
Why I Dress For Me And Not For Others
Plunging Dress: c/o Nasty Gal ($35, I recommend sizing up, more details below why)
Bamboo Bag: Cult Gaia
Peep-Toe Sandals: Restricted Shoes, also love this ($49.98)
Bralette: Free People ($38, ‘Peach’ color), can also be found here
Earrings: c/o Sugarfix by Baublebar ($12.99)
I Dress For Me
I dress for me. When I put an outfit together, I think about who I want to impress the most, which is myself. Everything else is icing on the cake. I’ve always had this mindset ever since I was a little girl. I want to feel my best, so I will make sure I feel awesome when I look at myself in the mirror. Well, maybe aside from high school, but that’s a different story. Let’s just say there were many times I didn’t dress for me and I was dying inside to let my clothes be me. Ugh, high school when originality wasn’t cool haha…
The thing is, I’m very introverted. For those who don’t know me very well, they seemed very surprised because I have a blog. I guess having a blog is a trait for an extrovert? But in my opinion, as an introvert, it’s more of a reason why I have a blog. I can express who I am without physically seeing or confronting anyone. As being an introvert, my outfits are a way to get to know the real me. It’s like art, it’s how I express myself.
The Layers
Back to what I was saying earlier, the person I most want to impress is myself because it’s how I know if I’m being myself. My clothes are the first layer of me. And if that layer is not me, everything else under that layer just hides, like my personality and confidence.
Have you ever put on an outfit that’s so good that you feel like you can conquer anything? Or have a go-to “feel good” outfit? The minute you put it on, you know you are your best. Isn’t it the best feeling in the world?! And it’s like no one can get in your way because you feel that good. I loveeee that feeling and when I dress for me and not for others, I get more of that feeling.
I couldn’t care less if someone thinks my outfit is so basic, not cute, so last season, not trendy, etc. Because if I feel good in what I wear, what others think disappears. My inner Queen Bey has come alive and I’ll dominate anything I set my mind to.
The Inspiration For This Post
What got me talking about dressing for myself was when I was trying to come up with what to write for this dress. I asked my friend Suzanne what I should write about. I wanted to share this red plunging dress, but I was having writer’s block. And she looked at the photos for a second and suggested that I should share about how ‘what you are wearing affects your attitude and focus and how a pop of color can bring brightness to your spirit and wardrobe’. And I nodded thinking that was a good idea!
Feeling Sassy & Confident
As I was typing out my thoughts about that topic, it led me to thinking about why I put on this dress to begin with. I remember feeling so good that day. I dominated an intense workout and then had energy to do one of Fitness Marshall’s workouts after. If you’ve ever done any of his workouts, he for sure brings out your inner sass. So my sassiness was shining through all day.
I was also feeling good about my foobs. I noticed how they have settled (thank goodness for gravity, ha!). I’ve gotten a hang of it and knowing what I can and cannot pull off. I felt daring that day, but not out of my comfort zone daring.
I texted Tre and asked him if after work we could take blog photos because I knew I was in the mood for my red plunging dress. Tre could tell I was feeling really good about myself.
Thoughts On The Dress
I love that this dress is made with linen. It looks heavy but it is so lightweight. I actually layered it with my favorite bralette (in peach color) because I didn’t have any fashion tape LOL. I didn’t want any nip action. But I am a fan of a plunging neckline. All thanks to Krystal of This Time Tomorrow. She makes plunging necklines look soooo chic.
The Pizza Test
For sizing, I wish I went a size up. I wore a small and it zipped up fine, but the waist did feel snug. I definitely can’t be eating pizza in this dress. I’m a fan of clothes feeling looser than tighter just for comfort. I call this test the pizza test. I think about how many slices of pizza I can eat before my clothes feel too tight. The goal is that my clothes don’t feel tight for at least multiple slices. You never want to feel like you will explode out of your dress. So in hindsight, next time I shop at Nasty Gal, I’ll size up.
So there ya go. This is why I dress for me and not for others. I want to feel my very best every time and the only way that can happen is when I feel good in what I’m wearing and I’m the best judge of that.
xo RD
I love your dress! It’s so cute and you look really beauty on it!
Have a great day dear! xx
La ilusión de Nina – http://lailusiondenina.blogspot.com.es/
Thank you so much Nina!
Rach, you look gorgeous!!! Love, love, love this dress on you. I also 100% agree – always dress for yourself. There’s no better feeling than putting on your favorite outfit and conquering the day.
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Thank you so much Rachel! It’s such a great feeling!
I always call myself an ‘extroverted introvert’ — I act super outgoing but truthfully, I’m pretty shy!
Love this dress on you – you look beautiful! And also, LOVE the ‘pizza test’ LOL I’m definitely going to start using this!
xo, allie
http://www.champagne-tuesdays.com
Oo that is a great way to call it. I guess I’m like that too? I’m more extroverted when I feel comfortable around that person. Haha the pizza test is a great test!
This dress is absolutely gorgeous! I love the color and the plunging neckline…so pretty! Also I really enjoyed reading this post! I love that you dress for you and not for others which I definitely believe is so important!
http://roadesque.com
Thank you so much Valerie!
You look SO stunning in this dress! I love the peek a boo of lace from your bralette!
xoxo,
Kim
Thank you Kim!
gorgeous dress
The Glossychic
Wonder Cottage
Thank you Wendee!
Such a great post. I am an introvert as well so I completely get it. You look amazing in that dress. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Annette and glad you understand!
I hear you – You should always be who you are … and dress yourself! 🙂 You look amazing.
❥ tanvii.com
Yes exactly!
I love everything about this! The dress, the sentiment and you’re gorgeous ascan be!
Thank you Andrea!
It’s so important to dress for yourself! I stopped wearing what others liked a long time ago and I don’t care if no one likes it. I’m happy with it!
Megan | http://www.pipmegan.com
I’m so glad you do Megan!
Nice dress, Rach. I love your smile.
Diyerlabs.com
Thanks Grace!
You look gorgeous in this dress! 🙂
http://innapishtoy.com
Thank you Inna!
When I am dressing myself I also feel confident.
In this way, I am pleasing myself.
You look gorg btw babe
Much Love,
Jane | The Bandwagon Chic
SO glad you do Jane!
Pleasure starts with its own 😉 Your dress is beautiful and your outfit perfect! Have a great day xx
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2018/08/15/avallon/
I couldn’t agree more! Thank you!
You look amazing in this dress! The color suits you so well!
xx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com
Thank you!
Really great reason to dress well! I also dress for myself and sometimes for my boyfriend 😀
Love the dress, it looks so good on you!
Best, Gilda
http://www.itsgilda.com
Right?! Dressing for yourself is so important!
LOL, laughing at your pizza test! That’s hysterical and so true. 🙂 Love this dress on you and your perspective about dressing for yourself, that is so important.
alyson
http://www.themodernsavvy.com
It is such a good test I tell ya! Thank you so much Alyson!
Gorgeous outfit!
Have a nice day!
Gil Zetbase
Thank you!
girlfriend, I hear ya! I always dress for myself and no one else… you look so cute in this dress!
I love to hear that you do that too! Thank you Emily!
I LOVE that you dress for you- that’s the same approach I have to fashion; it’s all about how an outfit makes ME feel!
You look lovely in this pretty poppy color!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
I love that you follow the same approach. You nailed it – it’s all about how you feel!
I have the same bag – my favorite thing this summer! your dress also looks lovely! I guess I´m a mix of both introvert+extrovert lol
Have a great week!
Anna
http://atlifestylecrossroads.com
Isn’t it a great bag!
I totally agree with you. I wear what I like and what I feel good in, and screw what anyone says/thinks! Lol. I like the touch you’ve added with the nude bralette, it adds to the femininity of the look. The pizza test…brilliant idea. I enjoyed reading your post, thanks for sharing doll!
xx, Des | https://www.itsbetterinheels.com/blog/2018/8/1/my-fav-insta-follows
SO true, it really doesn’t matter what others think! Haha hope you try out the pizza test next time!
I couldn’t agree more with you that what you wear lets other people know what you are about! Not in a shallow way, like oh she has an expensive handbag or whatever, but like ok, she is owning what she’s wearing! Colorful outfits and mixing high end pieces with budget friendly items give me the most confidence. Also knowing how to highlight your best features while subtly hiding your not so fave parts is huge!
And this dress looks amazing on you!
xo, Sara
Exactly Sara! Glad you see it the same way! I love that you know what gives you confidence!
I love this dress girl such a great look!
Xx-
Stefanie
https://www.styletruly.com/
Thanks!
that dress is gorgeous! I love how you begin the post with I Dress For Me and i couldn’t agree more x
have a wonderful day!
Thank you SO much Grace! Glad that you agree!
I love your outfit so much! It is gorgeous. And you are so right, it is to dress for yourself not for others 🙂 http://www.bauchlefashion.com/2018/08/youre-invited-to-tropical-palms-summer.html
Thank you Heather!!
You’re seriously slaying in this red dress, girlfriend! And I love the plunging neckline on you. Something I don’t do often because I’m so insanely small-chested, but I think it might be time for me to experiment with it more! You’re giving me confidence just through this post!
Girl, even better to try it out! You go girl!
Yay, introverted bloggers unite! I’m with you, I use my outfits as a form of expression!
I adore this dress and the bralette underneath is a great idea for coverage (and preventing nip slips)!
Haha yes introverts unite! Thank you so much!!
Beautiful dress and your style is lovely!
xxx
https://elizakyr.blogspot.com/
Thank you Eliza!
I love this dress on you! The color is gorgeous. And I feel the same way about dress for yourself vs. other people. There is something so empowering about feeling confident in the way you dress and I feel like other people notice when you feel good in what you are wearing.
Nicole
Nicole to the Nines
Yes!! Glad you agree!
Dressing for yourself should be every woman’s motto. Anyway, that’s an adorable dress you have there dear. Love the fun and sexy style.
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
I couldn’t agree more! Thanks Jessica!