Would you fit into a dress for impression alone? Or would you choose comfort only? We may walk into a store and find a stylish outfit but know it’s outdated. The same outfit could be a great comfort factor, given its fabric or size. That’s when you will be forced to answer the first two questions I asked.
Remember the good old saying? First impression is the best impression. Many of us pick our clothes to suit this saying at its best. However, I cannot say it’s everyone’s motivation when choosing their outfits. As we all know, social media is pushing us to two extremes. One is those that want to fit in with the trends. The other is those that want to break stereotypes and be themselves.
To know which group you fall into, here are a few questions you may need to answer.
How much do you know and value your body type?
Your body shape influences whether you feel comfortable in a certain piece of clothing.
It is critical to understand which portions of your body you want to emphasise or minimise. When you understand this, body type becomes less significant, and you can concentrate on your own priorities. These figure priorities are quite personal to you and part of your own style.
Whatever your body type is, it is crucial to understand that bodies exist in a variety of forms and sizes. That is what distinguishes every one of us. There is no such thing as a standard or normal body type. Some of us are curvier, while others have narrower hips or wider shoulders – we’re all unique. Nonetheless, most of us may classify our form into a few basic types.
Who do you want to impress, others or yourself?
People will never remember the female who struggles while wearing high heels and skin-tight attire. The same is true with the males wearing low waist pants thinking it makes them appear cool. So, before creating a fashion statement, make sure you know who you are trying to impress. The emotion of feeling confident in yourself while wearing something is priceless.
Did you know that therapists can tell a lot about a patient’s mental health just by looking at them? Apparently, either an extreme interest in clothes or a lack thereof is cause for alarm. For example, research suggests that people who are going through a difficult time tend to deal by seeking praise and adoration depending on their style. We frequently strive to elicit a reaction and get noticed by dressing loudly.
Do you want to blend in or stand out?
When I think of the times I was asked to pick a dress as others do, I can think of a number of occasions. Here’s a quick story. I was invited to a party last week. The expected outfit for the day was smart casual. I picked a pair of comfortable jeans and a super comfortable top. A few people told me I was underdressed. It made me think for a moment. I had second thoughts. Then I paused and resumed with no changes. I was convinced that I wanted to stand out and not blend in.
However, this leads us to another question. What about social value? Why are we so terrified of being seen? And why do we want to be noticed? So, we either desire to be in the spotlight to be validated by others, or we blend in with the crowd to feel accepted and therefore worthwhile. Does this matter?
Ideally, as much as we want to say we prefer comfort over style or style over comfort, it is important to remember nobody except ourselves will be able to define our own worth. Our worth is not reflected in the eyes of the beholder, but rather originates from within us. That’s not to suggest that clothes can’t be a strong tool for self-expression and discovery.
The challenging aspect is to distinguish between ‘I want to express’ and ‘I want to impress,’ which are not the same thing.
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