NOT A MODEL.

I am not a model.

SHIELD YOUR EYES FROM THE WHITE LIGHT!

That's something that's become very clear to me over the course of this wee blog.

But every once in a while, an outfit comes along that allows me to pretend - if only for a moment - that I am, in fact, a part of the Karlie clan.

The Coco crew.

Etc, etc.

It's a tricky situation; Negotiating the fine line between my temporarily supermodel psyche and my actual in-reality appearance - An awkward one, at that.

I don't feel as if my stomach is projecting, or my teeth are bucking - but feelings don't affect photographs, and photographers aren't mad about over-eager beaver-esque faux-models taking up their harddrive space.

So once again, this blog has forced me to confront an issue to which I'd never given much thought: The difference between how you see yourself and how the world sees you ((and to which image we should give more weight??)).

I guess I'd previously assumed that one unified person existed - but that's hardly the case. I'm an amalgamation of my self-perceptions and the outside opinions of others. Which is obvious, I suppose, until I consider to which identity I should adhere?

If a cropped swim top makes my heart happy, but not the eye of the beholder, should I bow to social norms and cover myself up? Placate the public?

Or make like a 60-year-old-mini-skirt-wearing grandmother and screw stigmas?

check those battle scars
leather skirt: H&M (similar) (latest obsession), top: Derek Lam x Kohls, boots: Zara (similar & here) (I dream of these every night)

The answer seems obvious -

listen to your heart,

but at what point does this stop being a charming acknowledgment of our inner self and become a naive symptom of denial?

If I don't look like Gisele, should I really be dressing like her?

If you're not a 16-year-old, should you make believe you're one?

I don't know. I'm conflicted.

PS: This song is awesome. Fitting? Kind of.

Cheers.

photos by Shoaib

9 comments:

ShereeApril 22, 2013 at 4:58 AM
In love with this look..that top is awesome!
Sheree xxx

www.itsnotthatdeep.com
NorbyahApril 22, 2013 at 8:36 AM
i say if you feel good wearing it...then go for it.

on the flip side, did you see this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=litXW91UauE&feature=player_embedded

we're our own harshest critic....

xo
n
Pardon My FashionApril 22, 2013 at 10:10 AM
First of all, you look SO fabulous. Want that top. Second of all, models don't even look like models in their day to day life. Have you seen this? I love when she describes beauty as winning a "genetic lottery".

http://www.ted.com/talks/cameron_russell_looks_aren_t_everything_believe_me_i_m_a_model.html

xoxo
www.PardonMyFashion.com
The PhotogrampsApril 22, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Ya know, wear what you want. And Britt's right: not all models look like models in everyday life. Some of them are seriously unattractive, but extremely photogenic. I used to be amazed at this working on set. I think there is something to be said for dressing appropriate to your age, but I'm also in the "do what the ef you want" camp. Is it possible to do BOTH?

You look fabulous. However I doooo want to see more of that shirt. It looks amazing.
xo
ashley

www.thephotogramps.blogspot.com
B Allen @ What2WearApril 22, 2013 at 12:36 PM
SCREW social norms, you are beautiful and you have a great sense of style.......normal is overrated :)
Brooke @ what2wear
Mitha KomalaApril 22, 2013 at 1:18 PM
love the blazer and boots! you look gorgeous! xx

Letters To Juliet
Ritika MahendruApril 22, 2013 at 3:34 PM
Love this whole look here! P.S. All us bloggers pretend to be models in our own ways, all the time! Great post :)
Cheers!

http://risingcolors.blogspot.in
The PhotogrampsApril 22, 2013 at 8:12 PM
I had to comment in a response to YOUR comment...
The first time I peed my pants was in a pair of red stirrup pants!!!
BFFFE
(best fuckin friends forever)
I'm sure anyone else reading these comments will me massively confused by this.
We officially have an inside joke. (unless anyone else pooped or peed themselves in red stirrup pants... then they too can be on the inside).
xo
ashley
www.thephotogramps.blogspot.com
www.thephotogramps.blogspot.com
far and wild jewelryApril 23, 2013 at 8:10 AM
not a model, good one. these shots are unreal as is this outfit you STUNNER. i say if you feel good in what you're wearing you'll usually look good in it. so wear a bikini to work, wear a miniskirt at 60, but only if you feel great doing it.

abigail
www.farandwildjewelry.com