A photo speaks a thousand words.
Are you listening?
What is a Visual Diary?
It is your secret weapon for style inspiration. Get dressed, select your accessories, put your shoes on, and grab your handbag. Take a photo.
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Don't despair some photos will look unflattering due to poor lighting, bad angle etc. There is a reason photographers take time putting a photo shoot together. We’re just aiming for a quick candid pic. It can be beneficial to take about 5 photos at a time.
The aim of the game
Note what works and what doesn't.
• Does your look match your personality?
• Did that accessory match that top?
• Did that outfit flatter your shape or do nothing for you?
• Did that colour make your eyes shine?
Seeing your outfit in a photo can be better then a mirror. A collection of photos are great for making side by side comparisions.
With the aid of a Visual Diary you can discover
• If you wear a lot of one colour
• That colour purple in that shade is fantastic on you
• Know if your look is really you. If you are fun and totally awesome, does your look say I’m fun and confident? Or is it screaming I’m a timid librarian. No disregard to librarians, but you get the point right?
Now you are armed with valuable knowledge
Write a list of ideas. Yes put your ideas in writing, and keep that handy in your purse.
Your list might be:
• Blue makes my eyes sparkle, try on large blue pendants
• All my shoes are black, experiment with a few colours
• I have a navy dress that is screaming for a bright orange bangle
Be adventurous and try new things
When you go shopping, select things that will compliment what you already have. Try new combinations, new colours, mix things up. You may be surprised. If you don’t like it, if it doesn’t suit you, don’t buy it. You must be comfortable with wearing this new item or it is a wasted purchase. A waste of money and waste of space in your wardrobe.
Ask for a critique
Share your Visual Diary with a trusted friend and ask for their honest opinion. Most friends will struggle to tell you the truth. They love you too much to hurt your feelings. You need an opinionated friend.
Now promise me you’ll do this. Every time you take a photo or analysis them say out loud “I am a gorgeous person inside and out”. We are our own worst critics. Balance every negative thought with a positive one.
When will you start your Visual Diary?
I'd love to hear your thoughts. Share the lessons you've learnt. Send me an email or leave a comment here. I’d love to hear from you. Share this post with some friends and do this project together.
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Love the idea, I am too harsh a critic of myself. I also only wear jeans. Hahaha. What a great concept and I can certainly see how this helps to make decisions about what works, what doesn't, when you look overdone etc. My mother always said, "Get dressed, including accessories, stand in front of a mirror and spin around. The first thing you see when you get back to facing yourself aagin you should remove" (Hopefully it won't be the dress hahaha)I guess this way, you always look understated rather than overdone. X Kelly.
ReplyDeleteYour comment made me laugh, I can just imagine you spinning around. I'm gonna have to try that for myself at least once to see what stands out.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing wrong with jeans. You can have a bunch of different looks depending on what you accessorise with. Mix your look up with different shoes & boots, jackets, a scalf, necklaces, the list goes on and on. One pair of jeans can have a bunch of different looks.
I admire those people who set out to wear a dress every day for a year. I'd fail on day 3. I'm all about comfort, and pants win me over most days. I mix my look up with colour & accessories.
When my daughter is unsure about an outfit, I always take a photo of her from the neck down. That way she can evaluate the outfit without getting distracted. I never thought of a diary of outfits though - I'll have to try it myself.
ReplyDeleteI recently photo-documented my entire wardrobe, and wow! what an eye-opening experience. I reviewed the photos carefully. They confirmed some of my best looks, shocked me with some of the rear views, and gave me impetus to toss the worst and get sewing/shopping.
ReplyDeleteLoved your post!
Becca
Eddie, I love the way you help your daughter decide without distractions. Awesome idea. A diary of outfits is an eye opener. Be kind to yourself through the process and treat it as a learning curve. You'll come out the other side feeling more confident & looking your best for having done it. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHi Becca. Glad you enjoyed this post =) I had to give myself a 'be brave' speech when I decided to share this. It was created for personal use but I knew the idea would be helpful to others. It is a great feeling to know what in our wardrobeis working 'for us'. I nearly took up sewing lessons as a result of this! Some family stuff got in the way & I ended up falling in love with jewellery making instead.
ReplyDelete