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Monday, May 16, 2011

Outfit

This outfit incorporates another skirt that I made in sewing class (which I am planning to show in more detail at a later stage) and my new leopard print top that I wore for the first time to work last week. I love sewing my own skirts now and it makes me think twice before purchasing skirts at the shops. Unless it was a special occassion, I would probably always choose to make skirts now instead of purchase them. I also love how it addresses the deficiencies of the shops, primarily the lack of plain coloured skirts at a respectable length. I finally decided what to wear my leopard print top with. I have a few different ideas thanks to your comments but this time I thought red would look good. I am also wearing one of my trench coats yet again. It is becoming far too cold to dress in these sorts of clothes at the moment. Often I put up with the cold because I am terrible at dressing for winter but there is only a certain extent to which I can do this. IMG_0068

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This is my first outfit post with my new computer which I posted here. It's so exciting to have such a fabulous new computer.

Now onto some life ramblings so if you are just here for the fashion then feel free to skip what I am about to write. I just need to express my views about certain aspects of life. For most of my childhood and teenage years I felt pressure to change certain aspects of my personality and to be someone that I was not and when I realised that some of these unique character traits were unchangeable I felt deeply unhappy and insecure about myself as a person. I remember when I was growing up, various sources always delivered the cliched message that we should just be ourselves, resist the peer pressure and everything would just fall into place. I never trusted this piece of advice. I believed it was only true in theory and not in reality and that no one truly liked the person that I was. Since the end of last year I have really tried to work on this aspect of my life by attempting to gain a clearer understanding and acceptance of who I am as a person. I always though these concepts were vague and lacked substance but now I don't feel that as much and I am slowly accepting the person that I have become and realising that there are many aspects of that which I actually like.
I feel like I am slowly making some progress. However, I have also realised that there will always be people who challenge your views and beliefs, who try and change who you are or who constantly voice their opinion over certain aspects of your life. I have realised that just because high school is over, it doesn't mean the pressure to conform or think and act a certain way is over. It simply exists in a different form. For me, people are often saying, you're too shy, you don't have enough friends, you analysing situations and thoughts too much, you are generally too negative, you are too tame and innocent, you take things too seriously, you feel too much and have too many emotions, you need to relax, you have your priorities wrong, you have an extremely small comfort zone and many more. A range of people seem to want to try and tell me what I desire from life, like just because I am in my early twenties I am supposed to want to travel and I am supposed to want to go out to night clubs on Saturday nights. Everyone is a different person and no one can judge how another person feels or what another person wants from life. I think it is really hard to stand up for the person that you are and truly be yourself and I highly respect anyone that has the courage and confidence to do so.

50 comments:

Panty Buns said...

It sounds like you are continuing to develop beautifully, in talent, knowledge, emotionally and intellectually. Your designs are pretty and the sewing is very impressive. I like the heart locket and the settings for the photos too.

Panty Buns said...

P.S.: Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my last post - I appreciate it very much.

www.janetteria.com said...

Gorgeous skirt!

Anonymous said...

love the new leopard top on you! :) the bow is so cute!

kimchi girl

Green Tea and Cupcakes said...

Love the red skirt with the leopard print, hot little number.

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

Oh how I can relate to this, dear Imogen. I've sent you a little e-mail...

It's always a treat seeing your hand-sewn skirts. This shade of red really showcases the waistband and pleats. Lovely all around. Oh, and by the sound of it, you'd absolutely hate dressing for winters up here! ;)

Sherin said...

The skirt is amazing. You did such a great job on it. I really need to learn how to sew.

Jennifer Fabulous said...

That skirt is so beautiful. Red is a wonderful color for you. I love that you paired it with your glamorous leopard top. This is a very classy outfit. :)

I also can relate to your words below. I feel like being in your 20s is the ultimate decade of self-discovery. It's realizing that you do not have to conform to what your parents expect of you or what society expects of you or what your friends expect of you. It is figuring what you want and how you're going to achieve it. I know it doesn't help to have all those outside voices cluttering your perspective though. I am dealing with that on many levels right now. For example, I constantly have my mother nagging at me to get married and buy a house. But I honestly am not ready to get married and not only do I not have any money to buy a house, but I don't want to buy a house until I get married. And that won't be for a long time. She doesn't understand and every day is a constant battle with her. It's like a broken record. She complains and nags and gives examples of my cousins who are my age and married. And I explain I'm not ready. And the whole cycle starts over the next day. :(

Selvaggia Capizzi said...

Lovely shirt! You lookgreat!
xx
http://dontcallmefashionblogger.blogspot.com

Rosie Savage said...

The leopard print top really suits you!
And I still don't think I'm ever truly myself,

Rosie x

Aimeecakes said...

This is a fab outfit, red and leopard print is such a great combination! You look gorgeous.

I think there are always people who will try to tell you that if you aren't doing things their way, then you're doing them wrong. And its hard to deal with that pressure! But everyone is different (thank God!) and it takes time to truly be comfy with yourself. It sounds like you're figuring out what you want to do/be in your own time and that's great :o) Also, I didn't even want to go to nightclubs when I was a teenager. :oP

Little Lovables said...

lovely, wonderful job on sewing that skirt!

sallyannie☆ said...

It's hard to find yourself but the important thing is to try :) I like the red and leopard together!

Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird said...

LOVE that skirt!

Natasha said...

I can relate so much to this post Imogen. I'm not a drinker or a fan of going out to nightclubs so I struggle sometimes when that's all my friends want to do. For example I've got my 21st birthday coming up and everyone's saying I should have a patty and get drunk when all I want to do is maybe have a get-together in my back garden and go to the zoo, and I feel weird because of that, because it's not considered normal for a 20 year old to want those things. So don't feel pressured into doing things you don't want to, because as I've found, trying to force yourself to enjoy something you don't creates more stress. And your skirt is beautiful, but you always look pretty. xxx

Sher said...

Oh your skirt is so pretty, I adore it!!

And I too can relate to what you're feeling. I think no matter what there will be somebody out there who thinks they have the right to judge whatever you do. It definitely takes courage to ignore what they say and stand tall.

Oh, I can also imagine how impatient you must be for your wedding day! mine is in 3 months but I'm already impatient:)

fashioneggpplant said...

it took awhile for me to feel comfortable in my own skin too but now that i am, it's the best feeling in the world. best wishes to you! you look great :)

Rose said...

Loving your red skirt! I would like one just lik that in every colour of the rainbow :)
Thanks for you comment on my engagement post! im super excited!
Its a shame you have so many people telling you who to be. I have had that problem with one family member and it really does make me feel confused at times and like im not good enough. Hope you get things worked out real soon. Sounds like you need to surround yourself with positive people.

Rose

Couture Carrie said...

Lovely look, darling!
That skirt is gorgeous on you!

xoxox,
CC

FASHION TALES said...

What a lovely skirt that you made! The colour is beautiful. I also love the printed top. -xxoo
Madison of FASHION TALES

stylefrontier said...

what a lovely outfit combo!
the skirt is so adorablee!!

xoxo

Bonnie said...

Red and leopard print always, always, always go together. I firmly think you can never go wrong with that combo.

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

Morgan//Nuts and Bows said...

So super cute girl!!

Meet Virginia Design
Check out my $50 Giveaway from Shopkempt!

Sophie in the Sticks said...

lovely outfit, your home sewn skirt looks pretty. I hate it when people think they have some kind of authority to telll me how I should and should feel. Its rotten.

stylenuggets said...

You look very poised in that skirt and leopard print top.
In your 20's there is a lot of pressure from peers and older people to be a certain way. But as long as you have aren't doing anyone any harm and have some goals I don't think you should worry too much. The people who are telling you to change may not be perfect themselves!

Sara said...

Sweetie you look beautiful and you have amazing talent with the skirts!

People will always challenge you, some people will never be happy and you are just going to be stuck with them. All you can do is what you are doing and accept who you are and be happy. :)

noone said...

lovely outfit, and yeah people tend to judge others and like to say things like that, but i don't get ones that say you say negative things too much as that alone is a negative comment from them? anyways! as long as you're true to yourself it's all good I think! :)

Style, She Wrote said...

Very positive message. Love your leopard top/red skirt combo -- a very bold look! xo style, she wrote

two birds said...

good for you. what a great post! and on a side note, LOVE the skirt.

Annie Spandex said...

Well done on the skirt! x

Alina said...

Great look, honey!Love the red skirt matched with animal print!xoxo

k said...

i wish i could make a skirt like that, it's so cute :)

Ashley said...

Those are all such wonderful pics; I really love your red skirt!

Audrey Allure said...

Love the outfit! I really like the combo of your top and skirt together :)

Thanks for birthday wish! :)

And I'm going to email you more details about my trip to Australia soon.

HoneyBunny said...

Oh that skirt is amazing! Well done! I also love how it matches the top:)

Cait said...

The top and skirt are both great and go so well together, you look lovely :)

SABINNA and DAVID said...

your coat is great!!!

xx, Sabinna and David

broken-cookies.blogspot.com

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

Your hand-sewn skirt is marvellous, Imogen. I absolutely agree that the shops are ridiculous. I can almost never find skirts that make me want to buy them, and it's annoying having nothing to wear my blouses with!

Yes, people are stupid and will always want to tell you what to do. So long as you genuinely don't want to do it, don't listen to them. If you feel a niggle of wanting to, try it out. That's my (unsolicited) philosophy!

jess said...

Great job on the skirt. It looks great with leopard.

Winnie said...

Wow your skirt is fabulous, you're so talented! I have attempted at making skirts a few times but they've always turned out really messy haha!

Also, it's always surprised me that even though you leave high school- the mentality never really goes away. No matter what age, there are people who still act like they are still in high school. Anyway, there is no need to conform to other people's expectations and it's definitely about being comfortable in your own skin. Definitely the most important thing!

V A N E S S A said...

I love this outfit! The red skirt, is amazing and it looks better with that t-shirt.

Hugs from:
www.fashionsaveur.blogspot.com

The Sydney Girl said...

WOW! I adore your hair girl! You pull it off so well... it looks so crisp! The red lippie and skirt suit you to a T! Hope you're well! mwa x

Sick by Trend said...

Fabulous outfit honey!! :D well done!

xx

www.sickbytrend.com

Cassidy said...

I understand everything you are saying. I was surprised at how strongly I identified with your words! Even though I experienced my own identity crisis with my eating disorder, for the most part throughout my life, I had no problem with being "myself". But I realize how often people invalidate other people's emotions, dreams, and thoughts. It happens to me everyday. There are those who always criticize me for what I do, my opinions, and what I say. While I would not say I am completely and utterly confident, hurtful words no longer hurt me. I have the ability to shrug of what people say regarding me because I know that my feelings are real and that I cannot alter who I am.

It's good that you're on the road to finding yourself. As cliche as it may be, "being yourself" really makes a difference in your life. I wish you the best of luck! You are such a beautiful and lovely girl! You are worthy of all the benefits that are associated with understanding and embracing yourself. :)

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Leopard and red...One of my very favorite combos!

Elaine said...

I didn't think leopard and red could look so good!

Rose said...

Hey Imogen,
Thanks for your comment about my engagement :) About your question, I think it will be a couple of years until we get married. How long now until your wedding?

Rose

Andreia said...

Lovely skirt!!


makingfashionnotwar.blogspot.com

StarletStarlet said...

I lovee your hair like this!

Girl, people will always say a lot of things about other people. It can be true, or not. Some not nice people say it to make themselves feel better (I know, such horrible thing to do, right? but it happens).

Take 'em with a grain of salt. Turn their negativity onto a constructive feedback or simply just move on.

You know yourself better than anyone and of you listen to what your heart tells you to do, the love and passion will show - and you'll be happy. That's what matters most, right?

xo!

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