Next week is finals week, so today I was back in school for my last "real" week of high school-- ever. I decided to try this outfit inspired by Audrey, a member of the Seventeen style council. I actually like the outfit on her, sort of, but I felt really out of character wearing it myself. My dad, who rarely makes any sort of contrary comment about anything I wear, seemed really confused about why I was wearing a shirt under a dress. So did a number of people at school. I know its just a basic layered outfit, but maybe this look is a little fashion forward for my small town. Then again, maybe I just couldn't pull it off. Either way, I don't think it's something I'll be wearing again. Felt a little early Madonna to me. Little bit too bubblegum pop.
Unfortunately, when I visited Seventeen.com to pull the above picture for this post, I realized how inaccurate my feelings were. Of all the beauty tips that I have tried, the one that had won me the most compliments in my personal life was a hairstyle voted as NOT by 82,000 people in the Seventeen world. I can't win.
Tonight I finished my last paper that I will ever have to write for high school, so I should have some time to put together some more in depth posts/projects etc. I've got a couple of interesting things in the works for the remainder of the project, as well as for afterward. Pretty excited...
9 days until grad!
Most people in public schools don't appreciate fashion. I have tried things from renowned fashion magazines, but since not everybody is wearing it, it's not good. So annoying. They should have a school just for people that like being fashionable. Like, which fashion show did you see, neon annual family reunion shirts and home made cut off shorts?
ReplyDeleteCan I just say I LOVE your blog?! You're basically me but cooler and if I got my act together and wrote a blog. I'm a 16-year-old in Seattle, which you might think "oh cool, what a hip, prog city!", and yet NO in regards to high school; still basically run by kids who are trying to start a rival group to Blue Man Group- Orange Girl Group. I really love the premise of this blog; it shows me how as a girl growing up who is STILL obsessed with magazines, we're only bombarded with ways we can improve ourselves, alongside articles about loving ourselves. While I stopped subscribing to Seventeen a year ago, I admit I still read it at a friend's; but I wish they could realize some teenagers want to not just think about fashion. OK, sorry, I suck at the whole eloquence thing, and I'm being really gushy, but I just wish people didn't underestimate teens so much. You are helping change that, so thanks! Oh and BTW you aren't lame for going to the Conan show alone; I'm so glad I'm not the only one who goes to events alone sometimes! Yeah, world, I see movies alone because none of my friends are interested, but so what? That shouldn't hold you back :)
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely a peer I really look up to. Have a great graduation and good luck at UofC!
At the risk of joining the ranks of Seventeen...I think you need to wear a shirt with sleeves underneath that dress in order to correctly layer it. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and have been recommending it to all my friends. You are a great writer!
I know people who could write entire theses on the fact that the bad end of that voting bar has a brunette while the good end has a blonde.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm glad your blog is cooler than that. Just read through it today, enjoyed it a lot. Hope you're having as much fun as it looks like you are!
Three things:
ReplyDeletea) I went to Northwestern. You will love Chicago. Get out of the Hyde Park bubble and explore.
b) Your blog is phenomenal. You should do a magazine lifestyle comparison. Back issues of YM? Cosmo Girl?
c) I find the shirt under dress trend easier in the winter. I have a tweed strapless dress that I sometimes wear over a super thin turtleneck (I have teal, cream, and light blue ones).
I can't wait to keep reading. Have a great end to your senior year!
Keep on wearing the layered look! I think you look super cute and not at all strange. No one would look twice at that outfit in Philly. Maybe experiment with different tops.
ReplyDeleteAlso, congrats on your impending graduation :)
This is a great project, and I hope 9 days from now when you graduate, that you will begin working on another project. I read about this blog on Jezebel.com and will most likely use it as an example in my communication technology class for my students. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteI think that the hair style is pretty cute! I don't know why it was considered 'not'. Anyways, I agree with Anon, you probably should have worn a shirt with sleeves (short, 3/4, or long). It's pretty common here (SoCal) to wear shirts under dresses and I also saw people sporting the look in NYC when I was there last week. Otherwise, I love the dress. It's very similar to the one you were inspired by.
ReplyDeleteI've just read your whole experiment and I think it's a great (and hilarious) idea! Also being a senior about to graduate and sharing many of your opinions about so-called "teen mags", I really relate to everything you've said! I'm also a fan of commuter biking, though I tend to just surprise my friends and teachers with the fact that I can ride 5 miles (which isn't that far, as I'm sure you know.) Anyways, I'm excited to read about the rest of your adventures in Seventeen-land and have fun in Chicago!
ReplyDeleteHave been enjoying your blog all evening and wanted to let you know I linked to you over at Metafilter, so you'll probably have a spike in your traffic.
ReplyDeleteI would just like to say that I think your blog is fantastic. You have such a beautiful voice and your personality just beams through your words. As a junior in college, I didn't realize that I had forgotten what it was like to be in high school until I started reading your posts. You really helped take me back to those days - I also grew up in a small town that did not appreciate fashion forwardness, among other things.
ReplyDeleteI hope to continue reading your thoughts and feelings as you graduate high school and transition to wherever life takes you!
Katie
P.S. Please continue writing throughout your life, whether it be in your prospective career or everyday hobbies :)
Wow. I think you've inspired me to write one like this about Cosmo...kind of a "seventeen" type mag for women 20-30. I gave up on their fashion and man-hunting tips years ago!
ReplyDeleteFound your blog via Jezebel and just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading the archives...you're a very funny, smart girl. When I was in high school back in the early 90's we had Sassy magazine, which was the anti-Seventeen. I loved it so much and wish there was a modern-day equivalent. Anyway - looking forward to seeing what you do next!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love your blog. It's witty, entertaining, thought provoking, and refreshing. Keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to your next post!
ReplyDeleteI lovelovelove your blog. I think I found a link to it at jezebel? I'm so glad I did. It's so great to see realistic and intelligent young women represent themselves.
ReplyDeleteAlso, regarding the outfit. I agree with a comment above saying it would work better with a shirt with sleeves--I think it would also work a little better if the dress were less fitted.
Regarding the layered look: I third the sleeves vote. As shown, the bottom later doesn't show enough to look intentional.
ReplyDeleteOh hey look, the girl on the "hot" side of the spectrum is blond, while the "not" girl is brunette. Way to go Seventeen...
ReplyDeleteI know PLENTY of girls who go about putting shirts under their dresses, if not to fit dress code then just to make themselves feel better about their arms or something along those lines. My sister sent me your blog (gotta love a 25 year old looking out for her almost-16 sister) and I must say you've inspired me to take a different persepective on what the media offers me. I've tried to come with a balance (seeing as most of my friends are fashion/Lautner/Pattinson obsessed) and it's difficult to maintain the equilibrium in it all. Being a teenager is stressful enough, but fitting in while having those special qualties to make you stand out in a postive way? It's almost impossible! Somehow I've managed to maintain the true me while also somehow complying with what the social media expects of me (in a down graded manner of course because some of what they put out there is utterly ridiculous). Sorry, I'm babbling. Just wanted to tell you that you're inspiring girls out their to take a different look on the expected norm that tears down our confidences no matter what we try with it. Keep up the fantastic work you're doing!
ReplyDeleteI fourth the sleeves. I think the look on you would work better with sleeves in a light pastel-y color that matches the dress. Pretty much like the girl in the photo has. The black lace tank just makes it a bit goth for a floral print dress.
ReplyDeleteApparently, I fifth the sleeves comment. :) If you had been wearing a sheer top that had longer sleeves under the dress with no sleeves, it would have looked more intentional... But, the dress looked very cute on you!! :)
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the sleeveless comment. Out here in fancy old Utah, girls commonly wear shirts under their strapless/sleeveless dresses for either school dress code reasons or religious reasons.
ReplyDeleteI totally caught the HOT or NOT blond and brunette thing too. I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't read your blog. Keep writing. :) :)
I have one question about "normal" though. What is a better name for the "normal skin/hair/etc" that doesn't subtly demean those who are "abnormal?"
Mimi...that woud be so fantastic. I feel like Seventeen is slightly more grounded in teen life than Cosmo is in adult women's life. I feel like to do the project well you would need a team of women, one that is in a committed relationship and a single women (to fully take advantage of the tips they supply)
ReplyDeleteLaura...I think its important to just be specific instead of generalizing -so you could say -straight/wavy hair...or you could use a term that specifically addressed the fact that the hair you are talking about is considered "normal" but not actually the norm or superior (such as normative)
Jamie...I agree with the 3/4th sleeves thing too, although as someone that lives in the same area as you (philly) I can see why you wore a tank top rather than longer sleeves.
that hairstyle is GORGEOUS, it's just that Seventeen is an awful magazine and people who are actually into fashion aren't really participating in Seventeen polls..
ReplyDelete