{Disclaimer: Yes, I know I wore a denim jacket yesterday. I don’t know why we pretend that we don’t wear some things for two days in a row in the blogging world.}
Moving right along, can we discuss something? Ok, cool. Let’s discuss how my skin isn’t going to get darker. Growing up I tanned a bit but at about the age of 10 my skin suddenly said, “HOLD UP!” and I never have been able to do anything but burn. I’ve had to accept that in the summer I need to basically hide my alabaster skin and wear sunscreen even on 10 minute car rides because I will burn up. So as you can imagine, hiding my legs in the winter is kind of ideal. I match the fairness of about everyone and it’s a fair playing field. When it hits April suddenly I am left in the corner of whiteness while everyone gallivants about with tanned legs and don’t literally match their white shorts. When I bared my legs for the first time this winter in this dress Photoshop literally froze while trying to deal with the highlights that my legs are giving off. Cool, so society, which likes tan skin, and Photoshop are against me. Cool guys!
Dress: Old Navy
Jacket: Plato’s Closet (similar)
Shoes: BCBG (similar)
Clutch: Tommy Hilfiger (similar)
So just so you know…unless I get spray tans every week in the summer, which is expensive and still bad for you, you are going to be stuck with these white legs. I’ve had to learn that I’m just always going to be fair skinned and have to embrace that. And to stop comparing skin tones to your friends, you are always going to walk away depressed. Oh, and they are going to be on a high because of how dark they are compared to you. I’ll take my fair skin and SPF 65 moisturizer over being wrinkly at 30. Anyway, glad I got that off my chest. Now tell me your skin secrets.
lauramdb
You are not alone! I am exactly the same! I am so glad that vampires are so fashionable, because I don't have to do much to get that 'never seen the sun' look. That dress just suits that fair skin of your so beautifully!
Nada Qamber
Lol! It's okay, I know a whole bunch of people who either burn and go red, turn extremely dark or just have a hard time tanning. I'm one of those who have a hard time tanning, as much as I'd like to be tanned, when I try to, it's either nothing happens at all or I end up over doing it and get my face burnt. It's frustrating. But alas, we must enjoy the warmth of the sun and cool of the sea during the summer before the cool breeze of winter rushes back into our years. xD
Cute polka dotted dress! It goes well with the jacket, who cares if you're not supposed to wear the same things two days in a row. If it works, IT WORKS!
xox
Nada, http://interestedinall.blogspot.com/
Maya M
Love that dress !!! well I'm also won't get a tan skin, but learned to love mine:) also try not to wear pale colours:)
http://myfashionfoodstyle.blogspot.co.il/
Rachelle (http://pinksole.com/)
As a person that don't need to tan (so maybe my opinion does not matter), I always struggled to understand why my fair skin friends complain so much about having white legs. One of my girlfriends told me that a little tan made her look skinnier and I still don't get it. You look great and you have beautiful and healthy skin so trust me most people don't even notice. And I've you seen my blog, I wear the same thing all the time that is just reality, you look great in that little dress.
Ramona
You're definitely not alone. Since I have moved to Ireland all year around is the same mild weather +rain. So no tanning. I haven't mastered fake tan as well and as much as I have seen on other people it feels like it's impossible to master fake tan, it still looks so fake. I very really get idea that I should get tan, but to be honest over all it doesn't bother me. You are beautiful and I don't think you need any tan.
♥
xoxo Ra
http://www.ramona-strikeapose.blogspot.ie/
Nina Piccini
Ok first I almost bought that dress at ON in the fall and now I'm kind of sorry I didn't because HOW FREAKING CUTE!? Second, I may be half Italian. I may even tan easily. But I'm whiter than white in the winter and spring. Oh lawd I sympathize with you (for at least 2 seasons *wink*)
xo, Nina
afterthe40barfinish
Krysten Gautreaux
Can I tell you a secret? I've always wanted skin tone your color. I can get pretty dark and I do love my tan, but sometimes I just love the color of pretty porcelain skin.
I guess you always want what you can't have 😉
Lauren {Fizz and Frosting}
I tan pretty easily, and I still slather on SPF 50! All of my friends think I'm crazy while they're trying to bronze themselves to high heaven, but this girl is not getting skin cancer!
Jessica
I used to be a habitual tanner, but I’ve learned to love my skin for what it is. I put it through complete hell several summers in a row and I’m paying for it in sun spots now.
26 and Not Counting
TheTinyHeart
Since I live at the beach, I do tan in the summer. But I use sunscreen like craaazy!
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Alyssa
I feel your pain! I used to feel left out between my friends and my sister who literally turns dark brown sitting in the shade so I used to fake bake. As I've gotten older it's become easier to embrace my skin as it is if only so I don't give myself skin cancer, but I still use a little sunless tanner now and again 😉
Kristina
My skin is the same way, pale for life! I personally think pale skin is beautiful, and your legs look great.
Kristina does the Internets
Darcy
Hahah I went bare legged today and could only think about how pale I was! I don't tan easily by any means but I do get a little color! I want to try self tanner, but it never turns out like I want it to. I wish I could get good at it! Would make my life way easier!!
http://www.amemoryofus.blogspot.com
Sara Strauss {Sincerely, Sara}
Cute dress!! Love the polka dots! I don't tan either! I just turn all different shades of red, not tan, and then go back to being paper white! lol
~Sara
Rachel Lynne
So cute! I love this dress 🙂
Lacey at Sunny + Turquoise
Girl I PROMISE my legs are just as white! No sense in fake tanning them if no ones seeing them this time of the year ha! I am counting down the days until summer when we can look like normal humans!
awhite
You have beautiful skin! Period, end of story.
I lean pretty heavily on the SPF, even in the winter. Have you ever tried powder sunscreen? That's my jam. No sticky white gunk, no funny SPF smell, same great coverage. I use it on my face, neck, tops of my hands, and chest all year long. (Because 30 for me is much closer than 30 for you, as we found out this past weekend.) 🙂
-Ashley
http://lestylorouge.com
Sofia Donatelli
What a beautiful dress you have on and I love the classic print that will last for years.
Have a great day.
Love,
Sofia
stylishlyinlove.blogspot.com
Andi
I'm in the corner with you! I think I've been tan a couple times in my life, and was so excited, and then I realized that I wasn't "tan" but had just graduated from "translucent" to "normal Caucasian" skin color. I say we embrace our porcelain tones! Also, it's tough to find pale enough "nude" pumps. The ones I love are BCBG, but they are pretty beat up, because I have worn them so much. I just bought a replacement pair from Target, but I think they are too dark. I should probably return them…
Sonya Mann
I'm pretty pale too, haha. Like others have said, might as well embrace it since it doesn't seem to be changing =P
Lauren Michelle Major
Your skin is super beautiful! Tan skin is pretty too, but sometimes it is good to stand out! 🙂 I used to tan all the time when I was a teenager until I realized how stupid I was being a couple years ago. Now I tend to flux back and forth between deciding I like my pale skin and using gradual tanning lotion.
Also, very nice outfit! I wear jackets two days in a row all the time.
http://howtomakehome.blogspot.com
Anngelik Martinez
I think you look wonderful, and that dress looks amazing with your skin tone! I cannot wait until it gets warmer outside to go tanning.
-Vogue&Heels
http://www.vogueandheels.com
S.S. Milk
You are hilarious!! You are beautiful and I love that dress!! I almost bought it myself at the store but changed my mind at the last minute. Love how you styled it!!
http://www.accidentallystylish.com
Ali Hval
I got really confused by the title because Alabaster in a county in Alabama and I was like ??? is she HERE??? I NEED TO SEE HER!
?!?!
but it's not what you meant so
ok
but loool, I think it's definitely okay to not be tan. PALE OR NOT, WE LOVE YOU SO! I'm one of those people who can tan but avoids the sun (which is hard since I bike every day…) because she ends up looking like an oompa loompa. Blonde hair and tan skin isn't always as attractive as you may think. 😛
I love you in red. I love you in all colors, actually. Such a cute dress!!
LyddieGal
I think fair skin is pretty, heck, I could even go ahead and say I think all skin is pretty, because it's true. It's yours, so own it. Lying out on the beach getting a tan actually isn't that fun. I suppose some people really dig it, but not I.
Also, wearing the same things two days in a row makes writing outfit details easier, since you can just copy and paste. That's how I see it anyway. Life is just easier.
Chic on the Cheap
tastefulstyle
Yes! I, too, have never been able to tan–I go straight from pale princess to lobster in about 10 minutes!
Also, I love this outfit! I remember seeing this dress when it was in store, and now I wish I had bought it! Looks great with the denim jacket 🙂
Maya McDonald
Eeeeeeeerm, I feel you on the whitest girl you know front – but you have GORGEOUS skin {srsly}. Also, I love this polka dot number on you! xx
Ladies in Navy
this is really gorgeous lady and you have gorgeous skin, pale or tan! love it
ladies in navy
Charnele Michel
Your skin tone is great no need to worry about something that makes you who you are. Nothing wrong with a little rub in tanner here and there but it should make you or break you. YOU ARE GORG! And that dress is too 😉
xo,
http://www.chachathefashiongenius.com/
KP
Seriously love that necklace, and own those white legs! I have them too, and id rather be healthy and myself than give myself a health risk! You look lovely!
Eleventh & Sixteenth
Tiffany Ima
Love that dress!
Tiffany Ima
Style Honestly
Inge Jane
Team pale girls unite! I am jealous that you can bare your legs; it's still so cold here!
Melissa
I'm white as I can be. If I put on a dress, you can notice my white legs right away as well. Though I don't think it's bad 😉 By the way, you look lovely in the pictures!
xxx
http://www.rockinheels.com
Lisa - respect the shoes
My skin has two sun settings – bright blazing burning red and dark peeling brown. I never seem to get a "golden" phase, so I pretty much forget about tanning anymore. My legs (and the rest of me) are going to be pasty-ass white all year.
Ashley @TheCreamToMyCoffee
Haha don't worry – you aren't the only one with pasty skin! I am so glad that you have embraced it! I am trying so hard to, but it's just tough when everyone around you is tan. I tell myself the same thing – that I won't have skin cancer and I'll look really young for my whole life. It helps… sort of 🙂
Hannah
Oh my goodness, I totally know how you feel! The other day we had 65 degree weather and I so badly wanted to wear a dress without tights but my legs are literally so white they're blue and I actually look like a dead person walking around! And like you, I don't tan at all – I just burn within minutes of being outside. I just try to tell myself that my pale skin looks classy 😉