You know those questions you always ask yourself when you're out shopping? You end up locked in a dingy dressing room, staring in the mirror, rethinking everything about your life. They're the same thoughts every time.... "What am I doing?" "Why does this look awesome on Blake Lively, but not on me?" "Why is that considered cute?"

Believe me, I've been there before, which is why today on EM, we're going to answer the hardest of the hard fashion questions in order to make shopping as fun for everyone as it is for me! 

1. Do These Pants Make Me Look Fat?

If you have to ask, they're not for you. The correct jeans for your body type will feel right--not uncomfortable or awkward. They'll also make your butt look real good. Of course, there are some basic guidelines you should be mindful of when buying jeans, like generally petite women should avoid wide-legged or flare jeans in favor of skinny jeans because they slim and lengthen the legs, whereas wide-legged pants make you look even shorter as well as dumpy. Tall girls, y'all can wear WHATEVER style jeans you want. Just flaunt those legs.

2. Does This Fit Right?

For the past few decades (ever since clothing became something you bought, not made) arbitrary sizes have plagued womankind. That's why a 00 at LOFT fits like a size 26 at GAP. So in the large chance that something doesn't fit you perfectly in every area, don't freak out. It's totally normal. Sizing isn't a perfect art, which is why having a good tailor is so important. The reason celebrities and models look good all the time is because everything they wear has been specially tailored to fit their bodies, even their white v-neck t-shirts. When buying clothes, make sure that they fit in ways that are unalterable, then find a good seamstress to fix up the baggy shoulders, too long legs, and extra material. 

3. Can I Afford That?

You can if you're shopping the right deals. I can't stress how much I believe in quality over quantity when it comes to buying anything, but buying full price is still not the way to go. You can have a wardrobe full of quality clothes without emptying your bank account simply by finding great sales. Every few weeks, LOFT and GAP (my two favorite stores) will have an extra 40% or 50% off their clearance section, which is amazing. Two other stores that have rocking good prices and sales are Nordstrom Rack and ASOS. Find pieces you love and watch them so that once they hit the sale rack, you can snap them up. Also, scroll through the clearance section and look for things you like that are already on sale. I know I've said this before on the blog, but subscribing to an email list is the best way to stay on top of sales. 

4. Does This Even Match?

The best way to tell if something matches is to experiment with it. A patterned blouse with a pleated maxi skirt may not seem like professional attire, but tuck it in and add a blazer and some pumps--it's so fancy and funky fresh that you'll be the office hit. My main advice to the fashion-impaired is to start with a solid piece (black skinny jeans, a plain tshirt, etc) and build your outfit around it. By starting with one specific article of clothing as your base, you free yourself up to create multiple different outfits centered around a piece. 

Here are a few of my favorites that immediately take an outfit from drab to Beyoncé-is-pregnant-good:

Florals: they never get old, and they're a perfect funky pattern that adds an extra layer of dimension to an outfit that's in serious need of freshness.

Suede: Y'all know how I feel about suede!! It looks good on everyoneeeeee. And I'm not just talking about suede shoes, either. Suede ANYTHING. I even own a suede dress, and it's like the best thing ever. So, instead of buying a cotton, babydoll-style swing dress, opt for something a little edgier by choosing a different material (ahem, like suede). You don't have to change what styles you wear, sometimes you just need to change the material of the style.

Shoes: They're the ultimate outfit enhancer. Black skinny jeans can go from goth to Vogue, all depending on the shoes you choose. I'm going through a serious boot/bootie phase, because they are so easy to dress up and down. Patterned or textured boots can be just what you need to enhance your outfit! 

Above all, do not ever, ever, be afraid to wear an outfit that you love, even if it's out-of-the-box cappuccino chunky chocolate and you're surrounded by plain vanilla. If you like flatform sandals, wear them! If you love gingham, wear it! 

Personally, I like cappuccino chunky chocolate more than vanilla, anyways.

xx

Em.