10 Tips for Dressing with Confidence.
Approaching a big birthday for some, can create a feeling of overwhelm, while for others it is another day in the calendar and an accepted part of life.
Women often ask me how to dress for a changing bodyshape and lifestyle. The things that used to fit and feel good, no longer work, and they feel lost and unsure of which direction they should go in.
Husbands and partners think their wives could dress a little sexier, daughters think layering is the answer and magazines give us a thumbs down if we are wearing the wrong skirt length when we hit 40!
I say, pour a glass of bubbly, relax, and do exactly what makes you happy and feel most comfortable!
We all remember the days when we experimented with dressing. Most things fit us, our skin was supple and our hair did what we wanted it to do!
From the 60’s, 70’s, 80’ we experimented with big hair, shoulder pads, mini skirts and makeup. Many of us still have real photos to hold, rather than the digital images of today!
Age plays a part in influencing the way we dress because if we all looked great in everything, the concept of style wouldn’t exist.
Once Trend Setters in our own right, some of us have become lost, or even feel invisible, on the fashion stage we once ruled. While the shops are brimming with colour, imaginative designs and styles in a comprehensive choice for those in their 20’s and 30’s, and 40’s, finding a range of clothing beyond these age groups can sometimes prove difficult if you don’t know where to look.
But while our outward appearance may change as we get older, we never stop being who we are on the inside, and wanting to reflect that in one form or another.
Whether you have a love of quirky shoes, colour, print or a particular style of tailoring, these can all be adapted and tweaked accordingly to create your personal style.
Confidence creates beauty.
No matter what your age or shape, if you wear something you don’t feel confident in, the chances are you will not be able to carry the look off effortlessly and it will show in your face and body.
Don’t let clothing wear you.
If something doesn’t feel right, alter it or give it away. There is nothing worse than pulling at clothes or hobbling along in heels that are too high and it draws attention for all the wrong reasons!
Feeling Youthful
Dressing well is not about trying to ‘look younger’, but feeling good about yourself and giving yourself permission to express it. It is knowing your body shape and making an honest assessment of it. Looking youthful is a consequence and compliment of everything coming together - you, style, fabric, colour, shape, texture, tailoring and accessories!
Me, Me Me!
So how do we reclaim the title of dressing for ourselves in a way that makes us feel great, look good, and reflect the best of our body shape and personality, without looking as though we are trying too hard, or are a fashion victim?
One way is to streamline your look and wardrobe - not least because we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time!
Perhaps you see yourself as artistic, glamorous, classic, natural, or a lover of floral prints, or you have a passion for bold statement accessories?
Whatever it is, find images that represent this then take a good look in your wardrobe to see what your already have that mirrors this and ‘fill out’ any gaps with a few well chosen purchases.
Ten Tips for Better Dressing
BODYSHAPE- If you don’t know your bodyshape, you won’t know how to dress for it. Knowing what works for your frame, stops you blaming yourself for why things don’t look or feel right. It could be down to wearing a different colour, fabric, cut or style. Learning how to use clothes for your specific shape, helps build confidence as you focus only on what feels and looks right for you.
COLOUR- Without knowing your personal palette of colours, dressing and shopping can be time consuming, stressful and expensive! Wearing colours that are in harmony with the natural colouring of your hair, skin and eyes and your personality and character, will become the foundation to building your confidence and to enjoy the clothes you wear.
STYLE- Do you love Vintage, Romantic, Bold, Classic or Sporty looks when it comes to dressing? Unwrapping your personal style, and finding ways to wear it, will help tap in and focus on what you love and help to highlight your unique character. Create a Pinterest board for inspiration and start having fun with your style!
KTA - keep-Throw-Alter. Keep anything that still fits, feels good and flatters you. Throw anything that doesn’t fit, is too tight, too baggy, faded or doesn’t work in the new chapter of your life, and Alter things you still love to wear, but need re-working, like buttons, jacket lining or taking up a hem.
CHARITY SHOP- Visit charity shops to get inspiration with colour, style and accessories, especially if you don’t like shopping or are not very confident in big stores. Charity shops are a hive of inspiration at affordable prices and have the same rules as any retail outlet. If you don’t like something, you can always get a refund!
WARDROBE 1- Choose a day to open your wardrobe and edit it. You may be surprised at how many black T-shirts you have bought, not knowing you already have ten more hiding in the back! Try looking at your clothes as though they are someone else’s. Would you wear these things now? Do they still work in your life, or are they echoes from the past? Do they still work with your bodyshape? Do they flatter your natural colouring or go against it? Essentially, do the pieces you own, put a smile on your face or feel faded and tired? Get rid of anything that doesn’t work or make you feel good.
WARDROBE 2-Divide your wardrobe into Work Wear and Social or Special occasion. This will help control the way you dress and help you dress confidently and quickly when needed. Sort clothing into colour categories will also save you loads of time!
SUITS- If you no longer work in an office environment but you still have a number of tailored suits, and jackets, split them up and wear them in different ways. Team tailored suit jackets with jeans and fitted trousers with a piece of luxury knitwear.
ACCESSORIES- Accessories are the best upgrade to any outfit! Pick up scarves, rings, necklaces, belts, gloves, glasses, brooches, shoes and bags to accencuate any outfit.
SELFIE- Take a photo of your 5 winning outfits as a quick reference of what to wear and when!
Plus 9 Items to include in your Capsule Wardrobe.
Tailored dress or suit - A tailored dress or suit is a great foundation in any wardrobe. The jacket can be worn together or separately with jeans and dresses
Jeans - Buy in a dark wash, white, grey, black or cream.
Shirt - A crisp white or off-white shirt will always look good teamed up with jewellery and scarves in your best colour. Buy a semi fitted or loose fit depending on your taste.
Wrap dress - the amazing thing about a wrap dress is that it fits any body shape and can be worn dressed up or down.
Pencil or A-line skirt to be worn with any one of the tops and jacket.
Trench coat in navy or stone.
Boots in Black, Chocolate or even metallic, will be versatile
Heels - If you can’t go high, wear a block heel for even balance. Buy a pair in nude as well as dark.
Accessories- These can be anything from vintage jewellery, scarves, bags or brooches!
