Playing dress-up begins at age of five and never truly ends-Kate Spade
By:- Simran singh
Dressing up can either be very fun or extremely tiring, there’s nothing in-between! Whether it be dressing up for a party or forcing yourself out of the bed each morning for work, dressing up makes for a huge and very important part of our routines. It’s exactly how Judith Rasband says “the way we dress affects the way we think, the way we feel, the way we act and the way others react to us”. It’s been proven that there is a strong link between our clothing choices and our emotional states. Some general thoughts you have when you’re dressing up may be-
DOES THIS FIT?
Fit trumps all. When it comes to dressing well, nothing is more important than fitting. Make sure the clothes you select sit beautifully and proportionately (or consistent with your body proportions) and enhance your looks for an even better-looking silhouette. Even if you’re wearing baggy clothes you don’t want them falling off your shoulders every 5 seconds. If you have clothes in your wardrobe that don’t fit anymore, try to alter them or donate them.
IS IT SUITABLE ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER?
How many times do you regret not carrying a jacket because you thought “Oh! I’ll be fine”. Or rather how many times have you worn clothes that make you sweat, in summers because they “look good”. Layering is the key to staying dry and warm in cold conditions. Loose-fitting shirts made with cotton or fast-drying synthetic fabrics are appropriate for warm to hot conditions. Do not compromise on your health by choosing clothes that go against the season.
DRESSING UP FOR WORK/ INTERVIEWS-
Although trying to decide what to wear in your workspace, usually early in the morning, seems like a waste of time (which you could have spent sleeping!), dressing formally for work helps one mentally separate work and leisure time, which could be very helpful for people who need to create stronger boundaries between these two parts of their life. Formal attires increase focus and help to create trust and ease if your work is client-oriented. Wearing whatever is considered “professional attire” in your place of work can improve how people perceive you and even offer you more authority. Here are a few thoughts that run in your heads when it comes to dressing up professionally-
IS IT PROFESSIONAL ENOUGH?
People often hesitate to wear patterns, stripes, and shades such as pink or red to their offices because it doesn’t appear professional enough. They opt for neutral colors such as white, or less bold colors like blue and brown.
AM I FEELING CONFIDENT?
Wearing clothes that instill a sense of importance or intelligence can change the way you interact with others as well as your cognitive functioning. It can even make the difference between a fumbling and an aced interview. You wouldn’t want to wear clothes that make you conscious and insecure about yourself, which more often than not, is clearly visible in your body language.
WILL THIS MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION?
People will make different assumptions about you depending on the way you dress. This means you can make yourself smarter or more powerful based on your clothes. It has been proved that people who dress more like their bosses have a higher chance of getting promotions. Well and neatly dressed candidates make better impressions on interviewers and are likely to be chosen for the job. Remember, although first impressions can change, they definitely matter!
WILL THIS CONVEY WHAT I MEAN?
When choosing your colors and attire, be thoughtful about what you’re doing and whom you’re meeting, and what message you want to convey. For example, while meeting a client, one wants to look like they know what they’re doing, i.e. sharply dressed. If you look like you just came from the grocery store, it conveys a message that you don’t take them seriously. Likewise, if you need to be creative you wear clothing that makes you feel open-minded and inventive.
WHAT ABOUT ACCESSORIES?
Dressing up for your office includes your outfit, personal grooming, and accessories. Accessories are tools that you can use to convey positive and winning messages about yourself and your abilities. But avoid large and bulky necklaces, earrings, or scarves. Sometimes, just a simple watch and polished shoes give a very elegant look.
IS MY MAKEUP TOO MUCH?
In a professional environment, less is definitely more. Keep the shades and the application softer i.e. nude or rose lip gloss rather than scarlet lipstick, brown or navy liner instead of jet or coal black. Try products that suit your skin tone and texture and make you look fresh. Use smudge-proof and waterproof makeup if required.
DRESSING UP FOR PARTIES/FUNCTIONS/ HANGOUTS/ DATES/ TRAVEL
Dressing up for social events, be it friendly gatherings like BBQs and housewarming parties, informal dinner outings, traveling, or weddings and fundraisers is completely different from putting on business attire. You obviously wouldn’t want to show up in shorts for a wedding. We dress up to respect the demands of a particular activity or because we want to appear at our best when seen by others. Whatever the case, by wearing different attire, we step out of our daily routines. You must be deliberating over some of these questions-
WILL I BE OVERDRESSED? OR UNDERDRESSED?
Take the time to examine the situation and investigate the environment that you’re going into. You can also ask your friends what they are wearing to get a better idea. The key to appearing perfectly dressed for events that you’re not too sure of is to wear a flexible outfit. Wear items that can be easily taken off or put back on so it is relatively easy to dress your outfit up or down for the situation. It is however better to be overdressed than underdressed
WILL THEY LIKE IT?
The first rule of dressing up is- do it for yourself! Wear whatever makes you feel beautiful, whatever helps you express yourself. Think of dressing as your hobby and as something that you enjoy. It’s about you and what you like to do, not about others.
DOES IT SUIT THE ACTIVITY WE’VE PLANNED?
Consider that wherever you’re going requires you to stand for a long time, or sit on hard seats or run, and then decide your clothing. Think about the venue too — heels on a garden party will soon grow really difficult to manage.
IS THIS PHOTOGENIC?
All of us love graming our fake candids and fit checks. However, certain clothes that look amazing when you stand in front of a mirror, do not look as pleasing to the eyes in photographs. The same goes for makeup. Remember to check your makeup and touch up if required after you leave home.
DRESSING UP FOR WORKOUTS/ GYM-
Having the proper workout attire in place to complete your exercises is as crucial as having the right fitness equipment. While it might not seem as though your clothing makes a significant difference when it involves your daily cardio, what you wear can in fact have an enormous impact on both your stamina and your motivation. Here’s what you need to keep in mind-
IS THIS COMFORTABLE?
Wear clothes that are loose and comfortable. If you are running or biking, avoid loose and flappy pants that could get tangled up in the pedals or your feet. For activities such as yoga or Pilates, stretchable, fitted fabrics that keep away sweat are a good choice.
WILL THIS PROVIDE ENOUGH SUPPORT?
While it’s important to choose your clothes based on comfort, you also have to make sure your choice is functional and gives you the right support. Choose a good quality bra and undergarments, and clothes that are durable.
WILL THIS MOTIVATE ME?
While function and fit are the foremost important elements, you want to feel good while you are exercising, otherwise, you might be tempted to cut your workout short. If certain brands, although expensive, motivate you to work harder- buy them!
LOUNGEWEAR
Now, this is something all of us are familiar with, especially now that we are stuck working from home wearing a pair of loose tee and PJ daily, right? Staying at home should not mean that we totally give up on our wardrobe (that beautiful sundress is calling you…). You must be thinking-
wHY MAKE THAT EFFORT?
On days where we don’t feel our best, the clothes we wear and the efforts we put into looking good can make us feel better and act as our potential armor. “Dressing how you want to feel is a way to embody the state of mind you seek and to shape other people’s perceptions of you in a positive way”. It is also a good way to practice your color coordination, makeup skills and create new fits.
Remember, whatever you wear, just own it! If you show up in a place and realize you’re dressed completely wrong, own it. Make it seem deliberate — people will admire you. And who knows? You might just start a new trend!
