11 Fashion Things That Intimidate Me

Slowly but surely, I'm realizing that my #1 source of regret stems from situations in which I find myself being intimidated.

Granted, this happens quite frequently.

For example, if the cashier at the grocery store waits for me to ask her to swipe my rewards card, rather than ask me herself, I feel like the whole power paradigm has shifted and she has the upper hand - as if I'm left begging for acceptance in the 15-or-less aisle of Pick N' Save with only a "Fresh Perks" card to my name.

I'm pretty sure this phenomenon is also often referred to as 'paranoia'-

but we'll shelve that factoid for now.

So without further ado, here are some 'fashion'-related things that get me feelin', well...unworthy.

1. The "it" bag.

not an it bag.

It's a cliche as old as time (or at least Sex and the City.. same thing), but a cool girl w/ a Celine Trio/Tote/Trapeze or PS11 or Wang bucket or whatever bloggy-bag she might have never ceases to make me feel woefully inadequate. It's like, she not only knows what's "up", but she also probably didn't spend all of her money on LOTR Pez dispeners.

2. Ugly pretty shoes

#myfeetaregross #fashionblogger

You know. Mules, slip-ons, birkenstock-esque numbers, etc, etc.

Where I'm from, the number of people who know that ugly footwear is "in" is significantly smaller than the number of cows.

Which, if we're being honest, is probably best for my sanity.

Even so, I can't help but feel a little sheepish when an obviously style-aware individual walks around rockin' these babies.

Because she knows, man. She knows.

3. Long coats

It's like they're in the Matrix,

but sartorially aware.

4. Big Watches

source

They're either incredibly expensive, or incredibly masculine- either of which evokes intimidation. Money, for obvious reasons, & manliness, because it takes a true woman to wear something so burly (& still look like a true woman).

5. Really subtle nose rings

jk

There's something incredibly powerful about a barely-there nose ring. It's blended in enough to be professional, but not so inconspicuous as to go unnoticed- hence leading me to believe that the woman in question is a badass. Undercover.

6. Expensive Tennis Shoes

source

Technically, it should probably be pricey footwear of a less practical sort that convinces me of an individual's sartorial savvy - yet there's something about an exorbitantly expensive pair of understated sneakers that makes me know you didn't just buy a nearly identical pair from the reject pile at Goodwill, 

i.e. you're not broke like me.

Cue intimidation.

7. No makeup prettiness.

Clarification unnecessary.

8. Designer Scarves Tied Around Bags

Because if a designer scarf wasn't intimidating enough, let's throw it around like a superfluous accessory.

9. Delicate jewelry

about as delicate as I get

You know- minimalist, fine, jewelry. Simple studs, gold first knuckle rings, delicate diamond necklaces - non-obnoxious stuff that's barely visible but noteworthy all the same.

Mainly b/c it's expensive and small- like sophisticated people wear. 

A foreign concept to the cheap-but-big-is-better mantra I've been operating on for the last 23 years of my life.

10. Well-Done Tucks

i.e. Not this:

Mastering a tuck without looking like you've tried to master a tuck is an art on its own.

Spoiler alert: I haven't mastered the tuck.

11. Menswear on dainty girls. 

coat: H&M conscious collection, shirt: old catering company, jeans. American Eagle "relaxed straight" men's jeans, shoes: vintage

Pretty pixie girls w/ flawless features and ballerina bodies who also wear oversized masculine clothes. 

These girls have what we all want to flaunt - and yet refrain from flaunting it. 

Soo. . . 

#hate. 

On that note!!. . .

let's all be happy with ourselves and not intimidated by dumb stuff! 

or just keep making dumb assumptions based on appearances, like me.

hashtag maturity 

Cheers


Photography by K is for Kat Photography & Design

now, DIY via Shopbop

top: Rachel Zoe, trench: Haute Hippie, bf jeans: Citizens of Humanity, mules: Jenni Kayne, ring: Rebecca Minkoff, bag: B Brian Atwood