Recently, I was asked by Style Weekend of Manila Bulletin to be featured for the Woman@Work section, where they feature the everyday style of fashionable women! I had to submit OOTDs. I quickly went through possibly thousands of files but to no avail, I think I only saw 1 OOTD picture. I read the email again and every time I would reach the word “fashionable”, I would blink again.

I think I have never been fashionable. I have tried, once in my ancient past, to be one fashionable lady. Oh, I even have a Lookbook account (for heaven’s sake, please do not check it!). But, I have constantly failed in that department. I know that I have what it takes to come up with a great ensemble. I have styled others, but when it comes to myself, I have constantly failed.

And I know why… (of course, this over thinker knows why).

My why’s lie within the realm of a perceptions that I (throughout the years) have believed to be my TRUTH.

Perception: Only the SEXY ladies look good in picture

I think that there are two kinds of women in the world — the sexy ones and the cute ones. The sexy ones are those who can take perfect selfies, even without filters. Even as a woman, I love looking at their social media accounts since everything seems so perfect. They know their angles (whatever that means) and they just come off as confident, attractive and bold (for both men and women, actually).

I could never pass as sexy. When people compliment me, the highest form of flattery would be something with cute in it.

Hey, Ginj… Cute shoes.

Cute hair.

Cute dimple.

Cute dress.

Cute smile.

Okay, okay! I get it already! Even if I try to be flirtatious, sexy, bold and daring, I still come off as cute. Thus, I hardly take OOTD pictures. All of pictures that I take of myself seem like I’m just going to the mall for coffee or sometimes, it even looks like I haven’t taken a shower and just decided that my pajamas was worthy of an OOTD picture.

Check out this video from Buzzfeed and empathize with me, please. Haha!

But, kidding aside, we CUTE women can create amazing OOTDs, too. We can take amazing selfies, too (even if we start with taking selfies on Snapchat where we only have 5 friends). Hey, that’s fine! That’s a good start. The world needs a dose of cuteness and we are here to BRING IT! We need to claim 2016 as our year!

We should start building confidence. We should start believing in ourselves more. We have our own sense of style and even if it comes out as cute, as weird, as geeky or as uninspiring as people say it is, this is an expression of who we are — and WE are beautiful. If you see that flab in your arm or that little belly fat, it’s okay. Love yourself! Forgive yourself for taking that slice of chocolate cake, girl! We live only once.

So are you cute or sexy? Now you know it shouldn’t matter. The most important thing is that you are happy. It shouldn’t matter what other people say.

You are sexy, beautiful!

 

You’re equally sexy friend,