I am baffled by the (very often American) tendency to bash people for always being well dressed and thoroughly polished in public. HOW is this a bad thing? In my book this reads like fat-acceptance: I can't keep my mouth or my pantry shut so why should anyone who does be human or REAL or relatable. Give me a break - just not in public, if that's your job, to look good, as one might argue when speaking of weight and physical appearances, then why the fuck should anyone in that position be berated for doing a stellar job of keeping up appearances?
Just wanted to comment on this: as someone who has always intrinsically preferred not stepping out of the house without feeling put-together, I find the duality between the acceptability of the public persona in Europe vs. America very interesting. I have had many male European friends and acquaintances tell me they are baffled by the sloppiness of American women out and about in public – how they seem to run around with very little eye towards personal appearance. This attitude is certainly reflected in practice: if you go to most European cities, you'll find, on average, more people are “styled” and are putting forth a degree of effort when they leave their house.
Stateside, this mentality seems to be shunned by a lot of people: being immaculately dressed can almost make you a target, or at least a spectacle of curiosity. People constantly ask me why I'm so dressed up – but the truth of the matter is a) I love beautiful clothes and putting them together, it gives me a sense of pride and a freedom of creativity and b) It's ingrained in me that you step out of the house looking somewhat presentable. I don't always wear makeup, I don't really wear heels anymore and I never have my hair immaculately done or anything (simple bun is enough for me), but I don't go to so much as the store in my pajamas, either. I actually love and respect Olivia's constant presentability and the fact she always looks like she's put some thought into what she's wearing. She doesn't look fake to me, just style-conscious.
I think it's sort of a fine line, because I adamantly believe people should dress to feel comfortable, but at the same time, do people not have standards anymore? Nothing makes me cringe internally more than seeing the Brentwood housewife look of dyed blonde hair, deep tan and hot pink Juicy velour tracksuit, or the ubiquitous JAP uniform of huge, loose 250 dollar Aritzia sweatpants stuffed into floppy looking, salt encrusted Uggs that seems to be sported by half the people where I live come Winter-time. THAT SAID. I fucking love Lululemon yoga pants, I'm such a convert, and will sometimes wear those out between going to the gym and going home, so maybe I'm just a huge hypocrite.
)
I have a tall slim friend who even at her lowest weights has thick calves and ankles, the poor thing
