Women's Basics
New to /fa/? Come here from MFA and need to start over? There are no girls on the Internet. Boyfriend shit on your clothes? We understand.
Here's where to find some wardrobe essentials on the cheap.
If you are out of shape, pay a visit to /fit/ and return when you have your ideal body.
This introduction is a strongly recommended read for both genders.
Contents
Shops
Cheap/beginner stores:
J.Crew-http://www.jcrew.com/
Forever 21-http://www.forever21.com/
Modcloth-http://www.modcloth.com/
Levis-http://us.levi.com/home/index.jsp
Banana Republic-http://bananarepublic.gap.com/
Urban Outfitters-http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/index.jsp
Zara-http://www.zara.com/
Tops
The first step to buying clothes is getting all of the essentials.
This means tank tops, camis, t-shirts, etc in variety of colors. This way you can layer them with other pieces like cardigans and jackets.
Dresses
Your beginner dress should be a simple black dress. This can be worn up or worn down, and is appropriate for almost all occasions. You can wear a cardigan over it or pair it with a belt in a bright color.
From there you can move on to different colors, patterns and style of dresses:
-Sundresses are comfortable and versatile, especially in warmer climates.
-Maxi dresses are classic and elegant but are best pulled off by long and sleek people.
-Shirtdresses, provided they are well made (see 'DRESSES TO AVOID' below).
-Skater/fit and flare dresses, often look good as they accentuate the waist and can make you appear thinner than you really are.
-Bodycon (short for body conscious) dresses adhere to the body and are best worn by those who are thin or do not have excessive weight.
-(Someone with more experience with different types of dresses is encouraged to write here)
DRESSES TO AVOID:
-Dresses with ruffles. They will look out of place and create an unflattering silhouette.
-High-low dresses. These are a fleeting trend and will only look outdated soon.
-Shirtdresses can go terribly wrong. Avoid ones with plaid and those made of inferior materials.
-Avoid showy patterns and prints, because they will make your body look stretched out.
-Be careful of sleeveless dresses. They can easily lead to a nip slip.
Of course with all things, exceptions can be made. Use your judgement when considering if a dress is an exception.
Pants/Shorts
Jeans are essential to a new wardrobe, and it's important to buy the right pair that suits you. When buying jeans dark washed and black are usually what you want to look for.
Strait Leg Jeans can be worn by practically anyone. These are great for curvy ("plus sized"), boyish figures, really anyone can wear these.
Skinny jeans should ONLY be worn by skinny people. If you're curvy, they will not flatter.
AVOID:
Flare Jeans
Skirts
Many women are most comfortable in a t-shirt and jeans. But skirts and flattering and major in fashion.
Flare/A-line skirt These basic skirts are very flattering and are a staple in every women's wardrobe. These skirts have a lot of volume, so it's important to pair it with a simple shirt. Something like a plain white tank-top or a basic patterned t-shirt would pull the look together.
Pencil skirt These can be used for almost any event, from work to going out. They are very form fitting.
Maxi skirt
Only young, skinny tall girls should wear these (or short girls in heels). However, they are perfect for summer and days on the beach.
Outerwear
Shoes
Accessories
Hair
When picking out your hair, it's important to know your face type. This will help you understand what haircut will flatter you best.
You can find this out here: [1]
Round Face Type Pixie cuts are huge on /fa/ and you should get one.
Diamond Face Type
Heart Face Type
Rectangle Face Type
Oblong Face Type
Pear Face Type
Oval Face Type
Make-up
Make-up can be a great way to express yourself and can accentuate your outfits.
thebeautydepartment.com has some great guides, but here are some basics:
Eyes
Mascara - Mascara is a basic makeup, used to thicken and lengthen eyelashes. It comes in a tube, with a "wand" inside that you use to apply. If you're looking for an easy, affordable mascara then L'Oreal Voluminous Original is cheap and a good starter. Make sure your eyelash color matches the mascara color (If your lashes are brown then you don't want a black mascara).
Eye-Liner- Eye-liner does exactly what you think it does - you apply it on the contours of your eye and it can dramatically change your appearance. Many people are intimidated by eye-liner but all it requires is a steady hand. Soft pencils are the easiest eye-liner for beginners. There are dozens of tutorials on Youtube that can teach you how to apply eyeliner - don't be afraid to try different styles and see which ones you like!
Eye Shadow - Eye shadow is applied on the eyelids and comes in a variety of colors. Brands like NYC have cheap "starter packs" of primer, brush and eyeshadows that accentuate your eye color. Don't be afraid to experiment, but save the truly out-there colors for when you have a firm grasp on color theory and can properly match your eyeshadow to your skin tone, eye color and outfit.
Lips
Lip balm - Lip balm is typically used to help people with chapped lips and is your basic. It makes your lips smooth and hydrated - without this, your lipstick would look terrible. It can come in various flavors, colors and with all sorts of shit added. If possible, look for something with an SPF of 15-30. If it's your thing, buy one with some color, but keep in mind it's going to be very faint.
Lip gloss - Lip gloss gives you sheen and color. It's essentially the middle of the lip color spectrum, with lip balm being the lowest and lipstick being the higher, and lip stains being the highest.
Lipstick - Lipstick comes in a shitton of colors, so stick with basic neutrals for the mean time. Make sure to not smear it everywhere (the simple hand or napkin test works well).
Lip Liner - Lip liner is applied to your lips after lipstick to fill uneven areas. Make sure to match your line color to your lipstick color, or better yet, buy an invisible lip liner.
Lip stain - Basically a more intense lipstick. It stains your lips, so make sure you don't smear it everywhere. On the plus side, it lasts longer and doesn't fade away.
Remember if you're going to do something bold with your eye make-up, keep the lips simple.
Face
Foundation
Foundations perfect for those wanting to conceal redness, dark spots, and other imperfections. Go for something light and not to thick. When using liquid use a sponge, they're cheap and help a lot. Be careful with powder, it can cake on so add carefully.
When buying foundation you should test it on the back of your hand or against your cheek-bone. Don't order online. If you can't find your shade ask someone at the store, Sephora and Ulta always have someone willing to help.
Concealer
People on /fa/ love under-eye circles, but if you want to cover them up, go for it. This is perfect for concealing embarrassing blemishes and pimples.
Blush/Bronzer BE CAREFUL! You don't want to look like a clown. Make sure to find the right shade for you, because It's all dependent on your skin tone.
Nails
Ideal nails are ones that look healthy, whether they are long or short. Obviously don't go to the extremes - very long nails are obnoxious, nails bit to their stubs are gross. Above all, just keep your nails healthy [(see this guide if you need help with this).]
