I’m liking my new white jeans more than I thought I would. So far I have managed to avoid chocolate stains from eating granola bars in the car.
My glovebox is filled with food. Small packets of nuts, raisins, granola bars, Snapea Crisps ( I love those things!). I don’t know how to change my tires, but if I ever get lost I’m not starving to death. Priorities people.
Top – Dorothy Perkins (really pretty one half the price I paid), White jeans – Marshalls (similar), Denim Blazer – Rickis (similar $104.25), Necklace – handmade, Shoes – Nine West (similar)
My top looks like my wall.
Do you dress to stand out or to blend in?
This came up recently while planning the details for the Blogger Meet-up this summer. Some of the restaurants we chose are family restaurants but both Melanie and I agree that it certainly would not stop us from getting dressed up to go to them. I very rarely, if ever dress down when I’m going out to eat. I’d rather be overdressed than under dressed any day.
This is my idea of brown bagging it dressed down…
That said, the activity is more likely to influence my outfit. If I know I’ll be walking a great deal, no heels. If I’m going for a hike I won’t be wearing a dress, although I have gone on remote picnics dressed in a fancy summer dress. Trying to recreate something like this…
Except with more food and fewer magazines.
While surfing for a photo of a picnic I stumbled across this…
Hell-oooooo!
That bruschetta sure looks delicious!
Can you believe that is an ad for salad dressing?
Okay…where was I? Oh yeah…when you go out, do you dress to stand out or blend in? Does the venue dictate how you dress?
Other outfits with my white jeans here with a vest and here with a velvet blazer.
Linking up with Shoe and Tell
Patti says
Oh man I really need some salad dressing just now, thanks. I love your look, the floral top is perfection. I alternate wanting to blend in or stand out, depending on my mood. Sometimes I like wearing all black or gray, and the brightest red lipstick, so there’s that. xox
suzanne carillo says
LOL just salad dressing right? ; )
Curtise says
Ha, those photos don’t reflect any picnics I’ve ever been on, mine are far less picturesque (and less naked) and usually involve children and crisps…
Anyway – like you , I dress for the occasion. It wouldn’t be practical to haul a maxi dress through the mud on a walk in the country, and taxi heels aren’t going to work for a long day pounding the pavements in the city. I don’t want to be too hot or too cold. But other than those considerations, I don’t think about whether I’ll stand out or blend in, and I don’t much care either way. I suppose I dress a little differently from most of the women around here, so I stand out; but put me with a crowd of fellow bloggers on a day out, and I don’t. In either event, as long as I feel good in what I’m wearing, that’s all that matters to me.
And you look very good in your white jeans and pretty floral top, Suzanne! xxx
Nicki @ T-shirt & Jeans says
I’m in love with this outfit! Floral blouses are my favorite thing these days. I definitely don’t try to stand out, but I hate not feeling like myself. As long as I feel like “me,” then I guess I don’t care if I stand out or not. Have a great week!
Tiina L says
Lovely summery outfit, great jeans. And really impressive brushetta… On the topic of dressing up of down… I guess neither, really. I’m not a fan of formal wear, never needed any, and I always dress for the weather, and as if I’m going to walk a lot. But jeans and a t- shirt is not me, either… So, festive for me means comfortable clothes and shoes, maybe a bit more jewellery and a nice bag… I guess there aren’t many fancy parties in my life, but lots of casual dinners in all sorts of restaurants and pubs with friends, and the dress code both in Finland and in Britain is really casual in these sort of places anyway…
josep-maria says
Wonderful shirt, I like the delicate stamping, and also the beautiful design. With white pants, the look is perfect, simple, delicate and elegant. The purple stilettos are cute.
Anonymous says
I don’t know that I keep in mind if I want to stand out or blend in,but mostly what I wear stands out, I’d say. I mean, I guess if I’m going to take the time to pretty up, I’d like people to notice! Like your wall, I love the blouse!
suzanne carillo says
I’m with you on this. I want people to notice : )
Vix says
Until I saw you in yours I’ve always associated white jeans with posh birds with over bleached hair and handbags that cost the equivalent of an African country’s National debt. You look like a rock star in yours and totally hot.
Do I dress to stand out? I dress in what I love which usually happens to be 40-odd years old and either psychedelic or insanely bright. I prefer my hair to be big and wear enough jewellery so I clank when I walk. I can’t help it if people look. xxx
suzanne carillo says
Love this comment : )
Paperesse says
Salad dressing? Didn’t even notice any salad dressing. Oh, is that that little bottle up there in the corner. My eyes were otherwise occupied. You gave me a good laugh on this one. In answer to your question, unless it’s something like hiking, or sports type activities, I dress to stand out. In my opinion, why look like everyone else? How boring.
The white jeans are great, as is the top.
suzanne carillo says
Ha ha! You really had to search for it didn’t you?
I agree…blending in is boring.
Jodie filogomo says
bruschetta? What bruschetta!!!
I think as I’ve gotten older I dress to stand out…who wants to be one of the pack anymore? See….aren’t white jeans the best….that’s why I couldn’t believe you didn’t have any for so long! jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
suzanne carillo says
Look hard for that bruschetta. I know you won’t mind looking a bit longer for it. ; P
Porcelina says
We just came back from a stay at a luxury country house hotel, and there were people wearing JEANS to dinner!!! I’d rather be overdressed too. And we were!
suzanne carillo says
I’m sure everyone had their eyes on you and wondered why they didn’t put in more effort.
nancy @ adore to adorn says
venue and activity definitely dictate my attire. If I want and need to dress comfy and sacrifice some style for it then I will. I’m not so opposed to the fact that practicality wins. =)
xo,
nancy
Natalia Lialina says
I guess the salad dressing sales went up after this ad… women seem to notice, what’s with that. 🙂
You are stunning in this pair of jeans, such a great fit! And the blouse, so very pretty, does match your gorgeous wall. I seem to be in the mood for dressing up lately. I don’t really think of it as standing up vs. blending in, but it just seems so much more fun. We went to a mall last weekend, and then to a beach, and saw many women in dresses that day – I was so pleased! I’m so happy that dresses made a return, and I do credit bloggers for that – we are influencing not just each other, but many women who read us or just stumble on our photos online. It would be fun to see more dressed up people everywhere. I don’t mind casual either, but why it has to be shlumpy, that’s what I don’t get… xxx
Anonymous says
I love both your top and your wall. The top is spectacular with the pleating at the top – very classy. And, yes, white jeans are my favorite. They just go with everything and are so refreshing. To answer your question about do I like to blend or stand out. Both, it depends on my mood really. Thanks for a great post and for linking up with SHOE AND TELL on Style Nudge!
Cherie
http://www.stylenudge.com
Lana says
What a lovely outfit – it’s just so happy. I don’t think I purposely dress to blend in, but that’s what seems to happen a lot. I’m getting a little bolder in my old age though. It’s one of the reasons I love your blog so much – you inspire me to step outside my comfort zone.
Happiness at Mid Life says
Did you ask me a question??? I was too busy enjoying that last photo 🙂
Great top and it does look so well with your floral wall. I have been looking for a blazer like yours, but have not found one that is heavier material.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you Thursday for TBT Fashion link up.
Rachel G says
I love your denim blazer!
I way prefer to be overdressed! Our coworkers here dress is a wide range of styles–some wear the traditional Chinese QiPao and some wear jeans to teach. I wear dresses to teach 90% of the time….though activity and the intense heat here does influence my style and when we’re going to be hiking or exploring tropical islands with rocky beaches (this weekend’s activity) I will be wearing a t-shirt and denim capris and sturdy, comfy shoes.
I think I dress a little less to stand out on this side of the world than when I’m in America if that makes any sense. I draw enough attention as it is so lately I find myself toning down the quirkiness.
Kristian says
I think it depends. I have totally worn skirts and dresses to the mountains, but at the same time, I do like to consider the occasion before I get dressed. Like, not just the physical movement or weather (hence no more pencil skirts because they are not teacher friendly), but if it is meant to honor someone else etc. (no white or- supposedly- red at weddings, right?)
CiCi Marie says
This is a weird one for me as I’m never sure what I do… I think I’m always trying to dress ‘right’ for an occasion and inevitably end up feeling over or under dressed! For years as a teen I’d deliberately under-dress for everything as my mum was completely the opposite and it embarrassed me, but these days I think it’s me that’s usually over-dressed, so it clearly rubbed off on me in the end… I definitely feel like I don’t want to waste an occasion I could wear a more glamorous outfit as they’re so few and far between!
Shybiker says
Good question. Like you, I believe in overdressing regardless of the occasion. That’s never a mistake. We can choose our style independent of what others are doing; that’s real courage.
two birds says
Good question! I think it definitely depends on the situation. I love to dress up, but rarely have to occasion to do so. But I never really want to blend in. Even if I am just in jeans and a tee, I like to add a little something of interest to my outfit. And I agree, I would rather be overdressed than underdressed in any situation.
Now, back to that photo of that picnic… 😉
Glenda says
I was thinking how ripe and delicious the grapes looked. Anyhoo…
I think I’m in love with your tapered denim jacket. It really pulls the entire look together.
As for your question…
I don’t think too much about anyone else when I dress. I dress in what makes me feel comfortable and try to compliment my environment. Meaning – if I’m going to an art exhibit, I have a tendency to dress more artsy. But I don’t make a conscious effort to dress to stand out.
Sandra says
I’ve never seen such well placed gingham! salad dressing, gorgeous picnic basket and semi-nudity, he’s a keeper – you are divine btw, white jeans and a floral top look fabulous on you, the gorgeous denim blazer highlights your beautiful silhouette – on the subject of dressing? I wear what I want, but I don’t like to draw attention to myself! I figure people have an opinion regardless of whatever you wear, so I’m best just being comfortable in being me x x x
Victoria says
Such a summery outfit, love the floral top and white jeans. xx
Life & Love by Victoria Lagnehag
Victoria Lagnehag on Facebook
No Fear of Fashion says
Definitely to stand out. I will take the occasion into consideration. So for instance jeans and sneakers for a boat cruise and heels and dress for the theatre. But within these boundries I like to dress my best. Which I will certainly do at the family restaurants too.
Do you know, you post a lot??? I can hardly keep up with you. But you don’t always reply on comments do you? Well, that saves time I must say.
Your outfit is perfect (again). Love the top and the purple shoes. And the gentleman in the add for salad dressing (???!!!??) is yummy.
Greetje
suzanne carillo says
LOL I try to post daily now. 3 days of me, writing or DIY and then 3-4 days of Polyvore inspiration posts.
I still try to respond to comments, but since I find that most people don’t get my comments here, I will sometimes just visit their blogs instead. I’m trying to find a balance there. I figure what is the point in commenting when 80% of the people don’t even get them?
Anonymous says
That is strange, as I always get them (by mail).
Liz says
Ha! You and I have a lot in common when it comes to dressing for the fantasy, not the reality. I too will dress up for a picnic, even when said picnic follows a 2-mile hike through the woods. Delusional, yes, but also stylish. I definitely dress to stand out, and I appreciate others who do the same. You can size people up that way. Are they light-hearted or uptight, sunny or moody, bubbly or reserved? I like when personal style gives me a window into the person.
<3 Liz
http://www.withwonderandwhimsy.com
Jennifer says
I dress to stand out. I’ve never been a shrinking violet and am not planning to start anytime soon!
Anja says
I’ll take the six-pack, you keep the bruschetta;-).
But seriously, I love your outfit. Floral, pastels, white, tassel necklace, what’s Not to love ?!
Hm, standing out or blending in…. I’d have to say ‘stand out’, although I dress way more extravagant in my head than in reality. I still hope that my advancing age one day will help me to stop holding back.