Recently, I’ve been realizing the importance of clothes. The importance of a some good, quality articles of clothing that make you feel like a million bucks.
I knew clothes could do that, but I always thought it was unhealthy to care about what you’re wearing. I thought I was being self-absorbed to want nice fitting clothing that are up to date and look sharp. So, for years, I went for the grunge look, not caring what I looked like.
I then swung the opposite way and became unhealthily obsessed with buying clothes.
I now realize there is a healthy balance.
It is important to feel good in the clothes you wear. I feel different when I wear nice clothes. Period. I walk taller, I feel more confident, and I approach life differently.
What you wear both reflects you as a person and impacts how you feel as a person. Your clothes speak before you do. They say a lot of things.
I’ve never made getting clothing a priority before… in a healthy way. That sounds weird to say, but I’ve realized the importance of setting myself up for success and this is one step I can take.
Question: Does what you wear effect you? How?
There was a time that dressing up for work was expected. Although we aren’t talking about the work setting necessarily, the premise still applies. Looking back, it may have been an overkill, but you sure looked nice and felt good. Our culture has changed dramatically in terms of what we wear and the image we present.
Personally, I enjoy wearing nice things and I tend to stand taller and project a different presence when I dress for the environment I’m in. Whether it is more casual or a business event I’m attending, the right dress makes all the difference. You can even feel great and look good in a nice pair of jeans if they don’t look like you just rolled out of bed. -:)
Something that I heard a few years ago really stuck in my mind. Even when you don’t think you are being observed, you are being observed. And you never know where you will meet your next employer. If that is the direction you want to move toward. Good food for thought.
Cindy,
I like your thoughts here.
Yea, I remember I used to call my one grandma the “grandma with the hair on top of her head” She wore her hair up every day and wore heels on a regular occasion. It seems people used to get ready for their day a lot more than today. If I am home I am often in sweats etc. although there is a time and place for being comfortable… I find I get so much more done if I dress for my day 🙂
I like what you said “Even when you don’t think you are being observed, you are being observed.” I know that is true!
Most definitely, Claudia. For me, I find – especially now working from home – how I dress affects how “professional” I feel as I’m working through phone calls and other tasks. I remember when I worked form a real estate office and I had to really dress well – it just made me feel different. I think you are right when you say there’s a healthy balance. While I love to be able to work from home and not get dressed some days – depending on what I need to do, I find it easier to handle when I am dressed for the part and feeling confident, capable and professional.
Ann,
I totally relate to what you said here… and agree!
I approach my day totally different when I am dressed for it rather than staying in my sweats all day 🙂
I used to think it didn’t matter how I dressed. Shirts too large, pants that didn’t fit properly, etc… It’s just clothes, right? Wrong!
Now, with smaller and better fitting clothes, I do feel better. My self esteem is up. I see myself in a better light.
And talking with my wife, she feels the same way about her dress. She feels more confident and in control when she is wearing her nice clothes.
Joe,
Totally there with ya! Oversize sweatshirts and T shirts here. And the big billowy silk shirts… actually I just put that one away the other day 😉
I like how you said that you see yourself in a better light with nice fitting clothes… very true
it’s true! I find that I am more inspired too when I am able to dress “creatively” and fashionably. It sets the tone. When I wear any old thing, it dulls me my senses. And it’s true, there’s a healthy balance. To be consumed and have your self esteem totally dependant on your dress isn’t healthy. But there is something about dressing “nice” that give me energy!
Ohhh Crystal,
I like how you said when you wear any old thing it “dulls your senses”… great insight! That would be totally true for me as well.
Hmmm also you said when you dress creatively it sets the tone for your day… it makes complete sense! You are starting your mind off in that place through what you put on and then it is free to continue in that direction.
Well put sis 🙂
Yes, it effects me big time… I don’t see how people work in PJ’s, as I would feel unproductive… Clothes make and neatness make a huge difference for me. Thank Goodness my wife loves to shop for clothes, because I really don’t. But she helps me out in this arena. 😉
Rob, when I did that IDC where I rolled out of bed and wore my robe to the mall (frumpy girl at the mall) it felt awful. So uninspiring to go through the day dressed like that ;-/
The crazy thing is that I didn’t actually stand out all that much from all the teens with their sweatpants and sweatshirts!
That’s amazing Claudia… I would really struggle with doing that, but you too are nailing some tough challenges with the IDC, so great job on getting out there and breaking that comfort mold… I know that was tough… And it’s funny with your 30,000 view that you see how close you were blending in. I don’t know if they do this where you’re at, but here in GA, people think its cool to walk around in public wearing pajamas… I like to stay with the times a little bit, but that one went a little overboard for me… 🙂
hahahah yup, it’s a trend here too! 🙁
Claudia, this has been a subject of much conversation through the years with my wife and I. Her family would not so much as go to the grocery store without makeup, getting everything ironed, in order, etc. My family didn’t know what dressing up was for the most part. We lived in a very rural area and you put on a tie for church and we didn’t know what an Iron was! That being said, I truly do believe it does make a huge difference. Even when I go into the work office, if I’m wearing a nice dress shirt (not even a tie) – they kid me and ask if the big boss is coming in today!
I think it’s all about your motives – some people dress up for vanity, some for insecurity, etc. However, it is a given that people do form impressions on how you look and dress. Period.
Michael,
Wow, you two came from quite opposite sides of the fence in the dress arena!
I’m sure you have found a middle ground that is healthy for you… and you are right, motives are huge!