Who do you dress for?

I learned another lesson from my son today, a cold day in Texas. I was getting my kid dressed just to hang out at home. We were taking our baths and putting on clothes to sit on our comfy couch and watch loads of TV. My son is an amazing 4 year old. He has this great sense of identity to be so fresh in the world. I think he's incredible.

We're standing in his closet. He's in an undershirt, underwear, and socks. He's still wearing his shark towel, because his hair is kinda wet. We're looking at his clothes trying to figure out what would be perfect, and warm, for a lazy day at home. He keeps choosing the adorable school clothes that have just been washed and ironed. I keep cringing and suggesting the stained t-shirts and pants with pin holes. We can't agree. So I do what I should have done many failed suggestions ago, I ask him why he keeps choosing that stuff. He replies, "because I like it." I tell him we aren't going anywhere. It's so cold outside. I just want to hang out at home. No one will see his "cool clothes." He replies, "I still like them."

He's a smart boy. He dresses in what he likes. He wears what he wants and feels great in it. He dresses for himself! He walks around with his self confidence off the charts, and I'm proud of him. I want to be more like him.

Who do you dress for?
Once, I dressed for specific people or events. Later, I realized that I only looked nice some of the time. Meaning, I was going out as a slob every time I didn't "plan" to see anyone. That's insanity, and I'm embarrassed. I cannot dictate who I may come in contact with after I walk out my front door. So it turned out that I was always in the public, bumping into some of those specific people, without my "fancy" attire.

I had to establish style, a daily no matter what style. I broke down my wardrobe. I looked at what I really enjoyed about my clothes to fix them. I didn't want to invest money into a phenomenal wardrobe that I'd never wear. So, I went from tight flare-leg jeans to comfortably fitted straight-leg jeans, over sized cotton t-shirts to flattering cotton tunics and blouses, and sneakers to ballet flats. And that has made all the difference! Well the difference for casual clothes. I already had a pretty good handle on "fancy."

Same issue, but drastically in the other way. I know people that always over dress to impress. So you look super trendy, but there's little of your personality involved. You are head to toe trend. I'd bet that's not very flattering on you either. Every trend will NEVER work for everyone!

Get dressed for yourself primarily. If you please yourself, become the most confident you've ever been, everything else will just fall perfectly into place. I am working with this everyday. We all are. It's Murphy's Law, the moment you decide against following the rules you run into the man who once broke your heart and you're wearing tattered, over sized, sweats and no bra. But, you were just running to the corner store for a paper. It doesn't matter, because it will undoubtedly happen, I promise. Push yourself, as I continue to push myself, to be better today that yesterday and better tomorrow than today. Be like my son!

And again I must preach, have style that speaks to you, is flattering, and fun. Now I'm done, go on and take over the world!