STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Kelly · Hermes

Rant: I don't want a tan and that is a valid choice!

NCshopper · Hermes

That's so weird! I'm pretty pale and prefer to stay that way, personally, but I've never had anyone harrass me about it. I just tend to think my face looks dirty when I get too much sun and as far as the fake tans go, I haven't seen any yet that don't have that oh-so-charming orange tone.

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Some people just don't know when to quit (and that includes quitting before they even start)! I don't have any advice, but I'm glad you were able to vent and get it out.

ico · Dooney & Bourke

If it makes you feel better, a friend of mine gets harrassed for the same reason. When are you going to the beach? When are you getting some color? I think it's totally her business what she's gonna do with her skin!
She just doesn't reply to whomever says that - an rightly so, I think, why should she justify her choices?

I like to tan, but I do it very cautiously and slowly. I use high SPF, so it starts showing after the first 4-5 times I have been to the beach. And I get asked - how comes you went to the beach and it doesn't show?

I guess you can't win. Just smile and run away!

wicked · Coach

That is so inappropriate and invasive! I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

Suasoria · Chanel

I avoid the sun like crazy, so I am totally with you! I am turning 40 and don't want to look 60, thanks.

Boots · Gucci

I get this too. I'm Irish Pale and burn easily so I use a good sunblock every day. It's become sort of a running joke that no matter how little color my friends or cousins have, they still have more color than me. I'm OK with it. In college complete strangers would comment on my paleness and call call me "Casper." (I went to USC so everyone was tan and blonde. I'm a pale brunette. Let's just say I stuck out a bit.)

I choose to use self tanner on my legs (the gradual moisturizer one so it's more of a hint of color.) But I do it because I like the way they look with a bit of color, not because I give a damn what somebody else thinks.

I say embrace your paleness, my sister! As Su said, our skin will thank us when we are in our 60's.

Kelly · Hermes

Thanks girls! I just had to rant to somebody....over the winter I always kind of forget about this but as soon as it's shorts-and-flip-flops season, it's like my skin is open for public commentary again. It's such a weird feeling. NCShopper, I'm surprised you don't get harassed! I get comment almost every day in the summer and I know a few people who are even paler than me so it's not like I'm a super extreme. ico & Boots, it's good to know I'm not the only one who has to put up with this nonsense!

Hermes

I get these comments too. I remember once, someone I knew from when I was a kid was trying to jog their memory about me and said, "OH! You were that really white chick in school!"

I did tan, and now wish I hadn't.

I honestly do think it is becoming more acceptable to be fair skinned. I encounter more and more women comfortable with being pale. I personally don't tan anymore.

I think you should come up with some good comebacks that are funny to turn the tables on them. I can't think of any that aren't offensive though! I think just saying "thanks for the suggestion, but I love my healthy skin" should be enough to shut them up.

If anyone says anything to me about being pale, I'll just flash the nasty ass scar I now have on my arm from skin cancer. The cancer card always shuts people up ;)

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

I admire you for being confident with your pale skin. I live in South Alabama where tanning, I believe, is a religion for many people. I succumb to the pressure by using self tanner, but I really hate the mess. It stinks and rubs off on your clothing. Every year I vow to not use it anymore, but I find myself using it. I want to stop. No one has ever commented to me that I am pale, but I imagine people are thinking it. I wonder why I care, but I do. I wish I could just be confident with my pale skin.

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

Kelly wrote:
I just had a totally frustrating/embarassing conversation with a coworker who wouldn't shut up about it - finally I just turned to my desk and stopped talking because I didn't know what else to do.

Now that person need to get a clue. confuse

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

D wrote:
II think you should come up with some good comebacks that are funny to turn the tables on them. I can't think of any that aren't offensive though! I think just saying "thanks for the suggestion, but I love my healthy skin" should be enough to shut them up.

She could say," I am thankful that I will look young when I am 60"