All of a sudden, I'm feeling resistant to "trending," or any sort of sign of being "on trend" or even wearing my signature style. Probably a symptom of blogger burn-out. I just want to shrug off any sort of style cliche or codification and just "BE."
Easy peasy, right? You just get up in the morning, throw on some clothes & head out the door. Unless you are perhaps a personal style blogger, in which you think about what you wear, how you're wearing it, and why you're going to share it with your fellow fashion bloggers and your loveliest of readers. Then you look in the mirror and wonder if you're gonna "represent." Well, suddenly I need a breather, and want to see if I could still look like "me," even if I don't dress like me. So no signature mess of mixed prints- no polka dots, no stripes, no leopard. No wacky hat, no combos of white, red or black, so what do we have?
 |
| Bella not feeling very Bella-esque. |
This is what I came up with- A run of the mill non-vintage cotton blouse in a very un-Bella-esque pale green. A grey mini skirt kicked into the corner of my closet and my only non-black or white or gold shoes- some tan leather espadrille wedges purchase many moons ago. The only thing that that made this outfit feel right are the black netting knee-highs I put on, and my favorite corduroy coat ever.
Now Wearing:
- vintage green corduroy coat, yard sale (Thanks Idalia!)
- vintage butterfly broach, gifted (Thanks, D!)
- light green cotton blouse, freebie (Thanks Ari!)
- grey denim skirt (who knows?)
- vintage floral tapestry handbag (thrifted looong ago)
- netted knee-high socks, Target
- tan leather wedges sandal espadrilles (online, years ago)
You still look like to beautiful Bella we know and love even though I'm not used to seeing you in pastels. The socks and the pretty bag give away your spirit and uniqueness. xxx
ReplyDeleteHon, if I saw you strolling down the avenue I would definitely want to stop and say hi!!! You look like you. I love the subject of this post - are we becoming representations of ourselves through blogging? Hmmm ... I actually feel more like me. What I've always wanted to be. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us B xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteYou cab dress up or down, but you come through as unique to me, my dear Bella. By the way, I want your bag!!!
ReplyDeleteMil besos.
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You look gorgeous dear, I have seen that green coat before and still love it, and the bag is fab. We are all allowed to change and experiment xx
ReplyDeleteWow, I think it still looks like you:)
ReplyDeleteLove that jacket, and those socks are so cool! :D
Really interesting question: what clothing choices do we feel define 'us'? Your netting knee highs are definitely what make this ensemble 'you', particularly with the glorious green coat AND the brilliant tapestry bag. Whereas, the blouse and skirt, if worn by themselves would look a little startlingly un-Bella (EXCEPT that actually, personality shines through whatever you wear!)
ReplyDeleteOh, and forgot to say, re. the title - I do love a good pun!
ReplyDeleteBella, for not really trying you did very good with this outfit.
ReplyDeleteThe corduroy coat and the vintage floral tapestry handbag are beyond trends; they are timeless!
Oh my goodness, that coat is quite spectacular. There aren't many things that beat jewel-coloured velvet!
ReplyDeleteThat is an INCREDIBLE coat. WOW.
ReplyDelete♥ Leia
yeah, it totally looks like you! I adore the coat! I like pastelly colours, but not on me, and when i wear them i feel strange!
ReplyDeleteI love that great coat, just adorable!
ReplyDeleteHon, not only do you look like you but you look like a style blogger... maybe it's the socks and sandals. Maybe it's the sandals full stop. I identify with the burnout however. Damn trends, damn vintage, damn colour and print mixing. Grrrr.
ReplyDeleteYour shop must be full of amazing inspiration.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely readers and bloggers feel very inspiring by your great style.
Lee x
You still look like Bela too me, especially the courdoroy coat (which I love!), knee highs and handbag! No matter what you wear, there is no denying the Bella!
ReplyDeleteI love red on other people, but it's not quite me. Nonetheless, I'm trying to incoporate more red into my wardrobe, because it's growing on me a bit!
Bella, you are bending and breaking all the fashion rules in one photo and I absolutely love it. The long coat, stocking and open toe wedges... get it girl!
ReplyDeleteThe green is a fabulous colour on you! Style Blogging is all about just "being" - and you are doing that great :)
ReplyDeleteI don't consider any colour not to be "me" but I don't wear those which make me look sick - like certain shades of taupe. If it matches my skin or my hair I will usually look like I have jaundice. :)
Its you that shine's through. The clothing is only a nicely built picture frame. I like this outfit! I think it represents what most of us wear on most days. Its actually refreshing to see.
ReplyDeleteI love that coat. I like pink, but I don't wear it often because it doesn't feel like me.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this look on you! BTW, we are totally purse buddies! I have one that looks a lot like that from Crimson. :)
ReplyDeletelil bits
Bella! Anything you wear is "Bella", because you are the one wearing it! I definitely get what you are saying, and it does become cumbersome constantly having to completely style an outfit...unless you are a crazy like me and plan everything out ahead. I even plan ahead my lounging wear. Yes, I know, I'm a nerd.
ReplyDeleteYou look great, I actually really enjoy the subtle hues in this outfit...and seriously...where has that coat been for the past few months? I've never seen it and it's the best green coat in the world. I love green coats.
love, love you Bella!
xo
My goodness, your coat! It's just gorgeous! I think the coat, the purse and the knee-highs still make this look very you.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really that much of a color girl though I do love them. I just don't feel like me when I'm decked out in color (especially if it's head-to-toe).
Bella, I just commented on another blog that 'beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder'. What we think is 'mhweeh' , may be a 'yay' for someone else. I do get your feeling though. I don't know you that long to say if this is your style or not but I don't think many people can pull this look of and look like you do. Call it the style, but maybe it is your soul we see. At least that is what I see.
ReplyDeleteim totally feeling the blogger burnout. sometimes i just want to wear skinny jeans and a ribbed tank. and to be honest, i usually do. i know how to dress up when i need to, but im just too lazy for it sometimes. you look fab in your real-self!
ReplyDeletexxoo
Hello, I'm dying over the fishnets with the wedges, love, love! Also the green jacket is divine. What an inspired outfit post.
ReplyDeleteI actually think you still managed to stay you. I love the green coat on you, and the fishnets are awesome. I feel like pastel colors aren't always me, but I'm trying to branch out with my color choices.
ReplyDeleteThat coat is all kinds of gorgeousness. I'd say your blogger burnout paid off in the form of a fabulous look!
ReplyDeleteThat green coat makes me drool. I have always had a visceral reaction to the deep olive green hue. It moves me; actually makes me feel something haha!
ReplyDeleteThe color of the coat is so delicious. You look good in green. It's an unusual hue, but you're an unusual gal!
ReplyDeleteNo leopard?! Why, that's crazy talk! ;-)
ReplyDeleteNo leopard?! Why, that's crazy talk! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm seeing you in pastel I cant believe my eyes...I can see why you think its not so you, nevertheless I think you look pretty especially the pastel color with your black hair is just a perfect combination. I'm glad you tried combination outside your box.
ReplyDelete<3
http://reserveradefashion.blogspot.com
Oh my that coat is amazing. x hivenn
ReplyDeleteI must be an unorganised blogger sometimes, because If I usually do an outfit post it's probably what I wore to work or dinner or shopping that day or before...Opps! I think even though you say the colour isn't typically you, I can still see the Bella Q through this... it's all about the vintage coat + bag + socks! Sometimes what makes an outfit "us" per se may not be the actual items, rather our attitude or poise.
ReplyDeleteThe netted knee socks are fab. I wouldn't wear the green blouse because of the color. Not that i dont like the color but because that shade of green tends to wash my yellow skin tone out and make me look well... rather green.
ReplyDeleteI love your coat! That is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou still look like you! I know what you mean about the whole "I just don't want to think about this right now" sort of outfit. The other day I felt rather rebellious by putting on a grey t-shirt, black skirt, black shoes and dark denim jacket. It was very dull, very dark, and very me. It would have looked like nothing in a photograph.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many colors I like but I can't seem to wear, including just about every pastel tone. I do have pastel scarves, but no pastel clothing at all.
Great post as usual Bella!