On the weekend I spent a leisurely afternoon checking out all the Summer sales.
Surprisingly, despite some very good discounts (and bad intentions!), all I came home with was ONE DRESS!
I know. What’s that about?!
Okay, now that I’ve impressed you with my amazing self-control, I’ll ‘fess up.
I only bought one dress because this afternoon reminded me of the trends that tick me off!
Here are my top 3:
1. Sky high heels.
Like many gals, I love shoes!
But what I’m NOT loving at the moment is how hard it is to find attractive shoes that don’t make the wearer feel like they’re walking on stilts.
Impossibly high heels are a big no-no for our feet and posture for a start – and secondly, have you noticed that hardly anybody can actually WALK in them? Yet the shops are packed with stilettos of all shapes and sizes.
If heels aren’t your thing, there are always flatties. Don’t get me wrong – flatties are great and can look so cute!
But there’s no denying that at times a girl just needs a bit of a heel, to elongate her leg and give it a nice line, to make that satisfying “click clack” as she walks along (please tell me I’m not the only one who loves this!), to add a bit of ooomph to an outfit.
My question is: WHERE are the in-between heels and wedges? Gorgeous shoes that (heaven forbid!) are practical at the same time? Shoes with a bit of style and a bit of a heel so a girl can not only look good, she can feel good as well – all day long?
2. In between sizes.
Like the majority of women in this country, I’m a size 14. You’d think there’d be lots for me to choose from, right?! Wrong!
The “regular” fashion stores tend to stock only up to a size 14, and the bulk of their ranges seem to be in smaller sizes. (Maybe it’s because there ARE so many of us size 14’s that they disappear so quickly off the rack …?)
So I investigated some of the stores for “plus sizes”. Great styles, colours and discounts. Oh the possibilities!
But again, my plans to dash some cash were thwarted. You see, these stores cater for size 16 and up. So I miss out there too! π
3. Low cut necklines.
I like my boobs. I do. But that doesn’t mean I want them on display for all to see.
Has anybody else noticed that necklines these days are verging on the indecent?
It could rule out so many fashion possiblities for me BUT I have a couple of secret weapons: a number of bandeaus and camis in black and white. They’re cheap as chips, fill in a scanty neckline, and have salvaged many an outfit for me. They’re a godsend as far as I’m concerned. I like to be stylish but I also like to feel comfortable, and for me, that means not showing ALL my cleavage.
What I did buy …
I think it could be another Everywhere Dress. Hooray! (From Katies 30% off sale – I do love me a bargain!)
Imagine …
A world where size 14 clothing was plentiful. Where we had a great range of sensible shoes that didn’t LOOK sensible (if you know what I mean). If we didn’t feel uncomfortable and exposed in the latest fashions.
Imagine …Β if retailers paid heed to my pleas … I would be DANGEROUS and my husband would start to twitch any time I mentioned those immortal words, “I think I’ll just go shopping”!
What trends are ticking you off lately?
Linking up with Essentially Jess for:
Marleisa says
I am also a size 14 and have the same problem. I was just thinking last week that it must be because it is a popular size they sell fast!! I came over from IBOT.
Janet says
Lovely to have you visit Marleisa!
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
I’m with you on the necklines Janet.
Found you via IBOT, and guess what…..I’m at Redland Bay! Small world π
Janet says
Woo hoo! I was beginning to feel like I was the only blogger in the whole of Redlands. Off to check your blog straight away π
Tahlia @ the parenting files says
OMG… tell me about it! They are all made for the 21 year old girl who has the gorgeous stick figure and can walk in those deadly shoes! Someone please design some shoes for the everyday mum! xx
Janet says
I often go shopping with my beautiful, tall, stick thin, 16 year old daughter … it’s so annoying, she always finds HEAPS of clothes to suit her, whereas I really struggle!
Nikki@WonderfullyWomen says
The heal heights are really annoying me right now. Was trying on all these amazing shoes at the sales, but I would not be able to walk 10 paces in them without probably breaking my neck – not happening, so left all the bargains on the shelf and no new lovlies to add to the collection π
Janet says
Nikki, I feel your pain. I have a dodgy knee so really can’t wear those mega high heels at all.
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions says
I hate the way all heels are so high! I don’t like heels at the best of times but when I do decide to wear some I like them to be not to high and preferably wider than the regular stiletto otherwise I am constantly falling over or wobbling. I did find a really nice pair of wedges at Big W though, that new Emerson brand they have, really comfy and not too high, my new fave shoes. And I am with ya on the cleavage thing too, I am constantly having to wear singlets or bandeaus to protect my modesty!
Hapy New Year!
#teamIBOT
Janet says
I’m so relieved to find I’m not alone with my pet fashion peeves. If only retailers would listen to us – I’m sure our nation would recover from the GFC in no time!
Kyla @ Three Quarters Full says
When I was 18 I could run in stiletto heels, these days I trip if I look at them. Totally with you bemoaning the lack of mid height shoes, I’m too short to go without a heel but 2-3 inches is more than enough.
Janet says
Thanks Kyla – ANY RETAILERS OUT THERE ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION??!!!
Karen says
This is why I stick to online shopping, so much more variety in sizes and styles!! Not to mention cheaper. Recently I wandered aimlessly around Myer one afternoon trying to find something to wear on Christmas day, and I was sorely disappointed, I even had a gift voucher and walked away empty handed, I feel your pain!
#teamIBOT
Janet says
I’ve never really done clothes or shoe shopping online. Perhaps that should be my NYR?!
Salz says
I am totally with you on the shoes things. I love me some shoes but can only wear heels to very special occassions. Every other time I wear thongs or sneakers lol. Even though I am a size 10 the clothing companies don’t make room for people with that extra belly.
Janet says
Glad to hear I’m not the only one with the pot belly thing going on. Have you seen my post on dressing for Apple Shapes?
Lyndal says
ohhh gorgeous dress!! i tend to only shop at one store, online that happens to be in america. I am rather short so I like heels for office wear, but am a klutz so the sky high ones are a definite no go!!!
#teamIBOT
Janet says
Thanks Lyndal – I feel like a million bucks in it, even if it didn’t cost that much!
Nikki @ Styling You says
Great buy Janet!
Janet says
Thanks Nikki – love your blog! (But you already know that I’m sure!)
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
Oh, I’m so with you on all these points Janet! I can’t wear sky-high shoes (coordination is not my strong suit), I’m in an inbetween size right now soon which is highly annoying and I have NO cleavage so plunging necklines do absolutely nothing for me and just mean I have to wear a top underneath ALL THE TIME!!!
Rhianna says
I love what you did buy. I have had to do the same with a few dresses lately as well, I mean I love my boobs but I don’t need to flash them in everyones face now do I?
Yvette @ Little Bento Blog says
I love the dress!!!
I have 33inch legs – 32 jeans too short 34 too long. I have long arms, which means most jumpers are just that little bit too short on me… I have to stretch the arms out…
My feet are a size 4 and a half (UK) which is about a 37.5 which you never get. So 37 hurt me and I fall out of a 38…
it really is annoying!! Going to have a look at Katies sale!
#teamIBOT was here π
Emily says
Oh, the heels. Oh, the number of people who cannot walk in heels (this includes Julia Roberts!! Ever noticed?!) but still wear them. Oh, the humanity!
I actually love heels and walk just fine in them. But the stilettos of which you speak have me at 6’2″. No thanks. Give me some lower ones, please. Ones that mean I can look my husband in the eye instead of giving him a killer view of the insides of my nostrils.
EssentiallyJess says
I havent been shopping for heels for a while, but gee I’d love to be able to pull off some of those high ones. They look so pretty
BossyMummy says
I am with you on all those things – but the sizing is my main bug bear! One day, one day π
Sarah@Slapdash Mama says
Oh Janet I hear you totally, particularly with the low cut thing. I have developed GREAT BIG PENDULOUS BREASTS and I also weep at the lack of summer frocks with adequate sleeves or straps to conceal the brassiere. WHY ARE THEY ALL SPAGHETTI STRAPS? Why doesn’t anyone think of me and my fellow pigeon breasted women?? Thank you very much for linking up with The Lounge! From me, the Lounge Lizard du jour x
Me says
I’m with you on the high heels – I just can’t do it (and to be honest, I’ve never been able to do them !!!) and necklines are definitely getting lower – the bane of my life when I do decide to clothes shop !
Have the best day !
Me
Robomum says
I’m too tall to wear sky high heels but I love them! Yes, necklines are getting lower and hems are getting higher! Not happy.
Tegan says
The not being able to find a dress that is inbetween maxi and mini is driving me insane. I am short so maxis drag on the group. I don’t want to worry about flashing my lady parts to the world so mini skirt is not an option either. I just want something that is just past my knee and doesn’t make me look 10 years older than I am.
Rachel says
I decided a little while ago that I am too old to put up with uncomfortable shoes. Being uncomfortable can ruin an evening and I’d personally rather have fun! And I’d also be lost without singlet tops & camis. Otherwise the boobs try to escape from my dress and nobody wants that π
Thanks for linking up Janet! Very nice to have Redlands represented in The Lounge x
Janet says
Thanks for the opportunity to share these “oldies but goodies”!
Ness says
Agree about the high heels. There needs to be more variety. I’ve never tried online clothes shopping either. It’s something I’d like to try because now that I’m, ahem, larger, trying on clothes in those shop change rooms with mirrors and fluorescent lights is soul destroying. If I’m going to end up sobbing when I try something on, at least I can do it at home with online shopping.
Janet says
I haven’t had much luck with online shopping – I’ll be sharing one of my mistakes next week here on the blog, so keep an eye out for it!