Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Grayest

On this, the grayest of days, my battery died after just a couple crummy pictures. So I thought maybe I'd start drawing my outfits? To get better at digital art and textile patterns. If I can actually commit to doing it regularly... maybe I'll make it a weekly thing.
 For some reason, my camera has the hardest time capturing pale pink (my shoes, for example). Dunno what that's about. Also, I've gotten to a point where I actually dislike the way I look without lipstick. In class, we learned a theory for the use of lipstick. Ready? When sexually aroused, the lips flush. So we wear lipstick to mimic it. It's amazing how many things come down to evolution!
However, that theory makes me feel a little guilty for wearing lipstick. Like I'm doing it to be sexy, to attract men, to remind them of sex. But on a conscious level, I really just like the way I look with it on. I feel like a lot of things in the fashion world aren't done to attract the opposite sex; i.e. black lipstick, silhouettes that don't flatter the figure, androgyny. We do that stuff because we like it, not for the benefit of men, am I right?

 Does my ranting bother you? It bothers me sometimes when I see other people do it, but that might just be because I've got this compulsion to be contrary. Like I will literally argue against someone I agree with just because they are saying it. A good characteristic in a potential lawyer maybe, but not so much a dinner partner.
cardigan, hat: Goodwill
sweater: Old Navy
tights: Romwe
(I can't wear tights once without ripping them, I've given up on trying to keep them looking nice)
dress: Target
shoes: BAIT
collar: DIY

20 comments:

  1. Ahh this post is so fun! I soo wish I could draw, that illustration is so adorable & spot-on. Perfect gray day outfit, love the cheery elements like the sheep and shiny pink shoes! And you look so cozy! Great little feminist insight on dressing for yourself, too ;)

    <3 Megan
    http://kiddotv.blogspot.com

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  2. I love your illustrations :) and I think people should dress to make themselves happy - within reason - who cares what everyone else thinks? Well that's my motto anyway ;)

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  3. I love both the pictures and the ranting! The illustration is amazing and I think that's a wonderful idea to make it a weekly thing! I was photographing some pale pink dresses for my shop this morning and I think the colors were a bit off too, really anything on the red spectrum. Now time for me to rant too! I have heard that lipstick theory before, eek, but I definitely like it for myself too! In fact, I am pretty sure my boyfriend doesn't really like lipstick on me at all! And I love oversized clothing and being comfortable, definitely about being yourself, not lookin' good for others!
    Have a great day!
    xo Hannah

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    1. Thanks, Hannah! Ranting is always more fun with company!

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  4. your drawings are absolutely lovely! I wish I could draw online! It' s so difficult!!

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  5. love love the idea of you doing weekly illustrations :D it adds another unique element to your posts :D I love lipstick :D

    xoRachel

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  6. Love your illustration! I'm rooting for your weekly schedule of making them! It definitely isn't always easy, but it feels great sharing new work and drawing every week. :)

    I like encouraging thoughtful, feminist dialogue on fashion blogs. It's good to keep our minds churning and question why we like things. A lot of the time "I just like it!" is more than enough, but when it digs deeper to make statements and affect how we feel and how other feel about us, I think that's really powerful.

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    1. Thanks, Michelle! It's encouraging that there are so many feminist bloggers out there.

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  7. I love you sweater and cardi and glasses!

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  8. Oh so many things!

    FIrst off, I ADORE your drawn outfit pictures. It's so cute and frankly, I think it is fun to see the drawing as well as the photographs. One will make me notice something I would have otherwise overlooked in the other and vice verse. Plus, it stands out a bit amongst a sea of blogs.

    Second, your sheep sweater is fun.

    Also, I don't think this is ranting. It is interesting to hear what you say. I can do the arguing for the sake of it too (I blame this on my background as a Speech and Debate competitor and coach. No matter what it is, I tend to want to analyze and poke holes in their contingencies. As you say, probably not always the best for dinner conversation, but ultimately more informative!) I never knew that about lipstick and find it an interesting point, but like you point out with this and other examples, is even though it might start out as "trying to attract men" a fashion statement often takes on a life of its own. Plus, sometimes I think fashion changes for the sake of changing, often to the extreme opposite of what it was before.

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    1. I guess it feels like ranting because when I'm writing a blog post, it's so one sided. It's nice to have intelligent commentary, thankyou!

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  9. Oh, I love the illustrated outfit! You should absolutely do that more often, it's so so so cute! As is the outfit, of course. I'm still jealous you nabbed a sheep sweater. And I enjoy when bloggers rant!

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  10. ahh, you are the cutest and this outfit is the best! i love how you drew your outfit! wonderful, do it all the time!

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbit.blogspot.com

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  11. Lol me and you both with the lipstick thing. I feel so naked and pale without it! But I totally don't do it to be sexually attractive i just love the look. This outfit is t. Especially the drawing of it! I always love to see your drawings. They're always adorable, you're very talented!
    -Jessi
    haircutandgeneralattitude.blogspot.com

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  12. ohh i love your style and i'm in love with your watercolors :)

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  13. And even if you were doing it to be sexy/to attract men? There's not a damn thing wrong with that. By all means dress for yourself, but if dressing for yourself includes a desire to be noticed by men (and/or women)? Rock it. Sexiness needn't be at odds with integrity or intelligence.

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  14. tl;dr - feminism, to me, means women not having to apologize for sexuality.

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