changing up yr style and/or new look 4 u in 2012

I'm getting a bit bored after 10 years of having not-really-a-beard-but-still-a-beard. Thinking of shaving, though it will be a while before I muster the courage.

will you cut your hair? grow it?

big question, i'm thinning on top a lot, can't decide if it's worse lately due to (a)less talented hairdresser, total genius who used to cut it has quit the hairdressing game to make techno! lol east london. or (b)my attempt to try new products before deciding the stuff i buy in boots was better than all the premium shit.

been thinking about shaving it all short but i'm prob not there yet, just need a good hairdresser and prob to get it cut very often.

cultivate a dignified mustache/other facial hair configuration?

still rocking the beard and think it's here for the foreseeable. may experiment with shaving it off for a week or two but that'd be scary.

go more casual or more dressy at work?

my work is ultra casual and i want to be more dressy even when i am dressy. prob go more dressy but i've been working a lot on my casual being smarter, i've seldom had a problem with dressy but my casual clothes were too casual last few years.

slowly introduce suspenders into the equation?

slowly remove them.

look for some mutton sleeved shirts?

of course m'lady.

attempt to emulate a screen star from yesteryear?

attempt to emulate lane pryce/keith floyd/golfers of the 19th century.

step it up/down in a more general way?

step it up...i've been really stepping it up the last 6/7 months and people been commenting positively on stuff so i'm keen to continue. i've had a bit more cash lately to do this too.

stuff i want:

prob a more straight up pair of brogues, i wear these saddle shoes non stop https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/208155_507941556483_259200096_215893_4043228_n.jpg

but wouldn't mind a classic pair of brown grensons or whatever.

i want a suit as i'm normally blazer mixed and matched with trousers which is grand but nice to have suits for some more formal times, or just to wear anyway.

wool trousers or tweed trousers, got a really nice pair yday, i like quite skinny fitting style which can be hard to find with this sort of trouser. i am really into houndstooth and that kind of thing but again tough to find.

generally i want to travel a bit more for vintage stuff this year as obv london is full of it.

also want a new mac, something really classic that will last me a while, and since i've got some tax coming back in feb i might splash out for this, if i can get second hand i will though.

feel happier about my style than i ever have these days so bring on 2012...

omg i love those shoes

yesterday i bought my first piece of 2012 clothes. spent ages in topshit trying on different types of the same colour (a light brown chino) and it turns out a skinny fit worked best. who woulda funk it? also it was only when i went to pay did i find out they were at sale price, so yay for that too.

localgarda those are very nice shoes.

tall women who are not afraid to wear heels are amazing

I am 5'8" and in some heels I am 6'... and it feels SO POWERFUL

I guess wearing black and white is my new style jam? I will never shop at that black and white only shop, though.

omg that place is crazy! i was looking for a dress to wear to a friend's wedding at the lol mall and made the mistake of stepping into that store and the salespeople were like vultures! they swooped in and made me try on a million dresses and were like, "oh, girl"ing me the whole time like we were best friends in a romantic comedy and i was like what...is...happening. it was traumatic.

dresses! eShakti is my jam. The first one I got was ever so tight in the waist, so I ordered a size up for my Christmas gifts (gift card from husband) and these are all maybe a bit baggy. But not too bad. I need to get better about taking some pictures! I am thinking of taking these to a dry cleaner to get a bit tailored. But I adore the designs/patterns/LENGTH(!) - as I've mentioned before I'm 6'1" so most dresses and skirts are so short on me, but the last few I got were below my knee. Almost feels TOO long, but I think I have tall woman PTSD.

I am trying to buy things that aren't solid black with solid lines. One of the dresses has frills on it! It makes me feel incredibly 'womanly.'

I hope that these are not insanely huge. I will admit I am making no inroads here but I really like eShakti - doesn't feel too cheap, they seem to throw pockets in EVERY DRESS! - also, it seems they will add/remove sleeves, change hem and necklines, etc. I must get some measurements going so that I am armed for my next order!

http://www.eshakti.com/clothimages/CL0022351L.jpg
This was my first purchase, the one that fit a bit tight but not too bad at the waist. Shoulda trusted my size and stuck with it!

http://www.eshakti.com/clothimages/CL0021672L.jpg
bought this dude in red, my husband almost exploded with glee when he saw me in it.

http://www.eshakti.com/clothimages/CL0022893L.jpg
This one is SO big on me and that makes me sad because I adore it. Luckily, enough to get it tailored! I only paid $20 for this dress.

http://www.eshakti.com/clothimages/CL0022364L.jpg
this dress is all I ever wanted, and has things I have never owned before: chiffon top, frills, faux-wrap, green (husband once called me a Christmas tree when he was mad at me and I was wearing green.. I punished him good but can't shake the green & red = Christmas mental block)

I also bought two Modcloth dresses, one slightly too small, one too large :( The one that's a bit weirdly large is their 'Soda Fountain dress' which I coveted for years and was always sold out, but I found it on there, on sale to boot, in the perfect purple for my skin tone. Need to sort that out, make it fit me.

Here are two teeny-tiny images from the email because I can't be bothered to look on the site!
http://productshots3.modcloth.com/productshots/0092/2277/3cbe78e8650c9c11bb7a9bd114a23991.jpg
Teal is another risk, as is shoulderless and with a fancy little bow at the neck, but it absolutely does not work on me and as a result I am a little sad.
http://productshots0.modcloth.com/productshots/0022/4697/1f10797119529328b3db88ef51f3b285.jpg
Soda Fountain, you WILL be mine. Once I chop an inch or two off the sides and make your bust less weirdly baggy.

grrr, those are huge, and comically small. Balances each other out maybe? Also I am sorry, I should've taken this to the dress thread but I wanted to push eNShaktiBB

these are my every day/every way boots i mentioned upthread
they're the best
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6545139891_8eb54ba047_z.jpg

that crazy person is totally not me

Erica, indulge me, because i'm bored. do you like any of these skirts? less for buying purposes (none of them is on sale) and more for figuring out what kind of thing you're looking for.
http://g-lvl3.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/Medium/13/_6706913.jpg
http://images.asos.com/inv/media/8/5/5/8/1958558/black/image1l.jpg
http://g-lvl3.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/Medium/8/_6627128.jpg
http://g-lvl3.nordstromimage.com/imagegallery/store/product/Medium/15/_6706815.jpg
i know you said no pencil, re: the last one, but my cursory search revealed not that many fun skirts tbh. it also made me realize that i wear more dresses than skirts because i am lazy and a dress is a whole outfit! you're done!

eek that mint one is so short! i would never wear that with heels but that's me. and you were not asking me.

it is kind of short in the picture and would probably be short on E. ime skirts like that are much more reasonable on me. it looks like one i used to have, except mine was not diane von f and didn't have that slit. i think i was just yearning. feel free to disregard, Erica.

cosign on dresses being awesome because you don't have to think too much! except when it becomes winter in canada and you trade bare legs and arms for black tights and cardis because I am too dumb to accessorize

I would like to see E in
http://www.eshakti.com/clothimages/CL0018760L.jpg (http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.asp?catalog=Clothes&cate=dresses&productid=CL0018760&pcat=)

oh it's cute, i just could never wear it to work and i have tons of not-work cute things that i wear with sad infrequency.

the mint one looks like it requires a significant lack of ass.

Lots of well-tailored Lands' End skirts here!!

Laurel, they ship to Canada! I love you even more than before!

eshakti had this really amazing polka dotted dress that looked like something bette midler would wear in "big business" and now I see its GONE

I BLEW IT

I NEED this

http://www.eshakti.com/clothpdpage.asp?catalog=Clothes&cate=winter+savings&productid=CL0022701&pcat=

You know, I was one post away from saying that for straight or A-line skirts, if you want them to be fun, you need pleats or inverted pleats and buttons and buckles AND PIPING, ALWAYS PIPING. AND YOU BRING ME AN INVERTED PLEAT SKIRT WITH BUTTONS AND PIPING. You totally understand me.

Will you be my mommy?

Yes!!!!!!

Good, because my real mommy wouldn't let me own any black clothing, and I could use a re-do.

Erica would look very stunning in this color

http://images.asos.com/inv/media/9/0/8/1/1871809/red/image1xl.jpg

http://us.asos.com/Vero-Moda-Tea-Dress/x8vea/?iid=1871809&cid=5235&sh=0&pge=4&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Red&mporgp=L1Zlcm8tTW9kYS9WZXJvLU1vZGEtVGVhLURyZXNzL1Byb2Qv

Laurel can wear this to Brit Pop night

http://images.asos.com/inv/media/4/9/4/4/2054494/mustard/image1xl.jpg

http://us.asos.com/Glamorous/Glamorous-Colourblock-Tunic-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2054494&cid=5235&sh=0&pge=5&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=Mustard

as soon as I have money I am getting this skirt

http://images.asos.com/inv/media/4/1/5/6/1926514/creamblack/image1xl.jpg

OMG THIS IS SO HELPFUL!!!

1) Mandee re heels - I agree on the power thing but it's often really hard for me to get over feeling like a giant. I'm working on it.

2) HS I really like most of those but really can't do miniskirts that short. I have pretty long legs and skirts that short make me feel really exposed. Like too much leg! I like the first one a lot though from what I can see.

3)I LOVE LOVE LOVE the second two outfits Mandee posted. I think the red is adorable but am not sure about the fluttery sleeves. The color is great though. The color block dress for Larel's Brit Pop night is AMAZING and I am coveting the striped skirt. I would buy that color blocked dress right now but it looks like it barely covers the models ass which means it would prob be too short for me. I was sort of browsing some shops the other day and nearly everything I was drawn to was either striped or color blocked so those are right up my alley right now.

4) I do like that dress too Lex and could wear it to work. Hmmmm.

I am sick and this is fun. Thanks guys!

Man, I'm so difficult - sorry! lol Gonna go look at more Asos stuff now.

Erica, get that dress and wear leggings underneath it.

I just looked at the colorblock tunic dress again and I WANT IT but it says the model is 5'9" which is what I am and I know I'd never have the guts to wear it outside as a dress. I could maybe pair it with leggings and black flats/boots? Think leggings would feel more substantial than tights which would make me feel better about the length.

LOL x-post - great minds etc.

Dammit! I just grabbed my wallet and was about to order it and they're out of my size. BOOOOOOOOO.

You need to make an ASOS account and get your CC saved in there so you can make more impulse decisions

That's what I do!

In fact, sometimes I have my entire CART SAVED so that when I get paid I CAN JUST CLICK A BUTTON

no I do not have a shopping addiction...

(denial)

lol you're gonna be a bad influence here - I can just tell

My coworker has weekly F21 and Asos shipments, it's pretty amazing. Asos prices seem on average a bit high for my cheap ass, haha. :)

~ I guess I'm growing out my hair, although I was thinking today I would like to go back to the standard bob, but I'll give it some time and learn an updo or two.
~ I have a boots situation I need to sort out, somehow.
~ Otherwise, my style resolution is the same as it is every year: be more goth. At this rate of .02% increased gothness each year, I'll look like this when I reach 70:

http://30.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ky2b12qag51qanb21o1_400.jpg

I have two of the eShakti dresses linked in this thread.

ASOS raised its prices recently, I noticed :/ I just wait for the sales.... then pounce.

Join their mailing list, they post discount codes every so often.
Things I am totally wanting to DISAPPEAR this year are:

- dresses with side cut-outs
- mesh mesh mesh everywhere especially over cut-outs
- super short dresses like 90% of the ones on Modcloth or ASOS

Also please can someone deliver me the perfect pair of mary-janes that have a SMALL heel and aren't clumpy and have the strap relatively low down the foot and are comfortable for every day. Exactly like a pair I had ages ago but re-soled twice then chucked out thinking I could find a replacement nice and easily.

Lol, Laurel, buttons and piping are totally my 'thing' in that my o/h takes the piss out of me for my love of them.

OK so HELP!!

I have resolved to buy one of the following today. I don't give a damn if it's short - I will wear leggings. Anyway, I can't decide between the two. I love them both but think maybe I'd wear the first more? What say you ppl of ILS?

http://images.asos.com/inv/media/1/9/1/6/1806191/red/image1xl.jpg

http://images.asos.com/inv/media/5/1/1/9/1769115/grey/image1xl.jpg

I personally prefer the second, but they are both lovely and stylish. Laurel, horseshoe, or LL can probably give you actual reasons beyond personal preference to pick one or the other.

Good news. I'm already moving on the boot problem. I needed some snow boots that fit my poor beleaguered feet and didn't make me look like a total herb, so: http://www.zappos.com/propet-sturgis-black

i prefer the first because i think (1) the color will look great on you, and (2) the other one kinda gives me a headache, and it will have fewer re-wear opps because of that. plain red can be dressed up or down, put some sleeves under it, a cardigan over it, let yr tights shine (if you feel bold) w/e

the second dress might wind up wearing you

those are sweet boots jenny

I'm in the red camp too, and haven't you said you wear/have a lot of black? I think that red dress is just darling and stunning and a bit more memorable/unique than the b&w. Though don't think I don't like the b&w! I do!

i think the red dress would be more of a go-to dress when wanting to feel both cute and a bit dressed up to go anywhere. and the second one, despite its conservative cut up top, seems like a fun dress for going out, dancing, etc. just depends on what you need! i would go for the red but don't dislike the b&w.

i wonder if we have the same body type, e? because both those would, in theory, also look good on my long-torso-ed, high/short-waisted, broad shouldered/chested, long-legged body. i bought a dark grey-blue dress the other day with similar lines, but it's jersey cotton and has a v-neck - cuteness :)

Everyone otm!

I try hard to love my body but you broad-shouldered and long-legged people are on thin ice--if I hear any complaints about how nothing fits you I will strike and strike hard.

Signed, you friend the slump-shouldered squeezy armful.

Please buy the red dress so I can wear it vicariously because there is no universe in which it would fit over my thighs.