I’ll be the first to admit that my fashion sense is not exactly, hrm, how do I put this…evolved. I haven’t really changed my style since graduating from college six years ago, and have since worn a steady stream of V-neck T-shirts, shorts with tights, over-sized sweaters, and ankle boots. I’ll occasionally mix it up with a dress or skirt here or there, but as I mentioned in my post about summer, I am constantly worried about exposing my butt cheeks.
That said, I am a sucker for fast fashion. Fast fashion is what you might call Forever21 or H&M – you know, stores you can find something at even if you only have $10 in your pocket. I usually enter these places with something in mind, like the need for a necklace or a new pair of sunglasses, and leave with a heaping pile of wrinkled one-time use sundresses. My boyfriend finds tags all over the house and is like, “What worthwhile thing could you have possibly purchased for $8.99?!”
The truth is, nothing. There is nothing truly worthwhile and long-lasting that you can buy for $8.99, save for maybe a lamp at IKEA, and even that is questionable. Part of being an adult is learning how to budget and use your money wisely, and that doesn’t mean just buying the cheapest things all the time. For example, my summer wardrobe needs to be replaced pretty much every year. How is that a good investment?
Part of it is definitely a sticker-shock thing. Adult lady clothes are just more expensive! And by a lot! I mean, I can pick up three pairs of shorts and four T-shirts for $100 at H&M, but if I go to say, Bloomingdale’s, I am lucky if I get one sleeve of a sweater for that much. I also maybe don’t want to wear the Bloomingdale’s sweater, because that is not what all the TV shows and magazines tell me I should be wearing. I’m not dead yet, so technically I should be in a gold bikini, with a feather dangling from my hair, right? Beyonce is a couple years older than me and even she is rocking that look. I mean, granted she is Beyonce and if she wanted to wear a clown suit and a gas mask, she’d probably look hot.
Every time I enter one of those fast fashion stores I wonder if they are going to check my ID and tell me I am too old to shop there. It’s kind of weird trying on rompers and onesies in a stall next to three high school girls who are skipping school. And then there is the return policy, don’t even get me started, girl! It’s like, at the risk of not having the time or interest to trying on something in the store, you must permanently invest. Often the lines are too long, and I wonder if the whole thing is a scam to begin with.
I want to learn how to dress like an adult woman, I really do, but I also feel like fashion and style is one of the easier ways I can hold on to my youth. Like, the more neon I wear, the younger I look, right? My fear is of course that I will one day be one of those older women with short shorts and a Hello Kitty backpack, and no job. I mean, all the power to them if they are happy, but it’s just like… where do I go from here? What Not To Wear? Save me, Stacy!
Ugh, I don’t know. Even thinking about clothes this much makes me uncomfortable. It’s such a commitment to be a girl and care about the way you look as much as a lot of us do. I envy guys who can have a staple wardrobe from J.Crew that lasts at least 5 years. Sure, they invest some serious cashola into it, but I bet overtime I’ve dropped just as much scratch on my fever trips to Forever21. Actually I am sure of it.
What I’d really like is a stylist and a budgetist, or maybe both of those wrapped into one. I’d like someone to tell me when something is worth it, or isn’t, and if those shorts make my butt look ten years older or younger. I mean, isn’t that what we’re all looking for in the end? A butt genie/accountant?
Why does it need to be forever 21 or bloomingdales and nothing in between? There’s plenty of brands and stores that offer clothing for prices that hit more of a mid-ground between the two that could be considered ‘adult’ fashion..
Be who you are! Who cares if it’s “adult” enough?
I’m the same age as Zooey Deschanel so I just go off her vintage style which I love
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TJ Maxx!
3 words for you – J.Crew sale rack. And I’m not talking about the Factory store. I’m talking the clearance rack or sales. J.Crew just has the MOST beautiful clothes that will last forever but are totally fun! And their jewelry line is to die for. Sometimes I just look at their magazines & realize I have (or my Granny had) an outfit or jewelry already in my closet instead of buying something new! And for Pete’s sake, if you find something you REALLY love, buy more than one! But PLEASE don’t spend $300 on a purse or shoes. PLEASE? You can get the same stuff on eBay & shoes never last & purses go out of style (except for vintage).
Good luck, young lady! 
So much word to this. I turn 31 in less than a month and I still can’t pull myself out of the juniors department to shop for adult clothes. I look to tv characters a lot for fashion ideas, but I mostly find myself liking the fashion choices of, like, Haley on Modern Family or Aria on Pretty Little Liars. I have also seen articles of clothing I own on them. I aspire to dress the same as adult characters like Divya on Royal Pains, but then I find myself being drawn more to the wardrobe of Laurie from Cougar Town.
there is nothing wrong with shopping in these places, you can find some right gems! And if you mix them wisely you can dress like an adult, or however you desire to look! Its alll about your personality and not what others think of you.
This used to be me!! Then I discovered the Anthropologie sale section, Banana Republic sale section (and coupons every Wednesday!), and Nordstrom BP section (plus semi-annual sales etc). I also love hautelook.com (designer threads at discount prices). Dressing like an adult on a budget is possible! All you need to do is wait for things to go on sale, or know when to splurge on something that will last you a long time. I’m not a huge fan of outlet stores because the quality of clothes isn’t as high. YOU DON’T HAVE TO SHOP AT FOREVER 21 or H&M ANY MORE!!!!
amen to not caring for suits! I was asked recently if I owned one. A look of horror and a loud, indignant, “uh, NO!” reply from me left the asker confused and cowering… some people just don’t get it.
Dressing like an adult? I don’t totally know what that means. I hate wearing suits, and I look terrible in them. I guess it’s safe to say we can keep dressing like YOUNG adults. And who’s to say when you stop being young, if that’s what you feel?
I don’t want to scare you, but I’m more than 21 x 2, and I still shop as you describe at Forever 21 and H&M…save yourself while you’re in your 20s!!
GIRL, I’m TOTALLY addicted to H&M & Forever 21. I can’t justify going into all of those more expensive stores and spending money because I *know* that I have PILES of clothes in my apartment…agghh someone save us, please?!?!
I can totally understand. I have this thing about cute/funny graphic T-shirts, and then I never wear them because I want to try to look older, so I end up in a black top, jeans and flats all winter. So boring! When we move (soon – fingers crossed!) I’ll finally get a chance to empty out my wardrobe and figure out what I should never buy again…yeah, right!
I was thinking that exact thing, Jessica! That little girl has STYLE. I also feel like that’s how I look when I try to dress like an adult – some child playing dress up in her mama’s closet.
Also, I would totally rock the look the kid in the picture is…minus the headband and red glasses!
This article is so GPOY! It’s not even funny anymore! Says the girl who just spend 100,- at Primark. but you get a whole thrashbag full for a 100,- at primark! but I probably throw it in the trashbag within 3 months too.
Fuck! fast fashion is just as bad as fast food!