As we continue our series on self-care, today’s focus is on the transformative power of looking your best and how it impacts your overall well-being. In “Shine Your Sink” by the Fly Lady, she emphasizes the importance of getting dressed to your shoes first thing in the morning. This can be overwhelming, especially when you struggle with daily outfit choices or poor self-body images. Even the most confident individuals can struggle with the “what should I wear today?” question. My wardrobe needs range from working remotely at home to being on camera for meetings, attending church, visiting schools, and engaging in activities with my children. The pressure to look good, cute, and trendy while meeting varying dress codes added significant stress to my daily routine.

Finding Confidence Through Fashion

For years, I wasn’t comfortable with my body or how to dress it. I faced criticism for dressing “frumpy” and was always being compared to others. As in, “why can’t you dress nice like so-and-so?!” Despite my current husband’s compliments, I struggled to believe in my own beauty. This changed when I discovered “Frump Fighters.” This fantastic tool, complete with an app, helped me organize my closet, keep only the clothes I love, and identify essential pieces. It even suggests outfits for every day of the week based on my zip code!

Following the “Frump Fighters” system, the app suggests specific outfits for different scenarios: casual days at home, on-camera workdays, in-person meetings, and special occasions. I opted to purchase two options: Women’s Essentials and Women’s Business. For the majority of the time, I just use the Women’s Essentials. But if I need to look more professional for an on-site or in-person meeting, I’ll switch my clothing calendar to the Women’s Business option.

(And guess what, they have options for men and children, too!)

Over the summer, I expanded my wardrobe to include more colors and trendy pieces, moving beyond black, white, and gray to navy blue, purple, and burgundy—colors that suit me best. The compliments from strangers and even my teenagers have provided some much needed validation that I must be doing something right.

External appearances, like clothing, significantly impact self-confidence. Research indicates that dressing well can improve mood, boost self-esteem, and enhance overall performance. According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, clothing affects not only how others perceive us but also how we perceive ourselves.

To ensure I wear all my clothes and mix things up a bit, I use hanger tags. This makes sure that I don’t get stuck into a rut. Trust me, it is all to easy, especially in winter, to live in yoga pants and hooded sweatshirts. After doing laundry, I put the tags on the clothes. When pulling items for an outfit, I look for items missing the tag.

For example, today’s recommended outfit was a white blouse paired with denim shorts. All my shorts are denim, so that was super easy. But I have a lot of solid blouses. And denim shorts are neutral, so if I have already worn all my white blouses (as indicated by the tags) I can select another solid blouse – say in cream or lilac. Once all my hangers have tags, I remove them and start over. This system keeps my wardrobe fresh.

Self-care includes taking care of external appearances, such as clothing. For me, having an app to help with daily outfit choices reduces stress and enhances my confidence. A little less stress in our lives can make a big difference. Embrace the power of looking your best and see how it positively impacts your self-care journey.