Listening to my feelings and emotions when getting dressed has been my key to success. Your clothes speak for you when you enter a room or walk down the street. They make a statement to the world and deciding what to put on can be an emotional one.
I know you can relate to how you've felt in an outfit you know you were killing versus one that made you want to stand in the back for a group photo. Learning how to express who you are with your wardrobe can remove unnecessary stress from your life and make getting dressed fun. Check out my thoughts around putting together a look for any occasion!
As I begin pulling pieces for an outfit, there are some questions I ask myself:
Is this piece of clothing original?
I aim to make a new statement and push the envelope with my wardrobe. There is nothing wrong with finding inspiration in the world around you. There are countless designs being created daily, stay up on them! What I challenge myself, and now you, to do is take those ideas a step further. How are you making the look your own? Trust yourself to step out in something that catches your eye whether or not someone else has called it fashionable.
Does this item "hold its own"?
If you take nothing else from this chat, remember a guaranteed way to make an outfit pop from top to bottom is to ensure each piece is fire on by itself.
Check out the pants I have on, these beauties have a double waistline with a frayed hem. They don't jump in your face with chains and bright colors but they possess subtle details that you can't help but notice. These jeans are what I call "holding their own". Just by looking at them on a hanger, you can tell that they will add spice to an outfit.
If you use this idea of including subtle yet killer details in each item you have on, you're going to end up with an interesting, high-fashion, look.
If I wear this, will I be comfortable?
Number one on my list for boosting confidence is clothing comfortability. It's nothing like a shirt that fits all of your good curves up top or pant that makes your butt look A1.
It can be difficult to hold your head high if you feel that your clothing isn't flattering or manageable. I strive to feel comfortable because I know that will carry over into the vibe I give off.
If I know I'm going to be standing all day, I'm looking for my favorite pair of sneakers. If I know I'll be outside, I won't wear my cute sundress that blows up at the slightest gust of wind. Being able to pick items that are right for an occasion yet don't require a lot of maintenance while in them is the way to go every time.
Once I have worked through those thoughts, the rest is about pairing the items and having fun with accessories!
The look you see here was created using these ideas. I knew I had these bottoms that would make a statement but I needed a top that would also catch your eye. I believe the light blue sky paired well with the light wash in my jeans. The scenic design across my stomach added another level to the look while breaking up all the blue. I often say I hate matching colors perfectly such as wearing a green hat with a green purse and green shoes, etc. But in this case, it appealed to me to pull the pink out of my top and repeat it in my accessories.
Although I only wore this outfit for about an hour or so while shooting, making sure it was comfortable was important. My top was breathable and kept everything in place. My jeans had a great fit which allowed me to change poses and move around with ease. And my booties did their thing! They gave me manageable height and were a breeze to walk around in.
The next time you have an opportunity to get dressed for any occasion, remember to think through my steps to create a show-stopping fashion moment for yourself!
Shop the Look
Top: The Zadie collection on shopafrm.com
Shoes: egoshoes.com
Hat: My mom's closet
Photographer: Keith McCoy on Instagram @keef.mack
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