Told you I would post every outfit, good or bad. ;) This is my vacation no-makeup-messy-hair look.
- Jacket & sweater: $1 sale at Jet Rag in LA
- Skirt: Forever 21
- Tights: Ellen Tracy
- Shoes: keds
We are kicking it in Sacramento (Citrus Heights, to be exact) for a few days with Mark’s family before heading back home to NY. I’m going through a style transformation prompted by the realization that I’ve become too comfortable within my own style – instead of being creative, I’m clinging to familiar patterns, cuts and colors in my wardrobe. I decided that the best way to battle this is to open myself up to everything I’ve always feared:
- high-waisted pants
- denim
- stuff that isn’t fitted at the waist or has a poofy skirt
- heels below 3″
- asymmetrical/off-shoulder cuts
- bare legs
- florals
- neutrals (!)
- leopard print
- anything that can be classified as “hippie”
Suburban thrift-stores are the best – lots of people donate but most are too lazy to dig through stuff – as a result, you can get some real gems here for cheap. And as long as we’re talking “fashion faux pas” it’s the land of plenty!!! I went down to Good Will and tried on some denim jackets & pants, loose-fitting tops, florals, ugly 80s sweaters, even a pair of overalls (haha! true story!). Some things looked downright atrocious but most, to my own surprise, actually worked! It felt therapeutic to break out of my fashion prison and let myself be inspired again. We might be in for some real doozies, haha, but I’m ok with that. :)
Deerlings: what are your fashion fears? Would you ever consider taking them on?
You look beautiful without makeup too. I am also facing my fashion fears lately – bright colours, bare legs and high heels are on tap to try. When thrifting – I seem to be drawn to reddish pinks.
You look pretty without make-up as well! :)
Plus, the shoes rock. Love’m.
I really adore your haircut, as a female with short red hair it makes me gleeful to see others sporting that as well.
I can’t yet face my fashion fears (eg; anything “normal” or “bland”) until I feel I have more fully established my personal forest style. I just feel if I’m not being fully forest, no one will recognize it as a style unless I provide examples all the time…if that makes any sense. Once I do I plan on experimenting a lot more, though! My favorite thing to do is make ugly clothes cool the other day I wore an oversized purple 80′s sweater with D’Lilac!
Hmm..my fashion fears..black (although I had to get over that for work), white pants, wearing heels, and bright lipstick! The last 2 are fears I am getting over now because I actually like wearing heels and bright lips.
I love the texture on the top you’re wearing!
Doe Deere Reply:
May 27, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Black! That’s another one I’m taking on. It’s kind of addictive though, it makes such an awesome, strong accent!
Amber Reply:
May 29, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Then please explain the photos that exist of you – late teens, goth? With you sitting on metal-hair-Mark’s lap? Ring a bell?
Doe Deere Reply:
May 29, 2010 at 3:38 pm
Haha, you talk like I deny their existence. ;) I wore a lot of horrifying things in my teens that are responsible for half my fears!! :)
Well, you’ve done it again!! Read my mind and then promptly inspired me, I mean! :) I’ve been going back and forth over whether to post pics of 2 outfits this week, and then I read this and thought, “Well, why shouldn’t I?!” So I think I will.
You’re a natural beauty, and you look lovely as always! Facing fears is a great thing, and I think you’re onto something when you realize that facing them will lead you into uncharted, yet empowering, territories you might not have discovered otherwise! I think you’ll have a lot of fun trying out different items to get different looks. You’ll look good in anything, so boldly go forth! lol
You look amazing without makeup!
lol; whatever man… you look good without make up. :P I guess a bit pale, but it remined me of the artistic photos where the model’s face is kept make-up minimal and pale. I guess a fear for me would be lack of make up also. I have acne so… I feel more self conscious without it. I have a fear of shorts as I have thicker thighs. Also anything that reveals the waist as I feel my waist isn’t small enough haha. Not sure if I’d ever face them… but I’m certainly getting more comfortable with my body. :)
Rebecca Reply:
May 28, 2010 at 6:59 am
I had the acne self-consciousness thing for years! Well, I didn’t have acne exactly, but I’m really pale and scar very easily because of hyper-sensitive skin, so any blemishes would stick around for a while. :/
But I really regret my decision to cover it all the time with make-up… I think it just made it worse and I hated that I couldn’t bear to be seen without make-up.
But recently, I started to scale my make-up down to just mineral concealer and translucent powder, and I feel so much better about myself. :)
This is a great idea! I’m not sure if the world is ready for my bare legs though…. EEP!
You’re gorgeous honey. Love, Peace and PIE! xxx
You look great with and without makeup.
I’ve always been terrified of shorts and I think I’m going to bust mine out this summer. (I wear skirts, why not shorts?)
I’ve also been eying a beautiful high-waisted bikini on Modcloth and I’m just waiting for the funds/courage to buy it.
The biggest fashion fear I’m facing right now is wearing shorts.
I have short, skinny, EXTREMELY white legs and I’m a bit bowlegged. I’m comfortable in short skirts, but I feel like shorts draw attention to my pasty little toothpicks. Trying to incorporate shorts into my summer wardrobe is a challenge.
Also, open-toed, strappy sandals, although that’s mainly due to my being too lazy to paint my toenails.
Fashion fears: long skirts. I’m only 5’2″ so I wear miniskirts to make my legs look as long as possible. I wonder if I would be able to pull off long skirts. Most of the time the fabric looks too overwhelming.
um hello, you’re beautiful. seriously.
fashion fears: shorts shorts shorts, heels beyond kitten (i’m so short and i feel strange when things are out of my normal perspective!), nail polish (it never ever looks right on my short nails).
Hmmm…I reckon my biggest fashion fear is short skirts, short shorts, short dresses…anything that shows my legs above the knee…I love all the adorable little play suits and tea dresses out at the mo…I shall have to work hard to overcome it!
You are stunning!
This year my biggest thing is swimsuits! That and showing off my arms, I never wear anything shorter then 3/4 sleeve length.
Animal print and bare legs. Both of which I’m working on!
Also, you look stunning, as usual! :)
I’m super subconscious about my uber skinnyness. 5’2″ and 95 pounds….no luck with it. :( So I tend to avoid shorts at all times, but recenlt, I’ve been trying out bermuda shorts, and so far, it’s workin pretty well so far! :D I’m so excited. ^-^
I fear:
Jeans. The more I wear skirts the more I feel jeans are UNFLATTERING.
Tennis shoes with skirts. I can’t do it.
Really short skirts.
Love and Turtledoves,
Jaco
As a witness of the west and the forbidden fruit of feared fashion, it’s not what you wear but who you are as you’re wearing it. I sported my $1.59 skirt today and wondered for a moment, do I look sophisticated or do I look poor? Then I realized it all depended on me.
Love your style, and as for feared frontiers, you brought back the applique on denim and rocked it, you are invincible.
Best wishes, E
Jenarcissist Reply:
May 29, 2010 at 1:14 pm
“do I look sophisticated or do I look poor? Then I realized it all depended on me.”
I LOVE THAT!!!! Great insight!!! :) A confident attitude is EVERYthing.
My fashion fear = anything that isn’t pink! bad!
awesome idea though! enjoyed this post :-)
no makeup is awesome, you look great! I go natural 90% of the time. I love that skirt!
wow some of your fears I actually love lol like the leopard, bare legs, hippie fashion and MOST of all heels below 3″ (PLEASE do a post on walking in high heels, I need help!), isn’t it amazing how different everyone is?
my fashion fears, were to start?
*heels above 3″
*wearing a skirt/dress without boots or close-toed shoes
*PINK
*little to no accessories
*”plain” looking clothes
*tank tops
*short hair
Oh gosh you’re so close, I live in Orangevale right next to Citrus Heights. XD
Awesome. :)
Tank tops and tight fitting clothes. They make me feel fat!
You look cute!
A lot of your fashion “fears” are my go-tos!
* high-waisted pants
* denim
* stuff that isn’t fitted at the waist or has a poofy skirt
* heels below 3″
* bare legs
* neutrals (!)
* leopard print
Neutrals are easily paired with bright colours…low heels and bare legs help me feel casual and summery…high-waisted pants can give a really excellent feminine silhouette when paired with the right items…stuff that isn’t fitted at the waist helps me to camoflauge my baby belly…denim can be relaxed or dressed up…and leopard print is my favorite print of all – I have 3 leopard print cardis that can go with anything!
I think this is a great idea for a post.It seems to have everyone talking, as well as realizing how some fears are fashion go-to’s for others! It’s always nice to have people come together and be honest about their fears. It makes them less scary.
Here are a few (not all) of mine:
High-waisted things! I’m 5’2″ and I feel that it eats my entire body. It’s just legs, an inch and then boobs and face. Sure maybe I haven’t found the right one, but I’m too small for anything that like that. At least in my mind.
I can’t wear loose, grandma/hippie clothes. Or anything baggy on top. Even a tshirt that’s too large makes me look like an awkward sad little creature. I’ve been told I look like an immigrant, regardless of the clothes. (I mean, I am, born in Moscow and moved to NYC when I was young–so I feel you on a lot of stuff!)
Hmm, bright colors will scare me. I feel as if they wash me out. Well only now, as an adult. As a teen I used to wear outrageous things without a care in the world.
I didn’t think “Fashion” back then–I just went…”let’s put this crazy stuff together!” I sort of miss being so un-self-conscious. At that age, I didn’t know there was a wrong way to dress. I walked out of the house in ridiculous outfits. It was fun. I was comfortable with stares. Then maybe sometime in late high school I stopped. No idea why.
Ah, I think outfits are less forgiving with age. Little kids can wear anything they please and still look great!
Also, I hate wearing skinny jeans or pants that are too tight and not flared. I only wear flared pants. As I said, I’m short, but my feet are big. 8.5. I get very very shy about this and so skinny jeans and sneakers makes me feel as if I have clown feet. Flared pants cover that up. Heels and or boots don’t show the size too much. It’s a big shy factor for me.
Actually what I am trying to figure out is what shoes to wear with my skirts and dresses. I grew up wearing combat boots and skirts (like a little Tank Girl or something) and then I started wearing heels. I suppose I can always find ballet flats (don’t own any yet, I find them so cute but again, I fret about my big feet), but I wondering about other suggestions. Maybe you have (or could write) a post on this?
Thank you for writing and people who you are. You are an inspiration to so many.
Ahhh! You’re brave. I could never go with bare legs! I wear tights religiously.
I also have an outrageous fear of heels. I have extremely wide feet at the toe and I can never find a shoe that doesn’t cut off my circulation within ten minutes. D;
Anything above a 1/2 sleeve. I never show my upper arms. Ever. D;
I am also absolutely terrified of anything that is mid-thigh or higher.
But florals, now…florals and I go WAY back. I LOVE myself a great granny floral print. <3 Try it! I implore you!
Citrus Heights?!! How very cool, I live in Folsom!! I would LOVE to bring you shopping at Crossroads!!
It would be great to have someone as creative as you to go with me!
Let me know,
Lauren
Doe Deere Reply:
May 28, 2010 at 7:20 pm
Hey Lauren, I’ve been to Crossroads, it’s pretty cool! Unfortunately we’re leaving tomorrow so maybe next time. XO
Heh! I think it’s super cool that you’re in Citrus Heights, my aunt lives there and I spend at least a month or two there when I can. I never comment here but I thought I had to because I’ve never seen you without make up! Gorgeous, makes au natural girls like me feel good about it (being, natural). (:
I guess that would be my fashion fear, being less neutral / natural, also.
Your fashion fear is heels below 3 inches, well mine is heels ABOVE 3 inches :) I twisted my ankle in them once and ever since I’m super paranoid about falling in them again! I always seem to find that little rock or little crack in the concrete that sends me tumbling to the ground. I’ve worked my way back up from flats to about 3 inches, but that’s on rare occasions and I haven’t gone past the 3-inch barrier.
I hope you’re having a good time in Citrus Heights. Davis is only about 30 miles west on the 80, I highly recommend going to the quaint little college town before you leave :)
Things I’ve gotten over recently:
White pants
Skinny Jeans
Leggings
Heels
Things I’m about to bite the bullet and try:
Halter tops (I’m large chested – but my boyfriend assures me the “girls” look better in my shelf-bra type shirts).
Skirts at work (or more acurately, skorts. I spend too much time up a ladder to wear skirts!)
I’d love to try one of the one shouldered shirts/mini dresses. Now if I can only find one I like that’s in the budget… I think another trip to value village is in order.
And I’m sitting here with a full shopping cart on Lime Crime. I’ve been trying out new shades the last little while – but I REALLY want to try the lipstick! Just have to get the courage to go checkout :)
I usually just hover around your blog, but it caught my eye you’re in my town (people always talk about Sacramento, but never Citrus Heights). If you haven’t been, you should check out Freestyle (http://www.freestyleclothing.com/) off of Antelope Road. It’s a really super clothing exchange (I think of it as an ‘upscale thrift store’. It’s a really cute store with great stuff!
Hm… my real fashion fear is anything… too black. I used to be goth so now I shirk from anything that’s bleak. It’s all about colors now. And I also fear no makeup and short sleeves. I have bad eczema and people have a tendency… to stare. :( One day hopefully I’ll be able to go without makeup. But for now, it’s my safety blanket.
You should try a hippie headband if you’re trying your fears. I think a sparkly or a feather one would look amazing with your hair! :)
Doe Deere Reply:
May 28, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Freestyle sounds awesome. Their site is not showing up on my phone, what is the cross street?
stepherz Reply:
May 30, 2010 at 7:04 pm
It is on Antelope Road between Tupelo Drive and Van Maren. In the same shopping center as a Carl’s Jr, Subway, Taco Bell and a Salvation Army thrift store. It’s in the back of the center though (tight behind this shopping center. So it is on the same side as the freeway) The official address is: 6412 Tupelo Drive (i am horribly at directions, haha)
If you end up there, I hope you like it! :)
Hi Doe,
my biggest fear (fashionwise) is shopping for cute topwear. I’ve been “blessed” with an impressive chestarea, however when trying on something cute it looks as if I’m wearing something my younger sister ought to wear… Being big busted s*cks…
Oh yeah: horror of horrors: white leggings *shudders*
A lot of the time, ‘fashion fears’ are fears for a reason! There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you look good in and sticking to it. The only things I avoid wearing are the things that are unflattering on me or that I really can’t pull off.
Doe Deere Reply:
May 28, 2010 at 7:25 pm
That’s what I thought until I realized most of mine were baseless and were stopping me from wearing the clothes I like!
Interestingly, floral prints and bare legs are things I’m working on at the moment too.
I am coming from a number of years wearing nothing but green, blue and black shades, so it’s tough!
I am not liking very many of the floral prints I am seeing sold on the highstreet this year, but thrift stores and prints from previous years are much more to my liking! I am wearing a floral shirt as I type!
As for bare legs…I’m still not all the way with that. However, I am wearing nude tights often; as a kind of intermediate step. xD
Finally, I am looking at looser fitting clothes for summer. My problem is that I am really petite, and thus I find loose styles really difficult to pull off without looking swamped. I am working on this though! Belts solve everything xD
Doe Deere Reply:
May 28, 2010 at 7:26 pm
I have the same fear, being petite. But I sort I decided that I don’t care if others perceive me as ‘short’ and am going to go for it!
Hmm,while I agree it’s good to conquer your fears, I have established my own fashion rules for both cute and utilitarian purposes. (Cuteitarian?)I get a lot of grief for refusing to wear brown, or any shade of khaki or cream. Reason: I really hate black and brown as a color combination, so by settling for one or the other, I’ve made it easier for me to match my clothing and to save money. I also tend to stay in a color group of super saturated and girly colors paired with greys and black. By having a color scheme I can make awesome outfits with minimum effort. So I can spend more time on my makeup. ;)
Doe Deere Reply:
May 28, 2010 at 7:31 pm
I’ve been playing that color game for too long (everything in my wardrobe is pink, turquoise, purple, green, or yellow). One day I woke up and realized that everything I owned could be piled onto one tall person and actually work. My color choices may have become too predictable, so I’m trying to break out of that…
-PANTS!
oh god. I think I look fat, small and ugly in them! I just can’t wear pants. (only my pj’s!)
-Denim. I hate it with a passion.
-Orange
-Animal prints. I actually like funky coloured animal prints, but I just can’t wear them.
I think you look cute without make up. I’m also really pale but I have some redness on my cheeks and nose and it sometimes bothers me but I still go out without make up on. It’s good to take a break from putting stuff on your face. Although I ALWAYS have sunscreen on. I am so pale I burn even with 50spf on.
My wardrobe fears:
- high waisted pants & skirts:(I don’t like anything constricting my stomach…this is why I always wear skirts/pants that sit at my hips)
- long dresses: I’m petite (5’4″) so I never wear anything longer then my knee (usually it’s above knee) because it make sme look shorter
- white: I only own one fully white item of clothing. i’m so pale and have dyed black hair so I don’t feel it looks good on me.
- pointy shoes: I hate the look of them. I also have big feet for my size (8) so I feel it would make me feet look even bigger.
flip flops – I HATE the look of them and I hate anything between my toes. I don’t think I’ve worn a pair since I was really little and I doubt I ever will.
Fears I have recently taken on:
Skinny jeans – A year or so ago I avoided them at all cost since I thought they would make me look shorter but they don’t. I now own 5 pairs in different colors (different shades of denim, black & dark gray). And if they are stretchy they are super comfortable too.
Shorts – I’ve always had a fear of shorts for some reason. I always wore super short skirts but for some reason I hated shorts but I recently bought a cute pair of black shorts at H&M and I love them.
Flat shoes – Again, since I’m on the shorter side I always wore wedge or huge platform shoes. Now I am embracing short shoes and boots. A lot more comfortable to walk around town in too. My feet thank me for it.
Color – I wear a lot of things that are mostly black. I do wear some colors (green, teal, blue, gray, pink, red) but I avoid a lot of other colors. However, I just bought a cute yellow t-shirt with different colored peacock feathers on it. Yellow is one of those colors I always avoided but I actually like it now. But I don’t think I will ever wear brown which is another color I avoid.
And I love asymmetrical/off-shoulder cuts. I own a lot of tops like that. I love the look of them. You shoudl definitely wear them.
Sometimes all you need is a little change to shake things up and make things interesting and new again!
I’m currently going through a “hippie” phase, which is rather unusual for me.
I just bought a pair of skinny jeans. I still can’t decide if they look good or stupid.
OOOh! Your face without makeup reminds me of Pre-raphaelite paintings. The eyes, the pale eyebrows, the porcelain skin…and the beautiful red hair! I want to draw you!:P
if you wanted to try taking on all those fears at one, i think you would make a stunning mori girl ^_^. its how i got over my fears of anything baggy or not tailored, neutrals, heels, and my one big one…. long hair! im growing out now
Wow Xenia, you are gorgeous without makeup girl, you should do it more often. I know you’re in the business of selling makeup, so it’s a product you must show off, but you look very good without it.
I find I’m trying to open myself up more to things I used to absolutely hate, like unfitted dresses, pointy toed shoes and patterns. I’ve also been buying more things in white lately which is kind of shocking considering most of my wardrobe is black with splashes of color.
My fashion fears: wearing leggings as pants! (i.e., with just a top that isn’t long enough to cover your bottom), micro-mini skirts (I don’t like the appearance of my skinny thighs), totally free-form dresses, monster fur, paisley, bronzer (not me at all), gladiator sandals, wearing just a T-shirt + flared-leg jeans, tie-dye, chunky bangles, high-waisted pants that are kind of a fashion trend nowadays (non-retro style), etc.
I saw the prada glasses you wanted!!! they
are on fredflare.com! Only 11$ but they’re
ripoffs
Doe Deere Reply:
May 29, 2010 at 11:23 am
Is it the Pretty Cat Eye sunglasses?
With no makeup, you look about 15. Adorable.
My main fashion fear has to do with crop tops: I am scared to death of showing my (admittedly out of shape) belly. Ugh. I also need to get over my irrational reluctance to mix silver and gold–a holdover from my mother’s well-intended advice during my childhood!
I am trying to break out of my colour scheme and be more gleeful! I like more ruffles, polk a dots and colour now! I try to break out of black (I just think it looks so great! But I still like my gothic glee! Which is sort of white and black with ruffles and pretty buttons generally)
So these days I have decided that if I can find clothes in a brighter shade I’ll go with that.
My fashion fears:
-most sandals (I love gladiators though!)
-nude colours, argh I hate it! I always feel like if I’m wearing nude I may as well be naked…
-coral (too close to nude for my liking, if it’s closer to peachy pink then I’m okay)
-mustard coloured clothing
-loose fitting clothing (I’m petite with a very narrow waist and narrow-ish hips with large shoulders and chest and so I just find that loose fitting stuff makes me look like a coat hanger…)
-anything that doesn’t fit properly (which is most stuff due to my weirdo body shape haha)
-most hipster skirts unless they’re the exact ‘right’ length
Fashion Fears I’m facing:
-Sleeveless tops (dresses I am fine for some reason)
-One piece bathers (I actually found some CUTE ones!)
Fashion Fears I used to have but are now my Fashion Loves:
-Colour!
-Wigs!
-Bright lipstick in awesome shades (purple, blue, green, black, orange)
-Heels
-Skirts (I was previously very tomboyish)
-Pretty dresses (again with the previous tomboyish-ness)
-Lace (see above, lol)
-Heart shaped sunnies (once upon a time I thought THAT was daring! You should see me now!)
-Pastel colours
-Pink
-Florals
I could go on forever with my new loves of different fashions but I wont. Hehe!
Thanks Doe for sharing yet again! xx
Milk Reply:
May 29, 2010 at 4:45 am
But now of course, I switch between my colourful glee, gothic glee and ethnic glee! I love it and it’s very versatile! Something for every occasion!
I remember being told when I was a little girl that because I had red hair I couldn’t wear warm/hot colours like reds, pinks, yellows and oranges. Rubbish! Only recently have I been really branching out. Doe Deere is an example in herself in this regard. At the moment I am currently tackling the fear of shirts that come down low at the back. I am a bit self-conscious of it and I have only ever seen really slender girls wear that style – but I did it! The interesting thing is, often these styles that we shy away from are really flattering, and each time I have confronted one of these style fears I have gotten some really nice complements. Doe Deere, you have lovely skin!
I must agree, you look gorgeous without makeup!
I fear short shorts, high heels (not wedges), tank tops or anything that exposed my entire arm, high wasted denim, floral skirts.
I probably wouldnt try the short shorts, just because I dont have the legs to pull them off. But everything else I probably would try at least once, if the color and style was right. And I could walk in the heels lol
I fear:
Sleevelass tops, because my upper arms are pretty awful!
Tops that are too high on my chest because they make my boobs look funny!
Anything that’s too black, went through that phase and looking back on photos I wish I had worn more colour!
Leggings as trousers….but come on that’s a reasonable fear,isn’t it?…except jeggings because they’re the best things in the world!