#im glad I chose pearl for my part

[dawndauce]

pearly for the art collab we did

[eeblouissant]

[If you're not taking anons about this just ignore this ~<3] completely agree about Dorothy, especially her having insecurities about being seen as masculine and how she voices it during the show so many times. I always headcanoned it as a big reason she never addressed her sexuality; when people aren't calling her an ugly man they're saying she's a lesbian directly because of certain traits and features she has, it makes sense she'd reject that part of herself because its tied to decades of painful remarks on top of everything else. And I do think it could be genuinely triggering for her to be expected to be masculine or want to perform certain acts in that sense - the idea that even someone who seems to understand her and want her and love still doesn't see her as a woman. Ofc those things aren't tied together in reality but you could make a solid case for why they would be to Dorothy.

anon anon anon !!!!! You’ve completely read my mind & looked into my soul here - you get me !!!!!!!!

10/10 no notes honestly (and omg nooo !!! ask away always always <33) butttt you mentioned something I hadn’t thought of before so I must talk about it!!!; the topic of her sexuality also being upsetting for this reason. holy, you are right on the money I think. Even now, when lots of people think of the word lesbian we have been taught to think of masculine traits. I cannot imagine what it was like then - if now we’ve come so far, & yet….

This makes me think of Jean, Dorothy’s (arguably life long, I mean - since college??!! quite the strong bond they’ve got) friend. She doesn’t present “stereotypically lesbian” at all. She’s like textbook femme!! I wonder if how big of a part she’s played in Dorothy’s life has anything to do with that. I wonder if she envy’s her? Because here’s jean, an open, & proud lesbian. Whom you’d never suspect because “she could have any man she wants?!” - and then there’s Dorothy. Tall, broad shoulders, “manly hips” (among many, many other cruel insults - I actually really hate hate hate the pearls or chain scene a lot.) Dorothy. Whom everyone automatically assumes is a lesbian - but never for the right or respectful reasons? It’s always used on her as an insult or to further push on her insecurities ??!! like Jesus. Makes sense she’d never want to uncover that. Also makes me want to headcanon her being unlabelled too instead of using strong labels - I’m getting the vibe now that she kind of just ?? wants to love & be loved ?? like deep down she’d know that she’s strictly into women and what that means / labels it comes with but tbh? labels might be upsetting for her also. Especially when they’ve been used to hurt and bash her for so many years. many thoughts …

I really do NOT fuck with all those scenes where they gang up on Dorothy like I really cannot express it enough, no wonder it began to actually affect Bea in real life to the point she chose to leave because of it (among other reasons yes I know, but when I saw that this was one I just about cried)

Anyway, just makes me think about Dorothy thinking about how jean does it. The jealousy, the angst potential, all that good stuff.

I also have to comment on - YES. Yes yes yes !!! I also agree that it is gen triggering for her to be expected to be masculine / seen that way / dress that way / etc etc etc !!!!! constant bullying will do that to you !!!!! I wanted to say something similar in that post on my side acc but I wasn’t sure if it would have been taken the right way :’) like, wearing the strap?? absolutely out of the question !!!!!!! thank you for speaking my innermost thoughts <3333

In conclusion Dorothy’s queen of the pillow princesses in my head im v glad (and shocked tbh 😭) you guys are seeing the vision ??!! thank u <3

[tamhrayis]

Jeff Buckley Anon here again-

I'm do glad you enjoyed the recs and will explore more. If you don't mind, and don't feel like you have to answer this quickly b/c I know you must be busy, but I was wondering... why do you think fate chose Eren? He said himself he didn't know why he wanted to destroy the world and start clean. Do you think it was Ymir? It reminds me of the scene with Kruger and Grisha when he says that he isn't sure what was guiding him either. You know...after he said something about saving Mikasa and Armin? It makes it all so much more tragic and Idk...im tearing up thinking about it. Beautiful isn't the word I'm looking for. But for some reason I like that Eren didn't know either because it let me know that even though he had the worst ultimatum (sort of like making a deal with the devil) this wasn't his will. He never wanted to kill all these people.

But why was he chosen? He couldn't have known his father said he was free as a baby. Not until that last panel (oh excuse me memory shard) was shown to him. It might be easier to understand if there was a time loop but there wasn't. So did Ymir start his path from birth knowing there was something about his nature, his tenacity that she could use?

Eren accidentally lead Dina to his mother, so that couldn't be the thing that started this. This is really the only thing going around in my head! Sorry if this sounds jumbled.

PS "Black" by Pearl Jam is Eremika all the way. Except the part about finding someone else. I just don't think she has a mind to and never will. I COULD BE WRONG but from my pov, being married...I just don't want anyone else and don't think I need to move on to someone else in order to be fulfilled. You never know, but their love was so tragic I just don't see Mikasa having anyone else. She will have a beautiful fulfilling life and pass on to be with Eren I again. But that's just my inflated two cents!

And thank you for the post connecting the lyrics to the song. You're awesome!

Hello, again! 

I think it’s time to touch this topic, because I really wanted to write what Eren’s motivation was after all and I’ve waited to see Eren’s POV on the things happened around him. 

From my personal observations that I’ve made during rereading and writing analysis on Eren’s character, I noticed that he has never stated why exactly he is doing everything. I mean, yes, at first Eren was motivated by revenge, but the fire of his revenge calmed down after he found out that he is also a titan and he generally became more focused on his dream with Armin about seeing the outside world. Then, of course, this whole “the world is our enemy” thing kicked in and everything slowly resulted in rumbling. 

However, I would like to say...Many people forgot that Eren was never a rational person. Eren always acted as he feels like and he is highly emotional. Undoubtedly, he came to controlling his emotions, which I actually tricked many people (*cough* dudebros/AnR enthusiasts *cough*), but as Eren himself said in ch.121, he was always the same. The only thing that has changed in him was his approach of reaching goals, because Eren understood that in order to make people believe in his “big bad” persona, he has to become who he was this whole arc, a cold and “serious” person. 

If we look back, Eren activated the coordinate simply because he wanted to protect Mikasa. He drank the spinal fluid (?) that gave him crystallization/hardening, because he wanted to save his friends in the crystal cave. Eren has turned himself into a titan, because he didn’t want to die in Trost without accomplishing his goal (this hits very hard right now). There are many examples of Eren acting simply based on his feelings, but I think you got what I am talking about. 

As for why did Ymir choose Eren...She knew that he is the best option to carry out this mission that followed every Attack Titan’s holder (Grisha and Kruger). I believe that the Attack Titan was the embodiment of Ymir’s desperation for freedom and this spirit followed each of the users. 

Eren was the person she was looking for, because he is very determined and selfless. I believe that Ymir can see when the new Eldians are born, because the coordinate looks like a tree and she can see the new branches being added (since they are her subjects and each of them is related to her). She knew that Eren doesn’t necessarily need a rational reason for the mission as long as it gives him the right emotions to keep moving forward (for example, anger). 

I don’t think that Eren actually intended to kill Carla, but it was the result of the (unconscious) choice he or Ymir did. If Bertholdt wasn’t saved on that day, Armin would die in the future and the conversation between him and Zeke wouldn't happen etc. Ymir needed Eren to continue guiding Mikasa to him and keep her making choices until they meet. 

So was Ymir’s goal = Eren’s goal? I don’t think it was solely because Ymir wanted him to do these things. Eren’s feelings were also included into the mixture. He wanted to erase the world, because he saw the “enemies” as an obstacle of reaching his nonexistent concept of “freedom”. But...again, Eren didn’t exactly knew why he needs this freedom. Maybe it was because the thought about the outside world inspired him, but then gave the sense of unfairness and anger. Perhaps, he was scared for his friends and their future. Maybe that was simply what he wanted, but that didn't really matter to Ymir, because no matter what he did, it still would depend on Mikasa’s choice. 

P.S. “Black” is so nice. A perfect song to listen in chill summer evenings. 

[tdrcycle09]

Rags To Riches Ball Part III: Regally Royal Couture

Our next category celebrates all those who have sat on the throne, decked out in drag inspired by kings and queens of the past! With this, our final 4 are also telling us why they should win to get their own crown and throne too! Let’s see what they’ve done!

Analyse Thropic

Lila: Analyse, you are breathtaking. You turn a silhouette that is arguably quite simplistic, intelligently select colour stories and fabrics to go with it, accessorize it extremely, and produce makeup and hair that you may not think goes with the outfit, and man, does it come together. This is such a fucking strong ass look, the concept is so right and I literally die from how Elizabethan it is in design. There are issues, like the lace could’ve came all the way down, and it could’ve had this Vera Wang look to it that would’ve made it more breaktaking, but that’s just me. Your makeup is absolutely stunning in this category and you should be extremely proud because this is a makeup that really made me audibly gasp when opening the link to the pictures. You’ve came such a long way from Charm School and it’s so amazing to see you create such powerful strides.You are truly a TDR success story - and the first queen to truly make me cry. Analyse, it has been such a remarkable journey with you in the past 5 months, and I am so proud to stand by while you go through from strength to strength in this competition, and see you tackle some of the most ambitious challenges in TDR herstory without complaining or being defeatist about anything really was a breath of fresh air. Your speech honestly refreshed my mind and really had me nodding my head, agreeing with your statements and you didn’t filibuster into the realm of repetition, nor did you make it all about yourself. You acknowledge your low points and defend yourself well over those points, and I honestly love a queen who can carry themselves like you can. Analyse, you’ve done amazing this cycle, and I really can’t wait to see what you do in the future, no matter the outcome.

Letha: Analyse Thropic, Miss Royal Tea. You picked a great color palette for this look, as the colors of gold and purple go with royalty while not necessarily borrowing from a specific monarch in particular. I love the ruffs as well as the belt, and from the waist up, I like the outfit, but I don't love the bottom half as much, the length of the gold skirt makes it a bit too business fish for my taste. The hair is a bit of a wash as far as styling goes, but the crown on top does help to make it more regal. Love the nails on gloves, they're the best kind of tacky. I like parts of the makeup, the lips and eyes are great, and the pearl forehead/eyebrows are also good, but the rest of the pearls on the face doesn't read as glamorous for me. Your winning speech was inspiring and you talking about your growth and journey throughout Charm School and Cycle 9 really illustrates how far you have come, and I can only hope that someone watching it becomes motivated to follow their own drag and begin a journey like yours. You should be very proud of your work, Analyse, because I know I am. 

Toni: I loved this look, I think its very well done and I think its clear who you are a queen based around this look. Just a few things thought: Your hair is really confusing looking at it, im not totally sure what its doing but I don’t like it. I also wish that the lining went all the way down to the floor because it would have made it very much ROYAL and I think it’s a bit missing. The speech was beautiful and well spoken. It was funny when it needed to be, serious and heartfelt when needed, and I think it really went over well and gave you a strong platform. 

Gluttoni:  What a beautiful queen you make Analyse! This look is quite stunning and I think my favorite reason why is because of your color palette you chose. The golden champagne color along with that royal deep purple is honestly such smart choice girl! I’m obsessed with the design of your crown and the amazing negative space of it. It’s honestly a gorgeous look but it’s lacking in some areas for me. The hair is definitely you signature color and great length but it need some serious styling in my eyes because it just looked too fried with this polished look. Also you lose me a bit with the underskirt length because it’s just a tad awkward with the sheer panel.  Good job regardless. Your speech was very well spoken and honestly you gave very solid points that really moved me. You should be proud my favorite skin cavity.

Avana Noir

Lila: UGH. This concept is so smart and I get your convention that you set out to achieve. Your hair is so good, literally love this hair on you and paired with this makeup, you LOOK SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL. The makeup is fucking stunning Avana - STUNNING.The colours are strong here, if your silhouette was more of a flair than a ball - shape, then I would’ve enjoyed this a lot more. But without that - I feel your concept is superb. I foresaw this being the route you took, your Mexican heritage should be a proud staple and the chance to express it like this, like I’m proud of you. You have such a great presence when you’re on camera, you have the ability to make me laugh, make me cry, and make me believe that you believe that you can win this. Your points in your speech came across really genuine, I feel such a strong connection to those who go through TDR in a way that you have - you seemed anxious at times, you undermined your work when nothing was really wrong with it, and now, you’ve overcame a sort of renaissance period where you are good enough and you are the one to watch - you’ve acknowledged some of your “mistakes” and you’ve managed to overcome them. Look where you stand. You are such a warm glow in a community that could be watching their Next Drag Superstar. One of the biggest points of TDR is growth - personal growth and growth in drag - and your potential is starting to shine brighter than you know it!

Letha: Avana Noir, or is it just Avana???? Either way, Queen. This look is really great and I love your thought process for it, making it regal but also about your heritage. The color scheme is great, but I do wish you had a strap to hold up the top and stop it from flopping, because otherwise it'd be perfect. The hair goes very well with the look, and the makeup is STUNNING, you really knocked that part out of the park. Your speech was entertaining and funny, as you always are, and you discussing your growth during your time here, as well as you finding your community here, is always so great to hear that someone has gotten that out of their cycle. Know that these friendships will last beyond this competition if you want them to, and that just because we may all live in separate places, we're all sisters and having a network of such fabulous and creative people is like nothing else on this Earth. I am so proud of you, Avana, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for you.

Toni: I love love love that you went in and made a whole fucking ball gown for this!!! Its rough around the edges but it’s totally amazing for a first try!! I think if you had slowed down and focused on making more ruffles and make sure the lace looked nice this would have been stellar!!! I also think that this could have helped with straps because right now it looks like its barely holding on to your chest. Your speech was so very very very you!!!! It was fun and light hearted but had the slight seriousness that I’ve come to appreciate from you ❤

Gluttoni:  Right in time for Cinco De Mayo, you give it to us with this beautiful Mexican queen look. I love that you pick something so close and meaningful to the person that you are. I love the mug and you really look like doll that you would get as a souvenir for visiting Mexico. Your speech was hilarious. I really got some good hardy laughs out of it and I’m so glad you are owning everything that you are and really bringing what you had along to the competition. Good luck henny.

Lexi Lamour

Lila: I like your Marie Antoinette a lot - The colour scheme is almost very Cinderella as Marie Antoinette, and truly the makeup is just such a standout. Your costuming is coming across for me, very halloweeny store at the bodice line, however with the flare out it’s extremely draggy and it balances out the Yin and Yang pretty much. Your hair is so good and I just think the powder blue is just so fucking beautiful for this scheme like wow. Another success story comes from culminating, well, success, in TDR. Your speech made me choke up a bit and I’m really glad you explained yourself in your reasoning for your personal situation. It sucks to be in such a tight spot and obviously knowing your passion and determination to win this, it must’ve been such a dire situation to be in. For me, you really hit home about some of your points - remember to relax on camera too - we’re only behind the screen and that lense isn’t an eye for the CIA to stare at you through! Touching on your success restored a lot of your achievements in this cycle and I think you should really be proud of what you’ve managed to achieve and succeed in through your journey in this cycle - the amount of friends you’ve made, the new challenges you’ll face afterward, and the support system that you can always turn to. Really, you’ve done such a great job this cycle, Lexi. Don’t forget about it.

Letha: Lexi Lamour, are you you gonna finish that cake or can the children have some? This look screams ROYAL and is so opulent, I am amazed. Even if you didn't make it, you sold the garment and it's so fabulous. I don't love the petticoat underneath, as it creates an odd shape underneath the skirt, but that would be my only crit for the gown. The hair is also incredible, and the makeup is honestly so beautiful, you look so soft and delicate, even if it isn't totally the typical Marie Antoinette style. Your speech was so heartfelt, and your drag journey is much longer than many of ours, with so many ups and downs, but the fact that you are still here is a testament to your strength and resolve to push through and commit to your drag, and I am so proud to see it. I am happy to have helped you through this cycle with my tough love, and I cannot wait to see what's next. 

Toni:I love love love love love adore love this rococo inspired outfit and I think you did a good job of styling it, I just wanted two things form this. It needed a different  hoop skirt, one that went more side ways like rococo gowns do, and I wanted you to be drenched in pearls. I love your speech so much because you really talk from the heart and its something from you that I haven’t seen before and I really enjoyed it and fell in love with you during it. that this

Gluttoni: I love anything referencing French lifestyle and culture so this look is quite the slam dunk for me. I love the soft pastel blue for this look and the hair up to the gay gods. This makeup is probably the best you’ve ever looked in my eyes and the styling was fantastic as well. Nothing bad I can say about this look. You gave us the cake and we got to eat it too. I couldn’t help but tear up during your speech because I heard all the passion and drive in your voice and it was very reminiscent of when I had to do my speech. I was literally boohooing while watching. I just want to you to know whatever comes of this. THIS NOT THE END OF YOU. You have so much more work and passion for the whole world to see. You have the platform, now what are you going to do with it?

Sugar Monroe

Lila: Because this is the finale and you are all battling for a crown, I’m going to be outright with this. I do not like this at all and I was expecting a lot more than this. If you are going to do a Marie Antoinette look, the hair needs to be sculpted up, there needs to be more accessories, and certainly, there needs to be more cohesion. Your makeup has the conventions of Marie, but more of a clown inspired rather than beauty inspired. I would’ve done a lot more white paint all the way down to your clavicle, and certainly tried to make the arms look a lot more white too. Your speech made me soooooo sad. As soon as I opened your speech, I didn’t expect you to give into your own negative thoughts so quickly. Even if you think of all those things - The argument that you didn’t expect to make it this far, the argument that you did this for yourself - you did this like every other person standing in those positions at the finale. You all have reasons for and reasons against winning this competition. Any person in this cast could’ve came to the finale, and you all have potential to win this thing. I say this in a critique so that people can see it - you beating yourself up isn’t going to change how you perceive yourself, nor how others see you too. If you can go through being low, being bottom 2, and still make it to the finale? You have as much right as anyone standing up there with you to plead your case. So Sugar, read this now: You are a great queen. You deserve to be here, and you should celebrate it. Good job in this competition, and good job in this finale.

Letha: Sugar, I have to admit that I'm not loving the look. Beyond the makeup, I don't get too much "royal" so much as "holo", which could work for say... a future queen? but it doesn't have that typical futuristic sleekness. The hair is pretty nondescript, and the makeup throws me a bit. It's very Marie Antoinette, but the contour meeting the cheek kind of muddies the shapes a bit for me. I like the lip/eye, though. All in all, it is a bit hodge-podge and not very cohesive for me. Moving on to your speech, there were some good parts, but you seemed to have felt very defeated. Your confidence didn't carry through the speech, but I want you to know that you and your drag are so valid, and that your growth here is so evident in these challenges. When we started together on Cycle 8, I had no idea we would end up here, but now that we have, I can only say how proud I am of you and how much I look forward to your future in drag. I love you, Sugar. 

Toni:I really loved your speech, I love how you talked about your personal growth and how you really showed us passion for who sugar was and your art, and proving yourself to others as well as yourself. The look is a bit of a let down im afraid. I think if you had done an updo for your hair it would have helped a lot. Maybe adding more stones or jewels, a crown, or even a septar, just something to show us your royalty because other than I’m not getting queen from any section of this. I think your makeup is interesting, I’m not sure if I like it or not. I think if you ahd softened the blue a bit it would have made it a lot better. very you!!!! 

Gluttoni: I feel like I got the vision of the parts of royalty you were trying to reference but I must admit I’m kind of lost with the whole picture of it all. The good parts like the beauuuuutiful holographic fabric seems dulled by the uneventful and plain juxtaposed top. I’m also obsessed withe shoes but it seems a tad too modern for the silhouette's sake.Something about the sullen clownish mug and flat hair really doesn’t spell out opulence and queen-like regalness in my eyes. Not to say any of this is at all bad because it not but I wish you would have though out more about the whole picture which is why this is hard because you can’t explain for yourself your thought process. Your speech was definitely the embodiment of your growth and testament of your hardships overcome by your triumphs. I know this isn’t the end of you journey and my hopes is the that really own your star quality.

[viralhottopics]

Not so haute: six writers on their biggest fashion mistakes

From tights on the beach to head-to-toe taffeta, writers reveal the outfits they regret

Kenya Hunt My version of day-to-night dressing was a night-time look worn all day

Despite working at a fashion magazine, Ive made a few sartorial mistakes. I comfort myself with the sentiment of an Instagram edict I saw: If youve never looked a little dumb, youre not having fun.

Id count the moment I met my husband as an off day, so it pains me no end that the clothes I wore have become a part of our marital lore. In his mind, the outfit is key to a story that must be retold, again and again: She wore a shiny shirt, tight jeans, big, gold hoop earrings, tall boots and a giant white furry jacket. And I said, I need to know this woman.

This visual loudness the metallics, the big proportions, the shaggy texture was my everyday look back in my late 20s, when I was living and working in New York. I dressed this way to please no one other than myself. I relished being able finally to buy and wear the labels I read about in magazines, but could never find in my suburban childhood home in Virginia.

My version of day-to-night dressing was basically a night-time look worn all day ready for whatever fun might happen later. Id think nothing of a morning commute in glittery Miu Miu heels or a gold Chlo sequin skirt. (To be fair, it was the era of high heels, flashy coats and skirts that were either very big and long, or very short.) No matter what the prevailing trend, Ive always had a soft spot for the razzle. For further proof, see this old image of me in Milan, in bright colour and print, layered on top of more colour and print.

Now, my wardrobe stands on a foundation of grey, navy and black, mostly because it suits my lifestyle and the London weather. I limit the flamboyance to my accessories (a bright shoe, big earring, bold handbag) or show it through shape, such as an enormous puffer jacket. Its just that now I choose pragmatic black rather than hot pink.

Theres a real joy that comes with loud dressing, because it requires a certain kind of go-to-hell spirit. Ive come to indulge this in a more restrained way, but I dont regret the mistakes. If I did, Id have divorced my husband a long time ago, for telling that story so very, very often.

Kenya Hunt is fashion features director of Elle.

Ruth Lewy: To think that this was my coolest look

Ruth Lewy, aged 20, with Dizzee Rascal.

It was May 2006 and I was coming to the end of my first year of university. I had just received my first proper student journalism commission: an interview with Dizzee Rascal. I borrowed a Dictaphone and hastily scrawled down three pages of uninventive questions (What is the best thing youve ever got for free?).

Now the important bit: my look. I loved Dizzee; I knew his two albums back to front and had mastered all the words to Fix Up, Look Sharp. What was I going to wear?

To think, looking back, that this was my very best outfit. My coolest look. Not one floral print top but two, a T-shirt layered over a shirt. Not one necklace, but two. (Made with beads collected while InterRailing around Europe. I know.) My curly hair was slicked back with Brylcreem. Off I went, looking like Laura Ashleys long-lost daughter.

He was courteous, holding eye contact and answering all my inane questions with grace. (The best thing he ever got for free? A lifetimes supply of trainers.) I stood up and shook his hand, and he invited me to his afterparty. The next student journalist sat down and went straight in with a question about homophobic lyrics and issues of representation in pop music, and I thought, Ohhhh, thats what journalism is.

The evening took a strange turn. My friends and I crowded into a bar on the high street, where Dizzee had a roped-off section at the back. It didnt take him long to zone in on my gorgeous friend L, persuading her to leave with him. We were agog.

Twenty minutes later, she was back, laughing her head off at the way he had clumsily propositioned her. She chose us over him.

What do I see when I look at this picture? I feel embarrassed at my choices. But Im also glad I spent my 20s dressing like a weirdo: it demonstrates a self-confidence that I dont think I appreciated at the time. These days, you could still file most of my clothes under eclectic, but Im much more careful, uninventive even. Now I tend to wear only one necklace at a time.

My interview never appeared in the end; the other journalist broke the embargo (she went on to write for the Daily Mail: go figure). I was left with only this blurry picture, a reminder of my youthful enthusiasm for floral prints, and an uncanny impression of Dizzee Rascals best chat-up line.

Ruth Lewy is assistant editor of Guardian Weekend.

Nosheen Iqbal: Everyone else on the beach was 89% naked

Nosheen Iqbal in Tuscany, aged 21.

I was a skittish 21-year-old in the mid noughties and I had, against my will, ended up on a Tuscan beach. It was the height of summer, but I was wearing thick black tights, thicker black skirt, black scarf and witchy pumps . Everyone else was dressed in 89% naked and the entire beach was rammed. Id been sent on a work trip with four other journalists who were, as far as I was concerned, super-old (fortysomething) and, I hoped, probably willing to buy my stubborn refusal to strip as some cool youth thing. (They didnt.) I made an attempt to style it out by looking casually moody, staring out to sea behind sunglasses, pretending not to notice my shoes sinking in the sand, legs looking like inky black stumps.

Why dont you take off your tights?

No.

What about if

No.

A couple of key things: the seaside was not on my itinerary and I hadnt packed for it. I didnt (and dont) own swimwear or a bikini, and I didnt (and dont) know how to swim.

Being Muslim is barely an excuse to look as daft as I did; there are chic ways to be modest by the sea childhood memories of Karachis Clifton beach were proof, where lawn cotton tunic and trousers were everyones friend. But being Muslim, plus an average level of body dysmorphia, was my bikini body ready get-out card. I knew there had to be more comfortable ways to be in public than permanently sucking my stomach in wearing what is, essentially, waterproof underwear. But 100-denier hosiery was definitely not the answer.

The general advice to give a shy 21-year-old should always be, Its not as bad as you think, to allay their disproportionate embarrassment. Except, in this case, the cringe levels are fully warranted; I havent been to a hot, sunny beach since.

Nosheen Iqbal is a commissioning editor for G2.

Morwenna Ferrier: I cant remember why I decided to cut off my hair

Morwenna Ferrier in Aldeburgh in her early 20s.

Other outfits have been more challenging. The mother-of-pearl bustier I wore to my graduation, say. Or, recently, the T-shirt printed with Valerie Solanass Scum manifesto I wore to meet a friends baby. But the outfit I am wearing here, worn on a walk along Aldeburgh beach in Suffolk, is the one I most regret.

It started a few months earlier when, in my early 20s, I decided to cut off my hair. I cant remember why. I imagine I fancied a change and, in fairness, I liked it. But then, I looked like a boy in a dress. I reacted by phasing out dresses and instead wearing drainpipes, striped T-shirts and headscarves. None of this was good. In the photo, Im wearing tight cropped trousers under the dress.

I had spent my late teens in dresses, grungy or flowery, with self-cut hems. It was a more innocent time, when I didnt really care what I wore. But the haircut triggered an anxiety.

What is it I regret? Back then it was the haircut; now, its that I ever worried about looking like a boy. I clearly hadnt been paying attention in those Judith Butler seminars; maybe I was still too attached to the binary. As my hair grew out, I started to care for the first time about how I looked. At 24, late in life, I became self-conscious.

Morwenna Ferrier is the Guardians online fashion editor.

Pam Lucas: I looked like a turkey at Christmas

Pam Lucas at a family party, aged 39.

As a single parent in the 80s, I was dirt poor. I didnt have the opportunity to make fashion faux pas because I didnt have any money. We shopped in jumble sales, and we had fun.

My family was invited to a party to celebrate my aunt and uncles golden wedding anniversary. I didnt know them that well, but my mum wanted me to impress them by looking modern. In the 80s, that meant puffy sleeves and big shoulders. My mother came with me to buy the outfit from BHS , so I had to comply. I was 39 at the time.

It was a beautiful colour between purple and lilac but I didnt like the synthetic fabric. It was watermarked all over and had a flared, taffeta skirt and a little jacket with a peplum. I looked like a turkey at Christmas, but it was such a fab party, I soon forgot how uncomfortable I felt.

In a way the outfit is a testament to my relationship with my mother. I was a grownup, with a child of my own, but she was still trying to keep hold of the mum bit of herself.

Pam Lucas is a model and appears regularly in All Ages.

Tshepo Mokoena: I settled on a vague hippy child look

Tshepo Mokoena at 19.

It would be nice if we could start over. To spare me, and others my age, a fair bit of niggling shame, by wiping all early photos from our Facebook accounts. Anyone who set up a profile between 2004 and 2009 now lugs around the digital baggage of horrible pictures of misspent youth and terrible outfits.

Case in point: this delight of a photo. I was 19, killing time between the second and third years of uni in Brighton. In a few weeks, my housemate and I would set off on an impulsive charity volunteering trip to Kerala because and I still cringe wed watched Wes Andersons The Darjeeling Limited.

Until my early 20s, my aesthetic consisted of not knowing when to edit. At 18, I would layer at least three beaded necklaces, two chunky bracelets, about 17 bangles and seven rings, for no good reason.

I attended secondary school in Harare, Zimbabwe, largely insulated from fashion, more concerned with my whizzing hormones than the latest velour tracksuit. I settled on a vague hippy child look at 15 and filled my wardrobe with earthy prints, flared denim and jewellery picked up in local markets. By 19, I looked like a substitute art teacher.

If youre old enough to have only private, analogue photography from your youth, or young enough to have crafted a near-fictional version of yourself online, youre spared the permanent reminder of your mistakes: 1,287 grim images owned by Mark Zuckerberg. I implore other twentysomethings to join me in calling for a digital purge. Its time.

Tshepo Mokoena is the editor of Noisey.

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from Not so haute: six writers on their biggest fashion mistakes