Clothes are a huge part of how others perceive us. Whether we agree with it or not, our personal style can be a way for people who don’t know us to gather information. Before the conversation even starts, our clothes are talking for us. They’re also a reflection of how we view ourselves. For example, if you wake up one day and aren’t really feeling all that well, you’re more likely to reach for a pair of sweatpants than a dress. I think that more than any other aspect about us, our personal style is such a clear reflection of our self-confidence.
Finding my personal style was always a challenge for me. I’m usually very shy around other people and don’t like to draw attention my way — something that shone through with my outfits. I’d buy clothes based on trends that I ended up feeling uncomfortable in or something that wouldn’t make me stand out in a crowd so that I could fit in. However, that wasn’t the clothes I was drawn to. Regardless of what was trending online, I’ve always been drawn to specific color palettes (reds, yellows, oranges, blues, and pinks) and unique shapes. When it comes to shirts and pants, some of my favorites have flowy or bell sleeves/bottoms. Dresses and long skirts were always items that I loved seeing in stores or when other people wore them, but I never had the confidence to try them for myself. I thought I’d never find the confidence to wear the clothes I wanted — until, I decided to start trying daily fit-checks.
There was a time where I wouldn’t have entertained the thought of doing fit checks since I felt embarrassed, even if no one was going to see them. However, last year I made a promise to myself to try new things and change up my monotonous routine. My fit checks started as something I decided to do on a whim. It was during a particular day that I decided to wear a dress, a rare occasion for me, and actually felt good about it. So, I swallowed my embarrassment, put on Olivia Dean’s “Baby Steps,” and hit record. At the time, I thought it would be a one time thing; a video that would take up more storage on my phone that I’d never rewatch.
However, the next day I also wore something that I really liked. So I put on another Olivia Dean song and started recording. That became my new daily ritual. When I ran out of Olivia Dean songs to use I transitioned to other artists, but the premise remained the same: choosing songs that made me feel confident and matched the vibe of the outfit. It was when I started rewatching them that I noticed the shift in my style and the way I carried myself.
In my first video I was very awkward and unsure. I still looked uncomfortable in the clothes and my smile seemed forced. As the videos went on, I became more comfortable in them, even going as far as dancing and singing along to the music. Watching the videos back also prompted me to take more fashion risks depending on what I wanted to see when I watched the videos. I started buying and styling the clothes that I liked instead of what others wore or what would make me blend into the background. Coincidentally, when I made this change, people started complimenting me on my outfits and style. It was then I realized that I never needed to follow any trends to look good, I just had to start trusting my choices.
Building your self-confidence is one of the most important, yet hardest things you can do. Just like building your personal style is. Finding clothes you like and feel comfortable with goes hand in hand with the way you’re feeling inside. Daily fit-checks were life-changing for me. Even though I’ve never posted or shared them anywhere, making them for myself caused a huge shift in my confidence. If any part of my journey resonated with you, I’d really recommend trying this activity. If you’re like me, when you think of fit checks maybe you feel like they have to be posted somewhere, but that’s not the case. They’re something that can be just for you if that’s what you desire. It’s a fun and simple daily activity to motivate yourself to build your wardrobe and boost your confidence. Happy fit checks, everyone!