She’s Got The Look

Only very recently I kind of regard myself as a lady with a discerning taste for fashion and beauty, but I’d have to admit – I wasn’t always like this.

I grew up feeling awkward about my body and truth be told – my mother made me feel ugly about myself and my plumpness ever since I was a teenager. No boys took interest in me – that geeky fat girl. My Chinese Dance instructor called me the “Little Fatty” or 小胖子. My ex-boyfriend called me Fatty too, although in a more affectionate way. Perhaps he was ok with my size, but after he cheated on me twice with younger, slimmer, dressier chicks… I started to think otherwise.

I dressed like an auntie in my early 20s. I hid my boobs under loose fitting T-shirts, whereas those thunder thighs never saw the light of day under those baggy jeans. I was always in short sleeve tops or tops with 3/4 length sleeves in dark colours. I wore black-rimmed glasses as a form of arty identity from my design school background. Those were the dark days of my dressing.

Then I lost weight, quite a bit of those weight. Suddenly sleeveless dresses and spaghetti tops looked appealing on me. So much more options! Colourful clothes became interesting and flattering, thanks to my fair complexion. Even after I piled those weight back on a couple years later, I never shied away from sun dresses and sleeveless outfits again. So what if I showcased my flabby underarms? I’d tasted freedom in fashion and would never go back to wearing dull, boring clothes again.

But I didn’t have a “look”. Some girls look great in smart, executive outfits; some look great in ultra feminine floral dresses; some were hip fashionistas who look good in everything, even in outlandish clothes… but what was I?

Then I found some really cute dresses from ASOS sometime last year (yes you all buy from there, I know… I’m a laggard when it comes to dressing up) that FIT. I am a big UK14, so what? I rocked those dresses. No more sad “I’m sorry these are Free Size” crap. And these dresses were made of good quality fabric and flattered me in every way.

I may not be the girl with the great figure, but I have to admit – I am the girl that looked great in the gorgeous dress and not let the dress overwhelm me. So I set aside 4 dresses this Chinese New Year… they were all gorgeous, but this one is my favourite.

Love the bold colour stripes, skater cutting and vintage styling

Finally a vintage-looking dress that didn’t make me look frumpy! It didn’t cost a bomb either. I love this so much. The other dress was a floaty piece which may not entirely be right for me.

Cute, flattering and unique

And this one was worn to a friend’s wedding lunch late 2011 and apart from the revealingness of it all… it is in a really pretty shade of nude that really flatters my skin tone. I also had fun styling my hair and matching my make up to the outfit… and to complete it with a cute pair of shoes!

AIYOH! I want more dresses now! Especially now that I have found my “look”, I really want more dresses right now!!!