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.
This was really really cute and very inspirational. Thanks!
What are your tips to look dressy? I’m mostly a girl who wears a pair of jeans and t-shirt. How can I break the mold to start looking better or look good in just that?
I love this post! The second to last one (number 24?) was my favorite. AND you used one of my favorite quotes within the list, “be the change you wish to see in the world”
I dress up every day because I feel more professional when I do. If I feel put together in the way I look, chances are I’ll feel put together in my classes & feel like I’m being taken more seriously when I meet with professors.
i wish ALL of my female friends would read this.
This post is incredible. I remember one day last semester i wore a pair of slouchy boots to school. i swear the heel was an inch and a half at most, but of course my friend (who wears sweats to school daily) said to me “how come youre so dressed up today?” i kind of just blew off her question because i knew i looked great that day and i was feeling totally confident.
literally months later, i was hanging out with some girls, including sweatpants girl, and she made a comment about how stylish she thought i was and even told everyone about my great pair of boots that she adored. she also said she wished she had the confidence to wear those kinds of things to school. WOO!
so the moral is, i dress up because i feel better about myself, and because i know haters are usually just non-haters who are a little rude sometimes 🙂
ps as someone mentioned: one college hoodie=about 8 cute t’s from forever 21
I love this article! It makes me want to show it to my friends! Just yesterday I was hanging out with 2 of them and they commented on how I was so dressed up when we went out to dinner and then over to one of their houses. Of course they were both wearing t-shirts and jeans but I wear scrubs and t-shirts to work so when I get the chance to wear something nicer, I grab the opportunity! Plus, it always makes you feel so much better about yourself when you wear something you love! Thanks for this article!!
I love this list!! So much of it is very true. I try my best to be as true to myself every day, and part of the way I do that is through how I dress. I feel life is too short, and I want to be able to look back when I’m older and feel I really did everything I wanted to do, especially through my apperance, while I was young and able to!
Good job for writing such an inspiring article! 🙂
Wow great post, i’m so glad I stumbled upon it, as I was just thinking about this. I love trying out new outfits and combos 🙂 especially when I find things in charity shops and vintage shops no one else will have ^__^!
It just makes me feel better when I know i’ve made an effort, not necessarily because I care what other people might think. Dressing up everyday is very fun, I wore my new favorite outfit to go to the bank and starbucks this morning and it was awesome XD
I do love hanging around the house in my pj bottoms and old baggy jumper though!
Aw, reading all your comments is making me so happy! I’m so glad you guys like the post, and it’s rad to hear that you guys enjoy dressing up on a daily basis too.
One thing I wanna clarify is that dressing up doesn’t mean any one thing – it could be different for everyone. Really it’s just about putting some effort in and wearing something you LOVE and that makes you feel fabulous! Whether that’s just a cute shirt and some skinny jeans or a pretty dress or something totally out there and unique, that’s what dressing up is in the context of this article. Doesn’t have to mean designer clothes or spending lots of money at all!!
Fabulous post !!
I get dressed everytime I go outside and I do that for myself mostly because I feel good and self-confidentand also I like the compliments 🙂
Wow! What a great post, definetely inspired. In fact, i have just gone and put on the dress i have worn once to a party a while back. It’s gorgeous, and I always said, ‘Oh, i’ll save it for a special occasion, it’s too expensive and dressy to wear in the day.’ But i’m wearing it now, and to christen it, i’m going to go out into town now and wait to see Brad Pitt, and laugh at all the girls in there sweats and hoodies, while he invites me to his next movie premiere. 🙂
Thank you Zephyr!
This is brilliant. I agree 100%! My favourite reason is the last one! Totally well said. 🙂
Fab post—loves it! Will share with my girls..this is a must read!
i have this quote saved on my computer and it def fits here:
There is a story I recall that brings some of this home — It is about the death of a mate, where the husband shares with his brother-in-law, a tissue wrapped package. “This, he said, is not a slip. It is lingerie.” He discarded the tissue and handed the slip to his brother-in-law. It was exquisite; silk, hand made, trimmed in lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it, was still attached. The husband then tells how his wife had bought the slip on a trip 8 or 9 years before, and she never wore it. She was saving it for a “special occasion”. Then he said, “I guess this is the occasion.” He took the slip and placed it on the bed with the other clothes they were taking to the mortician. After a pause, the husband turned and said, “Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you are alive is a special occasion.”
Good article 🙂
I put the effort in dressing up every day because I find that it gives me confidence. When I am dressed nicely, I can be more focused in doing other things because I’m not worried about how I look.