Embracing Your Inner Confidence to Rock the Styles You Love (and Have Always Wanted to Try)
A lot of us probably look at models on the catwalk, celebrities, or online influencers for style inspiration. And because they seem to have an unexplainable “it” factor, we think those styles aren’t for us. But you don’t need to be a professional model or have the stereotypical “perfect” body to have fun with your clothes and try out new styles.
Confidence is Key
Yes, knowing the colors, silhouettes, and pieces that both flatter you and inspire you will be helpful in trying out new styles. But beneath all of that, self-confidence is key. After all, how many times have you seen someone wearing an outfit that might be questionable, but their confidence seems to make them pull it off. Rocking those new and trendy styles is all about being confident in your choices and owning them!
Tips For Embracing Your Inner Confidence
We know embracing yourself and your inner confidence is easier said than done. Still, there are actionable steps you can take to begin growing your confidence over time. At the same time, you’ll be able to master a capsule wardrobe that will last you for years to come.
Dress Your Best Now
If you’re waiting for some magical moment where it will be the perfect time to start trying out new styles, you’re going to be waiting forever. There is no time like the present! Don’t wait for yourself to lose that stubborn weight, save up tons of money, or get a new job to start experimenting with your fashion. Do it now! Plus, your style is a work in progress much the same as you are. It will evolve as you evolve. It’s time to start dressing the way you want now, even if that means moving towards your goals slowly.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
Like many things in life, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut with your wardrobe. However, you can actually train yourself to step out of your comfort zone and become more confident. It can help if you think of your comfort zone like a muscle. It’s something you have to train. You can start expanding your capsule wardrobe slowly and over time. Eventually, it will include a full spectrum of new styles including colors and silhouettes that you enjoy and look forward to wearing.
For example, maybe you want to add more color to your wardrobe. At first, a full-on magenta dress may seem like way too much. Instead, you can start incorporating the color into your wardrobe in smaller doses. You can start with magenta earrings, necklaces, scarves, or even bags. If you want to start adding a bright pattern into your wardrobe, you can first mix it with more of a classic piece like your favorite jeans or a white t-shirt. As you get used to seeing yourself styled differently, you’ll gradually expand your comfort zone.
Let Go of Your Hang-Ups
Every woman has a couple of hang-ups about themselves. However, your body is never an excuse to avoid embracing new styles. Your body and your style will work together to boost each other. As you start embracing your body the way it is, you’ll feel more comfortable experimenting with your clothes. And vice versa, as you experiment with the styles you’ve always wanted to try, you’ll feel more confident in your body.
The first thing you should do is pay attention to your thoughts and how you are talking to yourself every day. If you frequently think to yourself, “I can’t wear that because…” you need to change the way you think. Try changing these thoughts into more positive ones. You could replace those thoughts with “I am going to explore wearing this new color today,” or “I am confident in trying something different.”
Don’t Emulate Others
Obviously, it’s pretty difficult not to get influenced and inspired by others when we’re establishing our new style. But instead of emulating someone else, think instead for yourself and make your own decision about what you want to wear and look like. When you are trying to emulate someone else, you are automatically comparing yourself to them. And we all know that comparison is never a good idea. Keep in mind that many of the people you might be trying to emulate probably had an entire team of professionals working on their look.
Get Rid of Clothes That Don’t Make You Feel Good
If certain items in your closet make you feel bad about yourself, it’s time to do something about that. If you have certain clothes that make you uncomfortable because they’re tighter than you’d like, get rid of them. If you frequently wear clothes that you use to cover up or blend in, get rid of those too. Are you like many other women and holding on to a pair of jeans that you just wish you could squeeze into? It’s time to say goodbye to those. Be ruthless and keep only the pieces that make you happy and confident when you put them on.
Identify Your Style Types
At this point, you can start narrowing down what types of styles you like and feel the best in. Do you prefer classic styles? Or maybe something edgier or even sporty? Maybe you like to try out trendy styles? Not everyone likes every type of style. So, if there are some pieces you own that don’t fit into the styles you’ve identified, you can get rid of those too. Creating these guidelines isn’t boxing you into one type of look. Rather, it’s a way for you to hone in on what makes you happiest. Finally, your confidence and style journey is never complete. It will continue to ebb and flow as you get older and your lifestyle changes.
Make Self-Confidence Your Best Outfit
Your clothing is an extension of yourself. Think of your clothes as a way to give people a snippet of your personality. True style really comes from within yourself. Once you stop limiting yourself in what you can wear, shopping for clothes and getting dressed every day becomes way more fun. Remember that your choice of what you wear might not resonate with everyone but that’s okay! Every woman has their own unique style, so let’s let it out.
