picking out clothes

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So I'm starting a new job soon and I went shopping and bought a whole bunch of new clothes. I really wanted to make a good impression so I got really into it. I spent about 5 to 6 hours at the mall and got all kinds of things. I was really proud of myself and very happy with everything I picked out. Today all of the people who were making fun of my clothes before said all the same things about my new clothes. They don't fit right...Apparently I have no gauge whatsoever about what clothes fit right and what clothes don't. Doesn anyone else have this problem? I used to think it was because I outgrew all my old clothes but now I'm wondering if it's because I just don't have a good eye for it...

Maybe these people are just jerks?

How tall are you and what size clothes do you wear? Pictures may help but I can understand if you don't want to show them.
What sort of clothes did you end up buying?

As for me it is hard to know what size is best for me. I usually buy too snall or just a bit too big, not baggy though. I eventually get it right.

I can usually tell when clothes fit without much trouble, if I try them on first. My issue seems to be that the overall look doesn't seem refined, or something of that nature. I haven't even finished my Dr Who scarf yet...

Well maybe the pants I got were a little big, but I did that on purpose hoping they would shrink. I like to buy pants with a little room so that when they shrink they won't be too tight. However, I haven't washed them yet and they were a hundred dollars so they probably won't shrink that much anyways. I suppose I was more concerned with comfort. I'm returning the pants though anyways and buying one's that fit better. About the people just being jerks...it depends on the person you're talking about.

Few places will hire you shirtless....
no noncess, solid colors are good, pants, long sleaves, no logos

Can you ask the sales person to help the next time your shopping? My experience with sales people in the department stores has always been positive and helpful. Take a friend shopping with you to help you shop. Make sure your friend knows how to dress themselves in the styles you want to wear. Buy a magazine that has pictures of the styles you want to wear and take the magazine or the pictures with you when you shop.

Wow. A lot of people wear clothes that don't fit them right. Just watch What Not to Wear. I hate to admit it, but I have learned some very useful advice from that show. They will point out where the shoulder part of the shirt is supposed to line up with your shoulder, what size of shirts will fit which body types (on their own, people typically wear the wrong size), and things like shirt length, pant height/width, how short is "short" sleeve (NOT to your elbow!), and a lot more. The thing is, though, that show only caters to individual each episode.

I wish I could give you generic advice, but at best, you should find out your measurements, sizes, and get recommendations based on that. Like someone suggested, ask a sales person for help. Right now I would recommend that you try on all your clothes, find out what doesn't fit cozily, and bring it/them back to exchange for the same item(s) of more appropriate size.

I'm really jealous that you managed to buy so many clothes, because if I were to shop 5 or 6 hours then I might only end up with 5 items at most.

I buy about 5 items it half an hour. I think I have a problem.

I buy lose jeans to for comfort and so they don't shrink in the wash. My tight jeans I soak in the sink so they don't shrink. I even soak a jacket so it doesn't get too much fluff on it.

I agree with getting someone to help you and watch casual fashion shows.

I shop alot at H&M. We only have one H&M store in Maine that opened about a year and a half ago. I was in there one day recenlty and while I was there a woman came in with her son. While they were there I heard her made the comment that she could never find anything in his size. It was quite obvious that he was skinnier than I am, and maybe 2 or 3 inches taller. Yet I can find lots of stuff in H&M that fits me. I noticed he was wearing a zip up hoodie that I swear would have still fit him if he gained 100 pounds. People seem to wear stuff that is too big for them, guys especially obviously.

It's a certain fashion trend. Back in the 90's I used to have big shirts and tight jeans. Not skinny tight but it was the style at the time. Then I went through a baggy clothes phase. Now my clothes actually fit and I'm pretty confident about my weight. My mum always used to say 'oh there's a skinny girls under there?'

These days society is all about the tighter your clothes are the better. Well, indie music loving boys at least.

My parents b***h about the jeans I get. My mom thinks they're too tight...but if I get anything looser then my dad says it's falling off my ass. Kinda frustrating....not sure which way to really go.

dt18, there are certain stores that offer very specific sizes. I go to Delia's for jeans. Actually, let me rephrase that: I got my only two pairs of jeans from Delia's. They have so many combinations of different sizes and types of pants based on height, width of hips, tall/petite, width of legs, etc. I have been wearing my two pairs of jeans since early high school, so I can easily say that they adapt to your shape and they are long-lasting.

As far as I know, guys' pants are generally sold in specific sizes. I went shopping for jeans with my boyfriend at JC Penney and there were all sorts of options! Generally they came in different number sizes, then narrowed down to pant length and fit/relaxed.

Hopefully, this information will help dustintorch as well. It's complicated, but in the long-run, finding the perfect pant size is important.

I never really pay attention to how clothes fit........if they're comfortable and I think they look cool then I wear them. Work is the WORST because I have to keep my shirt tucked into my pants and it is SO uncomfortable. I'm constantly tugging at my shirt.

I suggest asking the clerk at whatever store you're at to give you their honest opinion. Just be honest and tell them you're not good at picking out the right clothes and I'm sure they'll help you out. Its their job after all...

I just grab them if they're comfortable and are a pretty color.

I'll second this tip. I've only seen maybe seven episodes, but each and every one was incredibly helpful...

I learned how to dress myself by reading seventeen and cosmogirl when I was younger haha. I hate a lot of the clothes they tell you to wear, but they have some good advice when it comes to finding clothes that fit, and how to know if they do fit.

Tip: Never buy clothing that is too large. You said you bought pants that are too big hoping they'll shrink, but they were $100? Pants that expensive shouldn't shrink. I mean, unless you bought pants made out of some sort of strange material that no one wears... And if pants do shrink, they never shrink much, and they stretch out within half an hour of wearing them. If you buy your clothes too big, they will be too big, end of story.

I love What Not To Wear. I watch it almost daily on TLC at 11 AM Central. And while of course each episode is tailored to the person they are helping, I look for what body parts I have in common with the women they dress and pay close attention. Just this morning they were dressing a woman who, except for having long legs, is built just like me! I tossed out the things tall, long-legged women can do that those of us not so blessed can't (like wearing pants with a flare at the hem) and got a lot of great ideas! (Stacey and Clinton always say jackets are your best friend and this is true; I have a lot of fitted jackets and they make any outfit look better.) One of their best tips is to buy in terms of outfits. If you buy a suit, buy a number of tops to go with it, in flattering colors. When you buy jeans, get a few different tops that can dress them up or down. Try to find blouses that could go with a casual skirt or pants and jeans as well as with a suit. Find a couple different styles that flatter you and buy a few things in that style (not same top, different color, but same style -- fitted? flowing? -- and different colors). Also, it's best to have a few high-quality items than tons of cheap ones.

I'm hardly some kind of fashion plate, but I do follow those rules when shopping and no one teases me for how I look -- anymore.