Dressing for the dude?
Who dresses you? Not literally, what I’m asking is, who do you dress for?
I over-think everything, so deciding what to wear when I’m going out can lead to panic attacks. These attacks come on because it looks like H&M vomited 30 dresses, 12 pairs of jeans and 167 shirts all over my room. And none of them go together. But I also panic because I not-so-secretly have a mini-agenda: Do I want guys to check me out, or do I want to be the cause of outfit envy in other women.
Aaaaand cue Carly Simon.
Yes, outfits exist that would please both parties. But my wardrobe seems to be one or the other. Like, at the Oscar’s, the Fashion Police’s favorite dress might differ from a dress Ryan Gosling wants to rip off to replay the scene from Blue Valentine.
So tell me so I can go shopping asap I’m curious: in a casual, social setting, what should girls wear without over-exposing themselves that is fashion-forward but not intimidating to guys? And ladies, if the thought crosses your mind when you get ready — and shut up, it does — what do you think appeals to guys? Other than tits and ass.
-Lianne K.
Possible Fashion Blogger #5
Alicia
Nov 16, 2011 at 7:43 am
If I had a body like Sloan, I’d rock that outfit too :)
Murphy
Nov 16, 2011 at 8:18 am
I love this! I know my brain channels a different energy when I’m going out with my man than when I’m going for martini’s with the girls!
Hilarious too!!
Hope to see more from Lianne K.
Colleen
Nov 16, 2011 at 8:20 am
This is great! Very well said!
Daddyx2
Nov 16, 2011 at 8:25 am
nothing…we are simple minded creatures.
Lisa
Nov 16, 2011 at 8:30 am
All in the heels….Guys love a high sexy heel, and girls envy a one of a kind hot shoe!!
Susie
Nov 16, 2011 at 8:53 am
Love this. It’s true – always a balancing act getting dressed for a night out.
Fire it before it quits
Nov 16, 2011 at 8:59 am
I think that you should just go with what you feel is appropriate and trust your instincts. If you spend your time psychoanalyzing or over thinking the situation you will drive yourself nuts and possibly lose your hair (now that would not be fashionable). As long as you have the confidence to go along with it, it doesn’t matter what you wear. To me overly slutty attire is unattractive and a turn off, but I have friends who would certainly be into that sort of thing….which is probably contradictory and makes my response more vague. I think having a blend that’s sexy, but classy is the key. I can’t help you though in telling you what that is, it just looks right when you see a girl pull it off. Guys don’t need you to dress too provocatively in tight clothes or short skirts, as long as you aren’t wearing a baggy zip up Allstate fleece, they’ll know whats underneath ;)
alexis
Nov 16, 2011 at 9:05 am
Love it!!! Really great advice!! And funny too!! Hope to see more from you!
Weezer Believer
Nov 16, 2011 at 9:08 am
Very well written and interesting. I am looking forward to hopefully being able to see more of your posts on Friday Puppy. I am a newcomer to the site and have not had much experience on her, but will be sure to add it to my favorites. I think guys don’t necessarily need to see too much skin to be attracted to a girl. I have a friend who met a girl once who was completely covered up in a tweed jacket and the very next day he was ready to drive 3 hours to Boston, just to see her. Now maybe this fella was more so intrigued by her youthful style because she was about 15-20 years younger than his past few lady friends, but I think regardless it was about the adoration he found in her appropriate style. In a casual, social setting there is no need for BRIGHT VIVID colors that will make you stand out, that will just come naturally to the guy like a spell.
Toni
Nov 16, 2011 at 9:58 am
Its totally true, I dress very different based on if I am with my guy or going with my friends for some fun. Its the small touches that change an outfit from looking cute, to looking fine. I hope to see more from you.
Jessica’s Stone
Nov 16, 2011 at 10:13 am
When I have to think about how girls should dress I make my opinion based on what I’ve seen in the past. I don’t keep up on ladies fashion and am by no means an expert, but recently I saw a girl out in a casual setting wearing jeans, a nice pair of shoes, a black blazer and a simple gray shirt underneath and thought it looked fantastic.
Claire
Nov 16, 2011 at 10:14 am
Love the post!! One thing I hate on women is too much boobage, especially on women who have seen too much sun and are over 40. Nothing worse than old lady cleavage – just is not appealing!
Most recently I made a commitment to myself to not dress like a mother. I think that is a huge challenge once kids are in your life. Heels and accessories seem to do the job. And never leaving the house in sweat pants.
Chris V
Nov 16, 2011 at 10:21 am
I agree with #7, Fire. Classy and upscale but sexy is the ultimate combination. It also attracts the attention of a higher end guy rather than the typical bar slob. Personally I think the outfit pictured above is slutty without being classy, it is all about showing everything all at once with lots of the boobs exposed. (It goes beyond cleavage – don’t you think?) If you are going to do low cut, pair it with a blazer or scarf that allows glimpses as you move rather than the full monty. Looks like she may be holding the rest of her outfit in her hand, she should have put it on before the pictures.
Daddyx2
Nov 16, 2011 at 10:25 am
Time for the real slim shady to please stand up…sluty, tight, provactive wear always gets the attention over a “tweed jacket”. The girl wearing the tweed jacket is a scared little kitten who is afraid of attention…the guy who approaches her is her counter part. Again, back to my original post (see above). If our casual social setting we are talking about here is a bar, you’re not going to be meeting your future husband here (hopefully), but it is where you will find someone to “make sex” with…so dress appropriately.
Sandy
Nov 16, 2011 at 10:26 am
This is a very interesting and thought provoking blog. It is so true that we dress differently for different occasions and different people. Like your style – Lianne! Hope to hear more from you in future posts for Friday Puppy!
creed
Nov 16, 2011 at 11:34 am
Yours is the best blog. Informative. Funny. Thought provoking.
WAY better than the DIY tights…..and the ‘bruised legs” look
Elisa
Nov 16, 2011 at 12:14 pm
I love this too!!
Fashion novice
Nov 16, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I am what I consider to be a fashion beginner and had this site referred to me by a friend but an article like this is something I’m intrigued to read. I am not about showing off my lady parts but do like the feedback on what is appropriate and the back and forth chatter is to me what makes a blog successful. Rather than just having a bunch of people agree the discussion is what makes it intriguing. I may not have the insightful input because I am not exactly confident in what I am talking, but I do love reading about this. Look forward to seeing the other fashion inputs.
Bill
Nov 16, 2011 at 1:40 pm
I agree with what number 18 said, this post was open-ended and lets the reader (both men and women) contribute too. Not everyone is going to feel the same way, and its cool to know she wants to hear my ideas too.
Meg
Nov 16, 2011 at 2:27 pm
This is PERFECT, because I like to think that I always dress for guys but most of the time I just like to make other girls feel inferior. However when dressing for the guys heels are always an added bonus (as long as you can walk in them).
I hope to hear more from you, great outlook!
Bill M.
Nov 16, 2011 at 2:41 pm
I’ve heard that women dress for women, but I never thought about it in this context. For myself, I think a girl showing too much skin seems a little desperate, no matter how hot she is. And I am definitely not into too many accessories or 6 inch heels.
FUZWICKE
Nov 16, 2011 at 2:43 pm
I like this post? way to get the reader involved, i would like a little more about general fashion, but maybe that can come in the future.
greg
Nov 16, 2011 at 2:44 pm
What a great post!
Your style of writing fits right in with the Friday Puppy vibe. You get my vote.
Lindsay L.
Nov 16, 2011 at 2:53 pm
“Do I want guys to check me out, or do I want to be the cause of outfit envy in other women…” that’s a very good point. That runs through my head every time I get dressed too. I like this, keep it coming :)
Debbie
Nov 16, 2011 at 3:23 pm
I like you #5. Well written, witty, and funny.
Colleen
Nov 16, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Loveee that it has finally been said! I don’t care what you say women are always thinking this way while getting ready. Unless they are out on a strick man hunt which let’s face it a comment like “cute shoes” from a random girl in the bar would be just as nice as finding the man. Just recently got into following blogs, but will continue following this one if it keeps me as interested as this post!
MaryK
Nov 16, 2011 at 4:08 pm
This is a VERY common problem. Often after trying to get dressed to go anywhere, my closet looks like it has exploded.
Agreed I feel like there is never a definite answer on how to dress and whom to dress for.
Loved reading your insights and reader’s responses!! Hope to see more !
Emily
Nov 16, 2011 at 7:57 pm
SO TRUE! I often will try on outfits for my BF, that I consider to be fashionable, but he thinks look ridiculous. Which is why I like dressing on things he likes when I go out with him and things other girls might envy when I’m out with the girls.
Jane S
Nov 16, 2011 at 9:43 pm
I think that this blog was great and would love to see more….the picture sums it all up it is the perfect example for what is being portrayed….you have a balance between slutty but simple and you get a better sense for what type of look is appropriate….keep the coming lianne….what are your thoughts on the comments you are receiving?
Lianne K.
Nov 17, 2011 at 9:16 am
@Fashion Novice – did you read my mind? Youremynewbestfriendcallmeeveryfiveminutes.
@Jane S, I am so happy people felt compelled to give their opinions. I tend to experiment with style and 100% know I do not have all the right answers, so I definitely encourage feedback from readers – and I got it!
As far as this topic goes, I tend to be slightly less modest (read: much less modest) than my sisters and my girlfriends. I mean, I don’t pull any Miss-Jackson’s-if-ya-nasty wardrobe malfunctions. On purpose. Just kidding. So like you said, I wanted feedback about what was appropriate but still sexy from both sexes.
Thanks for reading and posting!
Jillian
Nov 17, 2011 at 1:39 pm
Love this entry, Lianne’s writing style and tone in the entry remind me a lot of Matt’s entries (which I obviously love, or I wouldn’t be a Friday Puppy fan). I don’t know how we are supposed to vote, but Lianne gets my vote.
ESmitty
Nov 18, 2011 at 3:06 pm
This is a very interesting topic. For me comfort and confidence translates to sexy. If I see a girl in a bar in jeans, a comfy tee shit from college and a baseball hat, I think “hey, there’s a chick that knows who she is and what she wants”, and that can be sexy. Good example is all the new hot girls on the LPGA tour. They are wearing hats and golf cloths, but no one can deny Michelle Wie is a fox.
Can’t wait to read you blog next week Lianne.