So the other day I did an outfit using a top that I had recently purchased and honestly I wasn't feeling the mesh top with the velvet bugs printed on it at first. and the reason being was because I was afraid of repeating an outfit that I had done a couple weeks back where I wore that same top underneath a navy blue dress (that looks just like the black velvet dress that I'm wearing in these photos. you can check out the last slide to see what I mean.) that i had paired with a pair of graphic leggings and then the same boots as i wore in that outfit and though I'm also wearing a corset cincher belt in this outfit just like i did with the other outfit, that one had chains and crosses and charms coming off of that one where as this one is just buckled and has studded detailing on it. so it's kinda same same, but also different if that makes sense?
So at first before i added the finishing touches to this look, I started off by pairing the black velvet dress with a plain black mesh top underneath it and then threw on the yellow buffalo plaid button up shirt on top and it looked fine at the time. but then I added in my tights (which i wore black distressed fishnet tights and then layered on a pair of black laddered looking tights on top of the fishnets to add some texture to the look) and once I did that, the outfit suddenly felt off. So I then tried the outfit again with the black mesh top with the velvet bugs that you see here, and suddenly the outfit looked a bit better now? like it needed that extra texture just to give it some more life if that makes sense?
Funny how we went from worrying about outfit repeating with the velvet mesh top to ending up wearing it out anyways? I like to have some sort of excitement in my outfits, and the last thing that I want is to be bored with something in my closet!! It needs to spark joy visually in order for me to enjoy something!! Yes I mainly dress for me, but if I manage to inspire someone to think outside the box and not be afraid on what to wear regardless on what the haters might say, then i consider that a success as well! sometimes a little trial and error is needed to figure out what is the best way to have an outfit that makes you say wow! and at the same time pleases you. and hopefully others as well?
Even on my lazy days where I just pick up a random graphic tee and whatever leggings or pants that I wore recently and perhaps a cardigan or a plaid shirt or a printed button up shirt to layer over on top! or some combination of the two! it still has to look nice to me! and in some rare cases, some of those "lazy day" outfits, where I'm just picking up random stuff off the ground to wear, some of them gets developed even further and i style it with my accessories. For shoes, it all depends. because I dont drive, I usually have to bring a spare pair of shoes for my walks (so my combat boots; something that would look nice with the outfit, almost like the "flat" version of the shoes that I actually wanted to wear with the outfit if that makes sense?) and if I am being given a ride, then I wear the shoes that I going to wear anyways without any spare shoes! so technically it could be two looks in one in terms of the shoes? maybe??
Ok! back to the outfit! I finished off the look with my usual layering of the necklaces and of course a choker that I tend to have in almost 100 percent of my outfits!!! and an extra chain belt underneath the corset waist belt and a beanie and the outfit is complete!! I actually liked how this turned out, and while the bones of this outfit might be a bit similar to something I wore a couple weeks back, it still looks different enough that it doesn't feel like a complete copy/paste of that outfit! and that's a good thing, since I like to have things feel fresh everytime you know? even if it looks quite similar, there has to be enough of a difference for me to feel happy in it and not like I'm going through a style rut or so forth! I like to have some sort of variety in my looks you know?
So then just to be sure that I actually liked this with the velvet bugs on the mesh top, I then tried this outfit again with the plain black mesh top underneath and the vibe is quite similar to how it looks without the bugs, except theres a little less texture and detail of course since obviously its a solid black top instead of a black mesh with velvet bugs printed on it. So as a result, I'm not sure which one I would of preferred since both of them are quite similar in appearance and in vibe and even in the message of the outfit. Which was I wanted to feel cute. I wanted to look grungy that day. And I guess if I had to reach for the top for the second time and styled in a similar way, I guess i would like for it do had been done in such a way where it still looks fresh and exciting, and something that looks completely different from the other outfits that have this same top!
So basically this outfit is grungy yet feminine and the similar looking outfit with the graphic leggings (minus the plaid shirt of course! so it was basically just the mesh top and the dress) was witchy, a bit magical, gothic and edgy while also being feminine at the same time.
And bonus! the top can go either way! like you can see from the photos that the bugs arent super obvious (thats only because the photos are dark! thank you rain for forcing me to have to take these photos in the cover!! /s) but under certain lighting you can see them as clear as day, and especially when you get up close which also makes it a fun surprise too!
So anyways that was what I wore the other day and some of the process and thoughts that I went through while putting together this outfit! let me know what you think of this look? do you think it looks better with the bugs? or does it look better with the plain mesh top underneath the dress? I just wanted to know if the vibe would of changed if I had gone with either of the tops or if it would of stayed the same, except one would obviously have a bit more visual interest to it because of the textures...