I remain ever the same potato.

 Many years ago upon being asked what I envisioned as my fashion goals, I responded Xenomorph Nazgul Realness. Often I achieve it. At my big age of 47 I actually surpassed it. I wear exactly what I want when I want. Click here to see a lil tiktok. I've literally worn variants of this outfit for 30 years and I'm still into it. 

How tho?

It isn't money. I know myself. I'm comfortable with what I like and I figured out a special thing. When what you like is trendy, stock up. Don't get offended that your subculture is suddenly monetized. don't take it personal we all exist under capitalism. I am not afraid. 

Furthermore, fuck flattering. If you were around for the Fatosphere days you'll remember seeing that. I can't recall who said it originally. Read about it here. More about it anyway if you're in the mood for an academic paper. Here is the abstract and I'm into it.

Abstract In this article I defend an account of beauty labor as a form of resistance that can enable individuals and communities to combat body oppression. Focusing on the “Fuck Flattering!” movement, a social-media-driven movement in which fat people purposefully wear unflattering clothing to resist antifat fashion and oppressive body standards, I first set three criteria necessary for an act of beauty labor to count as one of resistance. I argue that (1) the agent in question must be situated as a less ideal candidate for attributions of beauty, (2) the agent must have some level of knowledge or awareness of the norms (defined in light of dominant groups) and their harms, and (3) that knowledge or awareness of the harms of said norms must inform the agent’s act of beauty labor. Based on this account of beauty labor as resistance, I argue that beauty labor can combat larger systems of oppression and incite meaningful change insofar as it enables individuals to claim and reclaim space (both digital and physical) from which fat people have been historically excluded, while affording an opportunity for education and unpacking of oppression and bias, and expanding the fashion industry

I have not ever been comfortable trying to fit into western beauty ideals irrespective of my body size at the time. Even before I fully understood it, I knew I couldn't do it so I stopped trying and did my own thing. Have I always done so? To the best of my ability yes. A few old OOTDs below.

This was a favorite Torrid outfit. I got those short pants and just loved them forever. A lot of folks told me how much they hated this outfit. i wore this outfit a lot. This was me circa 2008.

I almost never ask people for feedback on my appearance, constructive or otherwise. I don't care how someone else would wear something. I've been advised not to wear black, prints, stripes, metallics etc. I have no intention of ever obeying said advice. It is for me if I like it. 

What don't I wear? I don't wear things I don't like. If I don't like the fabric nah. Seams doing too much? NOPE. I hate wearing pants I do. I make exceptions for pants I like but most pants can fuck off especially denim I HATE WEARING JEANS. My pussy has rights I don't need to put her through that daily. 

My rule is this. I don't buy things I don't like. Except underwear. I buy underwear because I need to have some on hand, generally speaking I hate wearing draws of all kinds. it is a sensory thing. I abide dress codes that impact my paycheck. If someone isn't paying me for my time there is nothing the ycan say to me about how something looks on me that will change my mind. IDGAF. Unless you bought it fuck off.

I do try to shop ethically when I can. I don't dive too deep it is not a nice place for me and honestly I can't afford ethically produced anything unless I made it. And I also eschew DIY or die ethos we can do that another time, my opinions about that need their whole own entry.

What else?

Sometimes am I over or under dressed? Yah. Am I embarassed? Usually not. I don't go a lot of places so I'm usually prepared when I go. The only other real rule i have is, would 13 YO Shannon be into this? Yes I AM ABSOLUTELY DRESSING TO IMPRESS A MENTALLY UNSTABLE CHILD. It me. I am child. I was so self conscious for so long. I wasn't allowed to express myself for years mainly because that was not how I was raised if what I liked was too grown. 

The outfit below got me the feedback that I might be too mature to purposefully try to look like an anime/video game villain. But like look at that outfit. I don't love how those boots fit me now that I'm thinner but boots aside I LOOK FUCKING AMAZIN. 

The top is a Killstar hoodie I got on super sale. I only shop Killstar on clearance. I wouldn't buy it again honestly the fabric can make it hard for me personally to put on. It looks amazin tho. The fit is weird and fiddly and there's no closure but it looks hot af. I wanted to look like I might give you a side quest. LOL I literally posted this an entry below wow I forgot how to do this. That's fine. 

If I could just throw money at my wardrobe without a care for space or cost here's my pinboard of inspiration. Follow me there I've been using it a bit more. 

Okay since I get dressed at least 5 days a week I'll try to remember how to be a damn blogger. I'll leave you with me again cosplaying my teen self. Dress ebay for like 8$ probs  came from wish or shein tbh. Very nice quality actually crepey fabric (I like this fabric), good seams. Has held up very well. Fit is as advertised i wish it was bad.

When I was a teen in the 90s someone ONE TIME (HA TISM, yeah I took them literally) someone told me not to wear princess seamed dresses cause I was busy and chubby and not tall enough. Fuck that I look amazing. 13 YO me is feeln like dis here.

With my old platform boots from Asos and my dickie's socks I look cute as hell rn. I don't love my size currently but I'm not worrying about it. My body is doing their best under difficulties.

SO what are you wearing? Always feel free to drop a selfie or ootd in comments I like that shit.

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@shannons.chiaroscuro

♬ original sound - I'm just a baby