You always look so confident! I agree, trying new things makes me feel self-conscious and I usually wear new silhouettes around the house first, so I can get used to them.
This thread made me laugh and remember, many years ago, when I wanted to play basketball in high school and my dad looked at me doubtfully and said, "You know you come from a long line of short round people." (I did play, with none of the advantages of tall or fast ancestors).
Now I look at my photos and think that I will dress my best, even though I come from a long line of short round people.

Shannon;
What I remember most about your slouchy pants (and I generally don't hold memories of WIWs for all that long) is how absolutely wonderfully they fit in the back, and how hard it is for at least me to get that type of fit. I was very, very impressed. (The front looked great, too!) I also wanted to add that I've always thought your photos slightly distort your body, something about the lens or angle such that I've always felt that you would look a bit different IRL or say, if a pro like Greg took your pic. I have two full length mirrors in my house, and each gives me slightly different proportions. This has led me to the conclusion that cameras and mirrors DO lie, same with magazine pics.

Shannon, I was going to offer a hug and commiserations, but since you're moving on, I will only say that I agree 100% with Diana and Ana on the vagaries of photography. Like so many others, the first thing I see when I open your WIWs is this lovely, stylish, witty, joyous woman that I'd love to call a friend in real life. And yours is one of the names I always keep a keen eye out for in the WIW stacks --- go tell your camera and your mirror that. (And thanks to Amy for that quick show-and-tell, which SO brought the lesson home.)

I have to agree with DonnaF --- mirrors lie too. I have NO idea any more what I *actually* look like in real life, between an assortment of mirrors and cameras in my life! I need Suz's blender brain installed in my head, please. (Thanks, Suz, am still chuckling over that one.)

I also wanted to say I totally get the trepidation and angst --- as well as euphoria --- of posting WIWs. I still have body image issues of my own, and the first few WIWs I posted turned me into a gibbering wreck almost! This is NORMAL with the social conditioning none of us have escaped, and all of us have taken on board in some form or other, to differing degrees. Yes, we militate against it, each in our own way and with varying vigour --- but hey, why do you think any of us seek validation not just on YLF but from family members and friends? We really *don't* know what we look like or exactly what to think. The eye see not itself...truly! And not even through mirrors and other eyes, exactly. Like Shevia, I for one am often in a state of disconnect from my photograph. I am *appalled* by candid images posted by friends on Facebook etc and hurry to untag myself before I wreck my confidence from staring at it all day. (Erm, sorry, this is not 'moving on', right? I'll shut up now.)

PS: High five for Fern, from a fellow short (4'10''!) and round (51kg in high school?) basketball player! I'm clumsy and was never great at the game exactly, but boy did I have fun.

I look forward to your posts! It's a treat, and I admire your confidence and the fact that you have fun with fashion. I hope your spirits lift soon. FWIW, here is a true confession. Hubby wanted to buy me a nice outfit in Italy for our anniversary. He thought I could do better than my initial choice (he's honest with me) and we found a couple of others we both liked very much. These were nice pieces, and returns were not possible, so I was cautious and thorough. Ultimately I asked him to take a couple of photos. And they freaked me out. I totally wanted to walk away because what I saw in the photo did not match what I saw in the mirror. It was a horrible feeling. Hubby insisted and persisted, and I ultimately I just trusted him because he does tell me the truth. I haven't worn the new things yet because I'm insecure. But I will. I HATE that we do this to ourselves!!! Thanks for sharing your story.

Hi Shannon --

So glad you are feeling re-oriented since your original post. Others have said it much better than I (especially about photo angles/lighting).

I don't keep up with WIWs but it seems like whenever I see one of yours I see a pulled-together woman wearing clothing that does her justice!

Taking and posting photos has been a curious experience for me, too. I know that I am objectively very fat, it's just a fact of life and I'm trying to move on. But it is interesting that my image of how I look in my head is so different from the reality. Case in point is the photos of me wearing the jean skirt and camisole from last week. I was appalled to realize how much bigger and flabbier my back looks versus the front view, and it wasn't until looking at the side view that I saw my sway back posture.

I've been trying to take a detached view of these things. So much of my life has been spent mired in depression and self-hatred over the size and appearance of my body, but I'm really rather sick and tired of it and want to focus on dressing like a human being who deserves to be treated well. Part of that is learning to look at frank photos that show my real proportions and, rather than being disgusted and going on a self-hating tirade, looking at what does and doesn't work on those proportions.

Shannon, you have moved on but I just wanted to say thank you for sharing so openly. I completely relate to how you were feeling. I had some time to myself tonight and was playing around with a couple of new things and there was a real discrepancy between what I was seeing in the mirror and what I saw in the photos... It makes me start to wonder just how deluded I might be about some of my garment choices lol. It would be interesting to hear Angie's thoughts on now outfits can look so different in the mirror to a photo.

I know you are not fishing for compliments, but let me compliment you any way:). I love your posts, I think you have great style and I am constantly inspired by your outfits. I love that you are a fellow thrifter and have so much fun with fashion. xxx

I don't have much wisdom to add, but wanted to say that I empathise - I hate the way the photos I take make me feel sometimes, and the conditioning that we must all be very tall and very, very slender or we don't look good

I've also realised that photos don't tell the whole story, and that all the mirrors in my house make me look different - so I am confused, and in need of Suz's brain blender!

We are our own worst critics, Shannon. I think you are fabulous!!!!

I just wanted to say I that admire and I am thankful to all of you, who post pictures of yourselves. I tried journaling my outfits, since I really wanted to go on posting daily WIWs, but decided I could not handle it. I felt like I had to "up" myself everyday, and started questioning every single thing I wear and own. I suppose I don't have the self esteem to put myself out there, like you do.

When I look at someone's WIW photos, I am more interested in the clothing, how well the clothes fit, are the colors flattering, etc than in assessing the person's height or weight. I always think you look great, I've never said wow she's short! Oftentimes one is their own worst critic. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Oops - I know you want this thread to die a quick death, Shannon, but I have to chime in and say honestly the camera can be deceiving. I noticed this with my digital, particularly when the flash is on. Hopefully a photog/expert can weigh in on why, but often I'm surprised by how some shots I take of myself and others don't resemble reality accurately. The light catches angles, and flattens or highlights in a distorted way at times, depending on the pose. I took several pics at a girlfriend's party last weekend and was stunned they do not flatter the (very stylish and attractive) guests all that well. I recall telling my SO, "She looks SO much better in real life!" Bad camera! Tsk. Anyway. Try not to overanalyze your body in photos. Perhaps try taking a quick video of yourself instead, walking forward then away (if your camera has it). I find that MUCH more helpful to discern what I look like in my outfits!

Wow. I do not even know how to begin to thank you all so much for your input. You've all made such excellent points about camera angles and lighting, mirror dysmorphia, etc. And you've shared personal insights and experiences which I find brave and helpful. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who has felt this.

I feel wrapped in a giant YLF hug and I truly thank you all!

Am I too late? What everyone else said!

Also, seriously, when did "short" and "fat" become such terrible things? There is nothing wrong with being being untall or shaped like a girl!

I will give you short, but I don't concede on "fat". I remember seeing your first few WIW postings and instantly thinking you were so cool! I absolutely loved how you incorporated edge into your looks without looking sloppy or inappropriate or trying to look like a teenager. I love your hair and glasses and they say "hip and artistic". I think the edgy side of your style and retro side of your style have to/should/could play well together. When I see some of your winter looks, my eye immediately goes to how you have your own style point of view and that implies that you know you are cool and therefore could care less about the risk of wearing something that might not be the easiest to wear or worrying about things you can't change (like being a mini-pin).

I think part of it is that you don't have your spring/summer style as figured out. Not trying to force you against your wishes, but I think some of your summer looks are missing the strength that your winter looks had. I think you need a little edge, or a little in-your-face retro (like the red polka dot jacket) peppered in a bit more often. Wear things that make you feel awesome and powerful and in my experience suddenly it matters less that you aren't tall and thin.

I havent seen a pic of myself that Ive liked in over 30 yrs, since I gained so much weight. Its not that I dont think heavier ladies can be lovely! They certainly can and we have several here, but I just.HATE. pics of myself so I can sympathize..although honestly, you are VERY pretty and have looked great in every WIW that Ive seen...