What I Wore:
Cardigan: Target - $5.58
Shirt: NY&Co - $3
Pants and belt: Christmas gift
Shoes: Payless - $20
Necklace: eBay - $20
All I'm saying is...
Is this outfit perfect? No. (Is every outfit post perfect? Of course not!) But, I almost didn't post it because I wasn't confident enough in the outfit...but I had to remind myself that my blog is just as much about what didn't work as much as what did and I'd be lying if I didn't point out that I wasn't sold on this outfit or didn't post it at all (and I needed to prove that I did wear pants this week, as promised).
I mean, I don't think this outfit is terrible, I just don't think that it's one of my best, right?
However...
Did I like wearing it and have I learned something by taking a picture of myself and analyzing it? Oh, yeah.
Do I ask rhetorical questions and answer myself like an obnoxious know-it-all? Sometimes.
XO,
49 comments:
i say if the outfit isnt up to your standards then dont wear it. You said you were almost not confident to post it on here. If you are not confident enough in the outfit then it probably isnt right for you. Wearing something good should bring that extra confidence to you and make you feel great!!!!
A few thoughts...First, that white shirt is perfectly fitted to you. I am immensely jealous - it's so hard to find properly fitted button-downs! Second, I really like the pants. Quirky patterns make me smile all day long whenever I wear them (I'm currently wearing a cat-print cardigan). I also like the idea of the outfit as a whole, though if you're not quite sure about it then keep tweaking away until you find a version that you really like. Thankfully, there's very little "right" or "wrong" when it comes to clothes, so one not-quite-perfect-in-your-eyes outfit isn't a bad thing :)
I really liked and got inspired... Kisses from Brazil.
There's a fine line between transparency, as a blogger, and just plain "I looked frumpy as heck and didn't want to share this outfit." I think you're being a little too hard on yourself here...the red cardi looks great against the patterned pants! I think there's also a fine line between pushing your boundaries/stepping out of your comfort zone, and just plain feeling ridiculous. (In this case, the latter should not apply!)
I am totally with you. You have to try things to figure out what works and what doesn't. And you are confident enough to put it up here and admit, it doesn't work. I think that's what makes a great blogger- someone who full out admits their insecurity with something and confidently states "oh well. I tried." and thats what makes everyone's blog unique and worth coming back to!
Happy Friday!
Clare
Understated Classics
I appreciate your honesty with your post! For what it's worth, I think you look adorable! I'm way too chicken to wear patterned pants, but they look great on you! I also have those flats in a metallic brown and black combo...I LOVE them - so comfy!
theoriginalbrynn.blogspot.com
I think this outfit is different because of the belt and shoes. If you put black shoes on with a black belt; I doubt you wouldn't be sold!
So, what WOULD you change about this outfit? Inquiring readers want to know :-)
Also, I just posted an outfit today that I'm not sold on. And, a little secret: I ended up swapping out pieces of it after I took the picture so I could be more comfortable.
It's hard to say, but maybe the only tweak this outfit would need would be to un-tuck the shirt and lose the belt? That's really the only thing I find wrong with it. The colors are so spot on and the pieces themselves look just fine together. This is no where near an outfit fail in my opinion. :) But blogging definitely has made me second guess EVERYTHING in my closet and how they can or are supposed to be worn!
GREAT pants!
It's a cute outfit - I love all the pieces (I have those shoes and they are so comfy). I know that feeling though of looking at an outfit and realizing it just didn't work the way you wanted it to.
Haha, questions I ask myself ALL THE TIME.
i love it, the shoes with the patterned pants...only thing i might change..a darker necklace. Those pants are ...perfection
That's a good point! I think a black or darker bubble necklace would have made it look a lot different!
So glad I'm not the only one that talks to myself...and answers back. ;)
I love these shoes, too -- I think they're on their last leg (pun-ha!)! I wore them in the rain and they're slightly on the rancid side (TMI?) now...
I like them, too! I'm not 100% sold on the fit...I think that's part of my issues with the outfit as a whole.
Hmmm....I think you might be onto something here. I tend to tuck my shirts in because I feel so frumpy and loose when I don't. I like the colors and the idea of the outfit -- there's just something off about it to me.
Well...I think part of it is my hair/make up. This was SUCH a lazy day for me as far as that goes. Without my head, I think the outfit is okay other than the fit of the pants. Does that make sense? ha!
I'll have to check out your outfit -- it's good to know that other people go through the same thing!
Good idea! Maybe there was too much going on?
Thanks, Brynn! You're such a sweetie. :)
I do love these shoes, but I'm about to give up on them! Long story short...I wore them in the rain and they got all soaked and probably aren't in the best shape anymore. :(
I love this comment! Thank you for sharing this with all of us! :)
I think that there's a lot of pressure for bloggers to always be on their game/get it right every time -- when most bloggers probably don't post most or all of their outfits, right? I don't want to have that pretense of being absolutely perfect (or taking myself too seriously!).
haha--I love the way you put things! :)
I don't think I felt ridiculous, something about the outfit just felt a little off for "me." I'll keep trying with these pants and we'll see if I can pull any magic out of them. :)
Thanks for stopping by, Vivian! I'm glad you liked it!
I know what you mean about always second-guessing outfits because we blog about them and maybe some may not be "blog-worthy." I think your ensemble is super-cute and chic - totally worth some posting time!
Tell me about it! It is SO hard to find button downs when you're not a stick! I find that what fits my waist often gapes at the chest, but when I fit my chest, the rest of me looks frumpy! Hate that!
I really like the print of the pants, too! I think it's unique and fun for a professional look.
I agree with you, too, that fashion is subjective and our tastes change often! I appreciate that we can get dressed differently every day and whatever we wear is okay!
Good point! I originally had this outfit on hangers, and I felt fine in it all day...but it just seemed odd and awkward when I looked at the picture (I only managed to get one because I didn't have enough time! ha! I guess that could be part of it!).
I love the concept of this outfit! I love that you have a patterned pant - I haven't ventured there yet, but have my eyes peeled for them. You mentioned that you think the pants aren't the best fit - I think they fit pretty well, and I wonder if they need to be hemmed a smidge? I'm not sure - it's hard to tell from the picture, so this isn't a judgment. I have had pants that have hit the ankle and the wrong spot and not made me feel as together, so maybe that's the case here for you? I love the color cardigan - I am a tad jealous that you always find such great deals at Target - I do not have a knack for that. I agree with a previous reader - maybe try not tucking the shirt. You can also wear a longer cardigan over an untucked shirt and then belt it if that makes you feel more put together. This is a long comment to say I like the outfit, thanks for posting it and for your honesty!
My honest first thought was 'she looks adorable and I want those pants" so I'm sad you don't love it a much. Is it the pants? Is it because you know they would be great in my own closet? ;)
but seriously. there are some days where I take pictures and then I upload them and go "NOPE, NOT POSTING THIS" but I think for the most part we are doing what we intended - showing what real women are wearing to their real jobs. You're adorable, don't forget that.
I'm glad that you like the outfit! I can definitely be my own worst critic, so it helps that you ladies are so supportive and nice! :)
I'm really unsure about the pants, but I'm typically unsure about ankle pants in general. Perhaps that's part of it? And a big "no worries" from me on that, by the way. I didn't think you were judging at all -- I appreciate the openness and honesty here!
I think that I like your idea about the longer cardigan with a belt. Perhaps I'll it try again!
I find TOO many good deals at Target! That's the problem! haha!
I'm happy to share the pants at some point. We could probably just rotate our wardrobe around since we like each other's clothes so much. ha!
I completely agree with you -- and I love that our focus is about being relatable and real. :)
You rock, Franny!
LOVE this outfit! The colors are great! The ankle pants really chic! Lookin' good!
I personally, find it refreshing when bloggers admit to having insecurities and "bad" photo days. (I actually think you look cute, but it is about how you feel.) It helps keep the idea and image of realness, which is something I look for in a blog. If I want airbrushed and perfect, I will buy a magazine. I would much rather see women who actually wear and work in the clothes they post, the outfits they love, and occasionally the outfits they love less.
I agree! You gotta be real and every outfit isn't perfect. I still think it's cute though. Love your blog!
sometimes i think i talk more about what is wrong with my outfits or what i didn't like rather than the reverse. maybe it's just me, but i think we're (style bloggers) are really more prone to critique ourselves. i need to get away from doing that! but either way, i'd much rather see wrinkled shirts, loose hairs, scuffed shoes, etc on my google reader than perfectly posed and styled shots that aren't realistic or attainable. eek, this is turning into a rant!
i think the only thing i might change about your outfit is maybe a different necklace? the print on your pants is bold and the necklace is bold, so they kind of compete against each other and my eye didn't know where to go. i hope that might be helpful for the future! i will end by saying, i support you, W!
No, I like it on you! I would personally do all solids because I'm boring! hehe..
So glad you like it! I think that proves how subjective style is -- everyone sees something different when they look at an outfit! Thank you!
I completely agree with you here, MJ! My favorite blogs are the ones that I can relate to the most -- the rest just make me jealous of how perfect they are! haha!
I think that personal style is definitely a journey and we all have days where we don't feel like getting dressed or days we aren't particularly sold on something we wore. Thanks for reminding me of that!
Thanks, Katie! I really appreciated (and needed) this comment! :)
I do the SAME thing! I've been more hyper-critical of everything I wear and I analyze my outfits from the perspective of someone who is going to see it on my blog. It doesn't stop me from wearing things I like, but it changes how secure I feel in posting it. I'm so glad I have blogger friends like you who are supportive, but honest with me! :)
I did the whole "thumb over the picture" thing and I think you're onto something with your analysis of the necklace. Definitely helpful in the future! Thanks, Heidi!
You aren't boring! We're our own worst critic, I'm telling you!
Bummer! I hate when a favorite item gets ruined :(
Oh, I wasn't implying that you might have felt ridic :) I guess that was more of my own experiences subconsciously coming to the forefront, haha!
I have finally come around to posting the outfits I only kind of like, and not just the ones I love. I think it makes you look more real...and also helps keep a reminder of why you didn't like certain things so you don't repeat them. I will say - I LOVE those pants on you!
Well, I have to tell you in all honesty that before I read your post, I thought to myself, "This might be my very favorite outfit of hers". Seriously. And I'm not withholding constructive criticism or anything. I really love this outfit.
Whoa! I guess that settles it; everyone sees an outfit differently! Thanks for leaving me a sweet comment to let me know! I truly appreciate it -- I feel much better about this outfit knowing that someone else loves it! :)
I completely agree with you here. When I first started my blog, I posted EVERY outfit like a clothes journal, but then I started being more selective when I realized that other people started reading (ha!). Now, I'm back to trying to be more upfront about my struggles. I don't think anyone has it ALL together or loves everything they wear, right? :)
See, I love this. I love that I'm not the only one who wonders whether or not to post things. I started blogging as a way to look back and see what I wear everyday, not because I'm a pro. The misses are as fun as the hits ;)
Samantha @ Sam ipsa Loquitur
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