I think it's just not what you're used to wearing and that's made you overly critical about it. I think when we're out of our comfort zone, we are at our worst!

I also immediately go to feelings of sloppiness when outfits dont fit like I want them to fit in my head (or on paper, or like I saw on Pinterest or here), and the anxiety of it all just eats me up. Sometimes it's something little -- the dress twists when you walk, the sleeves look bunchy when you do XYZ, or any number of outfit quirks that don't show in pictures. That could just be the nature of clothing.

You look great, you have glossy healthy hair, a lovely figure and your outfit is not at all sloppy.

I agree try the dress with different accessories and shoes at home and see how it works. I love your bangs ( I have a cowlick and can't have them unless I am prepared to wash and straighten every day!).

I am self conscious in photos too. So I totally know the feeling you are talking about.

Hi Twinkling, I think your outfit looks very soft, romantic and ethereal and whilst I'm looking at the pics I have Angie's words swirling through my mind 'it takes a lot of courage to defy your environmental norm'.

OK, you look beautiful. The dress is lovely and I think you wear it very well. I see nothing at all sloppy about it. I think the whole look is very harmonious; everything (clothes, shoes, hair) goes together into a coherent whole.

However, this outfit is definitely different; it's dressier, more feminine, more refined than what your random woman on the street is going to be wearing. As Jules mentioned right above me, you are defying environmental norms and that takes courage and will attract a certain amount of attention. I know I definitely have days where I love that, and days where I just don't want to be noticed, and I will tailor my outfit choices accordingly (no bright orange pants on those days when I want to hide!).

I guess the other big question is: Does this outfit feel authentically you? And are you comfortable wearing it? Because for me the biggest thing about wearing an outfit that's kind of "out there" compared to the rest of world is that I have to be comfortable in it both psychologically and physically. I feel like I walk differently and carry myself differently if I'm not comfortable, and I'm pretty sure it shows to outside observers.

It is certainly not sloppy. Perhaps try removing 1 or more of the bows, like the others have suggested, and see how you like it. Or style your hair differently (up)?

You remind me instantly of Rachel Bilson! You're gorgeous, and this is a sweet, beautiful look on you! I hope you'll continue to explore it. It's perfect on you. And it does not look one bit sloppy.

I'm short on time, so I haven't read all the replies yet. But I will say this:

Wow, you guys are amazing! You have given me a LOT to think about, and I absolutely promise not every single thread I start is going to be so gosh darn negative!

I'm going to try the method perhaps taking some things away like the hairbow, or maybe try pairing it with a blouse that might not have quite so much loose fabric. I don't think it looks very good without a blouse personally since the top of the dress feels a little TOO casual compared to the bottom of the dress. I wonder if adding some thick lace around the hemline would help make it feel more cohesive to me.

To answer a question I think was kind of important...this style does feel like me, but I'm not the type of person who is very self assured. I used to wear jeans and sweatshirts and the like, but I never felt comfortable. Once I started gravitating toward skirts and more frillier types of fabrics I felt SO much happier! At least until I stepped out the door, because you guys hit the nail right on the head. It's just not the type of things I tend to see other ladies wearing often, and then I worry that I'm doing it wrong. That instead of looking as pretty as I did when I was safely inside my own home, I actually look like a clown to everyone else. So I guess it's really a balance more than anything? How to confidently wear what I truly love and feels like me without standing out so much?

So thank you, thank you all so much for your kind words and thoughtful insight. I feel so happy to be able to discuss these things with so many wonderful people and get some ideas I hadn't even considered before!

Hey it's ok just remember even the ,most confident person has insecurities. I beat get around them by wearing sunglasses I use to wear hats pulled way down low.

I think your outfit is cute- and you have gorgeous hair!
You mentioned jackets being tricky due to being curvy- I have found a way round this is to keep them short and fitted to the waist, or have a peplum at the waist, as otherwise the width I need at the hips makes the whole jacket look rather wide and unflattering.

Re: jackets. Try Nanette lepore. She makes the best jackets and cuts them short and hourglassy. The aesthetic would definitely match too.

Wow, you look great!
I liked rachylou's suggestions for the outfit, but still you would have to decide if that gets it to become more "you". I like juxtaposing a lot, but that may not be you. So I'd like the more fitted tissue-T under the dress instead of the full sleeves and bow, Or a cropped denim jacket over the dress. I think that would still look very girly and lovely but ground the outfit more and let the skirt stand out as the frilly element. Sometimes juxtaposing like that is even more feminine because the best delicate element (here the skirt) isn't drowned out or competing with other features.
Anyway, you are on the right track to just play with the different elements and see when it starts to "click" for you.

GORGEOUS.

Good lord. Seriously. I love it.