Reality Of Photos and Fashion

Jeans looking normal

Woo hoo. It has been a while coming, but here’s a post under my kind of alter ego, Sarcastic Stylist. The main reason I started it as a category of my blog and not a new blog (despite owning the URL and having its own Instagram account) is that I just don’t shop enough to have regular content.

 

But I did do some shopping in the past week and I have something to say about it!

 

Reality Of Photos and Fashion

 

Firstly, I can’t shop online. I just can’t. I am in-between plus size and whatever not-plus-size is called. It’s a royal pain the ass that means I take 3-4 sizes of each item of clothing into the change rooms with me when I shop. I hate it. Shop assistants hate it because I hand them so many clothes to re hang. I also have to feel the clothes to see if I like the texture of the fabric, and squat and wiggle to see if I like sitting in them.

 

Looking Good, Feeling Uncomfortable

I know the fashion world loves a before and after, so here are two photos of me trying on the same jeans. I hope it shows how just because something looks good (and I think those jeans look damn hot on me in the first photo) doesn’t mean they’re comfortable.

 

Jeans looking normal

 

Jeans with stomach

 

I guess in the end, like everything, what you look like vs what you feel like is personal. Wearing jeans that cut me in the stomach would irritate me. No matter how awesome they look on me.

 

Do you trust photos online? Do you shop online? Where do you stand on comfort vs looks? 

 

20 Replies to “Reality Of Photos and Fashion”

  1. Brave and true.
    I dress for comfort more times than not. You look great !
    I won’t buy many things online for the same reason – sizing between brands is a wild guess.
    I did buy PJ’s online because they don’t matter so much.
    Thank you for linking up.

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      PJs are a good tip actually – mine are always just old clothes but sometimes I wish I had a funky pair.

  2. I used to lie on the floor to do my jeans up! But those days are gone. I dress for comfort these days too 🙂 And like you, I’m no good at buying on line because the fit and comfort is so important otherwise I just won’t wear them. Loved this ‘real’ look at fashion.

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      Oh wow haha I don’t think I could ever wear clothes that tight 🙂

  3. Haha I have the exact same problem with jeans!!!! And also with being almost a plus size but not quite. It sucks.

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      My solution has arrived in the form of $15 light denim, cuffed, elastic waisted jeans from Kmart. SO COMFY that I went back and bought a second pair because I know I will wear them out .

  4. Buying jeans online makes me nervous too. There’s so many sizing differences, especially with the stretch jeans. These days comfort is paramount. I see so many dodgy jean wearers, with the gut hanging over the band (I am not talking muffin tops here) and all saggy in the bum, and that’s just not the blokes!

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      That’s the problem I have – not so much saggy bum but if I have to go plus size I don’t have the bottom front roll of fat so there are these weird saggy bits at the front for me.

  5. I’ve lost weight (thanks anxiety & IBS) and all of my plus size clothes are now gone. It has been quite a challenge to even want to shop as on-line doesnt work for me either. Trying on stuff is trying!! Now I don’t work or need any kind of ‘good clothes” I guess I am spoiled in being able to shop in so-called cheap shops too. Denyse

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      I’m lucky in that I don’t really have a dress code, so if I feel like wearing jeans one day then I will. It doesn’t even have to be a Friday.

  6. I agree about needing lots of sizes. I range from 10-16 across brands and I just never know what will fit until I try it on.

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      I know some people who can pick things up and by looking at them they will know if they fit..I marvel at that but know I will never have it!

  7. Yep, I’ve learnt to try everything on now, sizes are all but meaningless. I think of myself as a 12 in general but I have items in my wardrobe that range from 6 (?!!) to 14, XS to XL. I do take gambles on online things from time to time – but only if there are free returns!

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      I’m probably an 18 overall, but 18’s can vary so wildly. Once in Best & Less even a size 26 or something didn’t fit me. I gave up on that piece of clothing at that point because it was getting ridiculous. And I think it was a shape thing more than a size thing.

  8. I almost only dress for comfort nowadays and I worry a bit about the sort of life I lead that I never HAVE to dress up or do stuff that requires me to think too much about what I wear!

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      I have never owned dressing up clothes!

  9. I’m an avid online shopper… had a few misses along the way but it’s mostly been a positive experience for me. I’ve tried so many things I normally wouldn’t have.

    SSG xxx

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      I’d love to be able to try new things from non mainstream/chain stores but the sizing is what throws me off.

  10. LOL. That made me laugh. Sorry …
    So true Ness, so true.
    Thanks for joining the Lovin’ Life Linky!
    I loved this post …

    1. Vanessa Smith says: Reply

      Nothing like a slap of stomach fat reality haha

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