I bought something playful in a thrift-store but sadly it didn't fit. That happens to me a lot 'cause I'm too shy to on try clothes in stores. As a last resort, I pulled this interesting number out of my closet. I've never worn the dress before. Its dramatic print is appealing even though most will say the style is too "young" for me. Youth is merely an attitude. Summer is for playing around and that's what I'm doing here.
At least you had the opportunity to do it before the season changes. You look so happy, you might have to get a few more done before the weather does change
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dale. I was happy 'cause I was outside. I summoned my courage to pose in my backyard. Neighbors be damned!
DeleteKUDOS on the backyard posing! It was the second thing that I noticed -- the first being you looking so cute in that dress.
DeleteThat is such a fun 1960's look. I never try on anything either.
ReplyDeleteHow perceptive of you -- you identify why I like this style even when I don't consciously know why. It's because the dress reminds me of the Sixties.
DeleteI like the print, it is really cool. Not sure I could wear that length as I'm currently at a barbecue wearing short shorts and I feel very self conscious!!x
ReplyDeleteAlly, I'm here to give you a stern talking to. What's with this whole: "I realize I don't really LOOK good when I dress up" comment on Twitter? I don't want to hear that self-deprecating attitude! I am glad that the post doesn't take such a hard stance against yourself, and does identify the "issue" as the style but takes a "deal with it" stance. We all should "dress for ourselves" and this is all the more true in your case.
ReplyDeleteAlso interesting that you subconsciously were attracted to this dress because of the 60s influence, but the minute I saw the hat, I started mentally pairing the dress with a crinoline skirt (likely black and white vertical stripes) to make it more, what I guess I would term, "1950s Southern" (not that I lived in the 50s or the South).
Thank you, Cara. I was feeling genuinely insecure yesterday about my appearance and the tweet reflected that. Sometimes, like when an image in my head is contradicted by a clearly-worse image in real-life, I ache with sadness about the loss of my youth. Looking at these pictures, after I labored to create them, made me feel bad. I fear I look too old. Too unattractive. And that overwhelmed me as I was tweeting. Thank you for the kind, supportive words. I like your crinoline skirt idea and am attracted to the 1950's Southern belle ideal.
DeleteAlthough it does hurt me when you think negatively about yourself, ALL women (I'm fairly certain) go through it periodically. I know I do, and I know you think I'm nuts for ever feeling that way too. I have never once thought of you as old OR unattractive. When I look at you, I just see a beautiful woman, inside and out.
DeleteLeast you're getting outside!! Definitely take advantage of the warm weather while it's here. It'll be cold before you know it.
ReplyDeleteGoing outside was a bigger achievement than it looks. It took courage. I know because every second I was out there, I felt naked and stared at.
DeleteAlly, I felt the same way when I first cavorted in the back yard taking selfies. Also in the parking lot at work. It gets easier over time.
DeleteThe pink accents are dynamite with the black and white harlequin! And yes, very 60s.
ReplyDeleteI love the print! So playful!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute print, and the pink accessories are glorious. Would have loved to see you go bare-legged for a summer outfit!
ReplyDeleteI know bare legs are traditional for Summer but I actually prefer tights. I love tights. I thought it was just me, but there's another blogger who wears colored tights every day, year round. I like that.
DeleteI adore tights, too, and will sometimes wear them - or at least coloured knee highs or knee socks - in the summer, too. They, especially with vividly hued, can make such an incredible difference in an outfit and sometimes it's hard to wait a whole season (or longer, depending on when the chilly temps kick in) to don them again. One should always dress as they please, when possible, so I'm certainly with you on tights in August! :)
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
The dress is really pretty and I love the combo with the hat!
ReplyDeleteI would love to know your opinion on my new post on consumerism… I am thinking about making some kind of blogger group with a own button saying something like « conscious blogger ». What do you think about this? Would you like to be part of it?
Thanks a lot for your last comment : )
Xx
Larissa
cenestquedelachance.blogspot.de
I'd support that!
DeleteLove this! I tend to veer away from black and white prints myself--not sure why, it just seems to be unconscious--but I should remember that they look amazing with bright pink (and bright yellow) accents.
ReplyDeleteI found black and white leggings at Telco in Brooklyn for only $2.99!!!! Slightly smaller scale check than your dress. Imagine a totally B&W checked look! Eeeeeeek!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking black shoes might be more anchoring. Pink probably too matchy matchy. Or some other bright? Yellow? Turquoise?
I think it was indeed courageous of you to step outside. All first steps are going to be scary. You do not have an easy road ahead of you, but it will make you feel happy.
ReplyDeleteThe dress is fun and I can imagine you cry over lost youth even more than I do. At least I got to live my youth the way I wanted. I am afraid you will have to accept the fact that you are no longer 18. It is a fact which cannot be changed. Better to embrace it and go with it, than fight it.
(Am I being too much of a school teacher here? Then I appologize.)
Greetje
That's good advice. Hard to take but sound.
DeleteI wholeheartedly love that you paired this with hot pink accents! And I agree with the others that trying yellow and turquoise (or maybe teal?) with this dress could be fun too.
ReplyDeleteI felt the mod 60s vibe too and think it's cool that the hat isn't also a 60s feel. To me, the width and shape of the hat balance out the rest of the outfit just right, and maybe if you'd done a 60s hat, it would have come off costume-y. My only suggestion is maybe hot pink shoes. I don't normally get quite so matchy, but I think it would work here.
Is that your same mermaid hair? 'Cause it's just so stunning on you.