What story is your outfit telling?

I was doing a photoshoot thing recently and the setting was a coffee shop on a Saturday morning. It was packed!

A handsome fella walked in and gave me the once over. He was wearing Carter’s pants covered in paint and looked like he was on his way to a job.

As he was checking me out, I noticed a sense of disapproval. I was wearing a full back outfit, way too dressy for a coffee shop on a Saturday morning (pictured below). I could tell he was telling all kinds of stories about me and what kind of person I was. And I did the same thing to him by assuming he was on his way to a job. We are visual creatures and our brains do this kind of thing automatically. We naturally want to fill in the blanks.

It drove this point home for me: our clothes tell stories. Was my outfit inappropriate for that setting? Kind of. But it was for a reason, one he knew nothing about. My point is, never be fooled by the idea that your clothing choices aren’t telling a story. They are. The beautiful thing is, we have the power to tell the story however we want.

So, what story do you want your clothes to tell about you? The thing I LOVE about this question is that there is NO right answer. The only thing that matters is that you decide for yourself. I like to use how certain pieces make me FEEL as a barometer. If they aren’t making me feel the way I’d like, then they’re likely telling a similar story.

Here are some ideas about how you can shift that story if you are stuck in a rut and are searching for some easy wins.

Level 1:

Instead of staying in those leggings ALL day, swap them out for a comfy pair of jeans, throw your hair up in a messy bun but with a little effort ;), throw on some lip gloss, a cute sweatshirt and some sneakers. Now, you are more tucked in, put together, don’t feel like a total bum, but you’re still comfy and ready to tackle some errands etc.

Level 2:

You already have the jeans on, so let's take them up a notch. Change that sweatshirt out for a button down, swap the sneaks for some flat slides/mules, do your hair, and maybe add some blush and mascara to that lip gloss. Now you are looking fresh, feeling GOOD, ready to do some holiday shopping and maybe squeeze in some happy hour cocktails!

Level 3:

Now we are getting serious! Ha! Let’s move on from denim, and wear some type of pant. Maybe it’s a black jogger or some wide leg slacks. Grab a blouse or sweater depending on your weather, and get fully ready. Now you are feeling some sass! This look makes me think of that reels audio where the gal is singing “You know I got the sauce, you know I’m saucy” You are ready for a date night, meeting up for a holiday social, or grabbing drinks with friends.

These are a far stretch from the frumps. Thank you clothes for the easy confidence WIN!

Which one feels like the right fit for you?

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