How your choice of clothing can affect your life.

Another day, another outfit. But what to choose? Maybe you think again that you have nothing to wear while having a closet stuffed. Maybe you are not standing still for too long and grabbing what’s forehand. Making choices for the work environment or having a leisure day. And then there are the stylers that exactly know what they want and how to wear.

All different but what most have in common is that they don’t think too much about the psychological effects of their clothing choices. Especially those sunken in self neglect. I hear you thinking: but what about the styler type that knows exactly how to, and why psychological? Well depends, if someone is dressing for themselves or performing in contrast to themselves.

But let’s start with explaining why your choice off clothing effects your psyche.

Mostly unconscious and a fraction of your clothing choices are conscious. In general you pick what you are used to. Can be regarding your work, free time or going out. Maybe you don’t care to much about the outcome of styling combination or you pick something that makes you feel good at the moment. But did you ever think about the effect that your clothing choice has on you and your environment in the long term?

Are you really dressing like you?

Environmental influence and maybe pressure influence your clothing choice. Now you might think: why is that so important?

People are no mind readers. What they see is what they think they get. What you express on the outside is the first thing that someone sees and someone makes unconscious or conscious a conclusion on.

The way somebody sees you might effect the way they are talking/treating you and the way someone interacts with you might effect the way you think/feel about yourself and the identity that you get used to will slip inside of your being. An unconscious cycle is created. Now off course depending on the person and interactions everyone’s experience is different. The thing is to not to loose yourself in expectations of others, pressure of minority’s, habits, self neglect and trends.

Yes it is not limited to your clothing choice only. It goes further regarding hair, makeup and body accessorizing style and even home decor, over jolly personality or bitch faces. But that would make an article a book. For now focusing on the easiest to change, the clothes.

Take a look at your closet. Do the clothes in there make you happy or give you a good feeling of having them? Is the style or styles in there really you? Or is it safe? Expected, pushed, trend, unaffordable expensive etcetra… Are you seeing you or is it a collection of the opinions of others? And maybe even identities of others.

It’s time to get grip on your own perspective. Now I’m not saying that you have to get rid of everything at once or everything at all. Only if it’s not serving you in any way. Give yourself time to evolve your style(s). Make time to learn what you really want and what makes you feel good. And yes get out of your comfort zone! Comfort is not necessary good in this case, it’s what you are used to

A good outfit can lift your good mood and confidence. That good mood and confidence will eventually shine through your inside on your outside and might effect positive interactions that can lead to the contacts you really want and even changes like a possible promotion. Your renowned self might eliminate those that don’t belong in your life effortlessly. However your unfolding to yourself will be, don’t let others influence it. Listen to yourself! And very important, make time for yourself!

Now it might sound easier, than done in reality so I’ll give you some tips to work with.

-At first get a clear understanding of yourself and what you want to radiate. Then how your future you looks like. Imagine not what is possible but what you like, and then make it a realistic expectation translated on you. Don’t compare. Don’t be harsh on yourself but take the challenge with a kindness to treat yourself on the best version of being you.

-Make a mood board, or several. Buy some magazines and cut out what you like to make a mood board. Maybe you are good at drawing or prefer a digital making. Doesn’t matter how but it might give you a handle and a clear vision of the direction you are heading to.

-Ask advice from a professional stylist. Not only is the advantage the knowledge of fashion but also the blanc approach to you. They didn’t form an opinion of you through years, but only with what you give them in that short period of time. Relatives and close contacts can blur your vision because of theirs regarding you, while they might have been in a misconception for long.

-Step out of your comfort zone. To change is to explore the different. Just make it a fun time experience by trying those clothing pieces you normally would never choose. It can turn out surprisingly positive. When you see yourself in a certain piece or style it can sparkle more creativity to explore. And maybe you’ll have some keepers.

-One radical change that you can make is to get rid of the clothes that really don’t make you happy or stay a bad choice. Get rid of the pieces that outdated you, that for sure don’t fit your new you (in the making) Don’t save to much because of sentimental reasons either. That might hold you back. Getting rid of those pieces that don’t belong anymore will create space in your head. It will be easier to see a clearer path.

So whatever the reason is for your style of dressing now. Take it under a magnifying glass and study it. Maybe you don’t have to change anything and are aware of yourself and style. In that case you can check if it only needs more sparkle. If this blog really made you think a lot about your unconscious and conscious styling choices and effects, then it’s time to take a dive into your self awareness and needs. Become your own (life) stylist you want to have.