A few weeks ago, a reader left a comment that made me think about the things we wear every day and why we wear them. She was asking for advice on what to do when people ask “why are YOU so dressed up?” As if wearing something cute that makes you feel good is a “strange” thing to do!
That comment got me thinking about dressing up and what that means.
Since when did it become an unusual thing to put effort into what you wear and have fun with fashion? Since when is anyone not wearing sweatpants and a hoodie breaking unwritten social rules? Why should “dressing up” be reserved for special occasions only?
I was immediately inspired to create this list. I firmly believe in “dressing up” every day of your life, and I think you should too!
So why dress up? Here are 25 good reasons.
1. Because life’s too short to blend in. Don’t settle for average.
2. Because you’re only young once. You’re way more gorgeous than you know and have a fabulous body you’ll one day look back on and wish you had! Take advantage now and show off how fabulous you can be.
3. Because fashion is a method of self expression. What are you trying to say?
4. Because you never know who you’ll run into. Brad Pitt at the grocery store? Hey, stranger things have happened.
5. Because it obviously annoys closed-minded people (like the guy who asks why YOU are so dressed up). The fact that it annoys them so much is all the more reason to keep doing it. They don’t get to control YOU.
6. Because you never know, there’s always a chance you could get snapped by The Sartorialist!
7. Because you deserve to look your best at all times if you want to.
8. Because you’ll never improve your sense of style if your default look is “I give up”. Yes, that was a Seinfeld reference. But it’s true! If fashion is important to you, make it a priority in your life.
9. Because dressing up helps you weed out friends who don’t love you for you. If they have a problem with the way you dress, they’re not the kind of friends you want around.
10. Because cute clothes and accessories are a great conversation starter. Wear something fabulous and people will ask you where you got it.
11. Because parties aren’t the only time to celebrate.
12. Because that fabulous party dress in your closet cost too much to only be worn once. Remember cost per wear?
13. Because it’s fun and can boost your mood!
14. Because even if you live in an “unstylish” city and are scared to dress up, cities don’t become stylish without someone going first. I know it sounds cheesy, but be the change you want to see in the world. Everyone else can follow your fabulous lead.
15. Because dressing up helps you make fashion mistakes and get past them. Mistakes happen to everyone and that’s how you learn what not to do – get them out of the way now!
16. Because it’s a test of your confidence. Dressing unconventionally forces you to develop the self-assurance necessary to stand out from everyone else.
17. Because fashion is one of the rare instances where art comes alive. What artistic statement do you want to make?
18. Because if you’ve got it (great style, killer confidence, amazing legs), it’s just wrong not to flaunt it.
19. Because someday when you have a 9-5 corporate job and are required to wear business suits, you’re going to miss the freedom of dress you had in college. Experiment now! There’s no better time.
20. Because glamour isn’t only reserved for the rich and famous, even though maybe they’d like you to believe it is.
21. Because if conspiracy theorists are to be believed, the world might end any day now. Don’t spend your theoretical final days in sweats.
22. Because Carrie Bradshaw would not approve of your sweatpants and UGG boots. You can do better than that. And deep down, you know I’m right.
23. Because dressing well means you don’t have to do your hair at all – you’ll have that ultra fabulous, slightly disheveled Kate Moss look.
24. Because nothing beats the rush you feel when you look in the mirror and LOVE what you see.
25. Because you want to. That’s the only reason that matters.
Why do YOU dress up?
What do you think? Do you make an effort to dress up every day? What inspires you to put effort into your look? Tell me what you think by leaving a comment.
I love this post! I always feel self-conscious about dressing up when everyone wears jeans and tee shirts… or sweatpants/pajamas OUTSIDE. ughhhh.
i enjoy experimenting (well i got a whole wardrobe to prove!) with different clothes that i have got!!!!
Zephyr, this has to be my favorite article ever!
I absolutely hate when people ask why you dressed up (esp. for class or whatever) and my confidence always takes a stab when they ask such a question but you answered it so so well!
I really am going to take what you wrote to heart because it is so true and we should never feel ashamed for “dressing up” or taking time to look great!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Zephyr, you just made my day! I’ve been thinking about this topic today and really wanted some inspirational answers. How do you do it?! I love this article.
In fact, these type of articles are my favorite from you. It’s the reason why I go to this site.
I do stand out from what most people wear at college here. I just can’t wear jeans everyday. Especially not in the summer and fall when there are these gorgeous fall skirts and attire. I don’t like to be boring so I always change things up. It gives me loads of confidence and makes me happy! =D
My favorite reason is the one about how everyday is a celebration. that fits my philosophy and I’m going to mention it whenever someone comments on my dress.
Can you do an article on age-appropriate dressing? I know that one can pull off anything with fit and confidence, but I’m still curious to read your views on the subject. It’s something I’ve been thinking about…
Thanks! <3
what do you mean by dressed up?
sure i understand not ugg boots and sweatpantgs, but does jeans and a cute t-shirt qualify.
i know its not like dressing up,but sometimes i’m the most confident in that laid back yet stylish vibe.
i feel like dressing up can mean so many different things to different people, and maybe some girl took 30 mins to find the perfect leggings, ugg boot and sweatshirt combo.
I LOVE this post! I have been thinking about this topic for a while now. I have so many clothes/accessories that I don’t use because I’m “saving” them, for what I don’t know. I just have convinced myself that some days deserve cool outfits while others don’t and I have a lot of days when I dress “blah”. I feel if I wear an awesome outfit on a day that might be lame (which is ridic because like you indicated ya never know what will happen) then the outfit would have been wasted. Well that is silly and I’m going to change and take advantage of everything I own and how creative/colorful/expressive I am/can be. This post gave me the push to finally make up my mind and live life to my trendiest (which aids living life to the fullest). I always feel way better when I’m dressed cute anyway. Thank you! = )
<3
Zephyr, I totally agree with you that dressing up is so much fun! It can brighten up my day when I feel I look exceptionally good that day.
But the annoying thing is that people around me usually look very sloppy. So it makes me feel rather odd that I am all dressed up. I tried to ignore them most of the time because what’s important is I am feeling good about myself. And yes, I do get comments like – why are you so dressed up / glamorous today? It is kinda out of place!
I have to admit it does make me feel a little demoralizing.
awkward grinnellian,
I can totally see your point. As a pre-med student with blonde hair, I’m constantly fighting to be taken seriously because of the way I look. But at the same time, I am also on a scholarship and I can’t afford designer stuff. Instead I shop at Ross, TJ Maxx, Target, thrift stores and scour sale racks for good deals. Plus a college hoodie is around $30-40. I can get three shirts for that same amount. It really depends on your personality and the way you look at it. I consider myself pretty fashion forward, but I’m also a geek at heart. It’s really not about what others think. It’s all about what you choose to wear and how you present yourself to others. If you project confidence because you feel good about yourself, then others will show confidence in you too. But if you don’t take care of yourself, it’s going to be harder for others to take you seriously. Looking put together gives you the confidence to express your thoughts and work towards bettering the world for the good of everyone. But that’s just my opinion.
I’m one of those people who would rather spend the money on feeding hungry children than buying a louis v. bag, but that doesn’t mean I can’t also be interested in fashion, too.
@akward grinellian
I second the opinions of both Britteny and Julie. I scour vintage shops, charity shops, and the sale racks in my favourite stores. I am also part of a group that donated 24 goats to help widows in Rwanda. Yes, throwing away tons of money on designer clothing in the latest fads is really wasteful. So is having a wardrobe full of clothes that you don’t wear. But I think what Zephyr is talking about is looking GOOD and being proud of the fact that you take pride in your appearence, not having tons of designer clothing and a wardrobe bursting at the seams.
Hope this helped to explain!
I recently started dressing up, wearing skirts and boots [gifts I had received last xmas and finally started wearing], flowy tops from salvation army and ballet flats over skater shoes. People keep asking me if I’m going to party/bar/fancy restaurant or why I dress up, I just smile and say I do it for me. To which they usually stare at me like I sprouted a second head, and I move on. I’ve had a lot more confidence, standing straighter, and being more outgoing since changing from sweats/yoga pants/hoodies/sneakers to dresses/leggings/skinny jeans and prettier tops. I didn’t think clothes would affect my attitude so much, I even find it easier to do presentations.
Thank you so much, Zephyr!
I was handling this problem all this week. My response was, “Because I can wear anything that pleases me.”
Dressing up makes me feel fabulous, and powerful. I like feeling that way.
And (not knocking it) I’m tired of all the girls with pin straight hair, neon skinny jeans, and band tees from hot topic. I love all of those things, but not together EVERY DAY. I like to be different and stand out.
So THREE CHEERS for fashion and being different!
This is a brilliant post!!
I get asked that too, because I am only 14 and live in a small town in Canada. Everyone wears skinny jeans/sweatpants, uggs/sneakers, and a hoodie. Therefore, I really stand out and people always say they want to make me over so I look “In.” I hate that! Next time someone says that to me, I am going to come right back with one of these remarks. HA
I love high waisted skirts, wrap dresses, wide leg trousers, high heeled boots, waistcoats, rich purples, blues, greens, and red, classy book bags, and red lipstick. This is who I am and I am NOT changing it!
I’m an awkward academic. An English major. And broke. I own no designer label items. I don’t spend a ton of money on clothes. I just put them together in unique ways. And the money I save not succumbing to fads I donate to charities that provide clean water for children in third world countries. And I look great while doing it. I have the best of both worlds. Everyone can.
@awkward grinnellian:
You can develop your mind and sense of style at the same time. In fact, you could argue that using your wardrobe as an outlet for creativity is in a way developing your mind. You also don’t need to spend a lot of money on clothes – sure, many do, but having loads of money certainly isn’t a prerequisite to dress in a way that makes you happy (which isn’t necessarily what is on the “whims of fashion”). I see where you’re coming from, but I don’t think that dressing in a way that is exciting to you and being an academic have to be mutually exclusive.
I love this! i love to dress up and for those of you who watch Gossip Girl, Blair Waldorf also loves to dress up (she’s my fave character). By the way Zephyr, when are you going to write the article on accessories? I really need a great bag for back to school and i’m having trouble! Thanks 🙂
One word. Tote
If I could just offer another perspective– at my college, pretty much everyone wears jeans and a college hoodie and sneakers pretty much every day. The two advantages to this, as I see it, are that it gets rid of the class distinction between those who can afford designer labels and those who have to make do with only two pairs of pants (almost everyone here is on scholarship and a lot of us have to work our way through college and/or have major loans), and it also makes us look to our classmates for their brilliant minds and not for what they’re wearing. Would you really rather be known for your legs than for your ideas? Aren’t we going to college to develop our minds, not our wardrobes? There are so many people in the world who don’t even have enough food to eat or clean water to drink that it seems wasteful to spend so much money on clothes just to follow the whims of fashion. Maybe we should focus less on what people wear and more on the people inside the clothes.
(Yes, I realize this is a fashion blog and I don’t mean to insult anyone. I’m simply an awkward academic trying to understand the appeal of fashion.)