NaNo update, plus a fashion/clothing crisis

[izhilzha]

So, my NaNo novel is actually progressing at this point. If I hadn't gotten off to such a slow start, and spent an entire week not writing anything, I'd have a goodly amount of words. As it is, the count now stands at about 11,800 words

Comments

[izhilzha]

Los Angeles has a plethora of very good second hand clothing stores.

So I've heard, but I haven't found many. Second hand stores sometimes annoy me because they never seem to have my sizes (S-XS in tops, 4-6 in pants or skirts or dresses). Haven't tried It's a Wrap, though, and yeah, that's close to me.

And I think I may try for a long skirt + top, since pants (even very nice ones) don't really say "dressed up" to me. Ann Taylor's not a bad idea...maybe I can hit all these places over the next week. :-)

You may want to go to Ann Taylor first, try some things on, get recommendations, and then go to Kohl's to see if you can get something similar that's a knock off. :)

That's not a bad idea at all. :-D And thank you very much for the helpful thoughts!

[kalquessa]

I second the reccie for Anne Taylor LOFT. Anne Taylor proper is really pricey (for me, I am cheap) but the LOFT frequently has awesome stuff for not-too-dreadful prices, and it'll definitely last you. Plus, lots of stuff is on clearance, right now. Yay for clearance!

[jd3000]

Fashionable, elegant, warm, modest, outfit you can wear in LA, not too expensive, can be used with or without accessories...

Phew! Tall order. Only can think of one ensemble.

[izhilzha]

FREAKIN' AWESOME. :-)

Actually, dang, I would love to have an outfit like that to walk around the ComiCon in. Sweeeet.

[kalquessa]

Forget my suggestion. Go with JD's. This mad obviously knows what he's talking about. *nods*

[jd3000]

That'd be a first. :-D I myself have two modes of dress. A nice suit and T-Shirt and Jeans. Basically nothing in between. :-)

-JD

[wneleh]

My first stop when looking for clothes (except for jeans) is a Good Will store. I've also gotten awesome $40 dresses (and I'd wear a dress, were I you, and sensible black close-towed shoes) from Burlington Coat Factory. There you can also find a bra that compliments a dress (an issue for me because I normally wear sports bras.) For the shoes, I'd go to Payless (I like them because they stock wide widths.)

Boston $$$ ain't what it used to be; or, rather, you can be a millionare woman in Boston and not actually own lipstick. In fact, it's rare that I see someone who looks made-up, but then I'm mostly hanging around nerds and the mothers of small children (and nerdy mothers of small children). So I think, based on my rather brief exposure to southern CA, that you'd have to work hard not to out-glamour the Boston contingent.

- Helen

[wneleh]

Towed? I meant toed :-p

- Helen

[izhilzha]

Hee. At least your fingers didn't try "toad". :-)

[jd3000]

Boston $$$ ain't what it used to be

Oh no! My pithy 60-70 year old anecdotes about Boston nobility are now all out the window?!

Here's to dear old Boston
The land of the bean and the cod;
Where the Lowells speak only to the Cabots
And the Cabots speak only to God.

-JD

[kalquessa]

Since I am fashion dyslexic myself, I probably shouldn't give advice. But I know that Macy's usually has some cool fancy stuff on the clearance rack for pretty decent prices. And I am an avid bargain hunter, so I love Ross/TJ Maxx/Marshalls because in that sea of ugly-ass clothing, there are some really excellent, good-quality pieces just waiting to be stolen for under twenty bucks. You just have to be diligent and have a strong stomach for the sight of hideous dresses.

Personally, I'd wear black slacks and a really nice sweater with shiny boots and maybe a cool necklace (the black pants you probably have, the sweater, boots and jewelry could be picked up easily enough at Ross/TJ Maxx/Marshalls for a thrifty price, if you don't have them) but then "black slacks and nice a sweater/blouse" is my answer to any fashion question, and according to my little sister it is not always the correct answer. Maybe if you changed the black slacks to a long shirt if it's a really fancy wedding? Heh.

[kalquessa]

A long skirt, that is. Yes.

[izhilzha]

LOL. :-)

[kerravonsen]

In addition to the above helpful suggestions, something that could be useful for the freezing cold weather would be getting a nice cape/shawl/wrap. Ironically, I didn't get interested in these items of clothing until I bought my favourite-ever one of these... in LA. South American alpaca wool, dark blue, light yet warm, it was lovely. (No, I can't remember where I bought it). A nice wrap is prettier than a coat, IMHO.

[izhilzha]

This is very true, and I've been seeing some excellent wraps and shawls as I go about this shopping thing. I should perhaps consider setting aside a bit of the budget for that, specifically. Hmmm.