On my 26th birthday, I broke some fashion rules & there’s no turning back. Well, if you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know, my biggest fashion pet-peeve is policing someone’s fashion sense or what they wear. Yes, I understand some styles flatter a body-type/occasion/personality better than the others but the entire idea of ‘DO NOT WEAR THIS BECAUSE FASHION RULES SAY SO’ just grinds my gears.
I mean, who even wrote this rule-book that no one has ever seen?
Fashion & style are about creativity, not about right or wrong. That’s why trends and cycles change. Moreover, not everyone even cares about fashion and shouldn’t because first and foremost, clothes and accessories have a ‘utilitarian’ purpose. And, how can we overlook the fact that beauty and fashion standards vary across cultures & communities? So, it’s just not fair to drag someone down just because.
Anyway, I have long heard that this imaginary fashion rule-book for my size 14/16, brown body with heavy arms & back-rolls dictates, amongst other things, that:
- I never wear anything that exposes my arms
- Never show my midriff
- Don’t even think of bodycon or body-hugging dresses
- Cover-up more than you reveal (because ew who likes curves)
Now, I have already broken all these rules before and nailed it each time. I love crop-tops, I prefer well-fitted clothes, and I wear whatever makes me happy. However, there was still something specific I hadn’t done before- a) wear a bikini & b) wear a figure-hugging satin dress with no sleeves. And I decided to do exactly that for my birthday this year in the southern French city of Nice.
It’s actually funny how naturally that happened, too. I mean, I wasn’t planning on it or anything but I had long wanted to strike these things off of my list and well, it just so happened to be on my 26th birthday. Truth be told, I’m also a bit nervous writing this blog because well, body-shaming isn’t pleasant ever. That being said, I’m a secure & confident person & I think I looked and felt great so that’s all that counts.
26th Birthday Outfit 1; Beach day out
I chose a red tie-up bikini for my beach day out in Villefranche Sur Mer along with a white kimono cover-up that had a beautiful train. Protip: Choosing the right size is always an important aspect of finding the right bikini for yourself. You need to be comfortable to look and feel your best. I like wearing cover-ups not just for utility but also for the drama. I also wore the top with blue denim shorts later for walking around to add to the ease.
Bikini:
Cover-up:
26th Birthday Outfit 2; Chic French Dinner
I decided to go for a very chic and classy French dinner along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice for my birthday. The restaurant was pretty upscale with one of the most stunning sunset views in the city. So, dressing up for the occasion was a must. I chose a champagne-colored satin dress, styled it with a rhinestone choker necklace to balance the open-neck, and added a tweed blazer for the cold evening winds near the sea. Honestly, I LOVED my birthday look and can’t wait for another occasion to wear this outfit.
Dress:
Satin wrap dress with thin straps
Blazer:
Shoes:
Moccasin mules with embroidery and metal
Bag:
White Minimalist bag with ruffles & Gold chain
Accessories:
PREMIUM Open Ring with Faux Pearl
Multi-row body chain with pearls – gold
And well, that’s all from my 26th birthday! I loved the experience and I’m definitely not turning back from here. So, to h*ll with any rule-books. In fact, I recommend everyone to try and overcome their fashion insecurities by absolutely pulling them off. And honestly, even if you don’t, it doesn’t really matter!
YOU DO YOU !!!
_
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For more of my travel in style adventures, keep following ERTSY. Till then, keep experimenting & stay stylish!
