Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Insta Glam

I blame it on Instagram. If you are on this particular social medium, you will know that some posts (of Instagram users) have turned into a wardrobe diary. It's a bit disconcerting to do these wardrobe posts because they are so raw; the pictures show you what they look like on any given day - more often than not, these shots were probably taken minutes before a meeting, in between writing captions or paragraphs, or while waiting for a file to download.

Photo credits to the owner

Pictures side by side, sometimes I cannot shake the silly feeling that I am at a judges' table vying for top fashionista with how many likes they can amass on each entry. Fashion is, after all, not a democracy. The popular pics are rarely the fashion-forward ones simply because the vast majority is not quick to embrace new silhouettes, styles, and ideas. As my Instagram feed shows, the prevailing popular aesthetic is "pretty." Now I do not mean to belittle "pretty."

On the contrary, it takes restraint and a seasoned eye to pull off "pretty" properly, just as it takes almost a sixth sense to understand what resonates with people. Instagram now functions for me like a focus group for which looks, which trend, and which brand the public likes.

What I like most about Instagram is that I am able to look at all the entries side by side in thumbnail form. I really get a kick out of looking at some people and seeing the many different ways you can approach dressing up (or down, as the case may be).

I used to aim to be "pretty," but now I realize the way I approach dressing has evolved. Staring at my reflection in front of my aunt's walk-in's full-length mirror when I assemble the day's outfit, I always think about how this would be typically styled and I try to steer clear of that. I try my best to introduce something unexpected to the outfit. For this reason, I've amassed quite a collection of accessories - rings, necklaces, shoes, tights - that tell a story (skulls and spikes - I'm starting to have some - say "don't mess with me," feathers and friendship bands convey boho chic, gem-encrusted baroque chandeliers show a cultivated bent). comments

13 comments:

chrisair said...

I hate instagram because of all the shopping account i see and it makes me want to shop more huhuhu

Verns said...

I love instagram it brings out the instant faux photographer in me. love also that I can post as many pics as I want in just one publication. though I hate it when friends do post pic with so much hashtags on it :)

MaryJane Tauyan said...

i love instagram! ofcourse because of OOTD's or lookbooks I can see everytime I open my account. THough most of it is use to inspire myself to exercise seeing Fitspo people doing the same thing as me

Marie, shiny pearl said...

only igers will understand the pull it has - not just on fashionistas but foodies, travellers - photo-enthusiasts as well :) I use mine for all those lol. and yeah, beauty is skin deep but it won't hurt to be pretty :)

Pinx said...

i have instagram and i don't often use it. and when it comes to glam, fashion, dressing up, i am so poor at that. i am just a plain jane! jeans, tops and ballet flats (for summer) and i am good to go! well, thanks to instagram though for all these fashion ideas and inspiration.

Rcel said...

I do have an instagram account and I think I am one of the very few who defy the law of posting too much selfies and branded stuff. Haha! My posts are just my typical pictures, and most of them, the ones that I used fog my blogs.

Visiting here on behalf of my daughter Triz!

Lainy said...

I love IG! My account is private so there's no unwanted stuff in my Feeds. I find it very handy for obvious reasons and the feature that I so love is the editing features.

I shall be waiting for your upcoming IG posts with your "aim to be pretty" brand :-)

betchai said...

instagram hates me! they won't let me log in because i always have incorrect password, but I do not mind at all, I am not looking for it.

Chubskulit Rose said...

I seldom use Instagram, only when a task is requiring me to.

lencilicious said...

I love instagram too since it made me easy to see pictures and share pictures. Although I don't subscribe on people I don't know. I made my account private too. But I'm thinking of creating a different account.

kulasa said...

I have stopped using instagram, it loads too slowly on my phone and I seem to have no time anymore to log in on IG...love the instagram photo collage you shares here though :)

mhie@smarlk said...

I'm not really into social media though I have an account in there so seldom I update.

papaleng said...

Wala akong Instagram and have know inclination to open one. I have notice lately rin na it becomes a 'SELFIE' thing na.

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