As far as making outfits interesting, I always go by what stacy & clinton said: color, pattern, texture and shine...check your outfits for each of those elements for the most interest.
They also talked about a "completer piece"...bottom, top and something else...cardigan or jacket...adds a lot more polish to the outfit.
Re what you call a shirt, technically button down does refer to a collar that actually buttons down. But with usage, it seems it now refers to any shirt that has buttons up the front...or button up shirt. Which is like a man's dress shirt. Blouses which can also button up, tend to be softer fabrics with more feminine cuts and details.
I too am short with short legs, and big busted. So for tops, if they cover my crotch, then I look even shorter. And with my girls' girth, I find I'm far more comfortable in shirts that stretch, so most often I wear knit tops. What I don't like is in the winter, I'm often cold and really like to have shirts with collars to keep the back of my neck warm, but they seem to be harder to find in knits that don't look dorky. I gave up turtle necks years ago though I loved them as I still get hot flashes, and those tight high collars are intolerable when I get one. I too will admit I'm a lazy bones and when I go to grab a shirt, I'll put it back if it needs pressing, esp if I'm in a hurry. Not an issue with knits, but the button up shirts always seem to need some pressing.
Of course, I'm talking about "dressier" outfits... which seem to be basically nice casual like out to dinner or a show. But even at that I end up wearing jeans so often. I have dress jeans, casual jeans, work jeans, black jeans, dark navy jeans, jeans for flats, jeans for heels, etc. So then I tend to concentrate on tops which often tend to be basic t's in various colors...paired with a jacket or cardigan and a coordinating scarf...adds pattern and color and keeps my neck warm!
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Great style tips from Annie D.
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