I don't know if this has been mentioned or not, but one rule I wish everyone would follow is this: Just because it comes in or is made in your size, that does NOT mean you should actually wear it. Seriously.

Someone brought up dressing for formals earlier. Frankly I believe once you hit about 21 you should own a simple black dress that can be dressed up or down according to accessories.

Wear it with black hose and black simple pumps and you are ALWAYS in fashion.

Same with black dress pants and a nice white dress blouse. You can wear this to almost anything and unless it is black tie look great.

This is where I disagree. I refuse to wear a black dress, have never owned one, and never intend to. There are ways of wearing a non-black dress to a formal event without looking like a Vegas showgirl or a $5 hooker.

I agree Jadis. I attend a lot of formal affairs through work, and a black dress is an essential part of my wardrobe. Always classy, always tasteful. You can dress it up or down with jewelry and purses.

I wish, but she took a picture with a camera phone and it was definitely the slutty version.

And I own all of those items :)

Okay, and what's your point? It doesn't make you a good dresser.

Agreed. I don't think Scandia should be allowed to post in this thread anymore.

Or any thread relating to SEC Rush.:mad:

After reading comments like this, I have to wonder why you feel the need to constantly make an attempt to impress everybody here.

Honestly, it just seems like you're trying too hard. The fact that it's this obvious is quite tragic, really.

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

I've seen schoolgirl-esque skirts and dresses (i.e. plaid) around in stores in past seasons...YUCK! Seriously, tartan should not be worn after a certain age, unless it's part of your culture and for ceremonial purposes.

I would agree, with the caveat that they be GOOD QUALITY pieces that are in a flattering cut to your body. Any old boxy dress in black is not necessarily flattering.

Hmmm... one could argue they're worn for the ceremonial purpose of pre-mating rituals at the local watering hole... LOL...

Do NOT wear hot pink underwear under white pants. Ever.

or any color other than nude

Yes. Would would think that this wouldn't even need to be said. However, a secretary at the hospital clearly didn't get that memo.

Please for the love of GOD tell me that at least it wasn't a thong.

It wasn't. It was a pair of hot pink panties one size too small under a pair of white pants that were too tight in the rear. Oh and this woman was walking in front of me. Now you get why I want to drown myself in my iced coffee?

Re the formal wear - something I hate to see is a black gown that isn't straight (i.e. has a crinoline). It reminds me of Scarlett O'Hara in mourning.

http://shoemall.com/assets/product_images/614073L.jpg
Nuff said.

little red x!

hmm that's weird, it shows up on my computer

Croc oxfords??

Boat shoes actually.

Those Croc boat shoes are wrong on so many levels -- and I'm not even going to hate on the regular Crocs. These, though, are unacceptable.

I'm also going to disagree with the black hose thing -- I think they're gross.

We shall hence call them Croxfords.

I agree 100%. Colored "tights" work up to a certain age for a young woman and a certain type of style on a young woman, but black or colored hose is just wrong on anyone!

ETA: Black dress pants and a white button down shirt should be paired with some dramatic silk scarf, belt or necklace... unless you want people to tap you on the shoulder and tell you, "Ma'am, we're ready to order."

I'm going to agree about disagreeing on the black hose.

The thick ones make you look like your wearing leggings. The thin ones are usually TOO sheer and make your legs look a weird color. No one has jet black legs. Stick to skin tone, or a shade or two darker. (And if your skin glows under a black light, don't wear tan hose....you'll look ridiculous.)

Ha!

I had a high school math teacher who wore blue underwear under yellow pants. Talk about knowing things we really didn't care to know about our teacher!

Maybe she wanted to teach you an art lesson: blue + yellow=green! :D

So heres my question.

For those of us born without an innate fasion sense, myself included, how are we supposed to know that the stores are wrong and crazy when they try sell us things like leggings and a miniskirt? I think it would look bad on me, but in the magazines, it's kinda cute. But how do I know it's a fashion no-no when so many say it's a fasion yes?

Also, my friends and I agreed that our fashion don't are the camis that have the "waist" right under your boobs. They make the skinniest girl in the world look like she's hiding a pregnancy.

Because after a certain age, you know what is age-appropriate. Unless your name is Mariah Carey...

When in doubt, err on the conservative. You've also been around long enough to know that fad clothing isn't worth the investment. Keep a wardrobe of classic staples and add a fun piece or two so you can experiment with the wacky fashion suggestions thrown off the runway.

And note: if you feel funny coming out of the dressing room to peek at yourself in the mirror, then chances are the look doesn't work for you! :)

Also, does it look good on YOU? You can get away with things that aren't high fashion do's, as long as it fits YOUR shape.

I really like the croxfords...to wear on our boat.

Black hose are very much in style this fall... along with black leggings and opague tights.

Black is very slimming, and worn with a black dress.. gives your leg a long, lean look. I like it.

Here is what Donna Karan is showing in the new Neiman Marcus catalog:
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/ca...verride=&sort=

and Valentino:

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/ca...t000009&cmCat=

and Akris Punto

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/ca...=2&size=&sort=

If your 11 year old cousin and her friends would wear it, or if they sell a look just like in Limited Too, then you should not be wearing it.

please tell me you're joking

She just wanted to use "croxfords" in a sentence. It'll be ok. :p

Oh thank you. My heart nearly skipped a beat when I read that.