wearing: Dress from Anthropologie | Rag & Bone sandals | J.W. Hulme Legacy Bag | SURevolution necklace (gifted) | FENTON cuff | Random cuff from store on SoCo š
I actually typed a couple of paragraphs about comparing myself to others (fashion bloggers) and opportunities available to us, but decided not to publish it. I’m just me, and I love that you guys come here to see my outfits and read my posts on the random stuff I find to buy (or just dream about). I’ve carved out a beautiful niche for myself online, and I appreciate everyone who’s participated in my success over the years. But I am human, after all, AND a Scorpio, so jealously rears it’s ugly head sometimes. But I’ve squashed it. I’m just trying to be the best me I can be, despite the bumps on the way…
Here are some close-ups of my accessories today: I’m wearing another SURevolution necklace I received to review and got no fewer than 5 different compliments on (enter to win the other one at Green Grechen)!!
(I had just left the salon – loved this filter in Instagram!!)
You look great! I love that dress and I wish I could track it down in person to try.
I still haven’t found the right maxi but your dedication to them over the years might mean you can offer some guidance. Should I start with a dress or skirt as my first maxi (at least the first I’d own in many many years)?
And re: what you wrote. I try hard not to compare because it can lead to feelings of inadequacy on those lower self esteem days. I try to minimize that negativity in my thinking because it can be really demotivating and demoralizing. But I totally agree that finding and accepting one’s niche is liberating. I try to be realistic about the scope and potential of my own (small, amateur) blog. You have actually cultivated a fantastic career from blogging so I imagine loads of people must envy you/that. For someone like me, it is actually reassuring to read that even the pros who are aspirational success stories like yourself feel occasional anxiety over comparisons now and then.
i love you jess š you have inspired me all these years – i may not tell you that enough, but you do. and every time i walk into anthropologie i think of you. which is A LOT
thank you for your words, you are always so eloquent!! i also try not to compare, but it’s hard not to, especially when i constantly subject myself to the OPPORTUNITY to compare myself. by reading the “big” super-popular fashion blogs (which i don’t really like), i get caught up in THEIR success (or how i perceive it) and question mine. which is bad, bad bad. and why i deleted every single blog from my reader just now (more on that on grechenblogs.com)
as for maxi dresses/skirts, i would go for a skirt first. that way you can really accent your waist/show your shape better – unless you can find a dress that does the same, but it’s more difficult with dresses (why i wear my skirts more). i think you’d look AMAZING in the hot pink skirt from anthro!!!! and i did like the printed skirt you posted about a few days ago on you, but it’s not the best one out there. i tried that one on also and liked it, but i think a more narrow waistband is better for you/me – and i love a fuller skirt…
Kudos to you Gretchen, for taking the high road! Everyone has there place in this world, and yours is to inspire those of us who don’t read those super big fashion blogs š I appreciate the normal girl (which is good, because I am one lol).
Love the dress on you! Just love Anthropologie! There is a maxi dress I am eyeing on Revolve right now. Maybe I should buy it! I love my old James Perse one, and I could use another long soft dress!
What a nice service to your readers you provide with your personal shopping! I’ve only been reading for around 2 years, so I didn’t know that!
thanks shannon!! which JP one do you have? i have two of the empire waist long cami dresses (wearing one right now!!) – but i’m loving the styles now with more a defined waist. or at least the ability to belt…
I have one of those long empire waist ones too, in a slubbed cream color. I really love it, it’s just so comfy! There are two that I like right now on Revolve. I like the JP long racerback in navy ….the one with the stripes! And I like a T by Alexander Wang dress that just went on sale. It’s not the one you have (but that one is so lovely), it’s the caftan dress. It’s sort of shapless though, I think I might need to belt it. It looks so comfy though, and I am moving to my first humid environment soon, so I’ve been shopping for dresses and skirts to keep me cool!
Thanks of the advice on the maxi! I liked the printed skirt too but I think it might be too busy for a first maxi in addition to the waist band issue… I kind of want a uniform print or a solid to start out with (so that pink one from anthro would definitely be a possibility!). I worry that a major mixed print would make too big of a statement. I think I need to get used to myself in long lengths first. Then I can move into prints (since they are such a vice of mine).
And thank you also for the kind words! I’ve enjoyed your blog for so long and it has been really cool to see how you’ve expanded and changed things to adapt/incorporate social media, etc. while always being true to yourself.
Ugh. Do Gemini’s suffer from the need to compare and jealousy too? Because this one does. I know I wish I could pull off an oatmeal-colored maxi dress and long hair with big thick bangs, for instance, and I really wish I had that bracelet!
For real, though, I love your post over on your blogging site.
LOL – i wish i could pull off super-short hair and skinny jeans. so there š
I think I know which one you’re talking about, Shannon–was it on Shopbop.com and is it black (I know…stupid question about T by AW…)? I think it would be great with a belt!
I’m lovin’ the red bracelet, too. It reminds me of some that were made by Native Americans in Wisc. Dells that my grandma had. I don’t know what ever happened to them.
I think the insecurity and comparison thing is common. We’re all trying to accomplish something in our lives, and some people just make it look easy. Grechen, you’ve helped me on the road to self-acceptance more than you know. I had the courage to wear my long JP skirt to work and when I did, compliments galore!! I wore bright guava lipstick to work the other day with just mascara and liner (What? No dark eyes and pale lips??? Heavens!!) and once again, compliments. I subscribe to a LOT of beauty/fashion blogs and yet, yours is the only one that I hurry to read each day. Because you’re REAL. You aren’t afraid to share who you are with us and I think that takes courage! We women have to find ways of being supportive to one another, cuz it’s a jungle out there! (you MUST use that pic of you as a profile pic–it is SO cute and fun with the filters!!!) <3
Yes, that’s the one! I think it would look cute too! I ordered it on Friday, so we will see how I like it!