Presentation: Does How You Feel Inside, Reflect Your Outward Appearance? 3 Easy Tips to Ensure That You Look as Good as You Feel

Are you pleased with the way you present yourself?? Well, I guess this was a conversation to be had before CoVid because let’s be honest, who really cares now?? No, but seriously, as of late I have heard tons of women talking about being bored with their overall look and wardrobe. Thus, leaving them with the desire to improve upon their appearance when they actually get the opportunity to leave their homes. When asked me for advice on the matter, initially I simply wanted to know if my friends put enough time and effort into getting ready each day. Most were honest in saying that they didn’t put much thought into what they were wearing. Others admitted to not giving themselves enough time to actually get fully dressed. While some felt that they did take the time each day to plan outfits but just weren’t satisfied with the outcome. These were the women I could help, and if you have fallen into this category maybe I can help you too. I have 3 very easy tips that don’t require spending money on a stylist or shopping for an entirely new wardrobe.

I. Wear Colors Complementary to Your Skin Tone

So for starters, I think a good rule of thumb is knowing what colors actually complement your skin tone. Wearing hues and shades that actually flatter your complexion is an instant boost to your look. And if you don’t know, always go for universally flattering shades such as teal, cobalt blue, deep purple, and a true red. Stay away from loads of black because black tends to pick up on any dark spots or shadows in our skin emphasizing them.

II. Make Sure Your Clothing Fit Properly

I also think well-fitting clothing has a great deal to do with someone’s overall appearance. Wearing your correct size is vital. Not only can wearing clothing that fit your body boost your confidence but it will enhance your comfortability as well. Invest in having your clothing tailored to fit your body, it will make a great deal of difference. Because tailoring is such a specialized practice, I can guarantee that having your clothes fit your specific body like second skin will make you feel amazing.

III. Take the time for Skin and Haircare

I am no esthetician by a long shot, but there are a few proven things you can do that will drastically improve the look and feel of your skin and hair. For starters, invest in a gentle yet effective cleanser and use it daily. It’s also important to incorporate sunscreen SPF 30 into any skincare routine. As far as hair goes, using a good moisturizing conditioner after shampooing helps protects the hair shaft and add shine. Beautiful hair and a healthy glow will certainly improve any look, so make the minimal effort and watch just how far it will take you.

Hopefully these tips will help with putting your best self forward. However, I will say it starts within. If you take the time to put thought into what you are wearing and are confident in what you are wearing, that confidence will ooze out of your pores. It won’t be about what you are wearing at all. People will just see a beautiful, confident woman, and that’s what’s most important. It’s really all that matters in the end.

Are We Still Dressing Up?? COVID Edition Part II

Out of all my friends, I seem to have the most discipline when it comes to actually sticking to morning routine and getting dressed up everyday.  Trust me, this is a very conscious effort.  For my own mental stability, I have to stick very closely to my morning routine, which includes at a least 4 mile run, shower, and full SOSNU outfit…all by 9 a.m.  So when I hear my friends who work from home talk about rolling out of bed just in time to log in, or those who are working in underwear and tank tops all day.  Honestly, I have to check myself and make sure I am not casting judgment in their direction.

One huge factor that definitely sets me apart from my group of friends is that unlike them, I have been “working from home” for the past 4 years.  I left Corporate America and started freelancing long before lockdown, so my daily routine has been several years in the making.  This global pandemic didn’t turn my lifestyle and daily routines on its head at all.  So I didn’t have to really adapt too much, unlike every one else in the world.     

outfit details - dress: H&M (here, here); shoes: Nike (here, here); earrings: vintage (here, here); eyewear: Firmoo (here, here)

Working now as a full time, fashion business owner has a lot to do with my attitude towards clothing.  I love clothes.  They are around all the time.  There is always loads coming in, and orders of clothes shipping out.  All of my contributions to other publications are articles about fashion.  The creative content I contribute to clients and brands are all fashion related, so I guess it goes without saying that I get a kick out of getting dressed everyday.  I will say that every outfit isn’t vibrant and fully styled, but it’s a full outfit nonetheless.  The shoes are optional, of course.  Another thing about getting dressed is that it’s a tremendous mood boaster. And if I am in a good mood, I tend to be more productive and prepared during the day.  When I look good, I feel great.  And when I feel confident and great, I have the audacity to be bold and more courageous with my work.      

All and all, it boils down to the individual.  I am someone that thrives in systems and routines, so getting up and getting dressed has been something that I’ve never stopped doing since I was a young child.  I got ready everyday for grade school, then college, then working in corporate America, now working for myself.  I’ve never allowed myself to sway to far from my daily routine, maybe it’s just how i’m wired. I know that in order to have that fully optimized day, I have to dress the part no matter what.

“I want to challenge you all to try getting dressed every day for a week, and see if it’s effective??”

Simple Ways to Establish Your Personal Style

And we’re back with another one. I hope you all are well and still getting dressed…even if you’re just working from home. I know for me putting on actual outfits each day has been the ultimate mood booster, and it is something that has been vital for my productivity levels daily. I guess true is the saying that there is Power in Dressing.

We’re back this week with another post that I hope will be very helpful. After last week’s post I received tons of great feedback. If you haven’t read it yet, please go back and catch up on why I think that knowing or at least having a sense of your personal style can help in being more sustainable. However, I did notice that a lot of you sent messages asking if I would outline ways to help someone establish their personal style. I mistakenly assumed that you all fully understood personal style. Don’t fret if you don’t, it would be a delight to go more in-depth. Here is my prerequisite blog post to last week’s:

So for starters with determining your personal style, I will say to trust your instincts. Go for what you like or what you’re naturally drawn to, whether it’s currently in style or not. The latest trends aren’t for everybody, so if it’s something that you aren’t so sure about it will definitely show. Your clothes will look like cosplay or as if they belong to someone else. The operative word in the phrase “personal style” is PERSONAL. So you've got to own it.

Next, take a moment to assess the foundation of body’s shape. Minimal understanding of this is vital, as it aids you in purchasing clothing that actually flatters your particular body type. You will surely look and feel your very best.

Contrary to popular belief, developing your personal style doesn’t start with clothing. I would recommend that you allow yourself to be influenced by indicators such as silhouettes, art, literature, values, cultures, even nature. Honing in on these things will help cultivate a more organic sense of style that is uniquely yours.

Now take a look inside your wardrobe and identify any iterative clothing. A great way to start narrowing down what your personal style is is to simply look at what you have a lot of in your closet. Those duplicate styles, colors, etc. may hold the keys to your very own personal style. Here you should notice your own signature and statement pieces. Also, note random or odd pieces in your closet. It’s not necessarily bad to have items that are just one off (unlike anything else), but ask yourself why did you buy them. Are they aspirational pieces that you just don't know how to style yet or did you purchase on a whim and it’s something that you don’t intend to wear and should get rid of??

While you’ll still in your wardrobe see if you can spot any common THEMES. Is your style seemingly modern, boho, classic, vintage, trendy, etc. Once you’ve done this and are looking to expand your wardrobe and further shape your personal style, use those theme words as references when searching inspiration sites such as Pinterest or even Instagram. This tip may be helpful when online shopping as well.

Another great tip to help lock into your personal style is simply take pictures of yourself in outfits that you feel the best in and use them as reference photos when making spinoff outfits. This will aid in creating a more coherent style. If you don’t have anything to photograph yourself in at the moment, screenshot people online or even celebrities whose style you like. Locate outfits that epitomize your idea of your personal style.

I hope this information has been helpful. Although I promote personal style, the biggest take away is understanding that we as women are mutable, and the things that we like or are drawn to can change as we change. A number of factors can influence our style. It isn’t static, evolution is inevitable.