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Maybe you think to yourself: fashion is frivolous. But when we peel back the layers and look at what’s really going on, we recognize that frivolous is the last thing fashion is. Can you remember a time when you put on an outfit either for a special occasion or for the heck of it and you actually felt a rise in your confidence? It’s a real thing and there is some science behind it as well.
The technical term is dopamine dressing. Putting on clothes that make us FEEL good has a physiological reaction in our bodies. BOOM. My shopping addiction has now been justified! I kid, I kid! In all seriousness, there is solid reasoning behind the idea of putting thought and effort into how we get dressed each day.
Because I know this can feel overwhelming for many women, I figured it was a worthwhile task to break it into parts.
Step 1: Focus on how you want to feel
Notice I said how you WANT to feel not how you actually feel. If clothes can have an impact on our feelings, why not make them work to our advantage. Do you want to feel productive today? How about powerful? Maybe you just want to feel comfortable? Focusing on the feeling you are going for is always the best place to start.
Step 1: Pick ONE item in your closet that you know will align with the feeling you are going for. You don’t have to pick 4 powerful pieces of clothing in order to get that feeling. So my advice is to pick ONE item you know is going to invoke that feeling and build out from there. For example, if I want to feel powerful, I might choose a blazer. Or a pair of slacks that make me look taller. Then I can add on from there.
Step 2: Pick the accompanying items still going after that feeling but use color as your next step. Keeping with the theme of power, and knowing I am incorporating a blazer, I am going to then choose pants or a top that have bold colors in them because for me, bold colors equal power. Keep in mind, this is all about YOU. Maybe bold colors and blazers aren’t what make you feel powerful at all, but a jumpsuit with combat boots does. Dial it in based on your own feelings. That’s all that matters in my opinion!
Step 3: Accessorize accordingly. To go with my power blazer and bold colors, I would likely keep everything else simple. My shoes, jewelry etc will be the icing on the cake, not the items I’m making a statement with. On flip side of that coin, if I had gone more basic with my outfit selection and still needed something extra to bring on the feeling of power, accessories are a great way to do it with bigger pieces of jewelry and maybe some sassy shoes.
Now that you are dressed and feeling exactly how you want, the rest of the world is going to sense it! I recently read that our clothes are like a visual resume. I thought that was a clever way of thinking about it. Like it or not, people are constantly sizing each other up. We are naturally visual creatures. But one thing is for sure, if you come at your closet and decisions about getting dressed based on the feeling you are after, the rest of the world is going to feel that energy too. Turns out, you don’t need a costume and a cape to send the message that you are a badass!
If you’re still overwhelmed with this concept, reach out! I’d love to help.