Happy Self-Care Awareness Month. When is the last time you felt really good about yourself? It’s been a while since this quarantine right? I challenge myself this week to use clothes as self-care. How? You may be asking yourself…
Keep reading to find out how I got that boost in my confidence. That I should have a long time ago.
Me? a Fashion guru… haha NO. I am far from it. I do like clothes apparently not as much as other people. That is about to change my friends because it had never crossed my mind that you could use clothes as self-care. Make yourself feel good and boost your confidence.
It wasn’t until I was talking to my cousin about how much she loved clothes and how they made her feel. It has been a while since I felt anything from my clothes. My clothes were just clothes. They cover my body while outside so I didn’t go to jail for indecent exposure.
To use clothes as self-care to boost my confidence I had to do something that nobody ever really wants to do. I had to go somewhere I had not been in a while. (when it came to fashion) I had to step outside of my comfort zone. I didn’t wanna do it… but I did it anyway.
What fashion meant to me
Growing up I never really had cute clothes or was taught how to do my makeup or hair. For some reason, I got it stuck in my head that because I was fat no one would want me or ever think I was pretty. Which lead me to have a lot of insecurities.
Those insecurities make me think I wasn’t pretty. So I didn’t dress pretty. That kind of thinking made me want to cover up my fat because I was insecure about my thighs touching. I covered up because I didn’t like my muffin top.
You can ask my sister I used to live in sweatshirts and jeans during middle school and high school. As I got older I had to suck it up because I live in Florida and sometimes you gotta wear light, sleeveless clothing to stay sane in the heat. However, I was always very uncomfortable.
I am trying not to cry here.
Sitting here thinking back I feel bad for that girl. I feel bad because she is amazing and wonderful but so fucking stupid… She is stupid for letting these fears hold her back. How did I let myself become so scared to dress how I wanted?
Well into my adult years I “tried” dressing sexy and didn’t feel comfortable. I felt that if I posted a picture of my full body I would hear comments because I was too damn ugly. I am so insecure about many things about myself. Honestly, I don’t know where all of these fucking insecurities came from.
Especially finding out I had PCOS and that it would be very hard for me to lose weight. It didn’t make me feel any better. This made me live in leggings and t-shirts. Dressing like that I never felt pretty. I would see pictures of myself and think “God, I look so fat”.
I was very hesitant that my opinion wouldn’t change and that I would still see myself the way I always do. Even if I use clothes as self-care.
What prompted me to use clothes as self-care
Out of the blue last month, my Cousin messaged me on Facebook and asked me “what size clothes do you wear?” Reluctant I told her. She replied back saying she is working from home now and is decluttering her closet. None of her friends wear her size. Because I was roughly around her size she wanted to send me a huge box of clothes.
I was so excited. She started sending me pictures of some of the items she would be sending and I was falling in love. She expressed to me how she loves clothes and how it makes her feel more confident. I agreed not really fully understanding how clothes could make you feel amazing.
Remember I spent years trying to cover myself up.
Unboxing
With this huge box coming of clothes I got really excited. Even more when the box came and it was almost 52 pounds. She packed that box to the brim and told me she would have another smaller box to send in a month or 2.
It took me 2 hours to take everything out of that box and another 4 hours to try everything on. I knew not everything would fit so I wanted to weed it out from the get-go.
She had sent me so many beautiful pieces I wanted to wear them all in one day. Obviously, that would be impossible to do. So I challenged myself to step up my outfit game. Throw in my leggings for actual pants with pockets!
The challenge
So I challenged myself to create new outfits that I would never normally wear let alone post a picture in. I wanted to merge the clothes my cousin gave me with the clothes I bought thinking I would “someday” wear them and just never have.
Although I had nowhere to go I wanted to put together outfits every day without thinking about it too much. My first instinct, get dressed, and then take a picture. I posted a couple of them and got some great remarks.
Day 1 – I was a little uncomfortable.
I started out easy. Just a casual outfit. I already owned the shirt, pants, and shoes. I got the jean jacket from my cousin. Which I am in LOVE with. Normally I find it hard to buy jackets because they don’t fit my arms. This jacket fits like a glove.
You can see that I am a little uncomfortable, but I pushed through and got some cute pics. I am optimistic about this challenge and think it can only go up from here.
I need to work on makeup and hair. That might be the next challenge I give myself. LOL I give this look a 4 out of 10.
Day 2 – Create some outfits
I pushed myself a little more one day 2. I normally like longer shirts to cover my belly, but I really liked this black sweater shirt. The sweater and pants are from my cousin. The ankle booties are mine that I bought a year and a half ago. They have only been worn twice.
I didn’t think I could pull off the Capri and booties look. The only thing that would have made this jacket better was if it had pockets. I may have to add some.
Still a little awkward taking pictures, but definitely got some cute pics. The picture I posted on my Instagram in this outfit made me feel like it would be my book cover f I ever wrote one. I give this look a 7 out of 10. If it had pockets it would have been higher.
Day 3 – Clothes spark joy
I posted this picture because I felt so cute. You can see from my expression I was happy with this look.
Everything but the shoes were from my cousin. She has an amazing style. This long cardigan is my favorite. It’s my witches cape. The sequined shirt is amazing but itchy.
I give this look an 8 out of 10 because I look cute AF.
Day 4 – Fashion to express my uniqueness
Day 4 Man… Did I push myself? I bought this jacket over a year ago and have never worn it. It brings me so much joy. I love it, but I got self-conscious about it. How was I supposed to style a jacket like that?
I knew I loved this dress and wanted to wear it because HELLO it has POCKETS! Out of nowhere my brain just went “OMG your leather jacket would go perfect with it because of the purple/ burgundy flowers on it.” Boy was my brain right!
Threw on the booties again because I wanted it to be a little bit edgy. WHAT? Who is she? Thinking about fashion like that. This look made me so happy. I give this look 10 out of 10. I am feeling myself. My favorite by far. It really boosted my confidence since I was using clothes as self-care
Day 5 – Looking good helps us feel good
By day 5 I was feeling myself. I was so happy to get up and pick out my outfit. This is a casual, yet dressy look. Cardigan and jeans were from my cousin. The shirt and ankle booties were mine.
You can tell I had a little more confidence with each picture. For this one, I am giving a little side-eye like “yeah, I look cute AF”. I give this look an 8 out of 10.
As of right now, nothing will beat that purple dress and leather jacket.
What did I learn
Throughout the week I found myself excited each day to pick out an outfit that fit my mood, but also made me feel like a million bucks. I found myself thinking about other outfits I could put together and how I can’t wait to show them on Instagram.
This is the most I have ever posted full-body pictures of myself and I have to say I am not bad looking. I know I will still have my days where I feel huge and ugly, but on those days I need to pop on one of these cute outfits and remind myself I am a badass bitch. I will continue to use clothes as self-care.
Let me know in the comments what outfit makes you look at yourself and scream “YAAAASSSS QUEEN!”? Also, give me some tips on how to do my hair and makeup. I might be failing a little bit at being a girl.
Until next time, Have a great day!
Great post!! Self care is so important. While I am not in to fashion, I do know that I feel great when i get tovwear something new and cute!!
I am not into fashion either, but being given a huge box of clothes I had no other choice but to spruce up my day look. I needed it. I have been in a slump for the last couple of years.
You are inspiring me to go through my closet. Since we have been on quarantine I have barely left my yoga pants and tank tops. Time to venture out and big cute even if I don’t leave the house.
Exactly, I needed to get dressed in something cute even if I was staying at home and only wearing it for half the day. I needed the pick me up.
Look good, feel good! When I’m rocking my favorite basketball jerseys, I do feel better than other outfits. Maybe it’s the vicarious feeling, since I am not that great player lol!
Whatever your favorite piece is… rock that ish!
Totally agree with you! I got myself some new stuff and created outfits after giving birth to my son, just to boost my confidence again 🙂
Aww, congrats on having a baby. Sometimes you just need a little boost.
This is a great article, and I agree your clothing can really make a difference in how you feel.
It really did. At first, I felt stupid because I was at home, but then I said why the F not. LOL
You look lovely. And I agree, wearing your beautiful and neat favorite clothes make you feel great and believe in yourself, incredibly more. … It does not only destroy your mood, but this will make you feel uncomfortable to meet others because you have lost your confidence when you can’t wear your favorite cloth.
I was just in a slump of being at home living in leggings and t-shirts. I didn’t feel pretty for myself or for my fiance. It made me uncomfortable looking at myself in the mirror.
Yes, yes and YES!!!! I love this. So much of our confidence is tied to what we wear – and our expression. Thanks for sharing as always 🙂
I didn’t think changing up my wardrobe would have changed my perception of my body as much as it did. I love that you could see what kind of mood I was in by what I was wearing.
Beautiful post! I love that dress with pockets. And it’s such a pretty color on you!
Aww, thank you, Renee. I love that dress too and the color. Having pockets just made me love it even more.
Love this! A new outfit can change everything! Clothes show your personality so much so can make you feel amazing! love it
Yeah, I didn’t think I would be more confident and wear things I normally wouldn’t wear, but I am looking forward to going out and wearing those outfits. Especially that leather jacket. I love it so much but had no clue what to wear it with.
I can see through the transformation. Trust me I was a simple girl but dressing up really made me feel happy too.
It really did make me feel happy even though I wasn’t going anywhere.
I’m so with you on this, clothes have a way of boosting your spirit. I love getting new clothes every now and then to feel like a queen. By the way, you look fabulous in all the outfits.
I am good on getting new clothes for a while. That box my cousin sent was huge!
I had so much fun reading this post. Yes, yes and yes, what a wonderful thing to do and how great of your cousin to send you all the clothes. I admire people who just go ahead and enjoy things they want to enjoy without any regard for anyone else. You look amazing in your outfits! I have a friend who is roughly your size and she really enjoys fashion and all the accessories and always looks so glamorous. We all have our insecurities, but yes with some sincere self-care like you did, we can do wonders for ourselves. Thank you for this wonderful post!
I always see the posts of plus size women in their badass outfits and wish that could be me. Doing this challenge really made me open my eyes to how much fun I could have with clothes.
Shopping at the mall and clothes used to make me feel so good. I haven’t done this since March, COVID has put a damper on this.
Its been a while since I have gone to any stores besides Walmart/Publix to get groceries. I don’t need any new clothes because of my cousin. LOL
Great post! Wearing a comfortable dress gives you more confidence and self-awareness.
It amazes me what a good dress can do for a woman.
Fashion helps to make us confident and feel good about ourselves. That’s why we gained a sense of style, coz that makes us more empowered.
I like being empowered by my clothes. It’s a different kind of empowerment feeling you would get by other people hyping you up.
I loved this post so much! I especially like how you styled the white jacket with the purple dress. Go you!
That is my FAVORITE outfit. I am so ready to wear it again.
You are an inspiration. I don’t know how to dress myself and every time I find myself wearing a nice dress, it makes me feel good.
If you are unsure check out the Facebook group Frump Fighters I just joined but dang those women are making me feel good.
Love your growing confidence! Yes, clothes do make us feel good! And you are beautiful, by the way!
Aww, thank you, Ann. I appreciate all your kind words!
Happy Self-Care Awareness Month to you too. Clothes make us feel beautiful. I love your outfit collection
Thank you, Bree!
LOVE this post. That outfit with the dress is amazing. Can I feature that outfit/photo and link to this post from http://www.fatfully.com?
Oh Bobbie, That would be amazing. I appreciate that! Let me know when you do!
I love the idea of clothes as self care. I honestly never really thought of it that way before either but when you stop and think about it it makes a lot of sense. Different outfits can make you feel different ways and dressing nice or throwing on a bit of makeup can do wonders for boosting your mood. I love that purple dress with the jacket on you btw.
I did not think I was going to get into it but after day 2 I found myself thinking of my next outfit. I had so much fun.
I had no idea that it was Happy Self-Care Awareness Month! Clothes and style always without doubt boost my confidence since it’s a form of self expression and a creative outlet!
I didn’t think of clothes as a form of expression. I thought I was fat so I must cover-up.
Just did this thing as well recently although I bought clothes , to one of my favourite online shops , cheaper than the high street. I chose those a wee bit sexy than my usual clothes that I always wear. I felt that need a wee bit change to boost my confidence.
I have a couple of dresses my cousin gave me that I might do a follow up to this post next month.
I feel this! I used to dress out of necessity, now I dress for my own self of worth and it has worked wonders for my image of myself.
I would love to dress up more, but I am always home. I do find myself at least once a week saying “eff it” and dressing up for that one day even though I am not going anyway.