What’s my too bold? Every individual has an interpretation of what’s too bold for themselves. Take lipstick…it’s an every day, routinely worn accessory for me. I pretty much feel a little naked if I’m not wearing any lipstick. For another though, a bright lip might be completely intimidating. This is the conversation that started between bold dresser Samantha of Fake and Fabulous and me. I was suprised when she admitted that a bright lipstick was something she wasn’t comfortable wearing. On the other hand, I am in awe with the colorful boldness in which Samantha wears her clothes. In fact, I’ve been awestruck! Watching post after post of Samantha in amazingly vivacious colors, it is no wonder that I have been inspired by her style. I always thought of myself as a somewhat bold dresser, but I’m actually kind of mild, maybe even muted. Therefore, for a while now, I’ve been contemplating how I could dress more boldly. Could I do it? The best way to try seemed to be to start with a pair of blue tights–Samantha Fake and Fabulous Style!
I knew I wanted to incorporate some bold colored tights. I saw this mock shirt at Zara, and thought to myself, “Samantha would totally rock this!” So I picked it up for a mere HK$100. It seemed like the piece to get me started on Fake Fabulous style. I loved the multiple blue stripes with the mustard yellow streak–my suede mini doesn’t get enough wear, so I was excited to pair the two together. I also love any excuse to wear my blue suede boots! Next up, purchasing the blue tights. Luckily blue legs were easy enough to find in anyone of Hong Kong’s side alleyways with a lady street market.
With a starting point established I added my cutoff jean jacket and a bright blue beanie to match the tights. Somehow adding these two items settled me a bit. Beforehand, I really felt like me legs were screaming, “Look at me! I’m blue!”
Not being too sure if maybe it was the tightness of my shirt that made me self conscious, I swapped out the striped mock turtleneck and replaced it with the top from the co-ord that I wore to the first day of school. I feel this boxy cut actually looks better on my top heavy frame.
Maybe it was the skirt? Too bold? This question makes me chuckle as that’s the point right? Go for bold! The black skirt with this top does look better–more put together. Now the blue suede boots are all wrong, and I didn’t want to give up on them. I think my fringe, knee-high black boots would have made this outfit a winner. Next time…
In the end, it was the second look that I think accomplishes me being bold but still feeling comfortable. Somehow the denim vest calms things down for me while the beanie compliments the bright blue tights. Without those two additions, I really felt way too bold. In fact, when I was seen by a colleague on the way to shooting these pictures with Norbyah, I blushed and made excuses for having such bright blue legs–granted at this point I was still in tennis shoes and not hobbling along in my blue suede booties. Regardless, the way I feel has and will always greatly effect how I dress. If I don’t feel confident in something, I’m not going to rock it.
So….will I dress this boldly? I don’t know. But Samantha, thank you for providing me with examples of bold dressing. I love, no adore your style. You make me want to wear more bold clothing. I see your posts, and I feel inspired. I can try to be more bold, and I will–as long as I feel good at the same time. Everyone’s bold is different, yet being bold is an important move toward self confidence.
Pictures by I’m a Norbyah in Stanley Market
*Now I know why you don’t wear bright lipstick. Samantha, your boldness is elsewhere. Speaking of which, I almost left the house with an orange lippy for this shoot, but then rapidly took it off and went for a natural lip instead.
This post has been linked up to What I Wore, #Passion4Fashion and #iwillwearwhatilike.
Ann this bold styling really suits you. I agree that Samantha is bold with a capital B. Everyone has their own level of bold where they’ll feel comfortable and personally, I loved the black skirt and blue tights combo on you – it really seems to say you. I think that’s what I’m learning about blogging; the important thing is to look at everyone out there for inspiration, but not to mimic, but to adapt to your own personality. Be yourself at all times, which you do with energy and panache.
Love
Anna x
Aww, thanks Anna. Ya, I agree. I like the tights with the black skirt. I just needed to switch out the boots there, and it probably would have been my favorite. I love how I get influenced–all the time. But you’re right: we add our own-ness to it.
What I find so interesting is that I always thought I was kind of bold, but if I compare myself, I’m not so much. That’s probably another really important thing NOT to do: compare!
Luckily when I compare it then influences me–I hope in positive ways.
Thanks for always being such a big supporter Anna! I really mean it. I’m so delayed in my reply, but I want you to know I really appreciate it.
Love, Ann
Ann!!! This is Awesome!!!!!
I read your commentary with interest.
I found it intriguing that you think the denim “toned things down” where as I thought it made the look even bolder…because of the contrast!
How different we all are.
The tights are (of course) stunning and those blue booties are THE shoe to wear with them….the tone on tone is just delicious!! I squealed with delight!
I love the tan skirt and the looser top the best….The tighter top is bolder but not because of the “tightness” but because of the boobie-enhancing high neck. Cheeky!
The colours in that outfit all pull together beautifully. When you added the black skirt it stopped working (for me)….maybe an all black look with a kick of blue could work??
And I smiled from ear-to-ear reading about your natural ip…hahaha See what I mean?!?!
Brilliant.
I am so pleased you were inspired by me, and I love the fact that you think this is bold…. where as I think your “normal” look is BOLDER!!
You are beautiful and inspiring…..keep doing what you do.
XXX
Samantha
http://www.fakefabulous.com
Wow! It’s all so interesting to me, ya know? I definitely felt a little crazy with blue legs! They are really bright! I think as the weather cools, I’ll try to wear them one more time–see if I can find a comfortable balance. I’ll definitely let you know when I do.
Again, BOLDness. Everyone has their own interpretation huh?! That’s what I find so extremely interesting about it all.
I am so happy we’ve been connected Sam. I think the world of you and your style!
Love, Ann
Sam, so sorry for the delay. I’m not sure what happened there! A x
I saw this post on Friday, Ann but didn’t have time to comment until now. I love that you’re playing with colours and patterns. It’s playfully experimenting which is always good to do because not only is it fun but look at what’s come from it! If we don’t explore we never understand or realise that maybe our style boundaries are either actually bigger than we first thought or that it confirms where we’re comfortable with our boundaries which is equally useful.
I luuuuuuuurve the chevron top and suede skirt combo on you – gorgeous and would’ve loved to have seen it with the denim vest and beanie because I think that would look great too! I’m with Samantha I think the denim vest makes it look even bolder because, as she rightly says, of the contrast!
Your funky fringed boots with the blue beanie would look fabulous too with the black skirt and the chevron patterned top. So many great outfits within these combinations!
And I’m so with you when you say how you feel effects the way you dress. We can always cheat a little and fake it and sometimes that does work and gives us a boost but finding a style that fits like a glove will always shine through. I love Anna’a phrase about not mimic-ing but adapting it to your own personality. You’ve completely done this here. You’ve been inspired but made it your own. A win win all round!
http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
Awww, thanks so much for everything Jacqueline. Playing is the right term! Because of blogging, my mind is always putting together outfits in my head. It’s quite fun really. Because of influencers, I’ll be like, “Oh, that skirt is so xxx.” And then I’ll want to try it out. In fact, recently I’ve invested in a couple of skirts because Carin (catoinamsterdam) is seriously influencing me. You’re right though–I cannot mimic, only be influenced and hopefully create my own Kremb de la Kremb look with each outfit I wear!
Thanks as always for commenting. I have no idea what my delay has been with responding to these wonderful comments from you, Anna, and Samantha!
Love, Ann