I got through high school without knowing about basic fashion and beauty things like the existence of face and hair products (other than 80's style hairspray). And I wish I could go back and educate my college self about eyebrow grooming.
I was thinking about some "advanced" fashion lessons I've figured out only in the past few years. ("Advanced" only in relation to my previous level of ignorance.) For instance:
- Chunky necklace to cover up a slightly low neckline.
- Bra that is sufficiently padded to prevent any unwanted bumpiness under a thin shirt.
- Nude, not white, camisole under white shirt.
And I definitely still have many areas of ignorance, including:
- Anything relating to hosiery or shapewear.
- Accessories, even though I learned how to wear a long scarf as part of my New Year's resolutions.
- Hairstyles and hair products other than various creams/gels that make your hair more manageable.
Have you learned any fashion and beauty lessons as an adult?
Boston firms are so conservative, I would think the only rule for hosiery would be to wear it anytime you wear a skirt to work. Unless maybe the skirt is showing just a little ankle.
ReplyDeleteI've learned anti-fashion, which is that if the shirt is black and thick enough I can get away with wearing a sports bra instead of a regular bra with uncomfortable under-wire.
Well, I just learned the chunky necklace one from you, which shall come in handy. (What is up with the death of my chin? I never knew that was a Thing, at least not so early in life!)
ReplyDeleteI'm learning about the glories of teasing. For a girl with thin, fine hair, teasing is an awesome and vital daily occurrence that I wish I'd known years ago.
hm. probably that you can just use regular soap on your face. and that an eyelash curler works wonders even without mascara.
ReplyDeleteI didn't "get" eyebrow shaping until I was, um, 26 or so? And it's only recently dawned on me that people fill in/color their eyebrows (can't decide if I want to or not, but at least I'm aware).
ReplyDeleteI knew blush existed, but I never wore it regularly until about 2 years ago because I didn't realize it could make me look good without looking clownish.
I also didn't realize how flattering layering could be until I started law school! I always avoided layers because I thought they would be bulky, unflattering, and I'd get too hot.
Yeah, I probably still have a lot to learn...
Ha! Great post. Not until last year did I learn how to wear panty hose. I learned to wear sheer black NOT nude/white/skin colors. Sheer black works great with almost anything! Then I even vamped it up and found sheer black with fun patterns and even some sheer patterned greys. Now, I never wear a dress or skirt without panty hose.
ReplyDeleteOh and just this month I discovered slimming tanks. They suck in your gut for you. They are amazing!
I love these!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth: Actually, I've never worn hose to work, although as I get older I might start considering it. And an ankle-length skirt, while certainly conservative, would get you some strange looks around the office. Also, your comment makes me think I'm wearing the wrong size sports bra, because mine are tight and I'm always happy to take them off. If they're not tight, don't you bounce around? I will investigate further.
RG: I had to read your comment about four times before I understood it. I kept thinking, who would tease somebody just for having fine hair? Daily, no less! And why does she think it's awesome?
Anon: I've heard the eyelash curler thing before, but have never seen any effect whatsoever when using one. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.
New Kid and CP: Tell me more about layering and slimming tanks.
slimming tanks: you can pick some up at Target for like 17.99! They are awesome! Assets makes them and there is also another called suddenly slim (by maidenform) or something like that.
ReplyDeleteLucky! I worked at a firm in Boston as a patent agent before law school and they were super conservative. Now I work in Uatah and most clients are remote so I can get away with jeans.
ReplyDeleteRe: it might be a function of my small...endowments that make sports bras so comfortable. I hate having to constantly tighten the straps on regular bras to keep them.
Also, I always throught sweater sets had to involve the same color and texture and only in the last couple years learned to appreciate wearing a black camisole with the sweater part of the set.
My biggest fashion epiphany was fashion tape (google it). It has fixed a million things and I always carry a couple of pieces because sometimes someone else will have a fashion emergency.
ReplyDeleteAs far as an eyelash curler, try heating it with a blow dryer for a few seconds. My lashes are very straight, so I need the heat to get any curl. Also, even though everyone says not to use a curler after mascara, I do (after it's dry) because otherwise, the mascara pulls out any curl I got from the curler (like I said, I have really straight lashes!).