How to buy nice dresses when you have no fashion sense?
By cheerfulnuts
@cheerfulnuts (604)
Philippines
August 2, 2012 9:25pm CST
My mom is going to a party that requires her to wear a semi-formal attire. She heard that a lot of important people would be present, so she panicked because she had nothing nice enough to wear. She didn't know anything about fashion (she could wear mismatched clothes and had no idea how bad she looked LOL). I think I got her genes, because I know nothing about fashion too. Anyway, we went to the mall to help her find a nice dress. With the entire family's help (that includes my dad), we got a nice dress for her, which was fortunately at 50% discount. It was still expensive though because of the brand.
Every time I go to a party, I would wear my one and only skirt and pair it with a nice blouse. I only have one dress and it looks a bit casual. Even my skirt doesn't look very formal. I find myself wearing the same outfit to parties. I really get stressed every time we receive invitation to parties. I'm thinking of buying a few dresses for myself but I really find dresses too expensive. I know that there are lots of dresses at 168 Mall, but since I'm not good at shopping or fashion, I'm scared of ending up with cheap-looking dresses. I'm also petite and skinny. It's tough to find something that fit me properly.
Do you have any suggestions how to choose dresses? Or do you know any store that sells nice dresses for petite women? My sister told me that since we're not young forever, I should enjoy myself and start wearing nice clothes. I want to enjoy myself but in an inexpensive way. I see lots of girls wearing dresses in the malls. I envy them because they look really good and I'm just wearing average-looking outfits all the time.
1 person likes this
9 responses
@Loisekatee (40)
• Philippines
15 Sep 12
You just have to posses the basic things, A white polo shirt paired with black mini skirt and a colorful blazer would be a minimalist's style but you can glam up your outfit by using a formal bag that is stylish and sick a stunning pair of shoes.You don't really have to define your fashion sense, all you have to do is look for the right length of skirt that will match the shape of your legs (if you are petite choose something above the knee so it elongates your legs. the blazers's length should not exceed below the hip line to make an illusion that you look taller than usual. I advise you to wear high heels (that's if you are comfortable). Look for pieces that will flaunt your assets. Make it simple but classy.
1 person likes this
@girl_thinking (1959)
• Philippines
3 Aug 12
Hi cheerfulnuts! I always flip through magazines to get fashion inspiration. I also love watching chick flicks, notice how pretty the dresses are! When I first started wearing dresses, what I considered the most is the fit. It had to have the exact fit and the garment should fall on the exact areas of your body. That will help you carry the dress comfortably and of course when you are comfortable, your confidence will shine throuh which will make you feel good about yourself.
Search the net with keywords 'fashion blogs' and you will get inspirations everywhere. As for buying, it is fine to buy inexpensive dresses but make sure the fabric is reliable. Most inexpensive dresses are made out of cheap fabrics thus they easily tear or fade. Do not be afraid of colors, mix your outfit with nice elegant looking accessories which of course doesn't have to put a hole in your wallet.
Do not be afraid to try new things. At first it will make you feel self concious but you will definitely get used to it. It is one of the perks of being a girl, being able to feel excited about clothings and making ourselves pretty! 
Tip: it is okay to splurge on things we know we will be using for a long time like our wardrobe basics. 
Have fun!
Search the net with keywords 'fashion blogs' and you will get inspirations everywhere. As for buying, it is fine to buy inexpensive dresses but make sure the fabric is reliable. Most inexpensive dresses are made out of cheap fabrics thus they easily tear or fade. Do not be afraid of colors, mix your outfit with nice elegant looking accessories which of course doesn't have to put a hole in your wallet.
Do not be afraid to try new things. At first it will make you feel self concious but you will definitely get used to it. It is one of the perks of being a girl, being able to feel excited about clothings and making ourselves pretty!
Tip: it is okay to splurge on things we know we will be using for a long time like our wardrobe basics.
Have fun!
@nikkinathalie (98)
• Philippines
3 Aug 12
It's best to ask your group of friends and flipping thru magazines. Also consider if your comfortable with what you will wear, because even though you are following the latest fashion but you are not comfortable with it, you'll only look funny. And also consider your budget, don't push yourself to follow the trend if it compromise you other needs at home such as food and savings.
@cheerfulnuts (604)
• Philippines
12 Aug 12
Hi nikkiathalie. Most of my friends don't care about fashion, so I have no one to ask to except my family members who are as clueless as I am LOL. I always consider the price tag when I go shopping. Sometimes, it made my parents mad because they think I'm too stingy.:P But lately, I've just realized that sometimes, I have to buy nice things for myself too. I agree that I shouldn't push myself to follow the trend. Good thing I don't really care about the latest trends. I just want to have nice clothes.:)
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
3 Aug 12
Fashion doesn't necessarily mean wearing all those fancy dresses that probably won't even look good on you. You have to consider your body type, size and your personality in choosing your clothes. You have to be able to fit in not just in size but in the overall style of the dress you choose to wear.
There are many dresses available nowadays, with designs or styles that could fit any type of personality, age or size. If you're still not sure, just try on a few pieces and choose the best where you're comfortable in.
I, too, only got comfortable wearing dresses when I got married. I was always a jeans and shirt girl, but now I feel good wearing dresses. One thing is because we have our own car, and I don't have to get on a public transportation to go to my destination. I find it inconvenient to be wearing a dress in a bus or jeepney(common in the philippines).
@cheerfulnuts (604)
• Philippines
3 Aug 12
Hi jureathome. I agree that wearing fancy dresses doesn't necessarily make the wearer fashionable. It's just that dresses is something I lack in my wardrobe. I also think that women look nice in them. I'm so tired of looking so average all the time and I just want to doll up myself sometimes especially in parties.
It's nice that you can wear dresses now. We do have a car, but since my work is just a few minutes away from home, I just walk most of the time. There's no dress code at work so I just wear shirt and jeans.
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
3 Aug 12
Just have 2 to 3 pieces of dresses in your closet that you can wear to a party or just on any day you feel like it. It does make us feel good about our womanhood. It makes us feel more beautiful.
@Raine38 (12250)
• United States
3 Aug 12
I always think, personally that is, that it is always much better to be under dressed than be over dressed. Why? Being under dressed is easily fixable. Just putting on the right accessories or jewelry will give your simple dress a dramatic flair. While being over dressed is something that can be fixed by only one thing: lose the dress! :)
Build up your style slowly. Identify your problem areas and highlight those assets. For example if you have a thick mid-rib, opt for empire cut dresses or asymmetrical dress patterns so you will not attract attention to your middle.
But for starters, find a little black dress and a little white dress. This is the basic, and you can never go wrong with black and white. Then add accessories to liven it up depending on the occasion. Think of the black or white dress as a plain canvass. And your jewelries or accessories as the paint. Try on different looks just by switching accessories without changing your dress. You said you're petite and skinny, then those cute little accessories will fit you very well. Just don't put on too much. =)
@cheerfulnuts (604)
• Philippines
12 Aug 12
I like your suggestions Raine38.:) I like red, the color kind of suits me. I will start keeping my eye on sales. I do go to Forever21 and H&M, but have never really paid much attention to their accessories. I used to think their accessories are too bold and would look funny on me. I had a middle-aged officemate who wore a huge necklace one day. Most of my colleagues made fun of her because it didn't look good on her. I think that incident made me a bit more fearful to try wearing something different LOL. I guess I lack imagination because I can't picture myself unless I try them on WITH a dress. There's so much to learn.
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
3 Aug 12
I should say: we have a lot in common. I always wear common clothes, though I really think people who wear fashionable clothes look beautiful. I like buying clothes on the internet, sometimes I buy the clothes most people buy.
@cheerfulnuts (604)
• Philippines
12 Aug 12
Hi caopaopao. I'm too scared to buy clothes online. I always have to try clothes on before buying them.. I saw lots of nice clothes at the mall and thought they would look good on me, only to find out that I looked funny after trying them on LOL. Whew! Good thing I had tried them on!
@autumndreamer (3185)
• Philippines
10 Aug 12
If you're not confident with your fashion sense, maybe you can bring a trusted friend with you whenever you go shopping. That friend must be someone whom you think dresses nicely and trendy.
@shahbazkharadi (81)
• Pakistan
4 Aug 12
hi there cheerfulnuts,just take a friend of your who loves shopping ,and has a sense of fashions as yours ,take here with you and she will help you a lot,and dont think you look average wearing average clothes ,because looking simple doesnt means you are not looking good ,but the clothes must be neat that way youll look gud in anything if it is neat but simple and dont wear clothes because it is in fashion these days wear the clothes in which you feel you are comfortable
@chicko (86)
• India
3 Aug 12
1. be a good observer and learn from other fashionable people
2. it is not necessary that a fashionable dress has to be expensive
3. you can mix and match to create more outfits
4. you can also change accessories and hairstyles giving it a totally different look
5. be confident and carry your attitude
6. there is no use if you look fashionable but cant carry it off
7. you don't need loads, just 2-3 pairs are enough (dont tell me u go for parties every other day)
8. and stop envying all other girls. who knows they may be envying you for your simplicity!
