Bad Style Experiment: An Overly Slim Outfit

Expanding My Comfort Zone Outfit by Outfit

(In case you missed my intro, I’ve started a new experiment where I dress the way I truly dislike and document how I feel - read up here.)

There is something about overly slim outfits that makes me feel very exposed. It feels like there is nowhere to hide, and I am just there in my full self. What exactly am I hiding? I am not entirely sure. Is it a reflex to hide imperfections and always project perfection - while, interestingly, I love honesty in other people? Is it something else? In any case, an overly slim outfit is something I really did not want to do. So, with that sense of dread, I dressed up for my overly slim outfit look.

Filippa K dress, Simone Wild turtleneck (similar), Tibi Bronson boots.

To be honest, I love this outfit. I love the sheer turtleneck under the sage green dress with draping that I had done by a tailor. I love the color combination of green and brown. I love how it is still relaxed, soft, and feminine, and in line with my style. In general, I feel like it is a very good outfit.

The only problem? It emphasizes my midsection in a way that I do not really like. It also does not look very proportionate on my body. As a result, I do not really feel free in it - I feel like I need to suck my belly in, stand like a ballerina, prevent bloating, and so on. (I intentionally did not wear any Spanx or anything like that - I wanted to avoid “solving” the challenge of this outfit for the sake of experiment.)

But let’s not stay in my head - let’s venture into the real world. I decided to wear this outfit to a concert we went to with my husband and my cousin.

I got dressed, went downstairs, and there was my teenage stepdaughter. She made no comment (she does make comments). I asked her how my outfit was - she said “OK,” and that was it. No comments about it being too tight or anything else. Well, OK then, I thought.

My husband made no comments whatsoever, and neither did my extended family (very different from the ruffled top in the previous experiment :D). I went to the concert and actually felt quite in place there - it was a slightly casual club, and the outfit felt right for it.

Surprised by the lack of comments, I asked my husband what he thought of my outfit. He said it looked a bit casual for an evening out, like I was wearing a hoodie - but that it worked here because the club had a relaxed vibe. This was completely not what I felt, as my only concern was being too exposed.

Then I remembered a realization I had: while I try to hide my imperfections, when I look around at my friends and people I meet, I clearly see their imperfections - and it does not bother me at all. When it comes to appearance, I appreciate much more how they style their pieces, how they combine colors, and how their taste and personality are reflected in their clothes. So why should I hide mine? With this in mind, I concluded that while this outfit does not make me feel free, it does expand my comfort zone and encourages me to try new things that I previously thought are off (self-imposed) limits.

So would I go out in this outfit again? Maybe - but I would still want to throw on an oversized knit or a blazer. It just feels so much better. Overly slim outfit, thank you for pushing me - I do not mind you, but I do not love you either :)

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