On Not Being Fancy
I love looking at beautiful clothes as much as the next person. I love to look at bloggers like Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific in their extravagant outfits…and sometimes I dream of a life in which I actually dressed in beautiful clothes as a matter of course. And certainly, as a style blog, Fashion Schlub might get more interest if it offered up more trendy, interesting, provocative looks.
BUT.
That’s not really me. I’m a normal person, with a normal life. I love comfort, ease, simplicity…did I say comfort?? Comfort is really high on my list. Comfort wins out over fancy any day. But I still want to look good!
And I think the vast majority of people are in the same boat as me. The challenge is to find “comfortable” that also looks neat and pulled together. I know many bloggers who do this so well – just take a look at my favorite bloggers list on the right-hand side of the page.
Some tips I’ve learned on how to build a wardrobe that allows you to be comfortable but also look good are:
- Stick mostly to basics. Tried and true, timeless pieces like tees, figure-flattering jeans or slacks, button-down shirts, simple cardigans, blazers and dresses. Throw in a trendy piece now and then to jazz up the foundation pieces, but try to avoid building your wardrobe on just trendy items.
- Fit is so important. The most basic…or most expensive…item can look schlubby if the fit is poor. This can be particularly challenging for people who wear sizes outside the commercial norm. Tailoring is an option, but it does add to the price of the garment. I know, personally, fit is one of the most challenging things for me about trying to look “nice.” When an item is big enough to fit around my hips/butt/tummy, then it’s too big in the neck and shoulders or the leg. But I keep it in mind, always, to spend the time searching for as good a fit as I can find.
- I’m laughing as I write this one, because it’s very “do as I say, not as I do,” and that is – keep your accessories in good condition. When your shoes get worn out and dirty, it’s time to replace them. The same with bags. The condition of these two items can bring down your whole look. I know, I know, I’ve been wearing the same pair of sneakers for like three years! And they look it! I actually have a new pair shipping to me as I write this, so…
- Have an outfit formula that works for you. Jeans, tee, cardigan. Dress, cardigan. Slacks, button down, blazer. Leggings, tunic. Jeans, loafers, turtleneck. Etc. Make it easy on yourself – pick a formula or two that works well with your body type, that you’re comfortable in, and just pick multiple colors and prints in those items. Then mix and match. It doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.
You don’t have to wear a pink tulle skirt with a leopard cardigan and metallic ballet flats to be stylish (although that does sound daring). Fortunately, these days, almost anything goes. You can look effortless and modern and be comfortable!
What I’m Wearing
- Daily Ritual Women’s Plus Size Jersey Short-Sleeve Scoop Neck Swing T-Shirt, 4x
- Old Navy mushroom cardigan, size 2x. Sold out. Comparable here.
- Gloria Vanderbilt Amanda Classic Tapered jeans, W22 short.
Photos by me and Tri.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and/or buy something as a result of clicking that link.
jodie filogomo
It’s true, that fit makes a world of difference. And I’m super lucky that my mom has taught me some of the basics of alterations (although YouTube has taught me much too). I know it can be extra time and money, but I think it’s amazing that we expect such good fit from ready made items. Although spandex does help, LOL!!
Now I blame my upbringing, but I always love fancy. The only time I don’t have on accessories is going to the gym. Otherwise, I love putting on the extras.
BUT…that’s the best thing about fashion and style. We should all be different! It’d be so boring if we all dressed alike (can you say Stepford Wives).
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
bettyewp
You’re so right, “ready to wear” is a relatively new concept (given how long we’ve been wearing clothes!), and yes, it is sort of ludicrous to expect off-the-rack garments to fit us like a glove…and yet we kind of do. EVERYONE is a different shape/proportion, even within similar sizing. And it’s a shame that good tailoring is so expensive, and in addition to that, sometimes it can be hard to explain to a tailor what it is you even WANT! Like, at my size, I can never find cute, tapered, cropped pants/jeans. The size has to be large enough to fit my hips/butt/stomach, but then the legs are proportionately large…and I get saggy knees and too wide ankles. Just shortening them is not enough, the circumference is too large…and try explaining that to someone whose first language is something other than english and who is not looking at the fashion blogs to even be familiar with what I’m talking about, or they’re old men who Just Don’t Get It. It just always seems too risky to spend additional $$ on a new item to maybe have it ruined. Ugh. I keep telling myself to practice doing simple dress hemming, I’m sure I can manage that, as I’m sloppy and they’ll probably end up crooked. I’m not good at things that require precision with my hands. Ugh. I feel a rant coming on! Ha.
And I’m So Glad everyone likes different things! I certainly wasn’t expecting everyone to follow my “how to be not fancy” rules, just the ones who want to 🙂 I’m glad there are Jodies and Blaire Eadies in the world!
Marceline S Miller
I appreciate you and your blog for being REAL. Sure, I sometimes enjoy blogs showcasing the fanciest of the fancy, but the ones I return to and read regularly feature accessible (read affordable and versatile) clothes. THANK YOU! I’ve only recently found you, but would definitely miss you if you stopped writing!
bettyewp
Thanks, Marceline. That’s why I wrote it. I know sometimes *I* feel a little bad that I don’t “dress more,” especially for the blog. But, I really shouldn’t. Casual/low-key, whatever you want to call it, is a valid style. But I know for myself it can be easy to lapse a little far over the line and end up looking sloppy. And I’m DEFINITELY trying to avoid that!
And what a nice thing to say, but believe me, I’m not going anywhere! Y’all are stuck with me 🙂
Daenel T.
I agree with Marceline. My life {like yours} is all about “real” and “comfort.” And I try to showcase looks that I really do wear. Honestly, I’d thought about sharing where I wear my outfits, just so people know I’m not just putting something on for the photos {not that my looks are all that fancy or anything}…
bettyewp
That was my initial goal for the blog, to show my real life clothes…while I’m doing “real life.” But it has been hard to get that photographed. I can’t very well set up the tripod in the middle of the grocery store 🙂 But I do wear everything I show on the blog in real life, even if not on the day I photograph it.
And your outfits may not be “fancy,” but they’re always interesting and clearly well thought out!
Iris
Those are some really good tips – I just need to save them and abide by them. I have a closet full of clothes (not necessarily things that match very well, but….) and I always have difficulty deciding what to wear and what to put with what. It shouldn’t be that difficult. Thanks for the ideas!
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
bettyewp
Well, everytime I’ve seen a picture of you, you always look very nice, so I think you’re better at this than you think 🙂
Chris
You’re so right that comfort is important. Nobody has time to fuss over their clothes when they are going about the business of day to day life! Uncomfortable would be at top of the nuisance list! I admit to being in the more “fancy” school of dressing because I adore color and accessories and getting dressed is the creative part of my day, but I love bloggers who show off dressing for their real life and unique personality.
bettyewp
The perfect outfit for me is one that has just the right blend of comfort & creative…and with that, “me? try? nah” vibe.