Feeling Good About What You're Wearing Can Boost Self-Confidence

Would you believe that something as simple as how you dress could affect your attitude and self-confidence? The truth is, how you dress is related in some way to how you feel. Just think of a time when you didn’t feel well, did you want to pull out all the stops and dress smart? Probably not. You probably reached for the closest thing to you, regardless of what it was and what it looked like. Chances are you dressed the way you felt - not too well. Human nature says we feel first, dress after.

But can you change the way we feel by changing the way you dress? Absolutely! When you dress well and look good you automatically feel better about yourself. When you feel you look good you are far more likely to feel good on the inside about yourself - and others. You will probably have more spring to your step and overall energy as well.

Feeling good about what you're wearing, looking poised and feeling self-assured is more than just knowing and wearing the latest fashion trends however. It's also about knowing the who's, when's, where's, and how's of managing your wardrobe.

• Who is your audience going to be?
• What is the occasion and where and when is it taking place?
• What is your personal style?
• How do colors affect the way you look?  

Who is You Audience?

Quite simply - anyone and everyone you come in contact with. Dress to fit the image of how someone in your position should dress, based on the perception of those you come in contact with. Your clients, customers, bosses, colleagues or peers. When you are dressed outside of your perceived role your viewed competence is diminished. Would you expect to see a lawyer in a courtroom dressed in jeans and a t-shrit. Of course not. Always view yourself as if you're looking from their perspective.

And when you "dress the part" you will feel more confident. People want to interact with confident people. This means that you must know your audience and the role your fashion plays. For example, if you work in a conservative environment your audience will expect you to dress a little conservatively. Conversely, if you work in an artistic environment you can dress a little on the artistic side. Swapping one for the other may lead your audience to feeling uncomfortable.

What is the Occasion and Where and When is it Taking Place?

Business meeting in an office? Shopping with the girls? Sunday church with parishioners? Spring gala on the lawn?

Know that what you should wear depends on the occasion, where it's taking place and the time of day and time of year. When you are standing in front of your closet think of all these things before reaching in and "just grabbing".

A business setting can be traditional or softly tailored. The dress code for traditional business is structured, tailored clothes with straight lines and firm fabrics (suits). For softy tailored business setting, use softer lines, structured blazers and jackets, matched or unmatched tailored pants.

Social occasions can include anything from a lunch with a friend to a formal event. To feel comfortable at an informal social event opt for unmatched suits, denim skirts, khaki pants and turtlenecks. Black tie means formal and white tie means ultra formal. At a black tie event men wear tuxedos and women wear cocktail or long dresses.

What is Your Personal Style?

When you are aware of your style and feel comfortable with it then you can express yourself with confidence. Your style exudes with everything you do. In addition to being evident in the fabrics, patterns and textures you wear, it is also on display with your accent pieces such as jewelry, handbags and shoes.

Take a moment to decide which one of the four style preferences best suits you - classic, romantic, sporty or dramatic? The classic style has an elegant traditional look and wears timeless garments. The romantic style has a soft feminine look and prefers to wear dresses and skirts rather than pants. The sporty style likes casual comfortable clothes and prefers natural fabrics. The dramatic style is sophisticated, turns heads and likes to wear the latest trends.

How can I feel confident, express my style and still fit the occasion? All occasions will not fit our personal style but if we know our style well enough we can make accommodations. The sporty style would feel comfortable at a gala event wearing long, flowing pants, and simple top and low (but elegant) shoes. The dramatic style can feel comfortable at a ball game wearing a leather jacket, a bold print top and angular jewelry.

How do Colors Affect the Way I Look?

Our eyes are automatically drawn to color and will respond to them accordingly. Colors interest us, almost magically. Color, when used in fabrics, materials and patterns produce either positive or negative visual results when placed against our skin. The right colors will make you sparkle and shine; while the wrong colors will make you look drab and tired. This is why it's so important to know which colors look best on you.

It's not a difficult process but will require some self-visualization on your part. Simply stand in front of the mirror and place different colors next to your face. Take notice of the colors that make you sparkle and shine and those that make you look washed-out and drab.

Colors are divided into two categories –warm and cool. When you discover which colors look best on you and wear them consistently you will notice that you look better, feel better and have more confidence.

Did you know that colors produce emotions and it affects how others respond to you as well as how you feel about yourself? Blue is a soothing, calming color and red is an exciting, energetic, attention-grabbing color.

Our confidence is enhanced when we know that we are dressed appropriately for the situation and our style, we are wearing colors that brighten us on the inside as well as outside and we feel attractive and authentic.