With today’s rapidly changing fashion trends, dressing smart is a self-care practice that should not be overlooked.
What is dressing smart? It is intentionally choosing a wardrobe that combines fit, quality, appropriateness, and personal grooming to create a superior look in any setting.
I like a more relaxed dress code as I get older: comfortable sweats, cotton t-shirts, and a few select outfits for special occasions are all I need. I’ve never been a fan of ballroom gowns and spike heels. However, I won’t wear sweats and sneakers to a black-tie event. I know I have to break down and dress up. And it isn’t just the way I look that matters. What I wear influences my mood (I would not be in a good mood knowingly wearing something inappropriate) and my outfit also shapes others’ perceptions of me.
Being well-dressed is an opportunity to express your individuality.
I prefer t-shirts that reflect my personality, but finding the perfect tees can be challenging, so I wear the same ones repeatedly. For instance, on what I’ve come to call my “Fun Fridays,” I kick my day off on a positive note by choosing a t-shirt that reminds me of something or someone that makes me laugh. It’s a routine that fits my organized lifestyle and leaves me more time for things I enjoy. So when my daughter says, “Mama, you need to find another shirt.” My answer is, “I’m looking.”
When it comes to professional settings, donning the right apparel is critical. It boosts credibility and the respect you get from colleagues and clients. When your attire fits the job title, it commands that you be treated as an authority figure in your field. It can also open doors to new opportunities and career advancement.
Take Mary, for example. She is a receptionist at a law firm who initially felt out of place in the office because of her casual style of dressing. Feeling shunned and rejected, she sought help from her fashionable friend, Lisa, and with Lisa’s guidance, Mary could blend her personal style with a new professional wardrobe. She found a balance between appropriate office attire and staying true to her personality, which improved her confidence and positively impacted her career. Professionals must know how to “dress to the nines.”
Prioritizing how you dress affirms your self-worth and fosters a positive self-image. It’s a form of self-care that sets the tone for a fulfilling day.
This week, I'm issuing a challenge to be good to yourself by taking advantage of every opportunity you get to dress smart. And if the opportunity doesn’t present itself often enough, do as I do since I retired, create one! Adopt the mindset of the child who likes to play dress-up, or the one who has an outfit they love so much that they want to wear it every single day (that would be me). Slip it on, any day of the week, and wear it like it means something…..because it does.
Not sure which outfit to choose? It’s easy; be DAPPER:
Discerning, Adaptable, Polished, Personable, Expressive, and Respectable!
Self-care is healthcare and you’re in charge. Need help getting started? I’m here with workshops and one-on-one coaching. Contact me at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com.
Comments