Asking the “Is This Outfit Really ‘Me’?” Question #iwillwearwhatilike

I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks this now and then: Is this outfit really ‘Me’?

Either that, or Is this shirt/coat/hat, [etc.] really ‘Me’?!

I’d hankered after an oversized lace collar (preferably attached to a top) for ages after seeing a few of them online. They just looked really “bygone-era cool”, especially layered over loose-fit or bold/oversized knitwear for contrast.

They seemed like a natural progression from the Princess Diana-style pie crust collar shirts that made a comeback about four years ago… like the next stage of all things romantically old-fashioned coming back to tease anyone old enough to remember the Laura Ashley look back in the late 70s/early 80s. I love an exaggerated ANYTHING, so I was all over this trend.

But then I tried the damn thing on…

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Shop the look:

I ordered two versions with slightly different collars (see the other one here) and one collar only, no top attached (see here). I tried the first top on with the square collar: Big fat NOPE. I then tried this one – which was better because the collar is attached to a soft t-shirt style top rather than a stiff cotton top – and really rather liked it.

BUT THEN the doubts crept in… IS THIS LOOK REALLY ‘ME’?!

Should my style be going this way at this stage in my life?

I often ask Keith his opinion in these times (he’s good at giving a straight answer – he’s never unkind, just honest/tactful about whether he likes the outfit) – and he wasn’t sure. It didn’t help that I was trying it on before bed when I was feeling a bit scrubbed and unpolished with my hair in a topknot, so that’ll teach me a lesson.

However the next day I gave it another go, this time styling it properly the way I’d actually want to wear it (not with a makeup-free face, messy hair and pyjama bottoms in other words). After studying a few shots of myself wearing this new-to-me look confirmed what I’d been thinking…

WHO GIVES TWO SH*TS WHETHER IT’S REALLY ‘ME’ OR NOT?!!

I liked the outfit. I felt good in it. I needed to take my own #iwillwearwhatilike advice and just stop being so precious about what my style “is” and JUST WEAR THE DAMN OUTFIT.

So with that in mind, I’ve decided to go large and wear my oversized collar with the pride of a woman in her late 40s who wore the trend first time around… and doesn’t care.

Next stop: Hardcore cottagecore! LOL #kidding

What do YOU do when faced with the “Is it really ‘me’?” question about an outfit or item of clothing? Comment below…

Stay safe, XOXO

P.S. Do add your outfits to this week’s link up – and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured in my bi-monthly Women Who Wear What They Like post!

Collared t-shirt: Asos
Sweater: F&F (similar V-neck, similar round neck)
Trousers: Asos (similar & love these)
Shoes: Asos
Sunglasses: Polaroid