WEARING:
Mark & Estel dress (trying to wear things I’m on the fence about keeping…)
No6 Clogs
Gap belt (thanks to Sharon)
Balenciaga bag (secondhand from MOSS)
Since yesterday’s experiment worked so well, I decided again today to choose an outfit and not allow myself to change once I put it on. Also, I’m trying to wear things I’m not sure if I should keep or not, and this dress is on the list. First, not letting myself change clothes is so liberating; I feel in control finally – I think I’ll do this everyday. Second, I’m keeping this dress. In spite of the fact that you can see my KNEES when I wear it, it’s comfortable, easy and looks okay on me.
Following on the heels of yesterday’s discussion on body image, I kept thinking today that this outfit would look so much cuter on someone else – someone with smaller calves, who’s taller, maybe a bit more busty. Of course I would think that. I always think that. But when I met Amy today for her to try on the Current/Eliot boyfriend jeans, she complimented my outfit and mentioned how nice I looked, and “put-together.” But she also said about her outfits or outfits she likes, that she sometimes feels they’d look cuter on other people. To which I said that I thought the EXACT same thing about this outfit!
We already know this, but we are our own WORST critics. We think we look horrible, or focus on our more “challenging” body parts, while the people around us see the whole package, and are never as critical as we are of our own bodies. The problem is, what is the “truth?” What do I really look like? I know I look like the person I see in the mirror, but it’s my perception and interpretation of that image that wreaks havoc on my self-esteem. But I think this process I’ve started of getting dressed and not changing is going to help a lot with getting my brain back on the right track. I KNOW I’m choosing outfits that I’m comfortable in, and fit me well, so I can’t look THAT bad…can I? I just need to trust myself and move on.
Have you ever thought that about your outfits? That they would look “so much cuter on someone else”?
Oh yes girl. I absolutely thing this all the time. I try and get outfits that I’ve seen either in catalogs, blogs, whatever, and I frequently don’t think it looks “right” on me. Too much comparison with the mannequins and those that look like them. Other people may tell me it looks so cute on me, but all I will see is how my mind is telling me it’s supposed to look, and how I don’t measure up.
On that note, I love this dress on you! I’ve been seeing lots of high to low hems like this and I really want to try one. It’s so funny, I just pinned a bunch of skirts like this today, and here you are wearing one and making me want to try it more!
This one should be a keeper for you! It’s pretty classic and gives you a cute shape in my opinion!
So I never hardly ever leave comments – just not my thing. But….this outfit on you looks great. Although I don’t dig the belt – seems like it’s an after thought.
Otherwise, it’s a simple clean outfit that you wear instead of the outfit wearing you.
Those are the outfits that matter the most.
I really like that dress on you!! Of course it could look better in someone else and much worse in some other…The point is who cares, if you feel good on it that’s it. As I said people doesn’t really care about what you are wearing we are the only ones worrying about that. It’s good that the people tell you their opinions because the image will always be better than you think.
I don’t think we can love every part in our bodies, there were always things that we hate but we are a whole thing not that part.
It looks beautiful on YOU!
I really like this on you. I think it looks fantastic! I feel that way all the time, so I get what you are saying. It is hard to not think about how great outfits would look on others.
As you know, I think this looks so fantastic on you that I am trying to hunt one down myself! What always strikes me about your outfits is that you have a great sense of what works for you and of your own personal style– so I agree, you need to trust yourself!
I try to dress in a way that works with my body type, so I don’t often get a case of “it would look better on someone else”. I might see something in the store or catalog and think that, but that’s always going to be the case with something because our bodies are all different.
Please don’t get rid of that dress, I want us to be dress twins. 🙂 Although I haven’t worn it much because I’m not 100% sure the best way to style it. You look great in it, especially with the addition of that belt and those shoes!
I’m with Sarge in Charge: I’m trying to track one down, too! I was hoping you were going to sell, even though it looks great on you. So, if I did tell you to sell, it would be a completely self-serving move on my part! lol… 😉
i want to see it on you!
thanks so much for your comment jane, i appreciate that you took the time to leave one!
i somewhat agree with you on the belt, it’s not my first thought to belt things, but with this dress i have to. it’s so big and shapeless on its own that without a belt i look like i’m trying to hide something underneath….
I think this dress looks perfect on you. I’m enjoying your series on wearing an outfit and keeping it on, and your thoughts on body image. It’s so easy to criticize our own bodies and think “if only…then it would look great”. I often have those thoughts. I know it’s cliche but it’s so true that when someone is able to accept who they are and their body, everything looks great on them, because they emit an aura of confidence and beauty. I’m working on that.
Mamavelveeta- We seem to be on the same page often 🙂 If you haven’t emailed M&E customer service yet, you might want to try- I found out they have a few sizes/colors/versions (v-neck versus crew) left that aren’t on their site. Finally decided on a charcoal crewneck version! Also, they told me they can custom make one but it will be full price rather than the sale price.
yes! that is true, but it’s so hard to get there. i was there i think, for a little while, but it didn’t last long.
i think selecting an outfit, or at least the “foundation” of an outfit (like a dress, or pants, or a skirt) and keeping that on, working around it, has helped me a lot. for some reason it keeps my brain in check – and not able to create all those negative thoughts. maybe because i know i can’t change…
Thanks for your comment! i hope we can continue the discussion, it’s really important, and it doesn’t happen enough on style blogs. more often the body image blogs/posts are lecturing on body image – tips on getting there – without sharing personal experiences.
so glad you’re getting the dress! please post pictures when you do 🙂
Wow! Thanks for your input. I’m going to check that out. I had no idea that a company would even do that for you!
Just popping in and I wanted to tell you that you do look absolutely put together. And I think the outfit looks great on YOU!! And I love taupe with bright yellow. And I also think that dress length is lovely on you. (but yes, the inner critics are the worst. and i battle mine too on the daily)
thanks so much jennye – i’m getting so much use out of my bright yellow bag! who would have ever thought…