Dressing Someone Just Not Myself
When I spotted this gorgeous very large, bold, floral print, button up shirt at the thrift store I couldn’t pass it by. I knew it was way too big. I knew it would be hell to try to tuck it into anything, still, I convinced myself I could “make it work”.
Style delusion is what we call that in the “industry”. Ha!
I shoved on these high waisted dark jeans hoping that somehow I’d squish all of that extra material in without looking like I’d accidentally tucked my 1980s fanny pack into my jeans. Didn’t work. I was definitely concealing something in my jeans and in the end I think it turned out to be my identity. I morphed into a hipster with a top bun and attitude to match. Okay, maybe I already have an attitude but the rest of me just felt out of place. I swear that these jeans looked good originally…I think. Now I’m wondering if I didn’t buy them on a particularly thin day. They don’t seem to fit any part of my body anymore. Why does it feel like they are always sitting in the wrong spot and creasing at the worst places?
FYI…the photo below was the best out of a batch of maybe twenty. This is one of those rare occasions that the outfit looks even worse in person than it does in the photo.
I can tell you where it all went wrong.
What I Did To Make Myself Look Short And Heavy
I cuffed my jeans.
I buttoned up the shirt all the way.
I left the sleeves down.
I wore a shirt that was too large.
The print is too large.
I wore jeans that don’t fit.
I know all those rules to lengthen and slim my silhouette but in the interest of trying something new I tossed them out the window and said,
“Yep! I’m dressing someone else today!”
Turned out it’s my inner hipster Sue-Zanne. She lives with three other roommates in a co-op artist loft off Bathurst West, drinks espresso fifteen times a day, eats grain fed meat regularly to keep her B-12 high and rides her vintage bike all over Toronto to A list social happenings that she has scheduled in her phone for the next six months.
I’m nothing at all like Sue-Zanne!
I live in the burbs with a spoiled pug. I never get invited to happenings unless my dog eating bunny poop counts as a happening. I don’t drink coffee, tea or anything else aside from water. Literally. No booze either. I had to give that up when I discovered I was allergic. {Cue dramatic sad music.} I don’t eat meat or dairy. You’d never catch me riding a bike in Toronto. I don’t care if they have some bike lanes. It’s stressful enough just driving there. Toronto traffic is a thing people. A bad thing.
This is how you make the bad outfit look okay. Sit down. Act serious.
No one knows what’s behind that knee.
Not willing to give up I tried the, “I’ve surrendered my waist” look.
Sure it was much more comfortable but I’m not feeling it.
I feel like I might have surrendered more than my waist.
When the top comes down below your crotch and ends at the widest part of your body that is a no-go for me when I’m trying to look taller.
I know some of you may want to call this a tunic but please don’t.
You are either wearing a dress or a shirt but it can’t be both.
This may be a shress.
You read it here first!
I did open the collar hoping that would help but really it didn’t do enough. I didn’t grow three inches and lose ten pounds so in my eyes it failed.
You know how that goes.
Either I need to learn how to tailor this shirt to make it fit me properly or I need to say goodbye and list it in my Etsy store.
Sue-Zanne is laughing because she has yet another party planned for tonight and is high on her 10th espresso.
I kind of hate her.
Have you ever had a day when you dressed someone else? Just not yourself? Who did she turn out to be?
If you want to be sure you’re dressing your true authentic self may I suggest you take a Style Boosting Coaching session with the one and only Melanie from Bag and a Beret?
If there is anyone that can pump up your style and ensure that you are hitting your mark dead on it is this woman.
Added bonus…you’ll have an absolute blast!
Linking up with the lovely Patti over at Visible Monday and Jess over at Turning Heads Tuesday.
Sue-Zanne — Ha ha ha!! I love it. I wouldn’t want to bike through Toronto (or anywhere) either.
I see why you fell in love with that shirt. The colors are really you. And by “you,” I mean the real Suzanne. But if you’re not feeling it, you’re not feeling it, and that can impact how something looks as much as anything else. I mean, I think you look great in those jeans and that top, whether you tuck it or wear it out. (Though, I’m not up close so maybe you see things I don’t.)
Still, you did look different than the Suzanne I know and love. That spark was not shining quite so bright in this outfit. And even Sue-Zanne knows you gotta feel good about what you’re wearing to really pull it off.
I have stuff like this too. It always surprises me whenever I put it on and think, “Why did I buy this?”
– Sherry
PetiteOver40.com
If it will fit me, I might buy it! Depends upon fit + fibre content.
Will Sue-Zanne part with it?
Heehee.
And this”No one knows what’s behind that knee.”
Hawhawhaw!
xxox
Okay I will get the measurements for you Anne and email you. The print and colours are amazing as you well know. I think it is cotton but I will double check too. Sue-Zanne is willing to part with it since she knows it’s going into your pattern and colour loving arms ; P
Fingers crossed re fit!
I feel you – it’s a gorgeous blouse and really your vibe, but it’s too big for you to feel the love. I do like the cuffed jeans on any height woman, they bring out the hidden hipster (P@tt-ee) in all of us. I am hiring Mel if she’ll have me. Kisses to the pug, xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I cannot wait to hear about your Mel session! Ha ha! P@tt-ee!
The blouse is a lovely, luscious, dark floral. Reminds me of your beautiful wallpaper backdrop! If you decide to keep it you could do a “floral as camo post”!!
I am a woman who has a medium frame, very long arms and very broad shoulders. To top this off I have next to nothing in the boobage department. I usually need to buy a large to fit my shoulders and arm length. This frequently leaves me with fluffy, extra fabric at the chest and waist. I’ve never taken anything in and just enjoy the roomy look although cinching in a waist is a must in some tops.
I tell you this because despite fit issues with this floral blouse it really suits you in a lot of nice ways. You’ve inspired me to take in a couple of tops just to see if it makes a difference in my silhouette!
Is there any way that Melanie K. isn’t just completely faboo!?
This is very much like my wallpaper in my bedroom. I’m obviously addicted to that kind of bold romantic print.
I just wish this were smaller. My sewing skills aren’t keen enough to take this into the extent I’d need.
I remember your tall lithe frame and it seems that everyone has their challenges to dress themselves. We just don’t realize it.
I am in love with the print, just not the size. Tucking it in made my already Buddha belly larger and it was super evident with those jeans that were all kinds of wrong.
Sue-Zanne, I hope to see you at the happening at my loft tonight, clothing optional (so no worries about the outfit), BYOLL (lava lamp), bunny poop appies, bring Zoe. Hahaha. I love this alter-ego. And how you’re really working the SEO there. Excellent post. You may start a new trend in jeans, the fanny-pack jeans for Baroness Von Sketch. Hahaha. Seriously, I like how this looks, but clearly it’s for Sue-Zanne. She’s too pretentious for me though.
Thanks for the plug on the style boost adventure!! Operators are standing by, and standing by, and standing by!! Is that the phone I hear…? Gotta run!
Hahaha, been there, done that! I’ve lost count of the number of times I bought similar shirts, way too long but with a fabulous print. I never wore any of them, as I haven’t been able to find a way to wear them and feel comfortable. Even my inner hipster’s not feeling it. Still, I would have been sucked in by that print. The booties are divine! xxx
mwhaha, I’m guilty of dressing someone not myself, as sometimes I pretend to be a hípster dressed in her granny’s clothes (too big, too small, too ill-fitting!). But it’s my inner crazy cat lady, actually, who takes the control sometimes!
I think that this shirt looks great on you, even if it’s not the most flattering ítem ever, but still has some good qualities. Anyway, if you don’t feel it, it’s better let it go!
besos
But your hair and makeup are fabulous!😂😂😂😂😂
Definitely hipster-esque. Sometimes we just love certain pieces of clothing even though they really aren’t actually flattering when on. I know I’ve had a few dresses like that–the print is just right, but the fit and cut are all wrong.
hey, i like the hipster high-bun look. and sorry for the lack of capitalization there. I’m eating chips and drinking wine with my left hand and i cant be bothered to type properly.
I love it that you show bloopers as well. My kinda girl. Now for the shirt… why is not on your Etsy shop as I like it, I have a size Large and I am tall. Love the print.
Email me please.
Greetje
This is so perfect. The floral blouse and the floral booties. It doesn’t get any better than this. It’s casual, but so chic at the same time. You could wear this outfit anywhere. I love it! <3
Also, thank you for the thoughtful comments you've been leaving on my blog regarding my experience living in Toronto, so far. I take them to heart and, as a non-native, I consider what you say with great care. I still haven't made it down to China Town, yet, but I definitely plan to! Hehe.
Oh and I left a reply to your latest comment. You brought up some excellent points and I shared some info about how I grew up and how my life experiences have affected my world lens. I'm sure there are times when I over think things, but I've come to learn that there are certain things about the city that could use some real attention. As soon as I get permanent residency, which is hopefully any day now haha, and I pass my legal assessment exams, Zeus willing, I'll be in position to help bring about the change that I'm hoping for. <3
– Anna
We’re shoe twins! Don’t know if it’s ‘cos I walk everywhere but the front is almost threadbare after three months…not the usual Toppers standard.
That was a funny read. You look fab with your top knot and specs but yes, that shirt/blouse/tunic./shress has to go if you ain’t feeling it. Of course a proper hipster w*nker would be wearing it with half mast bleached out jeans with hems unraveling (or is that just a London thing?) xxx
Fabulous look Suzanne. Love the bold floral, especially untucked. I agree Melanie is a rock star .
Hope this comes through from my phone. ..
❤❤ Elle
https://theellediaries.com
Too bad about the shirt – the colours and pattern are very you, but the size is definitely someone else. I hope it fits Anne.
Over the last 5 or so years I notice that I’m buying things that are very large and drapey, and I don’t know if I want to continue down that road, especially since I’m still in relatively good shape. I do have a few pieces that could be considered “Shresses” 😉