Nothing.
It has taught me absolutely nothing.
In fact, I'd say that I learn more about myself via my shoes than I do by the shape of my body.
The thing is - I realize that true "fashion" blogs often neglect to mention the human form in any of their discussions about style, and in an attempt to be 'cool', I've done so too.
But it's finally getting to the point where the issue comes up frequently enough that to ignore it would be too conscious of a decision to be conscientious.
Every day, I scroll through editorial after editorial of sickly looking girls wearing beautiful clothes in beautiful places. But why do photographers and stylists continue to tell women that, as (I've already mentioned once that) a friend so interestingly put it, "we only want half of you" ?
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| source |
Why in this day and age, can't we make clothes that work for women, in stead of in spite of them? And why, when we do, is that clothing considered "commercial" and not "high fashion".
Along that same vein, why, as "fashion bloggers", do we so often fail to address this issue? It seems like the moment you cross over into discussions about body image, you descend to a lower tier. As if by acknowledging and accepting that the women modeling the clothes you so obsessively idolize are essentially nonexistent - you've reached some higher level of haute understanding. That everyone who's anyone already knows that the models don't really matter in the analysis of the clothing.
Don't worry - as usual, my finger pointing applies to myself as well. Via my fashion show reposts, I propone the idea that the clothes are the sole source of significance - because, honestly, I wish that they were. I wish that texture and color and design, regardless of the size of the woman, would be enough. I wish that I could stop saying "I like the idea of this, but not how it works on me".
Shouldn't any design I love be applicable to my own body? Why do I have to settle for certain shapes for fear that I'll look "disproportionate" or "long-torsoed"? I'm sick of trying to make myself look like a standard that's, realistically, unachievable.
I want to swathe my body in leather and tweed and wool and chunky oversized pieces regardless of how they make me look - just because of how they make me feel.
I want emotion, not emaciation, to be indicative of "high fashion".
But for now, I'll settle for being that awkward smiling girl in the oversized, unflattering wardrobe,
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| shirt: Free People, pants: Anthropologie, shoes: thrifted |
because I like it.
That's why.
Cheers.Photos by Matt Engelhart
I agree on all accounts, although I'll also add that you happen to look fantastic in everything I see on this blog, maybe even particularly this dope ensemble reminiscent of what I wish the 70s were like but definitely weren't. I am still coming to terms with the reality that I cannot and most likely never will be able to wear straight-cut dressed thanks to, oh, that thing most women have called a pelvis. It's a-line all the way for me, baby. I'm also glad you called out the fact that fashion blogs that discuss body image take on this weird and totally uncalled-for "second tier" stigma. WHY is that? Definitely something I'll be thinking about.
ReplyDelete-Harling
I bet it's just 'cause I look so damn happy, I psych you into thinking I look good.
DeleteSecret revealed? I think so.
Promise me, though, that if you fall in love w/ a straight-cut dress, you'll buy it, even if you look like a potato sac. Then we can wear our ill-fitting clothes together with our GIANT smiles :)
The runway girls are objectified, there is no doubt. Not just because they are sometimes unhealthily thin, but because they have ceased to become a person in that moment - a walking mannequin. I think that's why fashion bloggers have become so ubiquitous - we keep our personality while modeling these clothes. As a curvy blogger, body image and size are things that come up on a regular basis on my blog - there's no avoiding it. I have found that women like the relatable content, and by passing on the tips I've "learned the hard way" about dressing my own body, I hope that I'm helping them embrace their own. If that firmly ensconces in me in a lower tier of blogging, well, then so be it. I love these pants on you! You always look fantastic! http://rorschachcoffee.typepad.com
ReplyDeletePreach it! We need more honest discussion about this shtuff.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your comment on my blog, "The Hue":
ReplyDeleteHello Gabrielle!^ ^
Ah,really nice of you!Thanks for taking the time to read & give your opinion.Peace^ ^
It’s important to feel beautiful,it’s even more important to know that you are regardless of grey,green,purple,whatever….I hope one day you’ll find wearing colour a little less intimidating,but only if you wish it because in the end colour is just colour & that includes black,white,grey…
“I think if you become the sort of person who always wears these types of things, no one looks twice, but otherwise . ..”
Makes sense.Best answer I’ve come across,it’s simple.I love that.
Thanks again:D
http://itsthehue.wordpress.com
Hello again.
ReplyDeleteMy intention was just to reply to your comment on my blog,but after reading this post of yours m mouth won't close.I'm very opinionated:)
I'm glad you mentioned this,at The Hue my wish is to change fashion in this day and age as a whole.I have so many post that I am working on that touches on this subject and others similar so I am happy that I am not the only one-and so that you know,neither are you!^ ^
I hope you will have more post like this,you seem like a deep thinking & you should give your 100% opinion on your blog always.Thank you for this!:D
http://itsthehue.wordpress.com
the disappearance of real bodies in the modeling worlds is a sad thing. i for one miss the days of cindy, naomi, linda, and christy strutting ALL their stuff on the runways and looking amazing doing it. they gave life to the clothes and gave you a real idea of how to wear the clothes. nowadays models are getting closer and closer to just being glorified hangers and let the clothes do all the talking. but it's no fun seeing a pair of wide leg chevron trousers drape off of some hanger. i would much rather see them gallivanting around some railroad tracks in all their adventurous glory. so for both this outfit and this post you go girl, you're a super(role)model!
ReplyDeleteabigail
www.farandwildjewelry.com
Okay - so first, love your blog / outfits / especially those wide legs (on my wish list). Just ordered the Deco Palazzos that went on sale today.... But yeah, why do we compare and beat ourselves up over how much we weigh? I am guilty of it too - wishing I had this or that feature. But, as long as you feel confident and happy in your clothes, I think that is the most important thing!
ReplyDeleteyour an insperation to not just me, but everyone! your truly beautiful in every way! thank you so much for this post.
ReplyDeleteThis is really sweet. Thanks Leehe :)
DeleteAbsolutely agree about everything you said, except the part that bloggers don't address this issue. In fact, a lot of the girlies I follow keep addressing it and many of them don't have the "perfect anorexic" body and feel cast away by the fashion society.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you haven't stumbled on the right people :)
Btw, I don't know if it's just me, but whenever I turn on "FashionTV" on the telly, the images on the catwalk seem artificially stretched, so the models look even skinnier, it looks very unnatural and weird..
P.S
Your pants are kick ass! :)
You're right - I have seen certain girls address it, but I often feel as if the "top tier" (subjective, I know) don't.
Deletebut give me some names girl! Might as well fill my internet time with something healthy!
Thanks for commenting :)
Well sometimes we forget that on models every thing looks good, and so we post photos of outfits that wouldn't work on anybody else. Like you said we have to concentrate on how clothes make us feel, it is then that they look good. Love your pants!
ReplyDeleteSimona
www.lakenmoon.com
It's all advertising isn't it - you see an advert for a car on TV and read the fine print and you're not getting THAT car. Same with makeup adverts (especially mascara) "Models has false eyelashes, has been enhanced - model is really an alien from Mars". In fact if you think about the word model - it usually denoted as a perfect copy of something, like a model train, or an architect model - they're "perfect versions" (and we all know how unhealthy perfection is) That's why I love readin blogs so much, because we're all just normal chicks sharing our outfits and not looking model perfect.
ReplyDeleteWow - looks like I had quite an opinion, thanks for bringing this up!
♥ Paula Shoe Fiend.
http://shoe-fiend.blogspot.co.nz/
Thank you for this !! You're right - as much as I want to believe ads don't get to me, they totally do. I'm slowly convincing myself that I'm the abnormal one. Dangerous stuff. Never thought of "model" that way - silly me. So true.
DeleteGreat post and really a great discussion that needs to happen today. I see this working on a college campus and with young women how this affects them. Thank you for the post!
ReplyDeleteorangeyouglad1.blogspot.com
I love blogs better than editorials and runway-looks because of the issue that you address. Everything in the editorials is PhotoShopped to fit a certain idea that "society" has created. But in My opinion, "society" is US and if WE want the world to look more realistic that WE need to stop editing the magazine covers and commercials and show things like they really are. And bloggers are (most of the time) very good at showing how the clothes really work and that's why I read them with pleasure. Anyway - I kind of lost what I wanted to say.
ReplyDeleteI love these wide trousers on you! Brings me in a mood to wear my own wide legged jeans again! xo
I always tell myself not to judge my body so seriously. Sometimes it helps)
ReplyDeleteCheck out my blog here http://www.dariaburkova.com/
xx
Hear hear! You know how many times on my blog I've heard readers commenting, telling me that the proportion of the skirt didn't work because it made me look shorter, or the volume on top and bottom further dwarfs my already non-existant torso and legs? I say, to hell with you. I'm going to continue to wear chunky feather skirts with military blazers, sheesh.
ReplyDeleteAlso, ever notice how the 'creme of the crop' fashion bloggers are basically super models themselves? Yep.
WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM
oh man. Love this. to hell with them - right on.
DeleteI'm getting pretty sick of people telling me they love stuff but can't wear it. I take it almost as an insult - like, what? So me being able to wear stuff that I love but looks shitty on me makes me less of a person?
just made that personal . never give up your chunky feather skirts and military blazers. If your heart flutters, it'sallllllgood.
It's ridiculous how much I LOVE those pants!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I agree totally with the whole "model" issue...here's to hoping that one day all designers will be showcasing their clothing on women and not...skeletons?? Because I don't know about you, but no dress or heels will ever make one of them stand out as beautiful to me, and it's sad because we all know they are...*sigh*
On another note, just came accross your blog and loving it so far!! Started following you on bloglovin and would love for you to swing by mine ;)
Take care!
fashionrealist.com
Couldn't agree with u more on the whole issue of unhealthy body images.It seems to me,however, that street style fashion bloggers,like us,are in fact making changes.We're not models ourselves but delight in wearing our stylish outfits and commenting on one another.Let's hope we influence young girls towards healthier lifestyle models!
ReplyDeletehttp://antapal.blogspot.gr