Expectations vs Reality?

[KatharinaRosalie]

Can we have another expectations vs reality thread?
Went to hairdresser. I asked for a Claire Dunphy messy cut: https://www.hairstyles.my.id/2018/04/julie-bowen-hairstyles-modern-family.html

Just walked past a mirror and though oooh I really do look like someone famous.
Yes, yes indeed. : https://www.udiscovermusic.com/artist/rod-stewart/

Had a lovely outfit picked for my first date with my now-wife (long floaty skirt that I always got compliments on). As is tradition for late-June in England, it was absolutely pissing down on the day, so I had to change my plans. In the mirror (without a coat on) I thought I looked cute and cool in my ruffled knee length dress, ankle boots and messy bun. In reality, my alternate outfit, mismatched rain mac, harassed expression and general stompy demeanour coming up the road to meet her at the pub apparently made me look like a maths teacher on a mission. She didn’t tell me that until years later. At least she still married me.

I'd never had short hair. For some reason I decided to get all my hair cut off. My expectation was an edgy pixie cut that would take years off me. Hairdresser cut far too much off. Turns out I have a very odd shaped head and I resembled a coconut. Really.

Bought a dress with fitted, embellished top and a floaty tulle skirt.
Expectation: SJP in SATC.
Reality: Mavis the fat dumpy fairy in Willow the Wisp

I bought a flowery print cotton midi dress from John Lewis. I pictured myself wafting through summer meadows looking like a girl from a shampoo advert.

I look like Granny Clampett.

I went on a cruise and wore a red dress, to a formal dinner. I felt like a million dollars and thought I looked great, till I checked out a photo a friend took of me. I looked like the Mitchlan tyer man logo, just in a red dress.
I aren't a big dress fan (Tom boy) so I only put the dress on, because you had to be smart for the ships captain.
I also don't ware pink. 1 I don't like pink, too girly (Tom boy) 2 I always think if I wear pink, I will look like Mr Blobby. Sadly it seems, when company's make womens clothes they make them pink. I aren't waring a pink cycling jacket, I don't want to look like Mr Blobby on a pushbike.

I finally plucked up the courage to get my very long straight mane cut into a cool choppy chin length bob, I wanted to be able to have beach waves and look effortlessly chic - I’d been talking about it for years.

The reality…It only looked nice for the 2 days after the hairdresser did it, after that I was on my own. My hair has always been quite thick ,but the bob now looked like a wedge! When I tried to wave it (like the hairdresser did) I looked like I had literally run through a bramble bush. Bob hair developed a life of its own.

I grew it out and never looked back (at pictures)

Obviously name changed for this one!

When my DD was about 13, she went to the hairdresser with the request and expectation of an "Emma Watson Pixie Cut". She did worry afterwards it looked slightly too short but we reassured her it would grow quickly it looked nice.

Reality - A couple of days later we attended my grandmother's Jewish funeral, where yarmulkes/kippas (for any who don't know, they are those little skull hats worn on the top of your head) were handed out to any men/young boys on entry. DD was handed a yarmulke.

At that age, that was almost as upsetting as the funeral (sorry Grandma )

I've done this too. He was a big Dr Who fan until that day 🥲😗

😂yup, me too 🤗

I'm sure you actually looked looked lovely but this was hilarious, especially King Richard 😂

Howling at the frilled lizard look.

I wouldn’t worry too much. If anyone saw Charlotte Ivers on Have I Got News For You this week, she looked like she may have fallen down the lift shaft on her way into the studio.

I love ruffled hair. Wind tunnel hair? Not so much…

My lovely (I thought) peach pedicure, looked like I had a fungal infection on every toe.

Had a good giggle at these.

Quite apt timing as very recently (last week actually so I haven't yet had time to get over it) I found what I thought was the gem of all gems in a charity shop. A vintage St Micheal 100% wool coat, with a button on hood. Fits me beautifully and I think never worn.

It's only my 23 year old ds and I at home, so he was the lucky one to have to view the strut of my fabulous find. So I put it on and waltz down the passage, he looks at me and say, you look like you are fresh off a set of Harry Potter. 👀. Harry Potter! I was crushed. I thought I looked like a Parisian with superb style.

So it's hung up in the wardrobe not yet worn.

Yesterday we receive an invite for a family birthday party, and it turns out it's a movie character theme dress up party. Ds says to me, it's alright mum, you're all sorted for an outfit. 😂

Quite mortified I am though.

Had my hair cut to shoulder lengths no layers. I have lovely soft curls and with a little serum they define nicely and no frizz. Thought it would be a sophisticated Bob with a twist. Then I watch a Bush video from the late 90s. Yeah Gavin Rossdale seemed to Sport the same style not sure who wore it worse.

had layers put in on Friday now I look like my 60 something aunt with a mullet that has been perming her hair since forever. My until now easy leave it to air dry hairstyle now requires blow drying or straightening it or it looks awful.

LunaNorth · 29/03/2023 21:42
The classic fucking trench.

I try it roughly once every ten years, hoping I’ve matured into it.

Last time, I walked into work and my friend went, ‘Doodle oodle oo, Inspector Gadget…’

Only another seven years until I try again

Another victim of the Trenchcoat here. There are photos past at beautiful venues in a gorgeous dress and there’s me shrouding it all in what can only be described as a beige lab coat. That’s what trenchcoats look like on me some kind of institutional straightjacket. I still carry the dream I am going to look chic 🙈

KatharinaRosalie · 30/03/2023 20:02
I guess many of us had the red dress experiment:

Expectation: Lady in Red.
Reality: Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus Lane.

I am more gene Wilder than lady in Red the scene where he updates his image to a drop jawed office table meeting . That’s me in full throttle in a trenchcoat

What is the secret to looking good in a trench?

Perhaps it’s a gene…the Non-Gene gene.

I’m pretty sure you need to have the body types exemplified by the Princesses of Wales (Diana or Kate). You need to be tall and lean.

Unless anyone knows of someone who doesn’t fit that body type who looks good? I live in hope.

@Ladydinosaur pixie cuts are hard, I bet you looked nothing like Jay from the Inbetweeners but this really made me laugh, I've had a disastrous pixie cut, I thought I'd look gamine and gorgeous, my hair is fine but I have loads of it, I looked like a loo brush.

@Talia99 I think I look good in a trench and I am short!

Striped top with black trousers and white trainers, expecting to look sporty, no more like Marcel Marceau (mine artist)