Givenchy Antigona J Brand Flare Jeans Isabel Marant Outfit Inspiration-3 copy

Fashion phobias – why they are bogus and how to overcome them

Wearing: Isabel Marant T ShirtThe Outnet | J Brand ‘Maria’ Seriously Black Flared JeansEdward Imports | Givenchy Antigona Handbag (Preowned: HERE and HERE)

Hair cut and style: Head Studio, King St, Perth.

So I decided to get some bangs – thoughts? The idea, as always, came spontaneously, during a chat (or more like a full blown conference) with my amazing hair stylist at Head Studio, Perth. When she asked me if I was sure I wanted to do the bangs, I nonchalantly replied, ‘it’s not like it won’t grow back’. But really, it wasn’t that I had quite made up my mind, but that I know my hair ideas have to be gone through with immediately. Otherwise, I am liable to talk myself out of any perfectly good idea.

My rainbow outfits and Jeffery Campbell platform wearing days might have proved me quite adventurous in style, but in fact, I have to admit I hold a great many fashion phobias: giant hoop earring, hair foils, the colour red, capri pants, cropped jackets, jewelled brooches, and in fact, until quite recently, everything pictured here.

No SEO-friendly word count would allow an elaboration on every Awkward-Penguin story behind each of these phobias, so I will attempt to amuse you with just a few.

The sheer top was previously a recurring theme in my cringe-worthy clubbing days, when I thought showing skin was the way to win friends and influence people. Once I had come to my senses, I vowed never to wear anything sheer again.

As for the black flared pant, that style was pretty well ruined for everybody, by Perth’s own Hood Rat girls, who wore them religiously. Our dislike of them and their street-loitering and fight-stirring ways necessarily extended to their wardrobe in general.

And my reluctance to return to bangs was at the (repeated) behest of my archetypal critical Chinese mother, who has always insisted that bangs were out of the question for any female in our family – we, all of us, are plagued with pudgy faces. This fashion phobia, evidently, ran in the family.

But of course, phobias, like rules, are made to be defied. I happened to nab an amazing Isabel Marant sheer t shirt (irritably on sale at The Outnet), which is now one of my favourite pieces. And with these perfect J Brand black flared jean (a ‘Seriously Black’ that promises to never fade), I was in love. As for bangs, I had related my fears to my hairstylist at Head Studio, about how my face is too wide, my forehead too short, etc. etc. but she wasn’t phased at all. I’m now a little more convinced that there is no such thing as certain haircuts for certain features, probably has more to do with the skill of the stylist.

As with all my long winded musings, we do eventually come to the moral bit – fashion phobias are bogus. But don’t we just love to justify them? ‘I’m too old to wear shorts’; ‘Yellow doesn’t match my skin tone’; ‘I’ll stand out too much’. When we address them head-on, it’s always surprising how easily fears (fashion or otherwise) are overcome.

What are your fashion phobias?

Givenchy Antigona J Brand Flare Jeans Isabel Marant Outfit Inspiration-8 copyGivenchy Antigona J Brand Flare Jeans Isabel Marant Outfit Inspiration-7 copy Givenchy Antigona J Brand Flare Jeans Isabel Marant Outfit Inspiration-5 copy

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9 Comments to “ Why Fashion Phobias are Bogus”

  1. Joy says :

    I love your new haircut! (and your outfit as well)
    I’ve always loved sheer clothing but some of the phobia’s you mentioned before are certainly on my list as wel (capri’s, can’t handle red either thanks to my red hair.) Oh, and the Dutch horror, white leggings

  2. Faiyaz says :

    LOVE THE SHEER LOVE THE BANGS LOVE THIS POST. kick them phobias in the ass, J! *claps* i would like to see you rocking them jefferey campbell platforms again though :p

    xx Faiyaz
    http://www.fixatedf.com

  3. Pam says :

    You look fabulous! Love that sheer top and how you styled it!

    xo, Pam
    http://www.thegirlfrompanama.com

  4. Maria Marques says :

    Let me just say that you look gorgeous with bangs and that sheer top is gorgeous! You look so on point!
    My fashion phobias? Perhaps, knit coats and bright color clothing. Never to wear again! I’ll stick to the monochrome basics and loads of denim.

    Love, Marie Roget

  5. Jenelle says :

    I always talk about getting them! Then everyone in my life points out that I am the lazziest ever when it comes to my hair and am irritated easily by hair touching my face. It’s the reason I hate ceiling fans and should actually have a shaved head (which I feel I could totally pull off- one day).
    Also a little sneaky Isabel Marant is always a good vital idea- I recall a metallic sheer cami I used to wear in the 90’s which actually, I could probably rework now, but of course would far prefer it in, grey.
    Anyway, love the hair. xx Jenelle
    http://www.inspiringwit.com

  6. Sovanny says :

    I guess that great thing about fashion is it evolves. Love what you are wearing and those bags are great. Hope it’s all very easy to maintain.

    Sovanny x
    https://thestylegem.wordpress.com

  7. MIRJAM says :

    You look great with your new hair cut!! What a great post about phobias!! One of mine would be to cut my natural curly hair super short 😉
    xx. Mirjam

    http://www.jeneregretterien.ch

  8. Ruby Park says :

    Love this blog post babe! You are an amazing writer. #girlcrush Also, love the sheet top and flared bottoms. So chic. I need to get out of my fashion comfort zone. Skinny jeans + boots or a-line skirts and crop tops. My go-to outfits. Gotta get over staying in the neutral zone too! I want to play with more color! Love what you’re doing! Keep it up!

  9. Maggie says :

    You look fabulous!! And I agree – fashion phobias are something that we should get over. Style should be experimental and fun!

    http://www.maggiealamode.com