23 February 2013

Don't Flatter Yourself

So here I was in this outfit - with this hair - thinking I looked pretty good until I saw my pics. And this frizzball that is my head.
 
Why is it that photos sometimes speak truer than mirrors?  

basic orange

I'm not sure what made me do it, but a few months ago I decided on a whim to try on all my trousers and take pics of myself in them from the front, side and back. Well the front and side views were kind of as-expected, but the rear view? Uh - wow, I've never felt so bad for anyone that could be stuck behind me before.

Baggy Butt seemed to be a recurring issue with me in trousers, and the few pairs that didn't sag had the wonderfully (un)flattering effect of pulling tight across my bum and showing the outline of my rear pockets through. I can do nothing but blame cheap trousers and Double Stuffed Oreos for my fit predicament.

basic orange  basic orange

Suffice it to say, but I gave up multiple pairs of pants that day. Which was a big deal for me because BB (before blogging) I hardly ever bared my legs and wore trousers all the time. Which essentially meant I had been showing off some unflattering backside for years. Years.

So for a multitude of reasons I wear a lot fewer trousers now. And the handful of pairs I have kept actually look good on me from all most angles. The things we learn through the camera lens.

Are there types of clothes that don't flatter your body too well but you still choose to wear? Are there styles you used to wear before you realized they didn't flatter you?

basic orange

basic orange

Blazer: Cartonnier by Anthropologie frontrunner (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Top: Limited button detailed (sim, sheer, pricey)
Jeans: BR outlet (worn here - sim, sim, steal)
Belt: F21 (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Necklace: Emerson Fry (worn here - sim, sim, pricey)
Bracelet: J.Crew golden stripes (worn here - sim, sim, sim)
Ring: BR (worn here - sim, sim, deco)
Bag: Holding Horses via Anthropologie tasseled leather (worn here - sim, quilted, luxe)
Shoes: J.Crew mona tasseled (worn here - sim peep, as loafers & again)

45 comments:

  1. SUCH a cute outfit. That shade of red-orange is one of my recent favorites. I know what you mean about the jeans. I've been having such a hard time finding pairs that don't leave me with a saggy bum! And to answer your question, I think I wear something I like until I realize it's unflattering...and then it quietly slips into the back of my closet until I dig it out one day to donate it ; )

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    1. I sometimes hold onto clothes that I know look unflattering on me - like one day I (or the clothes) will magically change and become more flattering on me! ;o)

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  2. Personally I like to think that is why we don't have eyes in the back of our head. We're not meant to look at what's going on "back there". That is and should always remain a mystery. The mind blowing realization that you look like a wide load truck from behind can be unsettling to say the least. I remember telling my husband after once seeing my butt from behind in cut-off jeans to never ever, ever take a photo of me from behind again or he was risking divorce. So far so good.

    The fact of the matter is that we all have our own ideas of how we perceive ourselves. I am never going to have the perfect model body with thighs that don't touch and a tiny butt that is just right. I've come to accept that fact.

    So, that all said I still wear pants and I don't fret about it. Life is too short to worry about my bum when I have a whole slew of other things to worry about.

    That blazer is unique and I love the orange with the jeans.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  3. Oh my goodness, this is something I'm struggling with just about everyday as a new blogger. I post pictures where my hair is messed up all the time haha, because I don't realize it until they are already uploaded. And things that I loved before and thought looked fantastic might look, well, terrible in photos. Then I don't know if it's how the outfit truely looks or if it is just a trick of the camera. I wouldn't say I've gotten rid of anything because of it just yet, but I've stopped wearing things the way I would have before.

    Also, I am loving your shoes, and the embellishment on the blazer adds some great interest!

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    1. Haha, I used to take outfit pics sans head so I wouldn't have to worry about how my hair and face looked!

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  4. oh man, you are braver than I am. I never ever want to know what my butt looks like. There is a lot going on back there so I'd rather be oblivious.

    As far as styles go, I always wish I could be one of those girls who wore free flowing tops and swishy skirts and everything just goes together even though it shouldnt, and their hair looks great air dried and all they need a swipe of mascara. I wish I was one of those girls. But I feel like myself in a more buttoned up look, with blazers and straightened hair and specifically placed eyeliner. It takes time to look like this! I wish I could be more carefree.

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    1. Oh girl, you don't want to see me in air dried hair. Oh no no no ... ;o)

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  5. First, I think this is acute outfit! Second, I hat it when I'm feeling pretty good about my self then I look at the blog pictures and thing "whoa!" I totally agree about pants and the flattering factor too. I hate saggy butt and it seems like I'll put jeans on and they'll be fine, then 30minutes late no belt can say my butt.
    Ginny
    mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com

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  6. Cute outfit! As you mentioned, I think a lot of times the problem isn't necessarily your body type but just the trouser in general. I have had a few of those trousers that for some reason, after a few minutes of wearing, look like I hadn't washed them in weeks (i.e. saggy and wrinkled and just plain awful). I've come to the conclusion that I will just have to avoid the cheaper ones until I can find a brand that retains its shape for more than a day :)
    FashionEdible Blog

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  7. i wish i could wear skater skirts. i LOVE the look of full skirts on EVERYONE else but me. i have hips and boney knees and they just do not look good on me. capri/cropped pants also don't do me any favors. it's kind of shocking how many times i have put on an outfit and thought it looked cute but then when looking at the pics i am like...woah. what happened here??? my mirror is a total back-stabber! =)

    xoxo, jenn
    the stylish housewife

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    1. "My mirror is a total back-stabber!" That's hilarious! And true ...

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  8. Oh, I have learned so many terrible things from 3-way mirrors! If I were not blessed with the gift of indomitable courage, I would never leave the house. Well, apartment.

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    1. I think the 4-way mirror from "What Not to Wear" is the most nail-biting part of the show. Oh THAT'S what I look like from back there?!

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  9. I think some changing rooms in stores have "special" mirrors. When I try clothes on in the store, they look really good. But then when I take them home and see myself in the mirror, it's a different story. I know what my problem area is/are so I try my best to avoid wearing clothes that would expose those area.

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    Replies
    1. I'm totally with you - I think some stores have "skinny" mirrors!

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  10. gosh, i know what you mean. its really hard to look good from the front and the back at the same time, lol. and finding a good pair of trousers is super hard. i need to find more pants that work. i just keep wearing long tops!

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  11. yep, I think I wear a lot of full or long skirts that emphasize my hips in the wrong way- I shudder to think what that back view looks like sometimes. I don't think I could handle getting a full-on back view. I might never leave the house!

    gosh, I love Cartonnier blazers- they're the best! This outfit is totally awesome- great colours and shoes. and cute jeans :)

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  12. In mirrors, you can angle yourself to get the best image looking back at you. Cameras aren't nearly that friendly!

    I'm not sure leggings/skinny jeans are the most flattering on me but I wear them anyway. And honestly, your hair isn't really that frizzy...if that's as frizzy as it gets, you're pretty lucky! :)

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    1. Thanks, Rachel. Oh no, that's not as frizzy as it gets. That's frizzy with product - you don't want to see it au naturale!

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  13. Nothing wrong with this look, I find you fabulous! Love the leather details on the bag and the color scheme you got going on in your blazer and scarf <3 So glad I clicked on your comment that led me back to your blog, your posts' contents are info and image juicy so expect to be seeing some regular comments from me. I've just upload my selection of street style shots I personally took from London Fashion Week, do tell me what you think on whether or not you approve of these street provokers.

    xx The Provoker
    http://www.the-provoker.com/2013/02/street-provokers.html

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  14. I've learned that gap jeans are not my friend and I should just suck it up and buy the ones that fit right. Oi.
    Adore this blazer! You know me and blazers... Lol

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    1. I've got two pairs of skinny jeans from F21 years ago that I still wear but they are cheap and always give me saggy butt - why do I hold onto them?!

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  15. My jeans are always, always, always too long. I've grown up with that problem so I don't really notice it anymore, but I think others do.

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  16. LISA, I lOVE THE BLAZER & THE PUMPS. With the addition of the orange blouse, the 3 match perfectly together.

    And here is a feature for you:

    http://elegancepersonification.blogspot.com/2013/02/week-best-looks-february-24th-2013.html?showComment=1361739603586#c7124088326673272758

    Take Care, Ada. =)

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  17. I try not to wear things that I don't like on me. I think flattering can be a matter of opinion but the deciding factor for me is how I feel in it. And sometime I have to sacrifice the double stuffed for the regular oreo's as well :)

    When Mine Became Ours

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  18. I SO love this look! The pops of orange are fabulous! You look great!

    xo, Kenya

    www.kenyaldesigns.com

    Kenya L Fashion Blog

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  19. LOVE this look!! Thanks for stopping by the blog! xo, Julie

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  20. Lisa - I totally resonate with this post. I own a ton of trousers and since I have started blogging - I am not sure I like how I look in them. So most of my photos are of me in skirts & dresses.

    I love the details on your jacket - it adds so much fun factor to your outfit!

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

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  21. Lisa, Perhaps you are being too hard on yourself and should ask the opinion of someone else you trust on how you look from behind? For the life of me I can't tell if pants or shorts look good on me, but my husband is a very good judge. After looking at your front for a while now, I can't believe you look as bad as you say!

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    1. Thanks, Soph. I think part of the deal for me is that I have trousers from a ton of different brands and cuts, and honestly I don't think I paid much attention back then on which ones actually work for me. I'm short so most of the time if the inseam worked, I was all in! ;o)

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  22. I do this all of the time. I have broad ribs and shoulders and absolutely no hips and bum, so I have a hard time finding dresses that fit well. I feel your pain. I'm loving this blazer on you, it's lovely!
    xoAmy
    www.dreamingincashmere.com

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    1. Love the outfit! :) I can totally relate with you! I had the same thought once, and took a pic of myself, from behind, lol! I didn't expect anything bad, but the pic showed me a lot of things haha~ Yes, definitely! Lately, I find myself unattractive with jeans but I still love them! I worry about my thighs, but I can't help it, it's in the genes. It taught me how to accept physical changes in my bodies. And yes, worried about getting older too haha!

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  24. Aw girl don't be so hard on yourself... that is the downside of blogging -we get soooo overly critical of ourselves! You look beautiful :)

    XO
    Pearls & Paws

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  25. This is such a perfect laid back look, perfect! I think it´s best to wear trousers/jeans with heels although I wear them with flats all the time and I-
    ´m short. ;)

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    1. I attend trade shows quite often and I always bring a pair of flats with me. Because after a few hours of walking around, I couldn't care less about what looks flattering on me, hehe!

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  26. I feel this way about photos all the time. I'll snap a shot, look at it, and go, "OMG, do I really LOOK like that?" Half the time I make a small, productive change to the outfit and the other half I spend an absurd amount of time frantically tearing through my closet for something else to wear.

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    1. I love it when I come home and take a pic or look at myself in the mirror and think - did I look like that ALL DAY?! ;o)

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  27. Oh you are my kind of woman. I got curious when you commented on my blog and decided to take a peak. Hah... a girl with humour who can laugh about herself. That's what the world needs. More fun. Don't worry about your bum, I bet it is not half as bad. We always judge far too harsh. Other people don't look at us like we do to ourselves. You have just shown us picture of your front (very clever) and that looks 100% OK. And the shoes.... my my, now I now why you called your blog Respect the shoes. I do.
    My bum is not existing and I don't have any hips. Not very flattering in trousers either. Usually I try to cover those areas and sometimes you just think "I don't care".
    Greetje

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  28. Lisa, that is a very smart move. Now, you have me thinking and i might just venture and do the same this weekend.
    What I do, is wear the item and criticize it all day long and by the end of the day I am practically burning what it is i don't like.
    Items that have been gradually disappearing from my closet ? CAPRIS! I had at least 10 and now I am down to about 3 which I think will find their way out sooner than later.

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  29. Lisa, you made me laugh, but taking butt pics now seems like quite the good idea. Actually, my own blog photos showed me that I wasn't all that or a big o' chips in most slacks. While I do love a good skinny jean, I'm all about the skirts and dresses now.

    Also, my hair looks worse in pics than it does in real life. Partly because hubby never notices a cow lick, and partly because my hair really is a ball of frizz, not helped by high winds, rain, or humidity, most of which I manage to attract in my outside pics :P

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  30. You are funny, but please don't be so hard on yourself. You are gorgeous and those photos look chic and ready for a day about town!

    Angela

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