Dressing Well, Why it Matters.

Why should we bother dressing up everyday?

Life is a constant cycle of events ranging from routine, to boring, to wonderful to catastrophic.
There is no escaping it.

When life throws some of it's challenges our way (as it always does) the thought of getting dressed and doing your makeup can be daunting.
Just functioning can be hard enough.
Surly putting on makeup, and nice clothes, can't really help anyway?
Is it not just superficial, pathetic and shallow?
Won't people judge me if X is happening and I am all 'dolled up' in lipstick and heels?

Well, yes they will.
BUT...
Not always how you think!

Appearances are important.
Even if you feel that being concerned with how you look is superficial, pathetic and even unfair, it is still a fact of life.

People judge you.
People treat you in a certain way according to how you look.
Looking your best matters.

How making an effort can help during difficult times.

In the face of adversity attempting to look your best can help how you feel, and how you cope.
Just going through the routine of "getting ready" can be calming, reassuring and help maintain some level of normality.
This is especially important when life's stress button is turned up to MAX!

Just knowing that you look like the 'normal you' (or as close as you can get to it) helps you get on with those difficult tasks.
Looking your best gives you confidence when talking to professional people (like doctors or lawyers) or tackling difficult situations.

Looking pulled together gives the impression that you are someone who is in control and should be listened to, and respected.

Making the effort really does work when you need to bluff your way through life.

What's the point in starting to dress well now?

Even if you are not someone who dresses up, or makes much of an effort with your appearance, it is never too late to start!

You are never too old.
You are never too fat/thin/short/tall.
You are never too anything.

There is always a point.

{Have a look at these posts for more ideas to get started.....
5 Steps to body confidence.
How to get out of a style rut.
Style resolutions.
How to shop like a pro.
How to be braver.}

Now for the fun bit....

33 things that happen when you start to dress well.

1. People look at you. Women (and men) will start to glance in your direction. You may even attract a mate/date!
2. People smile at you, and say "hello". 
3. You get served quicker at the bar, or restaurant...I've done the research.
4. Cars stop to let you cross the road. Weird, but true.
5. The man/woman at the coffee shop/cafe remembers your name and your order which is a great feeling.
6. The shop assistant has "just the thing" out in the store room...or behind the till... an even better feeling!
7. You get a free upgrade (maybe).
8. You feel better. 
9. You smile more, people smile back at you. 
10. You look happy, and confident, so you project positivity. 
11. Other people like feeling positive (and happy) so they like being with you.
12. You will inspire people around you to dress up more, and therefore spread the happiness.
13. Your positivity rubs off on others.
14. People talk to you.
15. You start to receive compliments.
16. You look like you are an organised person, and can therefore be trusted, so people start asking you for directions or advice.
17. Some people will dislike you. These people are not worth knowing anyway, forget them.
18. Friends start teasing you about your style, but ask your advice.
19. The men in your life will value your opinion on their outfits and choices..
20. You find that you want to experiment with the latest trends, and may feel a bit daft at first, but go for it anyway!
21. You start analysing what makes an outfit work or not work (while you are people watching) and start making mental notes to avoid certain items or try new looks.
22. You start to notice style faux pas that make you shudder...camel toes, hangage (toes over the front of open shoes, like claws), gapage (a space between the heel of the foot and the back of a shoe), muffin tops, badly fitting jackets, tags hanging out, hanger loops hanging out, shiny sausage-leg tights....the list goes on.
23. You resist the urge to interfere, but would always tuck in a friend's tag!
24. You suddenly find that most of your wardrobe does not fit properly, or looks a bit shabby and/or dated. 
25. You throw out / recycle / donate most of your wardrobe!
26. Some days you effortlessly pull a look together. You begin to trust yourself, and instinctively know what works/looks good. 
27. On other days you spend too long in front of your wardrobe wondering why you have nothing to wear, and end up late!
28. You begin to fall in love with (and collect) accessories. Storing them in an organised way and regularly 'sorting them out'...reorganising, recycling and re-purchasing {sometimes you might just look through your collection because it makes you happy... or maybe that's just me!?}.
29. You will start to care more about your health, fitness and how your skin looks. 
30. You will feel confident enough to try a new hairstyle, or makeup trend, whatever your age.
31. When looking for clothes you save huge amounts of time by learning what colours, shapes and styles suit you.
32. You begin to enjoy experimenting with different colours, shapes and styles that are not supposed to suit you.
33. Shopping starts to be fun!

Today I wanted to wear this knitted dress again.

The midi length of this dress is something I am experimenting with at the moment.

{Although, this dress is an old one the midi length is not one of my favourites}

I can be guilty of sticking to my usual styles, and being blinkered towards certain hemlines.

However, it is very important to keep trying new things (especially as we get older) so I am going to be taking my own advice!

This dress is a knitted and ribbed fabric, which is very unforgiving, so a full slip was a must!
{I adjusted the straps on my slip to make it longer and lower at the front}

I would always wear a cover-up with this dress, normally a cardigan, but this cornflower blue jacket was leaping out of the wardrobe today.
Blood red and blue is a great combination.
Vibrant and fun.

I wanted to keep my look simple, and uncluttered, so a neutral shoe and my leopard belt seemed obvious choices.

A fun brooch kept everything light hearted.

My caged clutch and red lipstick finished my armour outfit off perfectly!

DRESS: American apparel...this one is very cool!
JACKET: Monsoon...this one is nice....this one is smarter.
BELT: Topshop...similar...this one is cool.
BAG: Tkmaxx...this one is pretty.
SHOES: XTI..this wedge version is cool!
BROOCH: Charity shop... this one is fun
LIPS: Wet and Wild
TOES: Barry M

Do you dress up/ dress your best as often as you can?

Do you use clothes (and makeup) as armour against a bad day?

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Or contact me for a blether!

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