Going oversized doesn't work for curvy or hourglass body types, but it does work for models and hangers because they have pretty much no curves. I'm short and kind of hourglass and going oversized looks frumpy instead of chic a lot of the time.
I'm plus sized and it's the same for me. The more I can accent my waistline, the better it seems to be. I could just be biased, though. I've always loved the well tailored, Italian approach to fashion.
Anonymous noneya that's so true! I'm medium height, hour-glass figure. My clothes simply have to fit well in the waist (or be able to fit with a help of a belt). Otherwise I just look shapeless! The same goest with skirts: give me a too flouncy one, and I'll 'develop' huge-huge hips in a second, a monstrocity, double in size. My clothes, esp.skirts (where an 'A' line is a perfect choice) should not be skinny, but an oversized item is a big no-no! However, this may look good on skinny girls who want to add some bulk to their figures.
I can't even wear belted tops a lot of the time. It makes my curves look fat and cut off in a funny way. Even when I was eleven and twelve. Loose skirts are a no-no as well. The best skirts for me are pencil skirts.
Where were you Karen? I am completely in love with your knowledge in fashion! Lately my taste in clothes have been hiding deep in my heart. I have suffered a bunch not being sure what i put on to leave the house. I have a terminal disorder and I stay in pajamas all day! This stresses me because i always had this great taste on clothes, shoes and anything to do with fashion, so i have to thank you because you are inspiring me to try again and go back to the Patricia i once were. You have been helping me and i am sure a lot of women that are mature and showing everyone of us that we can be cool at any age and add a classic look with just a piece of accessory turn your complete look and not spending so much money just because of the name of a brand... Thank you so much for sharing with us all of your knowledge in fashion nowadays. I am a fan already!
This comment alone is the reason why I shouldn't doubt what I'm doing. You think I inspire you? You inspire ME!!!!!! Notice how it works both ways? It really does by the way - maybe you know this... Please keep commenting so I know what you end up coming up with style wise - clearly if it was in you once it's never left! It's always there and alway will be : ) Hugs, Karen xxx
Loved this Karen! Super helpful. Do you think you could do a video or maybe a series on dressing different body types? Or maybe one item on diff body types. Something like that?
Ivonne Kleyff don't let that stop you! I am short and I make things work for me. Listen carefully to this video. Trust me you can find yourself-- whether tall slim fat stubby or blah lol!!!
Hehehe, I don't know how, I always end up, going for the true size, don't know to do oversize ,without looking like I borrow the outfit from someone else :-)
Hi Karen, love your vids. The white shirt you are wearing, where can I find it? Does it need to be ironed. I love it! The link you posted for it was for an off shoulder blouse. Please tell me where to get it or I'll be tempted to stalk your closet. Lol
Karen. This is so inspiring. I just found your channel. I am a single mom and I'm so tired of wearing sneakers, leggings, and a sleeveless top in my 40's. I have about 60 different scarfs sitting in my closet for years now. All different colors and I feel the art of fashion has gone dormant in my life. I have very little time for fashion and I love thrift stores so your ideas and creativity is so refreshing and helpful. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us!
I'm finished. That's it! Loving fashion in the midwest is misunderstood and even condemned, at times. Often considered a frivolous waste of time. But I can't help it another minute. I'm finished wearing acrylic and stretch denim because I don't have the income to afford high end. Your vlogs sparked something in me to harness the courage to completely toss my wardrobe.....12 bags of ridiculous. I marched myself to a hidden gem of a vintage thrift store and spent $53.00......Boom...I had the start of a brand new wardrobe with quality one of a kind peices...silk, cashmere, 100% cotton, and belts! Oh, the belts! etc. I am finished looking at magazines and longing for what I "can never have" and instead... just made it happen. Thank you for offering the inspiration I needed....I can't wait for next months thrifting day....
This is clearly THE BEST of the make-clothes-look-expensive videos I've seen! There is one that has 1.5 mio views and it is horridly cheap looking. But KarenBritChick really delivers! Very inspiring!
Just came across your video and I like! I sometimes buy clothes from a place in the U.S. that are made in China. I always have to go up 1 to 2 sizes and didn't like that, but now watching this video I feel better knowing it is what it is. Thank you.
Shena52 Clothes from China are often downsized, because people there tend to be smaller than an average American/European. (NO disrespect meant! that's just how they do.) So it's logical enough just to size up when you shop ☺
Wow Karen, I just stumbled upon your channel yesterday and I instantly subscribed and just binge watched all your videos!! Keep doing them!! Love your style and personality!! I'm a fan!!
Karen, I always love, love, love your videos. And two things I want to mention: first, thank you for that outfit with the black scarf used as a belt on your pink coat. I came across a pink trench coat that I got last season and lost the belt to it.... and I was sort of at a loss for what to do. So you gave me a great alternative idea. Also, I wanted to mention that long skirt with the tank and the Fedora looked so amazing on you. You look so good in hats. I love hats too and I was wondering if you could do a video on hats - how to pick out a good fedora, what to look for in the material, the fit, some good brands to look for, etc. That would be amazing. Ok, enough from me. Thanks again. I love your personality and I get so excited when I see you've posted a vid. xx, SS
Karen you are delightful! So glad I found you! I am over 70 but still want to look chic, you have given me so much in this segment. I'm off to the shops to see what I can find. Thank you so much!
I love the tips about men's fashion. I didn't think about that but I do love the one men's shirt I picked up once. Your videos are so informative. I am so happy I found your channel.
I absolutely LOVE LOVE this video, it's everything and more. Your fashion sense is Amazing I had to pause and look for you on Instagram, follow, came back and subscribed then continued watching the rest of your videos. How did I not know you before?!. Everything about you is so Beautiful. 💖👌
I fell in love with the pink pleated shirt on your video. I finally found it on eBay! I paired it with a soft pink oversized sweater along with a pair of rose gold Birkenstocks. I feel like a million bucks wearing it. I agree with the men’s ware. The over all length of a man’s shirt fit my torso and arms so much better. I will then tailor it to fit my proportions. I’ve also noticed that buttons and zippers on menswear are reinforced, more so than women’s. I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve had buttons unravel and fall off my blouses. Men’s shirts have extra buttons sewn right on the shirt, so you can’t lose them. (I always misplace the little plastic button bag off my new blouses! )
Good tips... this caters to women of ALL sizes and helps women enjoy the beauty of shopping and analyzing clothing... which is my favorite thing to do in the whole world! ❤
Love that belt...had to give my favorite belt to a friend's daughter. I used to wear it over a fabulous alpaca coat in the 70s but I was super skinny in my fashion years. The daughter said its her favorite belt and gets compliments on it every time she wears it.
Wow did not know you had a youtube!! I used to follow your blog religiously when I was in undergrad. When youtube recommendations FINALLY get it right- I've never hit the subscribe button so fast :D
This is my first view of your channel! I definitely subscribed and look forward to binge-watching your past videos. I'm loving your white nail polish with your white shirt. The pink lip color is beautiful on you.
Yahoo, girl knows what is important. Have worn size large no matter how thin I am. DRAPING most important. Worked retail in the early 70's and longer was popular. Excellent video
Great tips. I dress, look in the mirror and ask myself, "If I saw someone on the street wearing this, would I call an ambulance?" If the answer is NO, then I leave quietly !!! I loved everythig you showed us !!! Thanks !!! Best wishes from Brazil.
You are so awesome!! I have learned so much today. I normally do something on my clothes that I wear such as sewing an item on it to wrapping a scarf around a belt. I'm short and chunky but you have given me more to think about!
Thank you! I am useless when it comes down to shopping and knowing what to try on...knowing what to pick and envisioning the thing on the hanger on my body. "Get those shoes in brown or black? Is this sexy or tacky? Daring or unflattering?" I like your advice on not looking at the size. A Large blazer from J Crew, for instance, is super-tight in my arm pits and too short on my arms, Zara: forget about it! I feel like a giant in these stores and I am by no means a big person. I am 5'7", a size 10 in DVF wrap dress, as an example. I just think those stores have cheaply made clothes pefect for when you have a petite body.
Just stumbled onto your channel now I'm a new subscriber.. You are the first fashion blogger that provides great information... thank you, and plus I love your style.
Well done! Love your take on fashion. Have to reinvent myself and come up with a cohesive look. After way too many years wearing scrubs and sneakers to work, have to come up with more than sweatsuits in my retirement. Thanks for the ageless tips.
agree 100% i have the same view you have...done so for years! oversized all the way and have never been a slave to sizes.heck i have a top that's size 20. im 12-14
@4:10 (I mean, look at, look at, look at this shirt...) 😂 you had a moment rght there... I love ur passion and advice. you are so rght about the shaping of clothing and the cut! it's everything.
I feel bad because I hate belts over things, especially wide belts haha I prefer clothes that are already fitted at the waist. And I don't know if this feels like "How to MAKE inexpensive clothes look chic", it feels more like "These kind of clothes look stylish even if they are inexpensive", which is fine, but I was looking for more on how to style an outfit and not as much about what cut I should look for when I buy clothes. Good video anyway, and a great youtube channel! :)
Great video, as always!! You're so right about the sizing! I don't trust Zara's, for example, I have jeans from them that range in size from 2 to 8, and they all fit the same! crazy!!
Hi Karen, just found you here on RU-vid, and I love your style and advice. Really excited to go back and watch your other videos!! Also, I love your voice/accent...total awesome!
Just recently I have found your channel, and I am impressed!! Everything I have watched has been so imformative. I appreciate the hard work you must have put in for them to be so helpful. I completely agree with the purchasing some items from the menswear department. I found out at an early age that the same sweaters could be found in the men's department, at a cheaper price. Cashmere sweaters were $10 to $15 less!! I have long since bought my sweaters there. Keep those videos coming and keep up that great good work you are doing! Hope you have a great weekend!
love, love yr hair ~ thanks for the tips! i agree buying larger ~ but i have never shopped mens clothing... can't wait to look w new eyes now ~ thank you! happy day lovely : )
At 13min in, when you're trying to explain why menswear looks so fantastic on us... I think of when I dated a bodybuilder in the past, and he commented on loving how my curvy femininity contrasted and accentuated his masculine frame. I think that's what the crisp lines of menswear does for us.
The most important tips (which Karen mentioned, just expanding!) 1) make sure they fit you right! You can look up how certain cuts/fabrics were cut to fit and hang on you. Make sure the lengths are right. 2) take care of your clothes. Look up care for your fabrics online. Nothing looks cheaper than pilling or unplanned fraying 3) details. Pick things that are sewn nice and tight. No loose threads. No unfinished edges. Beautiful buttons, or small careful details like that add up in your outfit and make it stand out. Same goes for accessorizing. To look polished, carefully choose accessories: jewelry all around, belts, bag, head wear, etc. for a more carefree, I-woke l-up-like-this look, select only a couple of key accessories. Everything else is crap and trends! Wear what you like, but make sure it fits you and it's taken care of and you put thought into it and you'll look polished and chic!
game-changing advice!! and with a sense of humour too :-) ! This is really making me rethink what I have in my wardrobe and how to wear new looks !! I've had a lot of my clothing tailored (especially waists) recently (found an awesome seamstress) but am realising the problem with that is you can't budge an inch!!.... xx
I know!!! you are now stuck in that size!! I mean the good side it keeps you in check food wise LOLOL!! although not sure that's a good thing. Ok i'm waffling....
Hi from Switzerland, i am new to your chanel. Wow! Love your energy, your personal style & the great Video quality!! Such a Powerhouse! Thanks for sharing all this...
I just found you and I wasn't even looking I love you for what you said about sizing, I was that girl a slave to the label. Girl you just set me free. Lol can I get an Amen somebody :) plus you are a fellow Brit Yassssss new subbie here.
Great tips per usual! Any advice for curvier or petite figures women? I'm both short and fuller figured and sometimes that oversized look just doesn't translate for me. I either look lost in the garment or frumpy. Maybe I should find a good tailor? sucks to have to get EVERYTHING tailored tho. I need instant gratification! I wanna wear it now! lol
Quicha Jones I'm plus size, and learning to sew so I can alter my own clothes - it's nearly impossible to get anything that fits properly for me, so I figured I will just have to learn to make my own or alter to suit. (I didn't factor in just how expensive fabric is in my country tho. *sighs* So it's not a cheap option like in North America. My friend in Toronto brings me fabric whenever she comes to visit because she was shocked at the price. Her mum is a professional seamstress, so she knows a lot of tricks, too.)
are you in Canada then? you must get a friend here in the states that can find and send you the fabrics you need! my style is so eclectic right now. I'm loving the current statement top trend, and like Karen I shop hi/low. I've been finding lots of things I like on Etsy (custom and vintage) and I've also had some luck recently thrifting. I found a vintage Valentino trench coat for $18!!! sadly, I'm not sure I'll be able to wear it until the fall or maybe some evenings before summer starts as it got really hot here all of a sudden. good luck with your sewing! I'm sure it will work out. :)
Quicha Jones I'm Canadian, but I live in Luxembourg right now. There are only 2 fabric shops in the capital city, and they're very expensive. The closest fabric shops in Trier (Germany) are also expensive. This is why my friend brings me fabric whenever she visits, because it's apparently cheap there. (it's been a very long time since I've been to Toronto, or to my home town) Thanks, I'll need it 😁 I'm starting small, with clothes for my 3 year old daughter. Once I've worked out the kinks, I'm planning to scale it up for me, since the stuff I've made for myself hasn't really worked out that well. My daughter loves the dress I made for her, but she's outgrown it and wants another one.
KM E and wow, who would have thought fabric would be so expensive in Europe! what about on-linw shopping. I know that might be challenging since you can't see or touch it in person.
wonderful I am 60 now had operation on my belly now I am sensitive to fabric and older I still want to have style love your tips what about gray hair and limitations on body grandma thanks you
Thank you! I've already been following most of these tips, b for me they are just common sence of style, never thought it makes me look more expensive ))
LOVE your fashion tip's!!! I've always loved my clothes a little oversized and I also love the look of men's clothing on women. Thank you for turning a guilty little fashion secret of mine into a fashion tip! Your beautiful and I admire your style and confidence ;)
Love your videos..I would really appreciate it if you could do some looks for a corporate environment .. including tips on where to buy. A high low price for work looks would be amazing.thanks
Your first point was "cut"- it should hang from you shoulders' corners. Very good, not always easy. However if something is 'oversize' can you still get it to fit at the shoulders? Is this where menswear comes in? Men are actually usually more broad shouldered and smaller below their waist. A little confused. I guess I'll have to try it to see how it works.
