So I have this skirt.

Pretty much like that, very shiny. Not sparkly or anything, just a shimmer. It hits mid-knee.

The problem is I usually wear pencil skirts: I know how to style those. I do have a few flared skirts, but they have very specific things I wear them with.

I love this pleated, black, shiny skirt, but I'm at lost at what to wear it with. I don't think anything flared on top would go well (like the empire waist flowy styles) but that's the majority of what I have. I'm more than willing to go thrift shopping, haven't done that in a while. Since it's not something I wear normally, I want to wear it kind of artsy, unusual.

Any ideas?

I also got dress pants for the first time =O They fit, but feel so weird!

My rule of thumb when it comes to skirt/shirt pairings is that if one is fitted, the other can flow, but you can't match the two together (well, fitted/fitted works, but flowy/flowy NEVER does). You're going to want a shirt that's pretty well fitted and long, but not too long.

If I were wearing that skirt, I would pair it with knit shirt that's long enough to come to about my hips (that's easy for me, since I have no real waist whatsoever. ). It would be mostly plain, but maybe with puff/bubble sleeves. Just one nice solid color is good. I'd show you a pic of what I mean, but I'm having trouble easily locating one.

Mia, what Gymmie said You need a fitted top. Some kind of sweater, or a short sleeve blouse. If you tuck it in, you could add a fun belt!

Here's some ideas of tops that would go fine with that type of skirt:

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=26981081

I think the last top on that page would be perfect.

I want a black vest like this

Okay, I honestly have no idea what I'm doing here because I have never, ever, ever, ever set foot in this thread before. While I appreciate good fashion sense and like shopping when I have money, I'm not a big fashion guru at all and don't know a Hermes from a Chanel.

However, I stumbled upon the polyvore site that Va uses and found it . . . surprisingly fun and addicting. So I've gone ahead and created a polyvore: http://www.polyvore.com/dark_angel/set?id=27548072

If anyone has seen or heard of the TV show Dark Angel starring Jessica Alba, that ^^ is something her character Max would wear. I couldn't figure out how to get text on the template though. Hopefully that'll work better in the future.

So, um, yeah, my first step into the world of fashion, as it were.

P.S."Brooklyn!"

Nice, Ryan! I saw that on your FB.

Speaking of polyvore, what are everyone's thoughts on the contests? Are you still up for them, or are they just distracting?

and don't know a Hermes from a Chanel.

Whatever those are.

So I'm thinking about sewing this next: (once I get the pattern on sale and some fabric) And I'm really excited!! I don't own anything like it really, but I really, really like it. Sooo, I'm hoping that'll go well.
I'll make it longer, and I'm not really sure which one to do. I don't know if I'd rather have 'gathers' or no gathers.... Hmmm. Any thoughts?

Click the image to enlarge.

That's cute, QS! I love jumpers

and don't know a Hermes from a Chanel.

Whatever those are.

This, is a Hermes. Specifically, a Birkin. *droooools* This is pretty much the Holy Grail of handbags. I seriously doubt I'll ever be able to afford one or even touch one...but a girl can dream, right? The way to tell a Hermes is by the style. All Birkins look the same with differences of size, color, materials, and hardware. The other best known Hermes handbag is the "Kelly" (named after Grace Kelly):

A classic Chanel handbag. The way to tell a Chanel is not necessarily by the style, as they have a larger selection then Hermes, but by the logo (the interlocking C's)

Fakes abound, but you can usually tell a fake from the real thing (unless it's a extremely good one) by the quality of the materials, especially the hardware and lining.

Other well known designer handbags you might see are:

Louis Vuitton

Again, the logo. This is probably the MOST copied design ever, so half the time when you see one, it's probably a fake.

Another much sought after--and always sold out--designer bag is by a slightly lesser known company "Mulberry". The bag is called Alexa, after model Alexa Chung, and fashion It girls everywhere are trying to get their hands on it

So there you have it. Laura's guide to the top designer handbags

I dunno; I guess I'm one of those people who just can't fathom spending two or three month's paychecks on a PURSE. I abuse mine far too much. I really am quite lost at the popularity of uberexpensive handbags; but there you go. The day I purchase one of the aforementioned accessories is the day I have officially gone insane.

Queen Susan, what kind of fabric are you planning on using for your jumper? You'll notice that the gathered one is in a plain material, while the non-gathered one is a print: that's because if you make the gathers that detail would be visually lost in most prints. Personally, I think I'd go with the last drawing, the grey non-gathered with the floaty skirt and not-kangaroo-ish pockets.

I think the last bag Val posted looks nice, and I wouldn't mind having one, but I certainly wouldn't pay top dollar for it, especially when the purse my friend made for me still works perfectly well for carting all my junk around. My philosophy on purses is function over style.

So...where do I begin? I need advice, my fellow females.

I'm going to an evening showing of Les Miserables with a group of friends in May. The theatre's dress code is very relaxed, they would be fine with jeans and a t-shirt or a tuxedo. The people in my group are planning to go a little on the fancy side. The guys are planning to wear ties at least, maybe their suit coats, too. My question is, of course, what do I wear?

I know you may think this is a little early. Worrying about what I'll wear to an occasion three months before the date but I want plenty of time to try and make a score in the thrift stores and clearance racks.

So, what I am looking for is some photograph examples of what would be appropriate. I keep looking for advice online but all I find is descriptions of the clothes and I'm having a hard time translating. So, please give your advice in picture form! Hopefully I can take it from there and show up looking fantabulous.

Orious, you've asked the right person!

If the theatre is fairly relaxed, but your group is going to be dressier, then you would want something dressy-ish but not like prom/homecoming/bridemaid/wedding-ish.

Things to steer clear from:

Pastel colors
excessive use of embroidery/beads/sequins/etc
Floor length (too dressy, screams prom!)
Strapless (hard to pull off and can look like trying too hard)

What I would suggest is dress a little bit above the knee, short sleeved, or with straps. Basically a "cocktail" dress.

If I were you I'd try to get something very simplistic in style (i.e. no distracting ruffles and bows and flounces and such), and then you're free to jazz it up a little with some intense earrings or necklace, and shoes.

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=28531330

There are some of my picks, for a cocktail length/style. Some are more dressy then others.

Any of those would look great with a strappy heel and a little clutch.

speaking of prom ig ot my dress, I am getting some gold shoes, but not too high. I will kill myself wearing them.

Oh fun! I like cocktail dresses. I like a lot of the pictures Val posted because they are grown up and not as cheesy as a lot of the dresses people buy at Macy's. I recommend going simple and classy, that's usually best. Definitely no plastic rhinestones. Ross is actually a great place to get a cheap, simple cocktail dress. I would try there first. You probably won't find anything too similar to what Val posted since those are more high fashion, but you never know.

You will probably find a lot of dresses with this format:

Empire waste, some sort of sash or something, and then knee-length skirt. It's an easy formula to work with and can be nice, but I do like Val's idea to not go strapless, which might be more difficult. I do like something like this, but I have no idea where you'd find something like that.:

Just dropping in for a second...

I love the dresses that Kate and Val posted! And great advice. Hope you have fun, Orious!!

I'm going to a prom alternative/spring formal in May, and I'm really excited! (I get to wear a fancy dress and high heels! ) I got my dress a few weeks ago but I still have to get it altered (it's way too big! ). It's got spaghetti straps, though, so I'm going to have to wear a jacket over it. Do y'all think it would mess up the beads at the top? Like cover them, or make them look weird or something? My mom said something about maybe having to take them off, and I went into panic mode. I really like them, but I do need to wear a jacket... Will it look ok? *fingers crossed*

Side note, I made my first Polyvore set today!!!
http://www.polyvore.com/irish_for/set?id=29141778

hope everyone has a great night!
-- cg