This is the weekly "Help Style Me!" post, where we can share items we are having trouble putting outfits together with. Elaine says it best, "You know, that thing you bought because you love it and you keep pulling it out and then putting it away without wearing it?"Please share your J.Crew item (either that you own or are thinking about getting) that you would love help creating an outfit with.
Also, please help out by offering your styling advice. Feel free to include links to your blog (where you incorporated that piece) or to Polyvore (where you showcased an outfit with that piece). Thanks in advance! :)
sub
ReplyDeletesub :)
ReplyDeleteOT: posted a review + pics of the Lyric and Maritime dresses on my blog here.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that there is a white blazer in the lookbook, which I assume will show soon. I have a white cotton cady blazer from many moons ago, and am always stuck with how to style it. I fear looking Miami Vice. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteLOl@shopwithm. Don't forget to lose the socks, too.
ReplyDeleteWarning, long post ahead --->
ReplyDeleteThis is only tangentially related, but ... I need serious styling help.
With my HAIR. :-/
Every morning I look in the mirror and think, 'look how cute my clothes look, but my stupid hair ruins everything.' :(
I've worn just about every style and color out there with the exception of pixie and blonde, both of which would never work for me. I'm pretty set on being a brunette, but I must not be looking in the right places for hair style inspiration because I can't find any!
I need....like...a Polyvore for hair. Or something.
I've tried that goofy hairstyle thingy on Instyle.com and I can never get it to work right, so it's not helping.
Every time I get my hair cut, I bring my stylist a photo to copy, usually a different one, and she can do that pretty well. But there is no one go-to place here where I could walk in, find a senior-level person and just say HELP!
I just want a style/cut that looks good. That looks right. That's flattering. That's not too much work to style. I want my hair to go with the rest of me!
For reference, I have thick, shoulder-length brown hair. My biggest issue is that I have a long-ish face shape. When I was younger and thinner, I was told I looked a lot like both Tori Spelling and Cher (and yes, both comparisons made me cry, but that's just how it is). I've also heard Shannon Elizabeth but not as pretty (ow, brutal).
So I went back to wearing bangs about a month ago to help shorten my face, and that works, but they grow out SO FAST it's insane. They look good for 2 weeks and then like crap.
Where do you all look for ideas on what to do with your hair? I'm nearing the end of my rope. I face this issue every month or two. Thought the collective braintrust might have some ideas!
shopwithm-
ReplyDeletetry your blazer with a long, solid maxi dress and flat sandals for a casual look, and avoid pastel and candy colors with the dress and you won't look like miami vice!
A cute dressy look is the blazer, a short, sparkly dress for the main focus, and some cute but plain heels that blend in and add height.
you could also do the blazer with skinny jeans and boots, for a cold weather option.
Elaine, I too had a recent hair dilema. After basically the same bob, but at different lengths, for 10 years, I decided it was time for something new.
ReplyDeleteI was browsing a website and saw a picture of Scarlett Johanson's new hair and I loved it! I took those pictures in to my hairdressers and she copied it well. I've received a ton of compliments on it! However, I'm probably the exact opposite of you. . .round face with blonde hair.
I've had the best luck with finding celebrities that have similar features and copying their hair. After all, they have the best stylists working for them. :)
I'm sure your bangs look cute! But yes, the maintenance is terrible. Do you feel comfortable enough cutting them yourself? Or will your hairdresser do a quick bang trim for like $10 every few weeks? I, unfortunately, took the bangs plunge a few years ago and I went in to get them trimmed a lot because of the same issue.
What about more layers to frame your face? Will your stylist give you her advice?
Good luck! It's funny how important hair can be! :)
shopwithm - I expressed my concern about a Fantasy Island moment and shared irl pics of an outift w/a white BR blazer in this post. I have also worn it w/JC's grey zebra sequin tee, jeans & a pink quilted clutch.
ReplyDeleteElaine - This might be an unexpected direction. I would find pics of the celebrities that you've been told you look like. I know you don't like the comparison, but if that's the facial structure you're working with -- why not look to those ladies to see what they've tried over the years. It sounds like you might want to continue to work w/a style that has bangs and just go in for a trim if you don't want to cut them yourself. Or ask your stylist to show you how to cut them so you can do it in between visits. It's nice if you can have one style that works consistently, but you have to work w/your hair, which happens to grow fast. My issue is texture. Sometimes it wants to go stick straight and sometimes it curls up. I just accept this and fix it in the style that looks best for the texture of the day.
Hey ladies, thank you for the suggestions. :)
ReplyDeleteI tried cutting my own bangs once and oh dear dear dear, that was not good. Rats.
That's basically been the route I've been taking. I always feel like a fool toodling into the hair place, photo in hand. I always say ...'and I know you can't make me look like Nicole Richie / Heidi Klum / Kate Walsh (all photos I've brought in in the past). ... The funny thing is, for being on the young side, my stylist actually does a pretty good job of replicating the photos.
I think I need Tabatha Coffey. I want someone to look at me and say, 'you shoudl wear X hairstyle, and wear it forever, because it will be perfect on you forever more.'
I went to Frederic Fekkai once, thinking that's what would happen -- he's the master, he can do no wrong! And oh how wrong I was. The cut he gave me made me so sad I stayed home from work for 2 days. LOL. Granted, I was 23 at the time.
I should be glad that my hair grows so fast, but my hair place is inconveniently located and not terribly cheap. And I'm hot 'cause I needed a bang trim desperately last week and she went home sick. And now my hair still looks like butt.
This area is like a stylistic wasteland, especially where good hairstylists are concerned.
Elaine:
ReplyDeleteI also was facing a hair crisis a few months ago. I have an oval face and brown hair (mine is fine). I had worn it long with bangs for a while, but got tired of my bangs looking droopy by the end of the day.
In October, I went for a drastic change and got my hair chopped down to a pixie cut. I was really nervous to get my hair cut that short because I was afraid it would make my face look chubby, but it didn't. I now get tons of compliments, including from strangers while I'm shopping or running errands. It's easily the best hair decision I've ever made!
Elaine, I think I've got you beat in the horrible comparisons department. I was told I look "just like Celine Dion". I could have cried. Granted, this compliment (?) was given by a strange male cashier at CVS Pharmacy, but still. He stands there looking at the tabloids all day, so he knows his celebrities, right? Celine Dion. That will stay with me forever.
ReplyDelete----> 'you should wear X hairstyle, and wear it forever, because it will be perfect on you forever more.'
ReplyDeleteI disagree. I change hairstyles on a yearly basis, letting it grow, cutting it, etc. I believe in mixing it up when it comes to hair. I think that wearing the same style, consistently, doesn't look good as we age. (Think beehives that some women still wear- ala Denny's waitress :-)
It's insanely frustrating to find a good stylist- someone who knows what will look good. It might sound silly, but the next time you see a great cut on someone, even a stranger, ask them who cuts their hair!
Elaine, I agree w/everything jbird, said. I will repeat again that I think you should learn how to cut your bangs if that will help. Have someone teach you how and just not go at it with the scissors after a glass of wine for courage ;-). It sounds like you're giving a lot of power to the stylists and want someone to rescue the 'do. They don't have all the answers and the best ones always seem to have drama that gets in the way of appts now and again. Consider playing & experimenting more w/twisting & headbands and things. You might be surprised. Plus it might help for those in-between cuts.
ReplyDeleteElaine: instyle.com has the virtual hair makeover where you can "try on" tons of hairstyles either on a model (pre-loaded on the system) or on you (when you upload a photo of yourself). I always peruse the website before I go to my hairdresser.
ReplyDeleteThanks Margie & gigi! I'll play around on Polyvore a bit and see what I can come up with. lol at Fantasy Island.
ReplyDeleteElaine, I cut my own bangs every 2-3 weeks. If you do it regularly you don't need to take off much.
ReplyDeleteGather all your bangs together, twist them around a couple of times, and then cut up INTO the fringey bit, taking off just a bit with each cut. Then twist it the other direction and do the same. Just take off a little bit to start - you can always do more if needed. This way you get a soft, slightly layered fringe instead of a thick blunt edge that shows every mistake. Hope that helps!
Does anyone have the Merino Popover Tunic, item 24724? I guess this is more appropriate for reviews thread... but what do you wear it with/is it totally sheer? I'm intrigued. THANKS!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Wearing my heather caramel arrow sweater which I never would have looked at twice but for this blog/community. I love it!t
Mia, pls. come to my house and cut my bangs! lol :)
ReplyDeleteI don't want to give peeps the wrong idea; I probably change up my 'do more than anyone I know. Long / short / medium / bangs / no bangs ... and it really *would* be a relief to me to just get one single 'do that looked great all the time.
Or at least for the next few years.
Some may say that's giving the stylist too much power, but as a stressed-out, time-starved, over-worked mother of a small child and the wife of an aggravatingly lazy husband, I find myself looking for just a little bit of relief. One less thing to fret about.
And so it goes. ... Maybe I will just start snipping at my bangs and see what happens. I guess even if I mess them up, they'll grow back fast!
JCrewJD - I'm assuming you have the Pale Blossom popover? I got it during the last promo as a popback but haven't worn it yet. What about a white or even light pink (like the heirloom or antique pink) prefect fit tank, white tissue v-neck tee or tissue tank? If nothing works, thank goodness mine didn't come marked as final sale. Sometimes I wear a long sweater over my plum colored tunic but I'm sure you didn't purchase the popover w/the intention of having to cover it up.
ReplyDeleteElaine, I would recommend going to a salon like Tony & Guy (not sure you have one in your area) and have them recommend a cut/colour suited to your face and skin tone.
ReplyDeleteIRL, yes the Pale Blossom. Those are good ideas... it does seem like it would need a tank underneath, which I am ok with. You have it in plum, right? So, is it quality? Have you had any major pilling? Thank you!!!
ReplyDeletehi Elaine- so jealous of the bangs! I have too many cowlicks...
ReplyDeleteYou might consider asking your stylist, or even switching, but my salon allows you to come in and get your bangs touched up between appointments! It's an awesome service!
Elaine, when are YOU most comfortable and confident? Can you deal with hair in your face/on your neck/over your ears? Or are you at your most confident and convincing when it's pulled up and out of the way? Because the most important thing about a face, IMHO, is the expression of the owner. If you have all that stuff (and don't get me wrong, it's good stuff) going on in your life, the last thing you need to worry about is hair. Wait till Young Miss is a little older to chop and change. Meanwhile, get a style that you can take chargel of: either very short (and a little foofffy when necessary), or something you can twist up and accessorize if you want to. The important thing is for you to be in control, and for your hair to fear you, not the other way around. Then if you ever feel crazy on a long dark February afternoon, you can add a streak or two. Or not. Best thing about hair is, it grows.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi guys! I need help styling the gen plaid ruffle skirt, # 28263. I don't want it to look too school girl/cheerleader, but not so expected as a "white j crew wrinkly button up dark riding boots," and yet the ankle boots in the photo from the j crew website don't really do it for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your ideas!! :)
JCrewJD, it's not actually 'pilled' as in little knit balls on it but it is a slight bit 'fuzzy'. Also, the first time I washed my plum tunic it developed holes in the front of it. I have NOT had this happen to any of my merino sweaters so I'm wondering if the tunic already had a small hole in it before I washed it (it was a popback in the fall).
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, IRL. That stinks that yours got holes in it... that is the worst. The one I spotted was on eBay for $19.99... I might go for it. I need some longer tops to wear with my pixie pants!
ReplyDeleteElaine,
ReplyDeleteIf you are in NYC I have the perfect solution - a stylist that understand what you want and does an incredible job. I went in saying, um... I want something shorter and professional looking - and love it amazingly. I dragged my mom in and she loved what she got as well. And my haircut looked good for five months. Expensive as hell but worth it.
Shopalot,
ReplyDeleteYou are hilarious! You told that story so well. It was so funny I had to share it with my boyfriend. btw-I think that Celine Dion is pretty! =)