Wild Thing

8/4/2016

Rawr. Letting it all hang out, today. Haha. If I look confident in these photos, please know that I'm a very, VERY good actress. I felt so incredibly self-conscious, but I do this kind of thing, because I need to. It's healthy. There are parts of my body that I'm ashamed of or that I don't like. So, I cover them up.

On top of that, I'm constantly victimized by creeper bros and, after more than a decade of that kind of harassment, I had come to believe that covering up was the best defense. However, I'm much wiser at this late stage in my life and I refuse to allow other people to dictate what I wear and how I feel about myself. Is this refusal an easy thing to do? Hell no. Hehe. It's very hard for me, but I make myself do it.

Albeit on very rare occasions. Today happens to be such an occasion. ;) Despite feeling super self-conscious, I couldn't help but recognize that this outfit is actually pretty f*cking trendy. Hehe. It's nothing that I haven't already seen done in some way, shape or form by other bloggers. All I did was basically put my own watermark on it, so to speak. This style may not be anything new, but being able to wear it and with confidence, even if it had to be feigned, meant a lot to me. It's a step in the right direction.

Thrifted - ModCloth Black Bustier Top (Sale) & ModCloth Black Boots (Gift)
c/o Happiness Boutique - Black Obelisk Necklace
c/o zeroUV - Retro Steampunk Flip Sunglasses
ASOS - Faux Over-The-Knee Sock Tights
ModCloth - Black High Waisted Shorts
Koshka - Cinnamon Duster Cardigan

♫ Thank you so much for your comments! Though I may not respond to each one, I read and appreciate all of them! ♫

13 Comments

Suzanne link

8/4/2016 07:27:13 am

I don't know why on earth you'd be ashamed of your hot killer body! I feel like giving you a shake and saying, "Wake up woman! So many people would kill for a body like yours!"

When you get older you will look back on these photos and wonder what the heck you were thinking.

bisous
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com

Anna

8/4/2016 10:27:34 am

Heh. I see what you're saying and I know the place where it's coming from. I know it's a good place. It's just that, there's a reason why it's difficult for me to accept compliments from others. It's a personal problem that I have. I don't think it's a matter of 'waking up,' though. I don't feel like I'm in a dream. I really do feel like I'm steeped in reality, but the problem is that my reality is different from everyone else's. I live in the present, but I am presently in my mind, if that makes any sense. If I could just snap my fingers and suddenly change the way that I think and feel about myself, I would. It will be a much slower, longer process, though, I'm afraid. <3

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SaraLily link

8/4/2016 08:43:45 am

HOLY WOWZA, WOMAN! You look amazeballs! I understand how you feel but you have no need to - you look rockin'! Forget the creepers, flaunt what you want to flaunt when you feel like it, or don't if you don't feel like it. It's totally whatever makes you happy! =)

Anna

8/4/2016 10:28:59 am

Aww! That's very sweet of you to say. Thank you! <3

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Denise link

8/4/2016 03:15:16 pm

I think that this is not about being a new style, but yours, and so, it's unique. I didn't know that you covered some parts because you didn't feel confident; for me, you look incredibly beautiful! But as I am writing this, I do the same - I use to say that I am always covered, from neck to ankle. I liked the style very much, I liked the shorts and the top! Hope you have a nice weekend!
DenisesPlanet.com

Anna

8/8/2016 11:01:15 pm

<333

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Julie

8/4/2016 04:49:34 pm

I just recently discovered your blog and appreciate how regularly you post. It's kind of amazing, so thanks for that. I hear what you're saying about this particular outfit, but you do look fantastic. Truth.

Anna

8/8/2016 11:02:02 pm

Right on. Thank you so much. I appreciate it! <3

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Lindwormmm link

8/10/2016 03:24:04 am

you look stunning!!! :D
loving the cardigan (such a pretty colour!!) and the tights <3 perfect layers

Anna

8/11/2016 06:35:21 pm

<3 ^_^ <3

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Rebecca link

8/10/2016 07:57:22 pm

FIERCE! Also, you look seriously amazing. Thanks for sharing this post. I struggle constantly with this, especially now that I'm in my 30s I keep feeling like I should be dressing a certain way and shouldn't wear certain things - even though I still want to (e.g. mini skirts. Also, I look good in them!). I think it leads to me dressing super frumpy a lot of the time. :(

Do you think some of this stems from living/growing up in the midwest? I always used to garner a lot of very harsh criticism for my fashion choices. Even now, if I wear a bikini at the lake, my family feels it's OK to comment on how it's "itsy bitsy teeny bikini". It makes me want to SCREAM. (Why? The rationale is "Because there's young influential teenage boys around." Also, it was like a completely normal bikini, not a string bikini or anything of the like.) Shouldn't I be giving my teenage nieces a fashion role model? Someone who is confident in their [completely normal not perfect] body?

Sorry, venting there. But the struggle is real. I have a lot of issues with body acceptance and I'm like 100% certain that most of it has to do with my family (telling me I was too fat, and then too skinny) and growing up in the midwest. :(

Also, my new job is a much more fashionably conservative place than my last one and I am definitely the weirdo (fashion wise). Everyone is just wearing jeans, sweaters, shirts and maybe puffer jackets. My retro skirts feel a little out of place. I feel like the office fashionista. Probably not the best idea for the newest staff member (oops). Can't wait to see what it's like in the summer when I start rocking some of my dresses.

Sorry, bit of a novel there. And yes, I need to update my blog!

-Rebecca
http://mn2nz.wordpress.com

Anna

8/11/2016 06:41:06 pm

Well, I don't know. I mean about the location side of it. I'm not originally from the Midwest, but I don't think that my home state had anything to do with it. I just think it had more to do with family, just like you were saying. I would get the whole, "I look too skinny" thing or I'd have specific parts of my body singled out for scrutiny. I maybe these comments come from a good place (maybe not), but either way, they're really detrimental to how a person views him or herself. So, I know that, growing up, I was very self-conscious and it was hard to accept myself. Being away from my family and that toxic environment certainly helps and it seems like you've been able to put a great deal of distance between you and that potentially bad influence, which is good. =)

I can't really do a whole lot about the whole street harassment thing. That's just a part of life as a woman, I'm afraid. All I can do is protect myself as best as I can and try to stand up for myself.

Also, I understand how workplace attire can have an impact on what you feel comfortable wearing and on how you want to express yourself. The good thing, though, is that once you're off the job, you can wear whatever you want, really. That problem seems to be the most solvable. =]

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Rebecca link

8/11/2016 10:16:39 pm

I shouldn't rat on my family too much because they really are wonderful and just want the best for me (and I didn't move away to get away or anything like that), and i miss them all the time and wish I lived closer but... I'm still glad I left.

It's true, you can wear whatever you want when you're off the job! But I do use work as an excuse to get dressed with a purpose. Looks good = feels good. :D

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

Hi! I'm Anna <3

I'm fond of artistic fashion, esoteric music, retro games (the older the platform, the better), delectable noms, good libations and my Maine Coon, Bonaparte.

Also, I attended university in Hyogo Prefecture and I am proficient in Japanese.

もし、あなたは日本語が話せる、あたしに日本語で話て下さい！練習が必要だ！*^_^*

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