Style is very personal. However, many women seem to choose clothes that will be acceptable to others. I talked about this in a recent article about why we all want to blend in so much.
When I was growing up, other people’s opinions about my clothes were very important to me. The clothes you wore often dictated which ‘group’ you belonged to. But as I’ve gotten older, I care less about what others think and trust my own instincts and style preferences more. My confidence has grown significantly.
Even now, when I’m shopping, I sometimes question whether I should make a particular purchase. This usually happens with riskier items, like a colorful tunic. You know when you buy something like that, it won’t appeal to everyone.
So, how important is it to buy wardrobe items that are considered stylish by many people? I think this is something celebrities often consider when attending special events. Many play it safe with elegant black dresses. They might not make the best-dressed list, but at least they won’t be on the worst-dressed list either.
However, some celebrities take risks. Sometimes it pays off, and they become the style star of the event. Other times, they might end up on the worst-dressed list because their choice was too fashion-forward. This has happened to amazing style icons like Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow.
But let’s be real, most of us aren’t celebrities, so we don’t need to worry about being labeled as the worst dressed. Still, I know many of us (myself included) love getting compliments on our outfits and being seen as someone who never gets it wrong.
So what should we do?
Here’s How To Play It Safe:
– Stick to neutral colors
– When in doubt, go for the trusted black and white combination
– Avoid unusual shapes
– Wear clothes that match your body type and are flattering
– Keep it simple
And Here’s What Risk-Takers Do:
– Try unusual shapes
– Wear styles that aren’t always the most flattering but are interesting
– Choose bold colors and pattern combinations
– Mix trendy items with something old
– Wear something completely unique
Which camp are you in? Personally, I feel like I’m part of both. In business meetings, I usually wear something neutral to avoid causing a stir. I do the same if I’m in a bad mood or feel less confident and don’t want to be noticed.
But I also love taking risks. I enjoy wearing outfits that stand out or combining items in a way others wouldn’t think of. Sometimes I’ll wear a hat even if no one else is. I need to be in the right mindset, but when I’m confident and love my outfit, I don’t care what anyone else thinks. And I’m definitely more confident more often.
As long as I feel good about myself in the outfit, that’s all that matters. In those moments, I enjoy wearing something unique, and it often becomes a topic of conversation.
I’d love to share what I’ve learned over the years and how I became confident in my style. I want to help you feel confident in your style too. My course, “21 Steps to a More Stylish You,” is now open for enrollment for a limited time.
