I felt inspired to bring how i was feeling onto paper in the form of conceptual fashion sketches.
I thought i’d share them with you for two reasons:
1. To give hope that you’re not alone and that others understand what you’re going through.
2. To shed light on what mental health issues feel like–anxiety in particular–and hopefully bring in some more understanding and sympathy.
Guest post by Kelsey Davis from The Lux Authority:
Everyone claims their own unique style, but only some have been able to do so without the fear of ridicule. Gender neutrality is not something new, but the specialized clothing is and will undoubtedly continue to succeed, shape lives, and overturn viscous stigmas.
Anthropology is the study of humans. Fashion Anthropology uses clothing as a lens to understand who we are as people. Here’s how:
On February 14th, 2018, the first ever Fashion + Self-Love party came to completion.
Two weeks were set aside, here on Story Behind The Cloth, for the purpose of celebrating self-love and -care through fashion. We celebrated through giveaways, games, and daily guest posts from 14 of my wonderful blogger friends. It was a beautiful experience and i’m so thankful to everybody who helped host and those who celebrated with us!
This post is for those of you who may have missed the party, or parts of it–Or for anybody who may want to reminisce and look back on the encouragement that was given during the event.
Today Savana Rae talked about loving ourselves and having confidence despite how social media (especially INSTAGRAM!) can often make us feel.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. Your favorite OOTD from your Instagram posts
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt22
2. An untouched selfie–No filters, no edits–Just your beautiful self
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt23
3. That clothing piece that makes you feel unique and wonderful just as you are
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt24
Guest post by Savana from Official Savana Rae.
Instagram has so much interesting content and impressive content creators. However, the bar is set very high. When the bar is set as high as it is, growing may become an issue. It mainly drives attention to the biggest accounts–which undermines the rest no matter how good your content may be.
I have noticed that a lot of people have been affected by this, and a big loss in confidence has increased in my fellow influencers and those who follow me.
I want to give you some self-love advice that I myself follow when I feel low, because let’s face it–we all have THOSE days.
This guide to increase self-love is one that I find incredibly useful, as my mom reminds most days that we all need to love ourselves first so that we can be at peace. Think about it this way, if you didn’t love yourself, how can you feel at peace?
Guest post by Erriel from Erriel J’s Life Chronicles.
I am only 21 and I enjoy being single, honestly. Not having to worry about someone else and just focusing on yourself for a while is refreshing, honey!
For Valentine’s Day I am treating myself to a “self-date” which means I will be taking myself out on a date! But, what do you wear on a self-date?
Here are my top 3 outfits for a Valentine’s Day Self-Date!
Today Eliza talked about the benefits of loving yourself deeply and unconditionally, and how a little tiny bit of narcissism can ACTUALLY be a good thing.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. That piece you feel most attractive in
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt19
2. A piece you don’t own but think you would look STUNNING in
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt20
3. Outfit that describes who you see yourself to be
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt21
Guest post by Eliza from Aesthetic Distance.
Narcissism gets a bad rap in the media and pop culture. When we call someone a narcissist, it is almost never a compliment. They have a reputation for being sociopaths. We say we can’t stand them, but research shows we actually tend to view them as more confident, intelligent and attractive than other people. Sure, at the extreme (which is called Narcissistic Personality Disorder), it can lead to a lack of empathy and a sense of entitlement. But then why are so many narcissists successful and well-respected? Since we live in a world of “the personal brand,” I’m here to dispute the bad reputation of narcissism and talk about the good parts of being a narcissist.
Today Imaan talked about experimenting with trends and new clothing styles for self-discovery.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. That piece you didn’t expect to like or look good in
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt16
2. That piece that helps draw you out of your comfort zones
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt17
3. A trend that you think you might try
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt18
Guest post by Imaan from The August Clause.
Identity is something that I have struggled and still do struggle with, and I can confidently
say that I have an existential crisis almost every second day. I took my personal experience
of struggling to fit into a specific mold and tried to make sense of it, with the one thing I
love– fashion.
The more I started to incorporate small, subtle trend pieces the more I saw the way I dress
evolve, and funny enough, the more I started to understand myself.
“This or That” Fashion + Self-Love Party Game Round 4!:
Which are your favorites of Gwen’s Poshmark items?
Like to vote for your favorites!
Guest post by Gwendolyn from Reckless Resale.
We like clothing labels.
Could you create a label that fully describes your content? Would you be able to list all your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs? You can imagine the lengthy list of instructions on the label would require.
Practicing self-love naturally affords you with increased confidence, poise, and self-assurance.
Practicing self-love naturally assists you with defining your own personal style, labeled only by yourself.
Here are some simple steps to help you create that personal style:
Today Lia talked about Uplifting your attitude through your fashion and beauty routine.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. A piece that makes you really happy
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt13
2. Best to wear on a bad day
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt14
3. Your favorite pair of heels
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt15
Guest post by Lia from A Southern Girl, Lia.
Fashion and the clothes you choose reflect and affect your mood and attitude.
The magic begins when you find a super cute outfit, you put it on grab some heels and Bam! You see a different person in the mirror and so you start acting like one too. Your confidence starts showing and you start building a high self-esteem. Don’t forget that little dance we all do in front of the mirror when we are feeling fabulous.
I hope that my step by step routine is of help to you!
Never Have i Ever – Self-Care Edition.
1 point for everything you HAVE done!
Have you made good progress in taking better care of yourself?
Share: How many points did you get??
What are you missing?…Which one will you work on today?
Guest post by Alice from A Lot on Your Mind.
Two psychologists, Hajo and Galinksy (2012), coined the term ‘enclothed cognition’ which argues that your style reflects and affects your mood, health, and overall confidence. If our clothes affect our mood, why don’t we choose the clothes that express our best selves and will make us feel legitimately beautiful?
Here are some tips to owning your personal style:
“This or That” Fashion + Self-Love Party Game Round 3!:
Which of Lindsey’s outfit remixes do you like best?
Like to vote for your favorites!
Today Lindsey talked about cutting back spending and making the most out of the wardrobe you already have.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. That piece you forgot about, but totally need to wear again!
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt10
2. That piece you don’t wear anymore, but can’t get rid of
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt11
3. That versatile piece that you can wear in a multitude of different ways!
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt12
Guest post by Lindsey from Have Clothes, Will Travel.
Living in a day and age where everywhere we turn there is pressure to buy the latest and greatest fashion makes it very easy to fall into the “retail therapy” trap. And to make it even more difficult, our brain actually releases the pleasure-inducing chemical dopamine when you buy something new…
…getting addicted to this high is not only bad for your overall self-esteem, it can, obviously, be very damaging to your wallet.
However, I’ve taken a few measures to correct this…
… the trick to it all is creating the illusion you have a ton of clothes by swapping out key pieces when styling your outfits with clothes you already own.
Today Josie talked about how clothes can comfort heartache.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. The coziest piece you own
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt7
2. That piece that saw you through hard times
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt8
3. That piece you really want to buy
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt9
Finding Comfort in Your Clothes After Heartbreak:
Guest post by Josie Mills from Open Mind Fashion (OMF).
I kissed a few frogs on the path to meeting my prince, my husband. And along the way, some left me green and croaking for a while. In those tough times, I would become even more aware of the textures & qualities of my clothes–my clothes became a form of solace, and dressing up would help me get through the next day even though I wanted to die.
Today Charlene talked about finding confidence by dressing outside your comfort zone.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. That piece that you like, though others may not
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt4
2. An item that kinda scares you (in a good, comfort-zone pushing, sort of way) to think about wearing
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt5
3. A piece that makes you feel like the strongest version of yourself.
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt6
Guest post by Charlene McElhinney.
I rocked some tight fishnet styled jeans with some extremely
high heels and an awesome studded bikers jacket. It was totally out of my comfort zone, but
let me tell you, I felt like a total bad-ass. I felt incredible. Confidence burst out from
somewhere within me and it was evident in the finalized photos. And it all came down to
what I was wearing. It helped me to get right in to the zone, it helped me to feel fierce, it
allowed me to express myself in a way I’d never done before.
I figured that today calls for something different than the other games we’ve had on social media. I’ve created a body-positivity printable for you to reflect on yourself and start thinking more kindly about your body. This is for you to do on your own time–you can share it or keep it private. But do fill it all out! Sometimes, it’s not easy to love our bodies–But I swear to you: YOU CAN FIND SOMETHING TO LOVE ABOUT EVERY PART OF YOU.
Guest post by Alix from All Lady A.
We are all too aware of the huge difference between the same sizes in varying stores.
All too often do we pick up one pair of jeans and venture to another store to find pretty much the same pair of jeans requires us to choose three sizes up so we can actually get the leg past our knees.
Whatever your size, all of this can take a huge toll on our self-esteem. While it’s important to remember is the number on the label is just that, it’s difficult to convince yourself it’s just there to help you find clothes that fit when they’re all so drastically different.
Today Deanna talked about savvy shopping, and the importance of not letting our clothes get in the way of living fulfilling lives.
Now’s your turn to find and photograph clothing that will put this idea to action!
Photograph one or more pieces that fit one of these criteria:
1. That piece you’ve worn basically a million times
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt1
2. The best deal you’ve ever gotten
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt2
3. That piece you can live in and do any activity without worrying about wrecking it.
#FashionPhotoScavengerHunt2
Guest post by Deanna from Lucky.Love.Life.
I’ve never been one to believe that you have to spend a paycheck to look nice.
You don’t need an $850 dress, or pair of shoes, or handbag, to fit in or look amazing. Buy what makes you feel cute and inspired but remember your life is about experiences, not things. You need confidence, charisma, and a rockin’ smile. No matter what you are wearing, you’ll be dressed to the nines.
Never Have I Ever – Fashion Blunders Edition!
We’re about to get REAL…
The most honest people win!
1 point for everything you HAVE done.
Share: How many points did you get?
Which one do you think is the hardest to overcome?
Guest post by Cheyenne from Not So Faux.
Four Amazing Body-Positive Fashion Brands, and Why They’re Important:
If everyone was the same, this world would get boring, real quick.
I don’t know about you but I love when I can relate to a brand’s advertisements rather than wondering why none of the models look like me. Every woman, including yourself, should feel celebrated and not feel like they have to conform to one standard of beauty.
Here are some brands that celebrate every inch of your body and all of the qualities that make you, YOU:
“This or That” Fashion + Self-Love Party Game Round 2!:
Which date-night outfit would be perfect for you?
Like to vote for your favorites!
Guest post by Lena from Lena Dee XO.
Valentine’s is fast approaching and more than often we’re caught up on having a love life with someone else. I bet you sometimes forget it’s okay to be madly in love with yourself and the person you’re becoming. I’m here to remind you NOW is the time to embrace yourself!
“This or That” Fashion + Self-Love Party Game Round 1!:
Which giveaway item are you most excited about?
Like to vote for your favorites!
This outfit represents mine and Cody’s relationship in this time of our lives.
To further help you remember what you learn from the Fashion + Self-Love Party and apply it to your life, we’re hosting a giveaway! The #FashionSelfLoveParty giveaway prize is a personally wrapped “Fashion Self-Care Package” packed with goodies including a free personal styling session, jewelry, comfy-cozy clothes, candies, a hot chocolate set, gift cards, and inspiration to help you relax, pamper yourself, and remember to love who you are and how you express yourself.
Poshmark Packaging Inspiration.
I like to gift wrap similarly to how i like fashion: I love hinting at what’s on the inside, or displaying personality.
I thought i’d share some of my favorite Poshmark packages to give you some inspiration for the next time you want to wrap a gift that will make the receiver smile!
Celebrate self-love through fashion!
We will be celebrating varieties of beauty and learning how to better love ourselves for who we are and how we express ourselves! 14 guest bloggers will teach you how to overcome insecurity and embrace the beautiful, unique individual you are.
Life is a story… That we get to take part in both reading and writing!
We get to create who we want to be.
We get to watch life unfold.
Let’s enjoy every page!
What do you hope to “write” in this next chapter of your life?
This holiday outfit represents pure Christmas cheer.
I pulled together thoughts of Santa and his Elves for inspiration. A charm bracelet adds the finishing touch with words from a classic favorite Christmas song: “Joy to the World”.
This elegant holiday outfit represents the quiet and tranquil moments of Winter, as Christmas gently draws closer.
The softness and subtle excitement of the first snowfall. The subdued, inner cheer after holiday shopping has been completed and Christmas day is still around the corner. A moment where you curl up next to the fireplace, resting with a mug of hot chocolate, in celebration after accomplishing a long list of to-dos and to-buys in preparation for the festivities soon to begin.
An elegant look with deep colors embraces those feelings well. It’s cozy, it’s beautiful, it’s peaceful.
Dots of red and green lights outline the houses all down your street. These colors turn up everywhere you look this season, in the form of ornaments, giftwrap, holiday dresses–Just to name a few. Even outside of the winter season, pairing green with red almost immediately elicits thoughts of Christmas cheer.
But why are red and green THE Christmas colors of choice?
The Versatile Blogger Award celebrates high quality, unique, and loving content. Big thank you to my lovely new friend, Lily, from LearningLily.com for nominating me!
I do not believe that false “joy” and stagnant “hope” are the answer…But i do believe that happiness can be discovered in little things when you feel like it’s nowhere to be found. When we’re able to find true happiness, we gain power to free ourselves, both on an emotional level and in a way that allows us to more easily work towards our goals, which will set us free on a more tangible level.
How can you tell a story through your clothes? What we wear can have a lot to say about who we are. Using symbolism is a good start.
Want to dress like Ariel? Here’s how to analyze Ariel from The Little Mermaid so you can create a costume or outfit inspired by her.
I challenged myself at the beginning of this week to stop being lazy about my outfits just because i have nowhere to go, and instead start getting dressed up in clothes that make me feel good about myself that day.
I was surprised just how much more empowered i’ve been feeling with this simple task. By putting on clothes i love, and doing so for no apparent reason besides deciding i want to, i’ve also been putting on confidence.
What do you think? Will you try getting #AllDressedUp this week and see what it does for you?
I’m surprised at just how much more capable i feel as a blogger. I took a chance with this series, hoping it would lift my spirits some… And it did. I don’t feel incapable and stuck as i did back on day 1. I’m excited about the future of this blog!
The day didn’t start out fantastic, but…I’m going to be fair to myself, with a focus on self-care and making sure i’m comfortable–first and foremost–while still pushing myself to do all that is necessary so that i feel accomplished at the end of the day.
So i’ll start off with comfy clothes and accepting that this post is being published later than the other ones were.
Oops. Two days in a row the title is not true. My family is going out this afternoon to see a play, and i decided to go with them. Funny how the week i decide to dress up despite having nowhere to go, i actually have places to go, huh?
As you know, if you’ve been reading my previous posts: i’ve been dressing up every day this week, despite being home all the time, in an effort to keep me from getting depressed.
Today is actually the “weekend” for me and my boyfriend, Cody… And we might want to enjoy some time away from the house. So, i might be dressing up with somewhere to go afterall!
Hello!
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