5 Ways To Dress Up & Feel Confident
Confidence is an inside job, and by that I mean it has to come from the inside out. Sometimes I wish I could tell my twenty something self that all the time I spent with the self-loathing comments, obsessing about my weight, and trying to measure up to be something or someone I wasn’t was in fact a big fat waste of time and mental and emotional energy.
Unfortunately, this is a path that so many of us take to self love and acceptance and instead we decide to take the long, scenic route. First we pick ourselves apart for years, then we decide to feel confident (and if this wasn’t you in your teenage years or twenties, I would love to know your secret, so please share it with the world!)
I asked myself, what if we stopped comparing and trying to be someone else, and started feeling confident in our own style and our own abilities? How amazing would that be? How free would you feel?
Now, don’t get me wrong, one of my favourite guilty pleasure pastimes when Maximus is napping is to sit down with a hot coffee and read fashion magazines, scroll through Instagram or Pinterest and look at different style and fashion trends for inspiration. Here’s when I stop - the second I stop being inspired to create looks that suit me and my style and begin wishing that I looked like, or could be the model or person (stranger, really) in front of me. It takes a lot of self awareness to be able to promptly stop that sort of self-sabotaging behaviour (trust me, I’ve done the work). I shut the magazine, I turn off my phone or computer and I reflect on why I felt that way. Self-reflection is such a powerful thing, if you’re not doing it I highly recommend it! I don’t believe there is anything wrong with being inspired by another person, as long as when it comes to your style, your goals, and your feelings about yourself, you are true to you.
I was inspired to write this piece to encourage you to love yourself and have confidence in yourself, now. Not tomorrow, not in a month from now, and definitely not 10 lbs from now. Right now. I believe that every body (yes, every single size), deserves to be celebrated and should feel confident. I’m not going to say it’s an easy journey, or one that I have even mastered yet, but I will say it’s worth it and there is not better time to decide to dress yourself up in confidence than right now.
Love yourself as you are NOW
I think this is the most important part of dressing confidently. I am no stranger to body issues and If I can offer any advice to anyone who is feeling self conscious about their “problem areas”, it’s do not wait to fall in love with your body. You are given one life and one body - and that body WILL change over time, embrace it! Since having a baby and then being bed ridden with a back injury the number on my pants and letters on my shirts have inevitably gone up. It was hard to accept at first, but instead of feeling down about the number and letter on my clothing I decided to embrace my new curves and when I’m able to become active again, I’ll embrace that new body too!
Wear what is comfortable to YOU
There’s nothing ruins an outfit, or is more obvious, than someone who is clearly uncomfortable in what they are wearing. You’re not going to feel confident in what you’re wearing if you have to tug, pull and adjust constantly! If you love heels - wear them! If sneakers are your thing, pair them with a super cute athleisure look and own that sidewalk as if it were your personal runway. When you are comfortable and love what you’re wearing, it will show!
Get rid of clothes that make you feel bad
You know those jeans that are 3 sizes too small, but you vow that one day you will wear them again - but every time you see them you feel guilt and shame? Yeah, those. Get rid of them. Honestly, I do this often. My body has changed so much since pregnancy and more often than not I found myself staring into my closet wishing something fit me or fit better. It was not good for my soul. Periodically throughout the year I will go through my closet and remove whatever does not suit my style or body anymore and give it away or donate it. I believe when you look into your closet you should feel some level of happiness!
Don’t take yourself or fashion too seriously
Life is too short to be serious all the time. Have fun with colours and patterns! Experiment with different trends. Sometimes you won’t know if a trend is for you until you try it - and you may be presently surprised! Mix and match, be bold, wear graphics and don’t be afraid to break the rules, make mistakes and laugh at yourself sometimes!
Smile!
This is a biggie. Your outfit may look amaze, but if you’re not smiling from the inside out, THAT is what people are going to notice. Beauty and confidence comes from within and a super cute outfit will be the best accessory to your smile!
