The Art of Power Dressing: From the Inside Out
Power dressing is often associated with a wardrobe statement - suits, sharp tailoring, and polished shoes. In truth, it doesn't just lie in our clothing but in our mindset and internal being: how we find value, perceive ourselves, and live authentically. With the right frame of mind, we can step out into the world with intentionality and live with the confidence enhanced by our clothing, empowering us to live up to our full potential.
At the core of it all, power dressing is about embracing your authentic self through your clothing, no matter the style. If you are more drawn to bold colors, wear the bright oranges and reds, or if you like something with a little more edge, bring out those boots and that cool jacket. Dressing with intention means dressing with purposeful self-expression, which is more than the outward appearance - you are dressing for the person you wish to become. Whether that person is confident, charismatic, an innovator, a leader, etc., picking out your outfit each morning is so much more important than you may realize, even if it is as simple as a basic white tee and the perfect pair of jeans.
Coco Schiffer, one of my favorite influencers, suggests that to help you develop your personal style, pick three adjectives to try and define your aesthetic taste. If you can't come up with three adjectives on your own, have a close friend come up with some for you, or think of adjectives that would describe what you would like your style to develop into. Begin to explore what clothing in your closet aligns with these adjectives and makes you feel the most you, and take some time each week to play around with your style preferences. Sometimes, I'll try on clothes for an hour or so and have a shuffle of my favorite songs playing in the background. When we think about it, playing dress up when we were younger was not only to stretch our imagination but to simply have fun. We dressed how we dressed because we felt like it, and that was that. With these small practices, over time, you'll find that not only does your personality begin to show through your clothing, but you'll find yourself picking out your outfits each morning with more care and joy.
One of the biggest hindrances for people when embracing their authentic style is a fear of not fitting in with societal norms, rooted in a deep desire to feel accepted and gain a sense of belonging. Listen, I get it; I've struggled with this in my own life. The reality, though, is that this can cause you to shove down your true style in favor of looks that, in your eyes, may be more accepted. By doing this, you may not only suppress your style but also your personality, creativity, passions, etc. There becomes a disconnect between where you find your value, affecting how you perceive yourself as you rely on external circumstances to seek validation. To break this pattern, you must practice becoming more self-aware and reflect on where you want your values to come from. You then have the opportunity to grow in your authenticity by taking the courage to step out in clothing that feels genuine to you, which will, in turn, increase your self-acceptance. Sooner or later, you will exude a natural confidence that you don't have to fake until you make it.
Power dressing is not just your clothing but an ongoing mindset and how you embody it daily. Eventually, your personal style becomes an extension of who you are. Dressing with intentionality doesn't have to come with a hefty price tag, either—thrifting items at second-hand stores or consignment websites is an excellent way to get quality clothing on a budget. Ultimately, think about who you want to become, and start the day dressing as that version of you. Empowering yourself this way will flow into every other facet of life, allowing you to take on whatever comes next while living unapologetically yourself.
