Icing & Glitter
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Body

Body

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Dress: Cos; Shoes: Steve Madden (similar here and here); Hat: H&M (similar here and here)

Here’s the thing, while I have absolutely no problem with Photoshop, I’ve chosen never to use it to alter the way I look on my blog. The reason being that I believe in showing you guys the realest possible version of myself, flaws and all. Which brings me to today’s topic: I’ve always been extremely insecure about my arms, because each pound I gain goes straight there. That’s why you’ll notice I rarely wear sleeveless/strapless clothing. This dress from COS was an exception because when I tried it on, I felt confident, so I decided to go for it. I shot these pictures in New York, and while going through them last night, I felt like my arms didn’t look great.

Since I didn’t love the way I looked, I was tempted to photoshop my arms to make them look the way I wanted to, but after wrestling with the idea, I decided that it wouldn’t be the right thing to do. Guys, as women, we are constantly faced with beauty standards that are completely impossible to achieve. There is a sport-like scrutiny when it comes to everything from our skin to hair to makeup to every inch of our body. While we should all strive to be the best versions of ourselves, everyone falls off the wagon sometimes, and when that happens, instead of letting our insecurities consume us, we should get up and do something about it. So no, I currently don’t look the way I want to, but I’m not going to give into pressure, feel bad about myself, and portray myself to be something different than I am. Instead I’m choosing to deal with those insecurities by trying to get to a healthy place, and meanwhile,  give you the realest version of myself in hopes that I can encourage you to feel positively about your body too.

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62 Comments

  1. Fiona
    July 27, 2016 / 12:22 pm

    Don’t worry – your arms are gorgeous! Love your look, especially the straw hat! <3
    xx Fiona THEDASHINGRIDER.com

  4. The Fashion Folks
    July 27, 2016 / 1:23 pm

    The best part of body insecurities is that they often is something only you see and others have no clue. If you hadn’t written about the arms, I’d never guess that you’d be insecure about them as they look like arms do, and thankfully all arms are more practical than beautiful! And even though it’s difficult to overcome insecurities, because it’s so personal, you should know that there’s nothing weird/wrong with your arms. And even if it was, who cares really, they work perfect and we’d be rather helpless without them! And sorry for the long comment and all the rambling! Love that dress from COS, the vest feeling is so chic! Xx

    http://www.thefashionfolks.com

  6. Britta
    July 27, 2016 / 1:41 pm

    You look amazing babe! So funny that you have the same insecurities about your arms as I do! I never wear sleeveless anything! But this post makes me want to!

  7. Tristan | Gold Lion Style
    July 27, 2016 / 2:22 pm

    There’s something horrible about being a blogger and looking at so many pictures of yourself from every angle that you never wanted to see lol. Sometimes when the lighting and angle is just right I feel like I look almost grotesque! But like you said, insecurities and impossible standards are something we all struggle with and you made the right choice to not try to alter what you’re not happy with 🙂 That aside, I really love this pink blazer/dress getup! You look lovely.

  8. Jenn Lake
    July 27, 2016 / 2:26 pm

    Love this pink on you, lady! Have a wonderful day ahead!

  9. Ivona
    July 27, 2016 / 4:59 pm

    I am so happy that you chose not to photoshop these photos. You look great, and just remember that all of us girls have some part of our body that we’re not too happy about. I bet Giselle has something too 🙂
    You look lovely and the dress is perfect. Enjoy it.
    Ivona from http://www.thesmokedetector.net
    xoxo

  10. Nilla Austin
    July 27, 2016 / 4:59 pm

    This is something I absolutely needed to read today. I recently did an Outfit of the Week post in a maxi dress and I’m also insecure about how my arms look. I loved the pictures taken, but my eyes kept getting drawn to my arms and how large they appeared to me. I’ve always been against altering peoples bodies in photos. The only appearance changing I do in my photos is making skin a bit clearer. It is tempting to want to change your body appearance though. The pressure is real, but I also do my best not to give into it. I want to feel beautiful and happy the way I am instead of trying to cater to someone else’s eyes and giving into societies pressures on beauty. Thanks for sharing your thoughts<3

    platosclosetpreferred.com

  13. Katha
    July 27, 2016 / 7:22 pm

    You look stunning dear 🙂
    Reaaly like this look
    xx Katha
    showthestyle.blogspot.com

  16. Kristiana
    July 27, 2016 / 11:09 pm

    LOVE this dress on you! It’s stunning.
    We all have insecurities about our bodies, and it’s so important to just remember to be ourselves. Great message!

    Kris | Window Seat Style

  17. Filipa Jackson
    July 28, 2016 / 3:17 am

    I’m with you on this, I don’t photoshop either 1. because I have NO idea how to use it 2. because I want to be as authentic as I can

    I think it is important to show ourselves, we are representatives… everyone has our flaws and I think it’s important for us to let everyone know it’s ok.

    I love you writing this, thank you

    Filipa xxx
    PlayingWithApparel.com | Instagram

  18. Jill
    July 28, 2016 / 3:34 am

    Your arms look great, dear! Don’t be silly xx
    And this dress looks gorgeous on you 🙂
    Jill
    Jill D Blog

  19. Violette
    July 28, 2016 / 7:11 am

    I think you don’t need to photoshop anything because you look beautiful just like you are! We all have our flaws and that’s great to show how we are! And I haven’t noticed anything wrong with your arms, they look great!! xx

    http://violettedaily.com

  20. Raysa Garcia
    July 28, 2016 / 7:11 am

    We all have insecurities with our body, that’s normal. We just have to deal with it , and love our body no matter what.
    As for your outfit, I love it! You are beautiful inside and out.
    Stay gorgeous!!
    Xx, Raysa

  21. Gellie
    July 28, 2016 / 8:34 am

    It was only recently that I’ve really started to accept and love myself. I hated my arms, my tummy, my lack of butt… I hated a lot of things with my body and I tried to lose weight the wrong way too with the wrong intentions even. It didn’t end well. I’m glad that although I gained the weight I lost before, I am definitely eating and moving healthier too. I have lost a few pounds again but much slower than before. I actually prefer it that way. 🙂

    xoxo,
    Gelleesh.com

  22. Missy May
    July 28, 2016 / 10:45 am

    Great positive post and I’m glad you didn’t do it. While I don’t retouch my photos, last year I refused to post an outfit post, because I wasn’t secure about the stretch marks on my arms. After battling with my thoughts, I posted them and never looked back since. Your arms are better looking comparing to mine to be honest, but thats not the issue. Lets learn to love ourselves.
    You look wonderful, Siffat. 🙂

    http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

  23. Missy May
    July 28, 2016 / 10:45 am

    Great positive post and I’m glad you didn’t do it. While I don’t retouch my photos, last year I refused to post an outfit post, because I wasn’t secure about the stretch marks on my arms. After battling with my thoughts, I posted them and never looked back since. Your arms are better looking comparing to mine to be honest, but thats not the issue. Lets learn to love ourselves.
    You look wonderful, Siffat. 🙂

    http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk

  25. Kelsey&Kenecha
    July 28, 2016 / 1:03 pm

    You look so stunning doll. I love your shoes 🙂

    Florals&Smiles

  26. Johanna Grange
    July 28, 2016 / 2:30 pm

    What a great dress for summer. Love the sandals, too!

  28. jasna
    July 28, 2016 / 3:59 pm

    The weirdest thing for me about body insecurities is that what one person may not like about their body, another person may love and also people dont notice that..

    But I love that you didnt photo shop and that you are real to your readers, that for me is the most important as a blogger and a reader 🙂

    Love this whole look too!

    Happy Thursday xx

  31. Leftbankgirl
    July 29, 2016 / 1:29 am

    Beautiful post! We all have insecurities about our bodies, bu we shouldn’t. You look amazing and your arms look fantastic. I usually want my arms covered but lately just going with a lot of sleeveless looks for summer and don’t really care. Thanks for posting this!

    http://Leftbankgirl.blogspot.com

  34. Kasie Chelanne
    July 29, 2016 / 4:27 am

    You look stunning in this dress, ZERO Photoshop needed Siffat! But I do know what you mean…we all have those areas of our bodies that we aren’t fully happy. Our vision of what “real” looks like gets so skewed due to Photoshopping so I greatly appreciate and admire that you present yourself as you are. You really look absolutely fabulous.

  35. April Nunez
    July 29, 2016 / 6:05 am

    Ahhh! I really love the outfit, you look stunning! Stay gorgeous and happy weekend! 🙂

    April of: https://beybiapril.wordpress.com/
    Instagram: @aprilnunezz

  36. cvetybaby
    July 29, 2016 / 8:09 am

    The color of the dress is so romantic! Suits you a lot! Great stylish look!
    xx
    cvetybaby.com

  39. Julia (The Velvet Runway)
    July 29, 2016 / 12:09 pm

    You look gorgeous in this dress – I love the colour and your arms look great!
    We all have body insecurities – but I think we notice our own flaws more than other people do! I also love that you didn’t photoshop as I think it’s important to show our real selves – flaws and all!
    Julia x
    http://www.thevelvetrunway.com

  40. Lora
    July 29, 2016 / 12:09 pm

    I’m glad you’re confident enough to show your arms. I promise you, no one else sees your insecurities as flaws, they would just stare at your gorgeous dress!

    http://www.cherrycolastyle.com

  43. REBECCA SULLIVAN
    July 29, 2016 / 12:41 pm

    You look stylish in this outfit!

    I can’t wait for you to see what I’m wearing at the blog right now – come check it out and lemme know what you think!

    Happy Friday!

    Rebecca
    http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com

  45. Kelly K
    July 29, 2016 / 12:58 pm

    I love the message behind this post! It’s so important even when we feel pressure from society, that we stay true to ourselves! I think you look phenomenal!!

    http://www.rosyoutlookblog.com

  47. Amy Arnold
    July 29, 2016 / 2:02 pm

    I am so glad you did not Photoshop them. I NEVER would have thought they look anything but great. Isn’t it funny how we all have our own issues. This dress is perfect on you.

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

  49. Lee
    July 29, 2016 / 4:59 pm

    This dress is GORGEOUS! And for the record, I think your arms look fab girl! And I LOVE that you’ve decided not to photoshop. I totally agree with you – and also don’t like to use that sort of thing on my blog. The way I see it, the reason fashion blogs started is to take some of the power away from fashion magazines and their fakeness, to show what REAL women look like wearing certain clothes and show that ANYONE can look great and feel confident.

    XOXO
    Lee | LegalLee Blonde

  51. Izabela
    July 29, 2016 / 6:32 pm

    What a lovely post, Siffat. I also felt insecure about some of my body parts but I learnt to accept that this is how I look like. You look incredible in that dress.

    http://www.mydailywear.co.uk

  52. Jalisa
    July 29, 2016 / 9:28 pm

    You look absolutely gorgeous, girlie! I adore that pink vest, it’s so chic and looks so good on you! I love how real and open you are with how you feel about your own body and societies exceptions of us women in how we should look. The fact of the matter is that we ALL have insecurities and like you said, we hold the choice and power to do something about it. While going through the journey in working on those areas, it’s important to dress in a way that makes us feel confident because it really is the best motivator to keep us going! Thanks so much for sharing, beauty, and I hope you have the most amazing weekend ahead!

    XO,

    Jalisa
    http://www.thestylecontour.com

  53. Monika
    July 29, 2016 / 10:55 pm

    We all have our insecurities but I’m glad you were open enough to sharing yours. I think you look great and I really appreciate that you don’t overprocess or photoshop your pictures. There is a lot of fakeness going around and it doesn’t help any of us when we give into altering our appearances.

    -M

    Violet Roots || Instagram || Twitter

  54. Melis
    July 30, 2016 / 1:11 am

    i love your honesty here and i’m so glad you chose to post the photos as is and be accepting of who you are! that’s such an important message and i wish everyone chose to be this way instead. you’re such an inspiring person! i love this look and it’s such a perfect setting! keep on rocking girl!!

    Melis xx
    http://fashionmews.com

  56. Agatha
    July 30, 2016 / 6:53 am

    You look fabulous! Trust us! Love the color of this dress!

  57. Aiko Cunanan
    July 30, 2016 / 7:51 am

    How do you always look so gorgeous?!! Love the pink dress! Also, I don’t blame you for not using photoshop, honestly you don’t need it <3

    xo,

    aikocunanan.com

  60. Yasmin
    August 5, 2016 / 12:56 am

    I love your honesty. Instead of hiding it by Photoshopping, you put it front and center and started a discussion. I was really insecure about my arms too for a long time. I had gained a ton of weight in the last few years and one guy I was talking to even pointed out how I was much fatter I was than the last time he saw me (many years had passed). Can you believe that? Yes I’m not my skinny 25 year-old self anymore. Well, after taking it as an insult initially, it actually motivated me. I didn’t care what he thought. What mattered was what I thought about myself. And I continue to make those thoughts as positive as I can. It’s a struggle sometimes, but it’s always helpful to have other women point out that they struggle too. It reminds us that we’re all human. We are flawed. But everything about us, perceived flaws and all, is beautiful.

  61. Pari
    August 16, 2016 / 1:51 pm

    I don’t get it – what’s wrong with your arms??? They look perfect to me! You look amazing and trust me, you have zero to worry about re: body image!

  62. Solasulu
    August 17, 2016 / 7:17 am

    This colour is so beautiful and feminine on you. And you are one gorgeous lady. Good on you for posting the images and moving beyond insecurity.

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