There aren't many blogs that will ever think they wouldn't wear something because it was too much or a bit too out there.It's almost taboo to say that you would be too 'scared' to wear something. Scared of being stared at, whispered about, judged? This might be affected by where you live, who you work or are friends with, what the 'norm' is. I've been thinking about this because I have some crazy favourites but often when choosing an outfit and you're in a rush or time is ticking, I'll plump for safe things that I've worn before and won't stand out too much. But then when you're out and about, you feel drab and bored. Being a fashion blogger, I often think if I ever ran into a reader again and was wearing one of those fall-back outfits I'd be quite embarrassed.
Also if I get something new I usually make outfits and play around with it, but some are just for fun. I tried to figure out why I wouldn't wear these out and the only answer would be because what would people think of me, would it make my day any different? What if I ran into someone and they thought woah, why is she wearing that?! But that's silly! What's the point in caring what people think, and who says they would think anything anyway?
Can you wear something you love for any crazy, random reason, or something that's straight from the runway, and not look nice? There are somethings you just couldn't wear for outside reasons, for instance the bloggers who live in the hottest American states who can wear towering heels with minute dresses in the day time. Here that's not practical or functional as it's never that hot, and even like today when it is, what would happen? It would gain attention? Maybe it's a bit like evolution- British style hasn't needed to adapt style like that because it's never needed. But the UK is a fashion destination. London is a fashion capital.
So what's the problem? Do you ever read magazines where there is an interview with guys and they trash fashion trends and ask why girls wear some 'crazy' things? Often these seem to involve super high heels, loads of makeup and full on boho or 80's looks. But fashion doesn't make people ugly! Whatever you wear, it's you that shines through. When someone looks at you, they don't just see clothes. Of course clothes give off vibes and create assumptions, but it's the way you walk, the way you act, and whether the clothes wear you rather than you wearing the clothes. It's easy to assume people look at things in a negative way but people aren't always critiquing and judging you.
I was thinking about just going out in an outfit rather than just clothes. I mean something that is a key piece in your wardrobe for whatever reason, not just the selection of items you've worn loads of times and like, but don't feel like your ultimate self in. My lectures in uni are about 95% girls and sometimes it feels like outfits are safe in the blogging world but if I wore even heels to a lecture, would people whisper or talk? But I know if I ever see anyone in anything different I think 'ooo that girl is so cool/oooh that girl has the best hair everrr/ she can wear those so well!' it's your own thoughts that are ridiculing yourself, not those of others. You can't predict what people will think. Does it matter if they think anything at all? Should you flatter yourself by believing people will care what you wear anyway?!
Yesterday I was meeting one of my besties for lunch on her break in town and then had a few places to visit (namely to buy six pairs of tights!). It's absolutely boiling and I thought, why not wear the floral jumpsuit! I've been meaning to forget any voice in my head saying 'don't wear that! who walks round in a floral babygro?!' My sister was like 'you're wearing that?...' which didn't help! But I wore it to do the test anyway! And it was fine! Some business man said to his friend 'that's ridiculous' when we went for lunch in a pub but hey, who cares! Who is he? I don't know! Five girls asked where it was from. I'd rather listen to their opinions than the people I caught nudging their friends. And even if they were, maybe they weren't assuming I was weird? I'd rather show people I will wear whatever I want and please myself than listen to that voice that says 'conform! just wear something normal and have a normal day!'. Goodbye little voice!
I agree; but regardless, the floral jumpsuit is AMAZING
no one thought you were crazy, trust me
Posted by: Dana | July 01, 2009 at 05:10 PM
That jumpsuit looks great on you. I'm not really put off wearing prints or bold styles because of what people might think, but do get scared of looking really overdressed or underdressed. When I see pictures of people in high heels and short dresses for daytime it can seem effortless, but somehow walking around a british town full of jeans and trainers it just looks like you have stayed out all night.
Posted by: chelsea | July 01, 2009 at 05:16 PM
Good for you! People can be so funny when it comes to fashion. Seriously, what's the big deal? I don't get it. The other day I was walking out of my street wearing something I'd consider to be perfectly normal- a cream tee from H&M tucked into a dark green pencil skirt that zips up the front and a couple of layered gold necklaces, nothing special at all. But a group of chavvy looking girls decked out in tracksuits and fluorescent tank tops couldn't seem to control themselves when I walked past and one even sarcastically shouted 'nice skirt' at me. Eh?! I was mostly confused at the time but thinking back it kind of annoys me that people feel they have the right to say nasty things about what other people wear. I think it will always amaze me how closed minded some people can be when it comes to clothing. Being part of the blogosphere helps so much though. If I post an outfit and people leave comments saying that they like it I go into some sort of ignorant mode and assume that people on the streets are looking because they think I look great!
Posted by: Hannah | July 01, 2009 at 05:23 PM
I think you look great! I wear whatever I want without worrying about what people will think :)
Posted by: Leia | July 01, 2009 at 05:33 PM
The jumpsuit is really pretty and you shouldn't feel afraid to wear it but I do understand your point. I live ina very small village and everytime I wear somthing diffrent I do feel self conscience. However it is already my aim for the summer to be braver in what I wear. So thanks for this post. =)
Posted by: Jessica | July 01, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Oh I LOVE that outfit on you! Me and my boyfriend were having a similar-ish discussion last night... I was bemoaning the fact that people keep totally staring at me on my new red bike and that only seems to get worse when I wear my dresses, favourite shoes etc... and I was asking (moaning really) as to why I don't wear/like more sensible, normal things (i.e. not neon pink) and he just answered that it wasn't in my nature. I don't think it's in your nature either :) Don't let the voices in your head (or other people's comments) outrule your funkiness – fashion is meant to be fun after all.
Posted by: Zoe, Conversation Pieces | July 01, 2009 at 06:36 PM
I do the exact same thing as you, and this entry has actually made me reconsider. I keep picking safe outfits rather than wearing my crazier stuff. But safe is boring! Also, your outfit is majorly cute and if I saw you wearing it out I'd think you were awesome... and I'm sure there a loads more people like me :)
Posted by: kate | July 01, 2009 at 07:20 PM
The jumpsuit. Again. I covet it! :)
Posted by: Cafe Fashionista | July 01, 2009 at 07:22 PM
wow selina that was really inspiring! i have moments like that where i wonder if i'm brave enough to wear an outfit but after this i think i'm gonna go for it! i just think that you're only young once so why not make the most of it? like if you look at my most recent post, i bought this dress from asos but i cant decided whether to keep it or not. it's quite short, really tight and the shoulders fall off a lot but i love the style and pattern. i really can't decide what to do!
Posted by: Rosa | July 01, 2009 at 07:33 PM
I've been thinking this a lot--why I don't always wear exactly what I want to. Blogging has made me more confident in what I wear, but not as much as I'd like to be. Congrats on having the courage to wear this epic jumpsuit out and thanks for sharing this.
Posted by: Amelia | July 01, 2009 at 08:31 PM
I love that jumpsuit!
I've been trying to train myself to think the same. I'll often plan an outfit then when it comes to getting dressed in the morning fall back on something relatively safe and boring instead. I'm definitely going to make the effort to dress more like I'd like to now though!
Posted by: fritha louise | July 01, 2009 at 09:36 PM
I love your blog! Everything you write is so easy to relate to. I usually try to push myself out the door before I have time to rethink an outfit, but half the time I end up changing. I'm glad you were brave and went for it because every outfit you post here is fabulous. Playing it safe is for those without a fabulous jumpsuit :)
Posted by: Laura | July 01, 2009 at 10:15 PM
Brilliant post... Love your thoughts on the matter. It's been really interesting in my first few weeks interning in fash-un this summer to note that even those supposedly "stylish" people stay relatively safe the majority of the time; albeit in high end labels... It's good to mix it up sometimes ;-D and I too fall into ruts - namely, grey jeans and nondescript tee all too often... But then today I wore a chintsy jumpsuit and a coral oversized top to work, and felt perfectly comfy, so maybe it's just about redefining what our fallbacks are :-D
Xxxc
Posted by: Cassiopeia | July 01, 2009 at 10:57 PM
You put this so well. I've thought about this before and I definitely agree that there is always a 'safe' option. Sometimes I'll opt for a slummy baggy tee and skinny jeans and converse which requires a lot less effort...My fashion sense certainly isn't out there but I'm not scared of colour which I know puts a lot of people off and to an extent sets me apart from my friends. What I really love is putting an outfit together which is so much fun and it boosts my confidence too because I like what I'm wearing!
I love your romper and I am so glad you wore it! I so love your Luella hairband....ahh.
Posted by: Winnie | July 01, 2009 at 11:40 PM
i love your posts lately, you really make me think :)
i couldn't agree more with what you say here, i find i have total style freedom when living in london, a little freedom when in stoke and somehow i become VERY aware of what im wearing when back in ballycastle (n.ireland) mostly because i get stared at by the local country folk, i have a horrible feeling when i move back there for the summer next week it will happen again, argh!
p.s. - that is an AMAZING jumpsuit!
Posted by: elisabeth | July 02, 2009 at 12:08 AM
No, I completely agree. I find vintage, eccentric pieces- and those are the ones I look good in. But don't get me wrong, people harass you in the States just as much as you've written about, depending on where you are.
(another one of my pet peeves is magazines. In the US Elle, the creative director has a column where he does 'does and don't' but in a recent issue took pictures from a helsinki street style website. That really bothers me- especially since these people probably did not consent to it. And without black marks on their faces, they looked pretty amazing.)
Posted by: azumi | July 02, 2009 at 01:46 AM
what a darling jumpsuit! who cares what boring old businessmen think!!?
Posted by: erin | July 02, 2009 at 02:34 AM
I personally dont like the jumpsuit!!! Something about the legs! It would look very very cute as shorts like a little romper or something. But alas even though i dont like it you carry it off well. Well done on having the confidence to wear what you like. I never have that. Im going to London next week also, and i find that you feel so much more confortable there wearing something weird than at home. I love that no one judges you ( they probly do tho) but its so busy that no one cares. Not like here in portsmouth where you wear anything a bit diffrent and chavs through there food at you! lol
Posted by: katie | July 02, 2009 at 08:18 AM
Whoa! How brave :) I should do the same, too!!
Posted by: Estrella | July 02, 2009 at 01:47 PM
haha sometimes i enjoy the bad comments, it makes me feel that at least i stand out and im not stuck in fear of branching out from 'current trends' or just the safe options.. just go for it, who cares!
darwin xx
Posted by: darwin | July 02, 2009 at 04:55 PM
I am definitely loving that outfit! Admittedly, I don't have the guts to pull it off but you so do and that is awesome!
Posted by: Isabel | July 02, 2009 at 05:59 PM
I replied on my blog too, by the way you should definitely try one of those rompers, they're made for you :-)
Posted by: alicepleasance | July 02, 2009 at 06:05 PM
Right on dude... dont worry about other people, fashion is about fun and creativity! I started wearing heels and adventurous outfits everyday to high school in junior year, and sure, people stare. And yeah, some people think I'm weird.
But I never, ever got compliments before I started believing in my own style. Generally, people respect people that put on outfits that they are too scared to wear. Some times, when you push sartorial boundaries, you inspire other people to wear things they never thought they could!
So cudos to you for wearing the jumpsuit! Its adorable :D
awesome blog... keep it up!
pinknapoleon.blogspot.com
Posted by: Britte | July 02, 2009 at 08:48 PM
I agree compeltly! - but that jumpsuite is amazing and I thik you can get away with wearing it out without hiding behind a car if you see someone you know! tehe :)
www.beautiful-rampage.blogspot.ccom
amazing blog
soph x
Posted by: sophie | July 02, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Wonderful post. I definitely fall into a "safe" category far too often. It is one of my pet peeves though when guys say things about girls following certain trends and dressing "unattractive"--as it is our purpose in life to appear cute for the 24/7! Makes me want to dress more outlandishly b/c that is such a chauvenistic view of how women should dress...
Posted by: The Clothes Horse | July 02, 2009 at 11:48 PM