Dressing with Confidence When You're Short on Time

Life is busy, right? The juggle is real - family commitments, work life, trying to keep on top of friendships, meal planning, exercising, and so on. It's a lot. On top of this, you want to feel good. You want to feel confident and comfortable in how you're dressing and presenting yourself. Dressing with confidence is important but can be so tricky when time doesn't feel like it's on your side.

Today I thought I'd share a few way in which you can make dressing for empowerment and confidence easier.

1. Get clear on what you like (about yourself)

Sounds simple, but this can take a bit of work. When working as a personal stylist, I find clients can very easily tell me what they don't like about themselves. Many of us are guilty of that, myself included. But that's not serving us, so I want you to think about what you do like. What parts of your body do you like? If body acceptance is something you sometimes struggle with, I can thoroughly recommend Alex Light's book "You Are Not a Before Picture". It's a great read, offering an insight into the history of why we have been made to feel a certain way about our bodies, but she also offers tips on how we can work to improve on it. I've also written previously about body neutrality which you might like to read.

Once you know what you like and are your strengths, get thinking about outfits which highlight these parts. If you know you're showing your best parts, you'll be able to hold your head high.

2. Now do the same for outfits

   
   

Linked to the previous point, think of those moments when you felt good in what you were wearing. An outfit which you felt great in and felt like it was a piece of you. What was it about these outfits you enjoyed? Was it the colour, the fabric or maybe the fit? Was it how it moved on you or how it felt? Take some time to appreciate what it was about those outfits and try to replicate that with other clothes already sitting in your wardrobe. Being aware of what makes a great outfit for you can be transformative when trying to address your confidence levels and hone in on your style.

3. Edit Your Wardrobe

A cluttered wardrobe is overwhelming. I've seen it time and time again. There's so much choice, you don't know where to start and so you just reach for the same outfits. You're keeping garments which you no longer reach for and they're taking up valuable real estate in your wardrobe! Maybe your body shape has changed and so there are items that no longer fit but every time you see them it just serves to make you feel negatively towards your body.

I know I used to feel guilty about some pieces I was holding onto - I knew how much I had paid for them and/or how little I had worn them. In the case of a pair of pink cords , getting rid of them (sold them on good ole Vinted) freed me of that guilt every time I saw them. So, if you have similar pieces, sell them or donate them to a friend or charity shop but eliminate them as they are taking up valuable space.

Finally, organise your items by category - jackets/coats/blazers, trousers, dresses/skirts, tops/shirts, etc. so that you can easily see your wardrobe. This can greatly reduce overwhelm and stress when faced with your wardrobe each morning. I fully appreciate this requires more of your precious time but remember dressing with confidence is an investment in you.

4. Comfort is Key

   
   

   It's difficult to feel confident in an outfit which isn't comfortable. Comfort can mean the fit, as well as how the fabric feels on your skin. Do you now have to be particular on fabrics being breathable so you don't feel too hot? We've all been there with shoes which pinch, fabrics that itch and it's hard to be yourself if you're distracted by uncomfortable clothing. Be choosey and picky with your outfits and fabrics and don't compromise on your comfort. This is especially important when shopping - how often have you been lured by a bargain only to get home and realise the item isn't quite right? You might love the colour or style of a top but if it's not comfortable this will be shown in your body language. Being comfortable in an outfit will give an air of self assurance so don't compromise of the fit and feel.

5. Use Your Accessories

Those pieces of jewellery lurking in that drawer or the handbag stuffed into the wardrobe somewhere are waiting in the wings to elevate your outfit. Get them out! I know Coco Chanel famously said "Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory", but we're not Coco Chanel and probably not wearing accessories to start with as she was. So, my advice is often to add an accessory or two - put on a pair of statement earrings, a belt, a stack of bracelets (my go-to as I love the sound of them) - to help your outfit feel more styled and individual to you.

6. Stop Waiting for the Perfect Moment

   
   

   I know it can be difficult when time is so short to decide to stop and prioritise yourself. It can feel like such a luxury to "call it" and make steps to work on you and your confidence. But likewise, I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that when you are feeling great about yourself, your mood lifts. The impact on your mood can affect those around you. Your energy and vibe changes and, again, this can be apparent to your friends, family and colleagues. How others respond to you can visibly change as you are giving off a different energy. So, I'm encouraging you to stop waiting for the perfect moment and decide to put yourself first and prioritise you. You know my mantra by now "life is too short".

   
   

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So, are you ready to do this? To dress with confidence? Yes you are! I really hope you can feel that extra spring in your step in the coming weeks as you implement a few of these little things.

If you're feeling like it's a bit too much to do on your own, helping you to dress with confidence is exactly what I focus on in my Style Confidence Programme. I help women like you build stylish, easy to manage wardrobes that fit your lifestyle, body shape and style personality. I want you to feel confident every morning, no matter how busy life gets.

"I was totally lacking in confidence regarding my appearance and I wanted to start to gain some style as the prospect of more social interactions loomed.... [Loved ones] have commented on the positive lift in my mood and the enthusiasm that I am showing towards moving forwards in confidence.... An increase in my self confidence and enthusiasm has been noted by all staff at work..... After the rest of the session, I feel confident to put new outfits together myself. Can't thank you enough." Judy Nov. 2024

The programme is over 2 days in your home, and you also have access to me for 6 weeks afterwards. It's a fantastic way to invest in yourself and prioritise your confidence. To book a free discovery call or if you want to learn more about the programme, just drop me an email and let's have a no obligation chat.