Standing Out In A Sea Of Beauty

7.8.11





Top - Ruche; Maxi - Spotted Moth; Booties - Aldo.
 A friend and I were recently talking about beauty.  We were discussing the prevalence of a certain standard of beauty in society and the pressure we both feel to live up to it, and the fact that we both deviate from said standard in highly "negative" ways.  So it's kind of interesting that in the September issue of Flare magazine (a Canadian fashion magazine) there was a whole reader survey about beauty, standards, and pressures.

Us Canucks had some interesting things to say:
The images we see on the internet, and social networking sites on a daily basis heighten our expectations of beauty and perfection in ourselves.  This sets the bar higher and higher for ourselves, and we feel a pressure to live up to it daily.  And while most of us have a dissatisfaction with our body shape and weight, overall we feel beautiful.

Do you agree?

This sort of goes along with what my friend and I were talking about.  The prevalence of amazing photos, and such a huge assortment of beautiful women makes both of us feel we have to live up to some unachievable bar of beauty.

Do you struggle with weight and body image?  Do you feel beautiful?  In such a menagerie of beauty, how do you stand out?

Just a side note since we're talking about photos, I've been just using curves and color balance exclusively in my photos recently.  So how do you like it?

Quote of Today:
"You're evil Justin Bieber! You're mistreating that bear in your castle!"

27 thoughts:

  1. I just discovered your blog via EBEW. I have to say you had me at your glasses - ADORABLE and look wonderful on you - but then nailed it with the mix of patterns. I'm your newest follower.

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  2. How do I stand out? I think I don't haha. Yea, being beautiful is one of those things I try not to think about. Everyone has a different definition of what is beautiful and what is overwhelming to me is thinking about that and knowing that nobody can possibly fit ALL of those definitions.

    On another note, GREAT pattern mixing. And I agree with the previous comment, those glasses are pretty cute. Where did they come from?

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  3. Hi! I just discovered you through EBEW. And I have to say, your look is one of y favorites up there! I'm in love with the polka dots and striped maxi skirt. They are the perfect match :)

    Holly
    http://hollykeenan.tumblr.com

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  4. Love the mix! I like that the prints are easy on the eye. The similar neutral colours makes the prints work.

    www.theblushingpeony.wordpress.com

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  5. Brilliant outfit! I love it.

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  6. @Allessandra and @HollyDolly thanks lovely ladies! I'm so glad you liked the look!

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  7. I totally forgot to mention that the glasses are from F21.

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  8. Hey EBEW--I love those glasses so cute! I like the stripes and dots I did the same thing.

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  9. Hey EBEW--I love those glasses so cute! I like the stripes and dots I did the same thing.

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  10. Hi! I participated in the EBEW challenge too! Love the print mixing! I like how you are playing around with the lengths!

    jemappelleshen.wordpress.com

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  11. I'm a huge fan of your stripes/polka dots combo. The silhouette of the whole look is fantastic.

    Like most people, I go through stages of liking my body more and less, but I find that getting freakishly regular exercise is really what makes me content with who I am and how I look. That exercise doesn't have to lead to weigh loss. The simple act of going for a run makes me feel grounded and in touch with how strong and reliable my body is. That's a pretty good start for respecting yourself, I think.

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  12. That is a marvelous outfit! I love, love, love the different colors and patterns together. Beautiful!

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  13. AND I think your use of curves must be pretty great (I have no idea how t use that...I rely on sun for my shots). The color of that fence is amazing!

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  14. @Sartoriography I agree with you. Regular exercise to move my body and see what it's capable off is definitely one way that I feel happy about how I look.

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  15. Your pattern mixing jumped out at me from EBEW :) Awesome glasses!

    Love the thought provoking topic! I do agree with you. The older I have gotten the more comfortable I have gotten in my skin. It took into my late twenties before I felt attractive. I don't measure myself against others as much as I used to. I am able to appreciate my unique beauty.
    I have also struggled with body image but I love my shape more now than 10 years and 10 lbs ago :)
    My personal style is how I stand out. I am fairly quiet and open up to those I know well so fashion allows me my moment in the sun :)

    Aubrey

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  16. That maxi skirt is gorgeous! It looks amazing on you. I'm loving the polka dots and stripes paired together. And those glasses look darling on you!

    Mint & Mellow

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  17. I loved your outfit, which is what drew me here from EBEW, but when I read your post, I loved it even more. What a great article that sounds like. My boss and I were speaking about body image the other day. We were talking about how more and more all body types are becoming "accepted" in society whereas when I was a teen, it was only skinny, blonde, tan, big boobs types. I think it is such a relief to see more "normal" women out there. I have a young daughter and I hope that she gets to grow up in a society that accepts all women and promotes positive body image. We'll see . . .

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  18. I am in love with this outfit. Might have to purchase these items for myself!

    www.flashionflood.blogspot.com

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  19. Very elegant! Love the top. This has been a fun challenge :)

    robyn of boluxe.wordpress.com

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  20. I must say that I´ve seen some ladies using those Aldo shoes, always with jeans, it´s nice to seem them with a totally different outfit! Looks good! :)

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  21. I think that the media has caused people to have body image issues for a long time now, but for me it's an issue of trying to strive for my personal best and understanding that I'm not ever going to look like a 6'0 supermodel. And I really love your top and those booties are to die for!
    -Meagan
    http://spunkychateau.blogspot.com

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  22. I'm a huge fan of the shoes too! they're so comfy and versatile.

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  23. I LOVE your pattern mixing, this is so cool!

    I have to agree, media does play a role in my self image. Then again I'm in front of a mirror constantly [I'm a hair dresser] so I'm pretty used to how I look, not bad overall!

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  24. I just hopped over from EBEW - I love your outfit! Those glasses are so adorable.

    Very thought provoking conversation going on here. Our culture is saturated with images of the "perfect" woman. I will always prefer reading the blogs of "real girls" versus looking up to models in magazines and on TV. We don't always have good hair days, and sometimes our clothes need to be ironed. It takes a heck of a lot of confidence to post outfit photos for the whole blogosphere to see. I admire that, and nothing makes me happier than seeing the unique qualities and creativity of these "real girls" shine through. :)

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  25. First of all, your outfit = love and I want your skirt.

    Second--I guess as I've grown older I haven't felt as much of a need to confine to the standards of everyone else. I've learned to be comfortable in my own skin, and my strange, modest way of dressing usually makes me stand out, so it's a good thing I'm cool with it. I just try to be me and love me no matter how I look that day, since it's not the outside that counts anyways.

    I've rather enjoyed your discussion topic. :)

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Let me know your thoughts!

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