Building Self Confidence – Clothes

Published: October 11, 2013 | Updated: November 12, 2019 | By Ashlee

I’ve mentioned before that the last year was a little rough for me. I have been pregnant or nursing for almost 12 year straight, and having that portion of my life over has been rough. I kind of simply quit, quit taking care of myself, because what was the point? I’m at that stage now where I spend a lot of my day in the car, dropping my kids of, picking them up, taking them to activities, waiting in the car. And when I’m not in the car I’m at home, laundry, dinner, dishes, cleaning (blogging).

I let my love of clothes, fashion and make up go and wore my pj’s almost every day. I just didn’t bothering to get ready for the day, it kind of felt like “what’s the point”. Seriously because there wasn’t anything to bother getting ready FOR! BUT when I got called a MAN 3 times in one month I realized something had to change (YES you read that right, a MAN, once I got called a DAD). My self confidence was at an all time low!

There IS someone to get dressed up for, MYSELF! Sitting around in my PJ wasn’t helping me feel better, in fact it was making it worse. I decided that even if I didn’t feel like it simply the act of getting dressed and making myself feel special by doing my hair and make up would help me! AND it has, it has helped a lot. A few weeks ago the amazing Megan from Brassy Apple came over and helped me “shop your closet”.

She came to my house and went through my closet to help me the clothes I already own in a different way! A new way to wear it, refashion it, upcycle it or GET RID OF IT! After 5 kids my body isn’t what it was, and while I could care less about my weight (don’t even own a scale), BUT I did need some help dressing my current body.

We went through my whole closet and here are some of the tips I learned. BE BRAVE, try something new. I am very self conscious of my large breasts. I want to wear clothes that show my womanly body shape, but not overly show off my chest. So I tend to stay away from trends that bring any attention to that area, like scarfs and belts. BUT with some encouragement from Megan I totally tried it! She suggested looser pants with this more fitted top!

Next for me was COLOR, as in don’t be afraid to mix colors (or wear color, I own mostly black with very little color)! I used to go too matchy matchy. On the left is adding colorful accessories to an outfit with Megan’s help and on the right how I would have worn it without her help. The added pop of color in the necklace and shoes and it takes it from “fine” to a more complete, less boring blah, look!

This was was the biggest for me LAYERS and ACCESSORIES. On the right, BORING, shirt and pants, fine, I’m not in PJ’s and I’m wearing a bra (improvement), but adding the scarf, sweater, headband (and cute new boots) takes it from “clothes” to an outfit! And I love it! All things I already had but had never put together!

So I made a goal not to wear PJ’s during the day for a month! Even the day’s I “just” take my kids to school and come right back home all day I still get dressed, do my hair and put on make up. AND it has totally helped! Taking the time to time to take care of myself has been wonderful! My self confidence is back up, and I feel better in every other area as well!!

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