GOLDSIGN Virtual high-rise jeans | made in the US
ZADY wool sweater | gift from ZADY, made in the US, use code GRECHEN15 for 15% off
T by ALEXANDER WANG top
RAG & BONE ASTON boots
JEROME DREYFUSS backpack
I changed my outfit Friday a little from what I mentioned in last week’s Wearing post: I switched out the Everlane cashmere for my Zady wool sweater (it’s warmer). Honestly, I love the Zady sweater – especially that it’s 100% sourced/made in the US – but sometimes I wish I’d sized down to a small.
I struggle with knowing my size now, especially since things are so oversized lately. And I can’t quite wrap my head around being a size “small” under any circumstance…so I continue to default to mediums and many times, find they’re too big. But then again, sometimes I WANT big. And I’m constantly worried about fitting my hips, which are definitely NOT small.
Then, it’s the shape of things. I want drape-y. I want things to hang off my body, not stick to them, except for pants, sometimes. But I also want to look good in pictures, and wear things that are generally flattering, sometimes.
That’s the thing; I’m perfectly happy with my outfits, and how I feel/think I look in them, until I see the pictures. I don’t pick myself apart anymore, or spend too much time choosing a pose, but sometimes I do see the pictures, and think, meh, that’s not how I thought it looked. Or, hmmm…that’s not very flattering.
I honestly don’t spend much time thinking about it, or else I’d never post outfit pictures at all. But specifically today, looking at this picture, it hit me – the disconnect between how we feel in our clothes, and how we LOOK in our clothes, or how we think we look. For most of us, it never matters that much, because only a few of us weirdos choose to take pictures and share them online, we just go by how we feel and that last glance in the mirror.
Which is how it should be. Ultimately, all that matters to me is that I feel comfortable, good, and like “me” in whatever I’m wearing. I never dress for photos, or think about the picture as I’m getting dressed. That probably makes me a “bad” fashion blogger…but it’s also not what I’m here for. I’m here to share my sartorial journey.
But I do wonder. Do you ever get dressed and then re-think your outfit halfway through the day? either because it’s not “you,’ or you catch a glimpse in the mirror and think, “whoa?”
If you ARE a weirdo (sorry…fellow blogger) who takes outfit pictures frequently, how do you feel about your outfits after you take the pictures? The same as before? Are you just as comfortable/happy with them? Or do you re-think them sometimes?
Sometimes the mirror and the camera do not see the same thing (how is that possible .. lol) .. so yes, I’ve put on my interpretation of an awesome outfit, take photo’s for my blog and it’s a no go. I think some outfits just photograph badly .. even thought they look good on.
Monica.
I’m with Monica — I think some outfits just don’t photograph well…or at least that’s what I tell myself. I’ve definitely taken outfit photos and then sat there saying to myself, “Wait, I didn’t really look like that today, did I?” And then there are the outfits that I KNOW aren’t that flattering (like the one I’m wearing today and planning to post on my blog), but are so comfy that I don’t really care.
You’re definitely not alone. That being said, I think this outfit looks great on you! Slightly oversized without completely obscuring your shape.
I like the Zady sweater as is, I think it fits perfectly like this a bit long and I particularly like how it fits on the shoulders. I am a size 6 34DDD and was actually thinking about the Medium too
I’m in total agreement with Monica and Jessica. The “perfect photo” outcome (which we KNOW doesn’t exist…even for Gisele, as evidenced by her Instagram pic celebrating her hubby’s win 😉 ), is dependent upon so many variables: lighting, angle, pose, etc… I’m NOT a pro, and not particularly photogenic or “selfie inclined” so good enough and jowl-free is usually the best I can hope for.
But you look GREAT in this pic! And I kind of love the slouchiness of the sweater. It’s what I’ve been looking for, and have tried ordering multiple times, only to return because it isn’t quite what I have in mind. (And it has to be cotton or cashmere due to my ultra-sensitive skin.) I keep looking!
well, the camera DOES put on 10 pounds…i know it’s true. and the angles make a big difference…
but sometimes i wonder what is “real” – what we see in the mirror? how other people see us? photographs? does it matter?? no…not really.
thanks mona – i guess i just have an issue with the sleeves. but then again, my arms are so short, that anything will be too long, but these, seem abnormally so…and my hips. without my hips, it would “fall” better i think…
Maybe we have to develop the confidence to see what our own eye sees in ourselves when we look in the mirror. That image is the TRUTH.
I think it’s just not feasible for real people to dress in a way that’s “flattering,” particularly in a photo, all the time. And not desirable either. Those of us who like style want to get to a balance of flattering, identity-reinforcing, trend-awareness, and comfort. I can’t stand tight pants – and they actually flatter me. Hence my post today. There is a point where our bodies are our private property, not for public consumption, despite the Instagrammatic world we now live in. I think you do us a service by continuing to write about how you feel in yours.
thank you lisa – i remember that post, and reading through the comments about your skinny jeans, and thinking. okay, so they look great on her, but she doesn’t FEEL good in them. i get it. of course i get it. conversely there are things we wear that aren’t conventionally flattering, but damn, we feel amazing in them (harem pants for me, ahem…) and get disparaging comments. it’s a no win situation if we’re trying to please anyone but ourselves. but then again, it ALWAYS is, isn’t it…
Lisa, you’re right on target with this: “There is a point where our bodies are our private property, not for public consumption, despite the Instagrammatic world we now live in. I think you do us a service by continuing to write about how you feel in yours.”
I worry sometimes about Grechen, and all of the other bloggers that put themselves out there almost everyday and open themselves up to comments, both positive and negative ( But the negatives hurt!). I’ve seen people be so mean! And I’ve made comments that I regret, because I’ve seen them as “constructive criticism.” ( What a load of sh*t that is….Like she asked for my opinion?!?)
When my 16-yr old daughter has been particularly hurt by a “friend,” but desires to keep the friendship going, I always tell her, “Guard your heart.” You, too, Grechen.