Some of you might know I’m a big Weight Watchers fan.
I lost 3 stone with them about 4 years ago, and I’m back using the online version now as about a stone of that “crept” back on over the last year. I’m not doing well at this exact moment in time, but that’s a story for another day!
At the moment Weight Watchers are running a campaign that taps into one of my frequent opportunities for rants. Giving your old clothing to Charity. I’m immensely infuriated by how complicated some Charities seem to want to make it for people with full-time jobs and lives to donate stuff to Charity. That’s why I supported the BHF drive that I styled a window for, and that’s why further down this post you’re going to see some really embarrassing photos of me in hideous clothing.
Essentially the campaign is being run with a site called Clothes for Cash. It’s bit like Cash for Gold, and a bit like those commercial collection bags that drop through your door that are doing the charities out of lots of money. Except in this instance the money IS going to charity. Specifically it’s going to Tommy’s which is something to do with giving babies a good start in life. I shan’t pretend I know much about it after my brief reading on the website, it appears to fund research into the causes of miscarriage, premature birth and still birth which seems to be a worthy cause!
As well as getting someone to come and pick up all your old clothes you can also raise extra money by using their Facebook App to confess your style crimes. I found it a bit confusing to use, but essentially if you click “donate your wall” you fill in a form, tell them what your hideous style crime is and then that gets posted to your Facebook wall to encourage all your friends to do the same. For the first 50,000 “confessions” Weight Watchers are donating 10p to Tommy’s. When I checked while writing this post they’d made £4.80 so you should probably go and give them a bit of a hand.
Anyway. My style confession was a pair of white denim flares, so in my perpetual quest to keep you entertained and make you laugh so hard that tea comes out of your nose I decided to actually put them on and take photos of myself.
That wry smile is the face of a Woman who knows she’s about to post photos of herself on the internet wearing the most unflattering item of clothing known to the world. Not only that, but she hasn’t put her lipstick on today and can’t be bothered to do it now.
You might also notice I at least attempted a slightly flattering, side on, leg bent, hand resting gently on thigh pose to minimise the pain for all of us.
I bought these trousers in about 2001. They are Fornarina denim jeans and they fit me surprisingly well at the time, though they were far too long. I took them up, and wore them once with a turquoise Toby Pimlico Gypsy top that said “I don’t have the time” on the front. They weren’t cheap, for then student me, but it’s OK because I bought them from a catalogue so I’m probably still paying for them now.
The first time I wore them they were filthy by the end of the night with beer and cigarette ash, and then I never wore them again.
Of course, older, wiser, me also knows that people with size 14 bottoms shouldn’t wear bright white hipster jeans that cut them off right at their widest point. Seriously, I blame Jennifer Lopez, she was all the rage back then.
Cringe. Look, they’re so long they give me that “no feet” look favoured by “what were you thinking” columns everywhere.
So why are they still in my wardrobe? I really don’t know. Every time I do a big clear out I can’t bring myself to get rid of them. Maybe I remember how excited I was when I bought them. Maybe I’m convinced I’m about to be invited to a 70s party and can team them with a bright pink afro wig for that classic hen party style. Who knows. Either way they’ve somehow survived many a wardrobe cull over the years, yet never made it back onto my person, until now.
So there you go. Now get yourself over to the Facebook app and help them get above a tenner at least!
*cough* Whilst I’m here you can still vote for me in the Cosmo Blog Awards under Established Fashion Blogs, seriously those blogs I’m up against are HUGE, I just don’t want to be embarrassed when they tot up the scores…..
Comments
17 responses to “Clothing Confessions”
Although I’m not a fan of the style I don’t think you look half bad in them at all! I parted with my worst fashion disaster when I was about 16 and I know even if I hadn’t they would probably only fit on my forearm anyway.
It was the 80s so please remember this and I had a pair of plaid/checked cropped trousers/peddle pushers, but they were not even as tasteful as I’m describing cos they had a more jodphur look about them, they were ghastly and certainly didn’t suit my under 5 foot slightly chubby frame, I remember how awful I looked in them to this day!
I agree they actually don’t look too bad!! I am terrible for not trying on and until recently would buy things then never wear them as they didn’t fit / looked awful, I have had so many disasters!
In my opinion… you look pretty good in those denims. For me white denims are normally a no-no… I don’t wear much white, apart from t-shirts, and denims are hard to pull off, but these are obviously well made and end up being quite nice 😛
It’s a great initiative in any case. And you look lovely even with no make up, especially the 1st picture, it’s a beautiful snap of you Gemma x
This is probably not what I should say but…….I think you look trim and erm…perky in those! I don’t think your bottom is the one to prove that white jeans are unflattering on anyone over a size 8! ;o)
I agree with Fiona, while I don’t care for the style they do look rockin’ on you! Okay, well except for the no foot thing, I admit. LOL I still haven’t established if people actually like that look, or just don’t get their pants hemmed? I see it constantly working in downtown Chicago. Anyway, bravo to you for showing them to us! I know I’ve had so many things in my wardrobe that I should have been horse whipped for ever wearing…!
I have the perfect mustard yellow fake fur coat for those jeans. You look pretty good in them!
Fortunately I dont think I have any pictures of my fashion mistakes – my yellow and black dress and jumper combo, the purple jeans I lived in or the grey leggings with postage stamp print teamed with a mans xxl jumper…there is a long list.
You look a darn sight better than most people in those white trews. And you are not alone, I too had a pair in 1999; I used to wear them with a lurex aqua halter top which was, essentially, a bikini. I blamed Ginger Spice.
I still own my SMALLEST top, it is just a band of gold sequins. Goodness knows why, I daren’t wear it.
I still own my smallest top too! It’s a black silk handkerchief top with embroidery, it’s actually quite beautiful, which is why it isn’t in this post, but I’m never going to wear it again!
Love this idea. I’ve just posted.
I’m not a fan of white trousers (I’m a ‘trousers should only be blue, black, grey or brown girl) but they look good on you! I’d love to know where this ‘extra’ stone in weight has gone on you because you’re smokin’ hot!
Sorry, I’m in agreement with the masses. You look like a cutie-patootie!
Yes, white flares are a little daring, but youn look rather cracjking in them… they make your bottom look particularly smashing!
On the plus side… your bum looks awesome in them 🙂
What can I say? I really think, although it’s not your style, you really look good in those trousers, as the others already said!
B.
I also had a pair of these, purchased some time ago when I was obviously having issues, worn once with a complicated peach “boob tube with diamante halterneck” thingy, and white stilletto platforms (with metal studs on). I’m happy to say they have all been re-homed following the recent wardrobe purge, during which common sense was restored!!!! Thank goodness! X
I can see why white pants might not be the best choice for every day life, but you should definitely wear jeans more often–your butt looks soooo good in pants! I’m more than a little jealous 🙂 I’m on WW too, and you’re basically my “goal weight” picture!
Um, actually I think you look really good in them! As a matter of fact you’re giving me serious bum envy. I’ve got a size 14 one too but mine would never look this good in a pair of jeans!