you really can't wear those pants out to dinner for instance.

Seriously, your SO/BF/DH says "hey, i'm going to take you to the fanciest restaurant in X city for dinner on our anniversary." would you seriously consider putting on gym pants and a pair of heels, a "zen" top and a string of pearls and consider yourself appropriately attired for the occassion? I mean, seriously? in athletic pants? PLEASE don't tell me that you don't think about it and don't care how you look. I think we all recognize that going to an expensive restaurant and to a play or concert or museum in athletic pants is completely the wrong way to go.

i know that i'm talking about going to the store and running errands, but i also have business things to do (marketing and production is not easy to drum up, and i can't go to a meeting of investors in "dressed up" cotton-stretch athletic pants!). i think it's just so tough to find what i want.

i think, at this point, i'm just going to have to bite the bullet and put a suitcase in my trunk. In that suitcase, i'll put a pair of jeans and a denim skirt; a pair of black, lined trousers; a black, lined skirt; a fitted suit jacket; a pair of pumps, a pair of high heel boots (winter); necessary stockings for the shoes; bras and panties to go under the clothes; two dress shirts (two colors); a "silk" sweater; and then accessories--"pearl" necklace and earrings, scarves in various colors, three handbags (everyday, business, and dress), dress watch and everyday watch (usually worn during class). i should probably also toss in my other earings--variations on hoops and gemstones, and my favorite bracelets.

i really don't know if you can comprehend how truly frustrating this is. I love my job; i love the other aspects that my job brings me to (the marketing and production stuff, the public speaking, etc). But i don't love changing my clothes. I can't teach in a skirt; i can't give a speech on professionalism in athletic pants. I can't teach in a suit and pearls; i can't give an investment meeting in a "zen top" and sneakers.

so, it's hard to say. now that i see it, i know that i can't go to business meetings in the other pants, but i can do my errands in them without feeling tacky. i'll still need a suitcase.

[bumble]

Hey Zoebrid..

You seem quite conflicted.Probably becuase you need something super comfortable for your yoga-job in the day and your personal style for evening and lunches ect..
The pants you choose,are quite "yoga-hippy" in my oppionion,with the colorful shoes to match.
I am not sure you can get a happy-medium here.It is just too different ,distint,styles.
My suggestion:daytimes:sport-shoes/runners,yoga/jog pant that flares out..topped with a nice sweater and carry bag.
In the carry bag,you should have some heals,and a cute skirt to pair with sweater.

You are going to have to change.There seems to be no way around it.But having your top kind of classy,sweater,cute-top..to mix and match may help.That way you wont need a trunk full of stuff in your car.

Good luck!:)

[zoebird]

bumble:

i hate changing my clothes. lol

i already have a uniform for class that's pretty simple. i wear flared athletic pants, tanks, and sweaters (usually nice v-neck sweaters that i could wear with a suit or wear with jeans). i have a pair of sporty shoes that i wear around. Now, i switch into jeans or a denim skirt after class and i feel better going out like that. It's what i've done for the past 5 years anyway.

it's just that now i get to go from jeans to suits and hosery, and then to late evening stuff (like this friday i have a fancy party to go to that's for film people and investors and so it's cocktail party stuff)--but, before that i have lots of classes, errands, a business meeting, and then to the party. i need like, 9 different things! LOL

[Foxy]

With figures like you and I have (toned/busty/curvy/athletic) it's all about the sarong, IMO.

Even over a pair of Yoga pants, you can layer a sarong/wrap to look sexy and dressy, stylish and unique as needed... :trick:

[Qwerks]

Hey!


I have an idea!

[Foxy]

Hey!


I have an idea!


I sew them... :nana:

[zoebird]

well, i thought of that with the GSM skirts too. i think i'm going to try that, but i'd have to remove my flare-legged pants...

but, it would be good for everyday wear when i don't have business meetings.