Why Dressing Your Best Matters

With isolation still in place, a main priority for many of us is staying at home and working remotely. While important, this also means that we can lounge around in our sweatpants because we don’t need to put ourselves together if there is nobody to dress up for. Honestly, I could let days go by without washing my hair or putting on make up, and that is exactly what I used to do back in the day. The moment I got home, I would wear old sweatpants or clothes that I didn’t feel were good enough to wear outside anymore. Much like the situation today, I thought why should I dress up if nobody sees me anyway? The question I should have been asking is why shouldn’t I dress up? I’m happy to say that my attitude towards dressing up has changed a lot over the years. 

Here are my reasons why I believe that dressing your best matters:

1) Boost of Confidence

If I don’t put any effort into my attire, or have a sloppy appearance, it definitely affects my mood. It makes me feel down and tired. Haven’t we all experienced the moment where we ran into a co-worker looking like a slob and felt ashamed? I don’t like those moments. By getting ready for the day, I feel more confident and my energy level goes up. I don’t need to hide at home because I don’t want to be seen; I am excited to go outside and be active.

2) Productivity 

It is easy to get lazy and cozy on the couch when lounging around in our sweatpants. However, this often leads to procrastination. If we dress our best, it can boost our energy, motivate us to be productive, and allow us to get work done. It also helps us to work better and faster. This is why I always shower first thing in the morning and get dressed for the day. Our clothing affects how we feel and how we are going to act. 

3) Respect

Taking the time and effort to dress up shows self-respect and impacts our self-image. It doesn’t imply that we have to wear high heels or a suit. It means to choose to feel our very best and wear clothes that make us feel good in our bodies. Marie Kondo always dresses up at her tidying sessions wearing mostly white shirts and skirts. She always looks put together. This shows not just respect for herself, but also for the clients and the product that she offers.

4) First Impression

There is the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” but the way we dress has a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves and how we are perceived. People who dress well are often given more respect and attention than people who don’t. If a KonMari Consultant would show up to a tidying session in old denims, a ripped shirt and unwashed hair, wouldn’t she be viewed differently than a consultant who dressed up nicely? This is an extreme example, but I believe it is important to portray a good image, not just for others but also for ourselves. 

5) I Deserve It 

Dressing up in my favorite clothes makes me feel good in my body, gives me confidence and motivates me. I used to save nice outfits for the perfect occasion and avoid wearing them. Honestly, what was I waiting for? I realized that I shouldn’t hold back. I deserve to wear my favorite items whenever I want. I strongly believe that every day in our lives should be treated as special, and we don’t need a reason to dress up. We deserve to feel our best all the time. 

I want to point out that dressing up, to me, means embracing my clothes and feeling the very best in my skin. Like most of us, I often wear comfortable clothes when I work from home. However, I will always try my best to look put together even if it’s with cute yoga tights, a nice shirt, and a little make-up. Don’t get me wrong, I also have days when I don’t feel like dressing up and that’s okay. For me, it’s a conscious decision to dress up or down because I am aware that this is how I want to feel at the moment. 

Now that you have read my thoughts about why dressing your best matters, how do you feel about the importance of putting yourself together?