Every morning (or the night before, if you’re like me) you spend time in your closet. You carefully pick out what you are going to wear for that day. Because you know it’s important, you spend time putting yourself together. You want to look good so you can feel good!
What you wear matters.
I don’t mean the label you are wearing or how expensive your shoes are; but how you put yourself together to present to the world does make a difference. What you wear can say a lot about who you are as an individual. Dressing well can reflect how you feel on the inside and bring it out so others can see.
Now ask yourself, what kind of statement are you making with your wardrobe?
Even if you don’t want to admit it, people notice what you wear. It may even influence their initial perception of you. Although this may not always be fair, it is our reality. Knowing this can help solidify that what you wear does in fact matter. Dressing well shows you are willing to put effort into yourself, and most likely into whatever else you encounter in life. I know you’ve heard the saying “dress for the job you want.” Well, there is definitely some truth in that phrase!
First Impressions Matter
We all know that deep down we are guilty of forming first impressions on the clothing and look of others. Even before we speak to each other, our brain and subconscious are forming a perception of what that person is like. Are they confident in themselves? Do they put effort into how they look and feel? Or do they look like they just rolled out of bed and just threw on the first thing they could find because they stayed up to late watching a Netflix binge? I know this is an extreme example, but it also gets the point across. We know that looks do not make the quality of the person on the inside, but it can often reflect how that person feels about themselves and how they come across to others. What you wear matters, whether we want to believe it or not.
I may not like to admit it, but I like to look good. I like to dress current and fashionable. It makes me feel good about myself! My clothes often reflect how I feel on the inside, too. I feel stronger, more capable, and more confident in myself, which reflects in other areas of my life. If I dress well and feel good while in the clinic, I feel I have better communication with my patients and can deliver my message to them in a more confident and encouraging manner. When I put a little bit of effort in myself on the days I’m home with my kids, I have more energy to give them. If I’m wearing cute athletic wear at the gym, I actually work out harder.
When I look good, I feel good!
We can look at this the opposite way, as well. Take the current events with COVID-19 and quarantine. When the pandemic first hit and I was staying home, my main wardrobe staples were baggy, worn out sweatpants and an old t-shirt from when I was in high school. You know, that ever beloved “home outfit” that is so comfy but you hope no one ever sees you in. This can be good for a Sunday afternoon or an evening at home after work, but I realized that after wearing it day after day, I started to feel how I looked.
I felt baggy, worn down, messy and tired. My home even reflected it, I didn’t even have the motivation to cook a good meal or clean! When I realized this was happening, I decided to put just a little bit of effort into what I was wearing, even though I was staying at home. Now I didn’t put on a date night outfit, but I did pull out a nice pear of leggings and cute crop top. While I was still comfy, I felt so much better! I had more energy to be with my kids, take care of things around the house, and still feel like I was ready for whatever life was going to throw at me next. What you wear matters!
Fashion is a passion of mine; I have always loved fashion and probably always will. That makes it easy for me to dress in a way that reflects how I feel. However, I know this is not the case for everybody! The good thing is you don’t need to be a fashionista to dress to impress. Wearing whatever makes you feel strong and confident can improve your energy and how you feel about yourself. Whether it’s a current trend or something classic, you can dress in a way you feel comfortable but still exudes confidence.
Tips to get started:
- You don’t need to spend a lot of money or buy designer clothes. Look in your closet at what you already have! Find different ways to put new outfits together; it will make older clothes feel like new again.
- Shop second-hand. We have many awesome secondhand shops in the FM area that carry great clothing pieces. Clothes Mentor and My Best Friend’s Closet are two consignment stores that are a great place to start.
- Check out a locally-owned boutiques. You can always find something unique and original to you.
- Ask for help! This may sound scary, but most clothing stores will have stylists that are more than willing to help you find pieces that work for you. Be willing to try on something you may never have thought of – you may be surprised in what you like!
- Check out Pinterest. There are tons of great outfit ideas!
What you wear matters. Putting your best foot forward matters. Having outward confidence matters. Putting that extra effort into yourself matters! Take pride in yourself and how you look. Show you are willing to put a little effort into yourself, which shows you are willing to put in the effort for anything else in life!
