I can't wear it!
Tuesday, May 24, 2016Kezzie got me thinking the other day about the way I wear things, when she wrote about how she used to be adverse to tucking anything in. I still am, I rarely tuck anything in, I can just about manage a 'half tuck' but that's where it ends.
I pondered other looks I can't 'do' - like ankle boots and bare legs with shorts or skirts. I think it looks great on others but when I try, I feel ridiculous.
Same goes for tights and shorts
Images from H&M.com
Wearing shirts under jumpers
I tried this and I kinda liked it but it takes me ages to get properly comfortable, and clothes really shouldn't be hard work. Yet this is one I'd like to persevere with, it can't be that hard!
Image from justjared.com
Tights and open toe shoes
Whether 10 denier or thick woolly tights I love this look but if I try it I feel really self conscious. The hosiery and shoes have to be just so for this look to work, so maybe I just haven't found the dream combination yet...
Image from Vogue.com
Head scarves
They slide off the back of my head - why won't they just stay put?
Neck scarves
You know I love a big chunky woollen scarf but when it comes to cute silk scarves, I can't seem to wear one without looking all air hostessy.
Image from hudmark.com
Other looks I can't 'do' - coats worn over shoulders, slouchy beanie hats or berets worn on the back of the head, shirts knotted at the waist, and completely buttoned up shirts.
What are the looks you'd love to wear but have yet to master? And what looks get a big thumbs down from you?
24 comments
Yep, I can't abide the tights and sandal one. I've done tights and shorts but I feel a real narna in them!
ReplyDeleteThese are all things I think look really cute... just not on me. But by writing this I'm determined to try some again, I think it comes down to the combined pieces and the way you wear them.
DeleteI love chunky jewelry yet I hate it on myself, I think I look better with daintier pieces. I some times think it's just all in our heads.
ReplyDeleteY'know you're probably right!
DeleteYeah what's the deal with headscarves slipping off?! I was just watching a 1940's drama and the girl with the headscarf was super cute (and she had kirbies in hers, maybe that'd work?) I think I agree with pretty much everything actually - why do shirts and jumpers look cute but just feel bulky, bah!
ReplyDeleteKirby grips are worth a try but to me it takes away the nonchalance of it a little.
DeleteBulky us an excellent way to describe the feeling, I think it needs a thin shirt and a not quite fitted jumper.
Thinking about it I used to wear a jumper over a shirt everyday when I was at school...
DeleteThat Kezzie ;-) ;-) is totally right, I think we all have feelings of what we can and can't wear. I can't wear dresses and trainers, nor trousers. I guess we all have a perceived sense of self when in reality, things probably do look a lot different!
ReplyDeleteI can't do dresses and trainers but I used to do skirts and fashion trainers (like my recent Toms, not proper sports trainers), I haven't done that for a while though.
DeleteIt's true we have a perceived idea, I bought a lovely long, cream cardigan earlier this year, thinking it would look really stylish and dressed up in a casual sort of way. But when I looked at a few outfit shots I realised it actually looked like I was wearing a bath robe!
Great post here Hazel, I can't do the coat worn over the shoulders either - it just slips straight off or makes me look like a vampire with a cape on! - Tasha
ReplyDeleteThanks! I think it'd be annoying more than anything, but I do like the nonchalance of just chucking a coat over my shoulders
DeleteIn the Nineties I used to wish I could wear a maxi dress with trainers but seemed to think I was too short to try it. I realised when i posted a blog the other day I was wearing just that - it's only taken a quarter of a century to realise that I could!
ReplyDeleteHeadscarves will only stay put with hair grips and dirty hair. I made some wired ones the other day and can safely say one managed to say put in my unruly mop all day. xxx
Interesting. I'm thinking a headscarf would be great for third day hair at Latitude this year. It'll be plenty dirty by then! I might have to have a go at making a wired on, it's one thing I haven't tried yet.
DeleteFestival hair, don't you just love it? Yes, definitely have a go at making your own. I've been practicing for Glastonbury by only washing my hair once a week! x
DeleteHa! I'd never thought of hair training!
DeleteI cant do any of these things! Anything tucked in makes my belly look bigger, tights with shorts just look silly on me, headscarves ... well I don't know if my head is to big or something but they never tie around nicely ... I could go on haha!
ReplyDeleteI know some people who can pop on a head scarf and wear it with ease, I think perhaps they have evolved with the right shaped head! :)
DeleteI loved this post! Clicked on it fairly tentatively as so much 'I can't wear x' rhetoric in mainstream media is all, "I can't wear short skirts because of my thighs, I can't wear stripes because I'm fat," which I obviously think is bollocks (sitting here in a short skirt and striped t-shirt!). But I love this take on it, we do all have certain combinations that just don't feel 'right' for us.
ReplyDeleteRe. headscarves, yep hairgrips are the way to go. One in on each side of the scarf, ideally, and grippy side down (how did it take me until I was 35 to learn about the correct way to wear a hair grip?!)
I wouldn't write such a post, I hate being told what to wear according to my proportions. If I feel good in something I jolly well wear it.
DeleteI learnt the thing about kirst grips only a few years ago, why didn't anyone tell us? It's not like they come with instructions. I'll def be giving it a go.
*kirby
DeleteI have to admit I love short dresses with bare legs and ankle boots its probably my fave look. I also love shirts under jumpers in fact I like all the things you mentioned haha. I do love thick opaques with open toe shoes if they are the same colour ie black tights with black shoes. x
ReplyDeleteI love the look but I just don't think I can wear it and feel comfortable. I think it's an age thing, since turning 40 there are things that I question wearing.
DeleteInterestingly when it comes to open toed shoes and tights I think it looks really nice to have contrasting colours.
Shorts and tights were something I ended up wearing because I can't wear trousers (that one's down to my horrid shape and size) and needed something which was more "camping friendly" than skirts and tights. Basically I struggle with anything which has that "effortless" air about it - coats over shoulders, headscarves, etc.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you as someone who can wear shorts and tights when I was writing this. I love the look, just don't feel comfy in it.
DeleteOne of the things I don't like about head scarves and coats over shoulders is the almost constant readjustment they need, they look nonchalant but in reality they are just hard work!
Thank you for taking the time to comment x