Here we are, 2 days into June and I am wrapping up the #feelaMAYzing challenge with this lil bloggy post! So, first let’s look at the intention of the challenge and then take a look at the outcome! So, the intention was to select, wear, and enjoy clothes that FELT good when I’d wear them, disregarding the restrictions put into place due to the beauty standards. Far too often when we purchase or wear clothes, we wear them with the intention of them looking “flattering” - which usually means they make us look: thinner, smaller, curvier (in the right places), and socially acceptable. For this project, however, I was to select items that FELT good when I decided they would feel good or provide me with what I needed on the day. Here are a few things I noticed:
CONFIDENCE:
I noticed my confidence shift depending on what I was wearing, where I was going, and the purpose behind the outfit. If I was wearing something “too out there” I would feel like literally everyone was looking at me and, to be honest, my outfits weren’t overly, fantastical. The day Stephanie and I went to see Alyssa Edwards at Club Regent Casino and I wore a fur coat with face glitters I felt very fancy, but also slightly paranoid that everyone was looking at me. After dinner, however, I gave 0 shits about whether or not people were watching. As well, I noticed that overall throughout the month I felt “better” about myself. I felt like the time I spent in the morning thinking about my outfit, savoring the feelings with my body actually brought me CLOSER to my body! On days when I felt more bloated and wore loose fitting clothes, I was able to focus on doing my work or dealing with clients because I wasn’t pulling at too-tight clothing. Were those outfits “flattering”? Probably not, but they felt fucking delightful.
HAPPINESS:
I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness on most days, knowing that I was stepping out into the world as my “best self” and that felt really good. I found that my graphic tees, loud patterns and overalls were among my favorite bits and made me feel most like myself. I also forgot how much I liked to wear earrings that were playful and fun! I actually took time to go out and buy some new, fun ones and will probably be something I continue to do going forward! My favorite earrings were the metallic hoops I got from Target when I was in Seattle! Overall, the happiness I discovered in expressing myself the best I could on the majority of days is something I would like to continue for sure!
CREATIVITY:
This was perhaps one of the best bits to come out of this project! I found my creativity was at an all time high, because everytime I looked at fashion I saw what it could be and how I could wear it! While I didn’t don a ton of sequin (despite what I thought I was going to end up doing) I realized that playing with new color palettes (other than black) was daunting, but then SO much fun! I used colors to match my moods, I used textures to play up different attitudes and I relate so hard to how I do this in my studio for clients! Different clothing items are used to help people become certain characters, so I had fun using this same process for myself in the daily world!
Overall, I am really glad I took on this challenge. I am glad I worried less about what the clothes LOOKED like and more abou how they felt. I am glad that I pushed myself out of the comfort zone with some items, but also allowed myself to embrace the comfy sweatpants and hoodie when I was at the cabin, and I was exceptionally glad, that I snapped myself out of the “gave up” look I was channeling throughout the winter. I think I will run this challenge again IN the winter time, to ensure I don’t fall into the trap! Thank y’all for joining me and below I will share the majority of places I got my goods so you can scoop up some for yourself:
SHOPPING LIST
Torrid
Forever 21 Plus
Fashion Nova
Pretty Little Thing
Boohoo.com
Winners
Addition Elle
Old Navy
Kidd Bell
Shop Fiercely
Feminine Funk
Premme.us
Dazey LA
