Fashion Help

[Guest Christina xxx]

Hey

My mum has taken me shopping a few times now and i am slowly building up my wardrobe finally but I am fairly new fashion and I don't know what goes with what and what colours go with each other. I have asked my mum but she is a tom boy and isn't really into fashion.

I would appreciate any advice x

[JJ]

Unless you work in an industry where particular fashion is important then fashion should be, and I think works bes,t as an expression of who you are and what you want to express to people. Do you like bright and bold and fun, or classic and traditional? Want to be cutting edge or mainstream? Are you serious or playful or want to change it up? Fashion is how a woman expresses all those things.

A good way to learn is to go online through all the fashion magazines and sites and see what resonates with you. You will also be picking up what looks good together almost by osmosis and if you watch the dates of the articles can get some great tips about what is current and what is passe.

But temper that by going to a local mall or park or both and looking at what other women are wearing. Who do you like and want to be like and who just feels wrong for you. Because fashion varies a lot by region as well and is never quite as sharp as the magazines. If you copy them you can end up looking overdone or out of place sometimes. Actually the ads on tv and the soaps are more accurate because they want the viewer to see themselves in the actors so dress them accordingly.

It takes time and every woman makes mistakes. That is what all the bulging closet and nothing to wear jokes are all about.

Most of all -have fun. When it is fun for you it will show and people will react more positively. Just not over the top. I think for trans people particularly over the top signals that the person is out of sync though there is nothing wrong with a girly accessory that says "I'm all girl". But a whole outfit that says it is a no-no and sends the opposite message.

[Guest Christina xxx]

Thanks for your advice jj

[Carolyn Marie]

Christina, when you're in the store, ask a sales clerk to help you. Give her a general idea of what you want (casual like jeans, a little more dressy, funky, etc,) and ask her to help you pick out a few combinations. Most people don't ask for advice, so I think a sales person would jump at the chance to show their stuff.

I tend to go for dressy casual, so jeans of different colors, slacks, with tops that look nice together work for me. But everyone is different, and of course there is always the need for one or two dressier outfits. Accessories are important, too. Scarfs, belts, and color coordinated costume jewelry really make an outfit.

I wish you success, hon. Shopping is fun!

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[Guest AshleighP]

Fashion is such a subjective thing. The rules seem to change frequently. There are always some basic necessities, such as jeans, comfortable tops, sweaters, etc. After that it's a matter of your personal taste, which you should learn to trust. Although we have all gotten something home, tried it on, and said "what was i thinking?". I remember one red dress in particular (shudder).

I am by no means a fashion expert. However, when my wife and I go shopping, she always asks my opinion on everything she wants to buy. Often i will pick things up in a store and she will ask "is that for you or me?" She seems to dress more conservatively than I do. I wear more skirts than she does. These areas are where personal taste comes in.

I agree that observation of how other women in your area dress and accessorize is one of the best ways to get a feel for what's acceptable and current in trends. Then of course you must personalize with things you like, the same as other women.

I get lots of ideas from looking at the sales fliers that come in the daily newspaper (I know that dates me because I still read a newspaper), but online research can be just as effective.

Experiment, but most of all Have Fun!

[tracy_j]

Good advice given above Christina.

Just a few notes -

It is good to research through magazines, web sites etc and also look around where you live to see what women wear. Do lots of window shopping and see what others are getting. Handle the clothes and see how they feel and fit.

One thing I have now got a bit of a feel for is combining clothing in layers. This sort of thing is not greatly used with males (unless Arctic explorer or similar extreme conditions?). I have not really done this before but it is more a female thing. I find the thin close fitting and overlapping female clothing is ideal for this approach. I really have noticed how cosier and warm I have been this winter compared with others when I was wearing more male clothing!

I suppose the main point about the previous paragraph is that an individual item may be good but is is less that great unless combined into a coherent outfit! This is the thing to learn.

Don't forget that while women want to look good most are more concerned with feeling good! Also as Carolyn said - shopping is fun - although being in the middle of sales when lots of women buyers are chasing bargains can seem daunting at first

Enjoy yourself

Tracy x

[Guest lostflower]

Hi Christine

I know how you feel I love my mum dearly but she has all the femininity of a bag full of hammers

So I've had to learn myself and the three most important things to remember are

1)Forget fashion it changes every other season, so use style instead it works forever.

2)This advice diguised as a joke, How do you find a transsexual in a room full of drag queens?.....She's the one wearing jeans and a t-shirt that looks like a woman

And most importantly

3)Act confidently even if you don't feel it fake it pretend you have absolutely no doubts that you look good that you are and dressing to make yourself happy with how you look is most important.

Certain labels are a good basic for a wardrobe like Levi Diesel Converse, Dr Marten, Jeffrey Campbell Superdry if you want to save a bit of cash buy cheaper generic versions (Diesel and Superdry are absolutely extortionate at full price so get lasts seasons off ebay or at TK Max and Superdry sizing runs really small so watch out for that) and don't forget to customise it to suit yourself guys walk around in off the rack clothes add scarves, badges, pins whatever, change the colours of shoe and bootlaces as above get two pairs of different colour Chucks and mismatch them the key is confidence.

But most importantly just act as if you'll get away with it and you probably will

The Monks of Cool referenced in the books Lords and Ladies and The Thief of Time by Sir Terry Pratchett

The Monks of Cool

The monastery of the Monks of Cool is found in a laid back valley in the lower Ramtop mountains. They are a reserved and secretive sect and believe that only through ultimate coolness can the universe be comprehended, that black goes with everything, and that chrome will never truly go out of style. To become a fully accepted Monk, a novice is given the following test. Several outfits are laid out in front of him and the tester asks, "Yo, my son, which of these outfits is the most stylish thing to wear?" The correct answer is "Hey, whatever I select".

Hugs

Hannah

[Guest Christina xxx]

Hi Christine

I know how you feel I love my mum dearly but she has all the femininity of a bag full of hammers

So I've had to learn myself and the three most important things to remember are

1)Forget fashion it changes every other season, so use style instead it works forever.

2)This advice diguised as a joke, How do you find a transsexual in a room full of drag queens?.....She's the one wearing jeans and a t-shirt that looks like a woman

And most importantly

3)Act confidently even if you don't feel it fake it pretend you have absolutely no doubts that you look good that you are and dressing to make yourself happy with how you look is most important.

Certain labels are a good basic for a wardrobe like Levi Diesel Converse, Dr Marten, Jeffrey Campbell Superdry if you want to save a bit of cash buy cheaper generic versions (Diesel and Superdry are absolutely extortionate at full price so get lasts seasons off ebay or at TK Max and Superdry sizing runs really small so watch out for that) and don't forget to customise it to suit yourself guys walk around in off the rack clothes add scarves, badges, pins whatever, change the colours of shoe and bootlaces as above get two pairs of different colour Chucks and mismatch them the key is confidence.

But most importantly just act as if you'll get away with it and you probably will

The Monks of Cool referenced in the books Lords and Ladies and The Thief of Time by Sir Terry Pratchett

The Monks of Cool

The monastery of the Monks of Cool is found in a laid back valley in the lower Ramtop mountains. They are a reserved and secretive sect and believe that only through ultimate coolness can the universe be comprehended, that black goes with everything, and that chrome will never truly go out of style. To become a fully accepted Monk, a novice is given the following test. Several outfits are laid out in front of him and the tester asks, "Yo, my son, which of these outfits is the most stylish thing to wear?" The correct answer is "Hey, whatever I select".

Hugs

Hannah

Thanks for the advice Hannah