Clothing help
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| Thu, 08-23-2007 - 11:50am |
I am going to sound rather juvenile in this post and I know it and so be it.
I have a coworker that I've worked along side for 3.5 years now, we are about the same height and up until about 8 months ago she was about 50 pounds heavier than me so this wasn't an issue.
Now we are about 10 pounds within each other and we seem to be dressing the same all the time. I've not changed the way I dress - she's lost weight and the way she dresses seems to have morphed very similar to the way I dress.
Again, juvenile but I'm willing to accept I sound as such - I don't like it. She knew I use to shop at Kohls quite a bit - she started shopping there... I got online and tried to shop a different "brand" than I'm use to - I bought a couple things from Eddie Bauer (not normally the type of clothing I'd buy - alittle pricey for my taste but I really like the items and see the benefit of paying alittle more for my clothes after doing so) She commented that she liked the items and now... lo and behold she's ordered a couple "similar" items (the wrap look).
Anyway my point is... I'm flattered that she likes my style (even though most would stay I have no style) but we work 5 feet from each other and I'm tired of looking like twinkies. I love wearing black but she's taken to wearing black so now odds are we will be dressed fairly similar 3 of the 5 days out of the week!
Please give me some ideas of new places to shop (RL or online), ideas of different styles or anything you can think of!!! I intend to not tell where I got things moving forward! Thanks in advance! :)
Edited 8/23/2007 11:55 am ET by luvmansbestfriend

First, imitation is the highest form of flattery. She also might not be used to being a smaller size, and she's using you as a good example of what looks good on her new frame. She might develop her own style as she gets more comfortable with shopping for her new body. I wouldn't be offended - take it as a compliment. :)
Also, trends are trends. Sometimes we look like our coworkers because that's what the store happens to be selling that season. Almost all my coworkers shop Ann Taylor Loft - I've stopped shopping there because I don't want the same skirt as 12 other women in my office.
I think it's cool, though, that you'd like to spice up your own style so you don't look so matchy-matchy with her. I have several unique items that I love to wear simply *because* nobody else is wearing them (well, and they look good on me and reflect my personality). Believe it or not, Forever 21 has been the source of many of those gems for me. (Yes, I'm 32 and shop there -- but I avoid the overtly teeny-bopper items). I also have a few vintage pieces that I mix in with other items - very fun, and nobody is going to find those same pieces. (I get those at antique stores).
I'd say just step into a store you've never shopped before and see what catches your eye. Maybe it's even just some fun, new accessories to jazz up an old outfit. This might be the beginning of a new style for you - which could be fun. Enjoy it. :)
AJ, enjoying life with C.
The only thing I can think of (that she won't copy) is ebay....it sounds silly, but you can find some pretty decent/good stuff on there.
I can see how having a style twin (I love the Twinkie comment) would get a little irritating...but there's always the cliche, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." :)
Tallgirl's post also reminded me (because they often feature really cool/cheap/different Forever 21 items), you should check out Lucky magazine if you haven't....they have both cheap and expensive (and in between) clothes, some from random places or designers. I've been addicted to it since the first issue. :)
Edited 8/23/2007 12:14 pm ET by cml7721
Thanks girls! Good ideas!
The problem for me is I'm not your average girly-girl who loves to shop. I do it out of necessity and PRAY I find some things I like so being forced to go out and discover a new style is slightly daunting for me - but I'll muddle through! :)
Thanks again for the suggestions! :)
Hey, at least you know you dress well that way, right?
Try J Jill, better if there is a store in your area and try the things on in person. Also they have a website. Sundance Catalog has clothes, pricey, but I get their things on sale. then the occasional marked down but good things I find at Banana Republic. And don't tell her where you got them.! Say "oh, this is old, haven't worn it in years..."
:)
JCPenney is a stand by for me. They have great prices and great sales.
I'm not big on having to tell people "Oh, I got it at Neiman Marcus." :) I shop TJ Maxx, Ross, etc. I rarely tell people where I buy things, and the ones from those stores get tons of compliments. The only thing with those places is that it does take some digging to find something good.
To me, the best outfits look good, feel good and don't make you feel guilty about the money. I will never pay $800 for a pair of shoes, for example (from our other thread).
Oh, and I also hate to shop. I'm lucky that I work downtown, so I can step into a shop over lunch and not waste a whole day at the mall.
AJ, enjoying life with C.