5 min read
In the world of fashion, the adage “Dress to impress” is ubiquitous, but most assume that they need to impress others through their sartorial appeal, and not for themselves! When in fact, your style has more power on how you feel on the inside, than how others perceive you. While fashion can help you relate to others, dressing well can improve your mood. Research indicates that our outfits can impact our cognitive processes, affecting our moods and sense of confidence. Fashion is a form of self-expression, but many look to trends and celebrities for inspiration rather than determining what makes them feel good and using that to inspire their looks. First, let’s tackle some myths surrounding fashion, then delve into how to boost your confidence and show off your uniqueness.
Busting 3 myths about fashion for confidence
Fashion is something everyone has an opinion on, but one person’s taste is not better than another. Before diving in, let’s address some of the myths surrounding fashion.
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You need designer pieces to feel like a million bucks.
Many believe owning designer pieces will inspire confidence, that’s not necessarily true. While investing in luxury pieces is desirable, it’s more important to stick to one’s budget and purchase items that truly speak to you.
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Your wardrobe should be as diverse as possible.
Confidence isn’t measured by the size of your wardrobe; it’s about how we feel in the clothes we wear. Instead, by curating a small but mighty collection of key pieces that truly resonate with you, you can create outfits that reflect your personality and make you feel great. Draw inspiration from capsule wardrobes, that cleverly use the same pieces to create many different outfits that make you feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.
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You need to buy new clothes every season, every year.
In the past, fashion typically had four seasons—summer, fall, winter, and spring. But now, fast fashion churns out new styles so quickly that we have six or more seasons. This constant stream of new trends and items can be overwhelming, making people feel like they need to buy everything to feel good and stay fashionable among peers.
In the end, these myths and trends fall by the wayside to the only opinion that matters is yours. So, how can we use clothing and fashion to boost our confidence?
Define your unique style.
Ideally, your style should mirror who you are inside. Take some time to explore various looks online, in magazines, out and about in the city and see what piques your interest.
Some individuals prefer monochromatic and simple outfits for ease and comfort, allowing them to focus more on their day-to-day activities. Less time spent on outfits means more time for other pursuits.
Others are passionate about fashion, with everything carefully curated as they view life as their own personal runway. From head to toe, there is something very specific about them.
Then, there are those who fall somewhere in between, dressing up for special occasions while embracing minimalism in their everyday attire.
Ultimately, there is no right or wrong to dress. It’s all about expressing yourself authentically while meeting your day-to-day needs and budget. Knowing your outfit serves your day’s purpose while meeting your own personal definition of “style” leads to more confidence.
Be bold. Have fun.
Despite the fashion industry's history of promoting unrealistic beauty standards, it's encouraging to see that society is moving away from that and towards placing a higher importance on feeling happy and comfortable in your own skin.
Last year, a theory named “Dopamine dressing” was heavily popularised on Tik Tok, which suggests that specifically choosing clothes can boost your dopamine level, therefore make you happier.
With that knowledge, don’t be afraid to experiment. Now, that you have an idea of what you might like, shop around to see who carries those styles, go in-store, or place an online order to try them on. Remember to only keep what you like!
What else goes into fashion for confidence?
Once you've settled on a style that resonates with you, there are several other aspects of fashion that can contribute to confidence. Beyond clothing, consider hairstyles, skincare routines, footwear, jewelry, accessories, and even makeup.
Research different options and see what aligns with your preferences and personality. By paying attention to these additional details and experimenting with different combinations, you can further refine your look and boost your confidence.
Finally, your wardrobe should be empowering without causing undue stress, especially financially. Focus on curating your key pieces to create versatile outfits that resonate with you. Fashion is a tool, not a requirement. Stay true to you and have fun with it!
Recommended Perks
Don’t forget to leverage your perks related to fashion, accessories, skin care and makeup on the platform. Discover local brands with the keywords we’ve provided below, along with some national and regional you can consult. Keep in mind, this is not an exhaustive list. Log into the platform today to see all your perks.
Clothing
Search keywords for local partners: fashion, clothing, women fashion, men fashion
National brand partners: Reitmans & Group (Fun fact, Reitmans offer styling sessions – be sure to check it out); Simons, Buffalo David Bitton; Frank And Oak; Indochino; Callaway Apparel; Tommy Hilfiger
Accessories
Search keywords for local partners: rings, necklaces, shoes, sunglasses, bags
National brand partners: Ray-Ban; Ankara, Soft Moc, Foot Locker, Ecco, Oakley, Bentley, PKG
Skin Care
Search keywords for local partners: face, skincare,
National brand partners: Vichy; Fresh Beauty; Kiehl’s Beauty Canada
Make- up
Search keywords for local partners: make up, face, lips
National brand partners: Shu Uemura; Urban Decay Canada; IT Cosmetics
Grooming & beauty
Search keywords for local partners: grooming, barber, hair, salon
Regional brand partners: Manscaped, Avanti Hair Salon, First Choice Haircutters, Ulike, Chatters Hair Salon
Disclaimer:
- Perks are subject to change, and some perks are tailored to your organization prior to launching.
- We are constantly bringing on new brands to partner with us. If you don’t see your preferred brand, you can suggest a perk to us, and we’ll try our best to include them on our platform. You can do so by logging on the app or the browser version and use our “Suggest a Perk” function.