Hey everyone! Sorry I was MIA on Wednesday. I was writing this post but feeling too rushed to do it justice so I took my time and did it right. Enjoy!
So, I’ve been doing a lot of online shopping this fall and have noticed some cheats I use to see if the item will actually fit and look good on my apple shape. If you are just getting started on discovering your style again I do not recommend online shopping. It’s too discouraging to order 5 things and then send all 5 back. But, once you start figuring out the brands that fit you and start recognizing the cuts and fabrics that work for your shape, you will have more success, not 100%, but I’d say 50%. I’ll take those odds!
First, and funnest, is look for items that look terrible on the model! Yes, I said it! If you have an apple shape like me then we have the opposite shape of the model and if it doesn’t look good on her then the chances are better that it will look good on you. Case in point:Compare that suede jacket to how it looks on this full-figured woman: This is a fun way to start! You can see more items like this here, here, here and here. (I could go on and on!) It’s also helpful if it looks like the model is saying “Ew” too! 🙂
Read the reviews. If people comment that the fit is weird or boxy or just off, then that is your clue! I am not kidding! This coat, besides looking bulky on the model had really bad reviews. But, it fits me perfectly!
Look at the fabric content. You always hear me say a top needs to “skim not cling”. Rayon doesn’t cling. A heavier knit doesn’t cling. Heavier silk doesn’t cling. Magnify the fabric if possible to determine how it will hang on your body. If it looks like it’s hanging straight down off the flat-chested model then usually it means it has some weight and will skim not cling.
A fine knit usually is too clingy and a large knit is usually too bulky
so look for a medium knit with some weight to it. Best way to determine that is to look at the hem. You can usually gage if it’s heavier and will behave
or light and rippling by the hem.
Look for fabric content that has stretch. We usually need an item to stretch somewhere so that means it has spandex, nylon or polyester mixed in so it will give you that stretch. Rayon/spandex mix is my favorite or cotton knit/spandex.
If it looks swishy on the model it will probably billow out when it’s on a curvier woman (especially if it’s 100% polyester).
As opposed to just looking loose.
If you start to get starry-eyed and forget that it will not look the same way on you as it does on the model do this: Draw, with your finger, two big boobs on the model on your screen. Yes, you’re going to have to make them lower too.
This will remind you to put the item in context. If you don’t have a big bust then you could draw a big stomach, but either way it snaps you back into reality so you can look at the item better. The top shirt doesn’t pass the boob test because the sewn in wrap style will be pulled sideways too much by your bust and then pull the hem up too high and start showing tummy. The bottom sweater will work because it will stretch sideways and up but looks like it has enough fabric either way.
Also, look to see if the item has extra fabric at the armpit. That means there will be more room for a bigger bust.
And lastly, don’t purchase online on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Most stores have their sales on the weekends (25% off, free-shipping, $50 off of $150, etc…) which they usually start on Thursday and go to Sunday though they often extend to Monday.
Ok, I hope that helps and remember when you’re at home trying on your items and standing in front of the mirror, say to yourself “It’s not me. It’s the clothes.” when something doesn’t work. Good luck!
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28 Comments
Great tips! And I really like your jacket! It looks both comfy and stylish.
Thank you Melissa! It does look so much better on a woman with a “shelf”!
OMG—you crack me up, Julia!! I would never think to draw boobs on the model like you did.
But these are some fabulous tips. Although I know it’s hard for some people to visualize these things. That’s why they need a couple of different models for the same items. I bet it would help to sell more because then women could visualize it better…
OXOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yes Jodie! If it’s made for a larger woman show a larger woman! All those skinny minnies are thinking that jacket is dreadful!
Pure genius!
Gosh Jean, thanks, but I don’t think it’s genius. Just trying to maneuver through fashion. But I’ll take the compliment today!
omg – this post made me laugh out loud! but SO honest and true…a dear friend of mine worked as a personal stylist at Nordstrom’s and one of her mottos was “bulk + bulk = bulk”…and hence, if i’m trying to look and feel my best, i walk away from the bulky sweaters…do i own a few? YES – but i know they’re not my BEST look for my “girls” and sometimes, that’s o.k.
Yes Téa! So true! We have so much more interesting things about us then how we look. I love that equation too. So many times we think we need to hide bulk with more bulk. Thank you for that easy to remember mantra!
Great tips, thank you for sharing them!
My pleasure Jeanne! Thanks for joining the conversation. I love new commenters who have stepped out of the shadows so I can meet them!
These are great online shopping tips no matter what your you shape or size! Thanks.
Thanks Ellen! I’m glad to inspire all shapes though I really work from my vantage point. Glad you could gleam some information!
Ohmygod I’m hysterical over the “boobs drawn in” pictures! It’s brilliant…but hysterical! And they look exactly LIKE mine! ha ha ha ha ha – Thanks for making my afternoon!
Other tips also good, but boob drawings are the best!
They look like a lot of women’s boobs. Really, very few women have them up near their clavicle, even young skinny ones! But, really love to give you a laugh dear friend!
GREAT tips and I love how you describe the items. I do not shop online because I am a budget shopper & clearance is my good friend I like to visit. Enjoy your shopping. . .
http://www.madamtoomuch.com
Thank you Neti! Clearance is awesome I agree but I like to give my readers all sorts of options and online is a big one!
Love the tips especially the boobs drawings. I have saved photos and stretched them but that’s not as fun as the drawings:)
That is a good idea though Joan! Something to remind us that it’s not going to look the same on us as it does on the model. Thanks for the input!
Let me second your recommendation to read the reviews when you think about buying things online. Doing that has saved me more than once!
Some of the online retailers have begun putting actual dimensions of their items in the “product information” section — they’ll give you the diameter of the sleeves or the legs in addition to the length of the skirt, etc. Sometimes you really have to pay attention to the details to avoid paying return postage.
A few of the online clothing companies have also (finally) begun using larger models so we can actually see how things hang on someone with Girls. Now, when they start showing things on women with Thighs…
Baby steps Bells. Baby steps.
Great tips, Julia! Online shopping is such a crapshoot, but there are a few things that we can do to even the odds! Great post.
Thank you so much Cheryl!
Holy cow, this is so helpful
Oh good! I’m so glad!
Fantastic tips! One more is to see if it looks like you can shorten the sleeves or hem or take up the straps. Anything with a fancy cuff or border at the hem will probably be a pain to alter. And be wary of deep v-necks -they end up way too low on my short body. We don’t have many petite/short brands available here so this is a constant problem for me.
Those are excellent tips Pam! I find the v-necks stick out too far from my body so they give others who are taller than me a nice peep show!