How To Feel Confident In What You Wear

“How do you pull off everything you wear so well?” It’s a question I get asked a dozen times each day and yet it takes me by surprise each time I’m asked. The truth is, confidence is what really brings an outfit to life. By popular request, today I’m sharing some of my top tips on how to feel confident in everything you wear.

Try Everything On 

When I was a kid and my mom would take me shopping she would constantly say “just try it on”. I’ve become accustomed to trying everything on in the store— even if it doesn’t necessarily strike my fancy when I first lay eyes on it. You truly never know until you try something on; you may be surprised what you end up liking!

I especially suggest keeping this tip in the back of your mind when shopping for special occasion dresses like prom or homecoming! Many of the styles I overlook initially end up being some of my favorites.

Consider Your Shape

It’s important to know your body shape. Stop buying clothes by size, buy them by fit. Just because you typically wear a Medium doesn’t mean the Small isn’t more flattering this time around. Wear what feels good, wear what fits good—not what the label says is good.

Considering your body shape also allows you to find what styles look best on you. I may not look it, but I’m actually very petite in person at only 5’2″. So, I like reaching for dresses with heels to give me extra height, high waisted denim to give the illusion that I’m taller than I am. However, notice I said to consider your body shape, not follow your body shape— just because society says only tiny girls should wear crop tops doesn’t mean their right.

Another thing: if you got it, flaunt it. While you’re busy worrying about looking flat-chested in that cute crop top, there are girls out there who would kill to wear a top that tiny but can’t because their chest doesn’t allow them too. The grass is always greener, folks. Embrace the curves (or lack of) that God gave you!

Wear What’s You Want 

Don’t feel as though you have to confine your style to one category— I could be the poster child for this statement, lol. If you want to wear a leather jacket and combat boots one day and a frilly dress and heels the next, then do it. My style is all over the place and honestly, I’ve grown to be okay with that. Style is not meant to be defined it’s meant to be embraced.

For instance, my cowgirl kick. No, it may not be what’s trendy right now, nor is it what everyone else thinks is cute but it’s what I want to wear. It’s what I find fun. It’s what I feel confident in, and for those reasons, I’ll wear whatever I please.

Know Your Colors

Similar to knowing your body shape and what flatters it best, find what colors suit your skin tone. In the summer I have a deep, olive tan giving me a complexion that looks best in warm hues like yellow, olive green, orange, and royal blue. However, my sister is very fair-skinned and so red, black, and blues suit her best.

Once you find colors that bring out your inner glow, the game changes!

Stop Worrying About What Others Are Thinking

In fifth grade, I started to really take an interest in clothes. For Christmas, all I asked for were new clothes from Abercrombie Kids— my store of choice, obviously! My mom gifted me a dark gray cardigan with floral embellishments along the right boob, a pearl beaded tank top layered underneath. She always gave us our presents this way, an outfit all in one so we wouldn’t hesitate on how to wear it. I wore that combination with bootcut jeans the first day back to school after the New Year. People wondered what the heck I was so dressed up for. I remember that day like the back of my hand.

Soon after I started to really understand the power of clothes, the confidence they could bring someone. And so I stopped carrying what my peers thought about what I wore; in fact, I craved the attention they brought me.

The key to wearing what you want is to stop worrying about what others are thinking. Starting my blog and having people turn to me for style tips and advice gave me all the confidence (and power) I needed.

Don’t Underestimate Accessories

If you’re trying to branch out when it comes to your style, I encourage you to stop underestimating the power of accessories. Jewelry, bags, and belts are what easily bring an outfit from a 4 to a 10. If you’re not a blogger, wearing something new each day obviously isn’t very realistic. Stock up on inexpensive belts, statement earrings, and other accessories that can change the vibe of your basics in just a few simple steps. My cowgirl hat and gold earrings are some of my go-to’s.

Confidence Kills

Remember that the sexiest thing a woman can be is confident. There is absolutely nothing more intriguing than a woman who knows her worth and isn’t afraid to show it. So wear what you want. And wear it with confidence because confidence kills. 

The truth is there were countless people who laughed at what I wore and questioned if my heels were necessary for the halls of our high school. I can’t help but look back and wonder how stupid those people feel now given all of the wonderful doors my “out of the box” outfits have opened for me. Just think of all the wonderful, life-changing opportunities I have been granted because I take a leap of faith when getting dressed each morning.

My Outfit

These photos were taken a few weeks ago already; I asked one of my good friends Garrett if he could help bring a photo idea to life. And that he did. I’ve been dying to shoot photos with a horse for months now. Coincidentally, he has one and these are taken just outside of his house. They are exactly what I envisioned and more.

I got this blue fringe dress in the mail about a month ago and instantly knew it needed a moment all too itself. The movement of this dress is incredible, coming to life so easily. When deciding how to style this dress, I decided to go the modern cowgirl route. I threw on my brown cowgirl boots from White Mountain and a big ole buckle belt. This hat was a gift for my 19th birthday. I’m certainly no actual cowgirl, in fact, I’m actually afraid of horses, and yet something about the hat gives me such newfound confidence. It truly brings my personality to life. And that my friends, is why it’s so important to wear what you feel good in.

dress // belt // shoes // hat

I hope you found this post helpful and that it inspires you to stop worrying about what others may think of you! A good outfit can go a long way but confidence when doing so can go even further. Wear what you want, friends- life is too short not to!

With love, McKenz

Latest Post: 5 Ways I’m Styling My Summer Essentials
Related Post: Defining Your Personal Style
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