When it comes to your personal style, how many “guard rails” do you have put up? Well, specifically when it comes to confidence and fashion. What does this even mean? Well, how many limitations are there? What are things you want to wear, but just don’t wear? Yeah, every wardrobe has them. The “too good” pieces. Basically, the ones that live on their velvet hanger like they’re in witness protection, barely seeing daylight. They’re the shoes that have never hit a pavement, the bag that’s only ever been admired from your mirror, the dress that’s been rehearsing for some mythical future event that never actually happens.
Now, does any of this sound harsh? Well, maybe, but just about every single person out there is guilty of this to some degree. You tell yourself you’re waiting for the perfect moment. The dinner party where everyone’s dressed to impress. The date night at a rooftop bar (just like what you see in the movies). The celebration that’ll feel “big enough” to deserve it. Except… life isn’t exactly handing out invitations like that every weekend.
Yeah, it’s such a shame, a major one, but if you keep waiting for some Hollywood-style occasion, you’ll probably still be waiting this time next year. Basically, those gorgeous pieces of clothes will just keep sitting there; they’ll keep collecting dust. So, those “one day” clothes are a trap, because those “one days” are just so rare. And while your clothes are sitting there gathering dust, you’re missing out on how good they’d make you feel right now.
There’s a Problem with the “Perfect Occasion” Fantasy
It was already mentioned, but honestly, it’s best to just talk about it again. So, the perfect occasion sounds amazing in your head. There’s soft lighting, people are complimenting you before you’ve even ordered a drink, and your outfit looks like it belongs in a magazine spread. But here’s the thing, real life doesn’t work like that.
Most of the events you actually get invited to are a little… meh. They’re fun, sure, but they’re not the cinematic, slow-motion-music-playing-in-the-background moment you imagined. So you think, “This isn’t the one. I’ll wait.” And just like that, another year goes by without that outfit seeing the light of day.
Meanwhile, Tuesday is just sitting there, totally available, wondering why you’re ignoring it. Those special occasions on TV are not the same in real life; people aren’t dressing up to the nines in real life.
Carrie Bradshaw had the Right Idea
If there’s one person who never saved her best for last, it was Carrie Bradshaw. She would wear a sequin dress to brunch. She wore ballgown skirts to the corner deli. She wore heels so impractical, and it’s all because she felt like it. Yep, that’s it, it just comes down to that, she felt like it.
And that’s why people are still obsessed with her style decades later. It’s seriously so amazing how timeless her wardrobe is, even to this very day. She didn’t let the calendar decide when to wear something fabulous. She made her own occasions, like a coffee run could be the event, a walk through the park could be the catwalk. But overall, the point was never to wait. So, use her, or honestly, any other big fashion TV character as an example.
But why are You Still Waiting?
Well, part of the reason is fear. Yeah, it just comes down to that, and yes, it’s understandable too. But what’s the fear? Well, you’re scared of “wasting” the outfit on the wrong day. You’re worried people will think you’re overdressed. And deep down, you might even worry the outfit will outshine you, meaning that it’s too much, and you’re not enough to pull it off. But why does it matter if people judge?
Why does it matter if you were to be overdressed? More people tend to get bothered when they see people underdressed rather than overdressed (and you will get more compliments too for being overdressed).
Here’s a nice rule of thumb: confidence doesn’t show up before you put it on. It shows up while you’re wearing it. That “I don’t know if I can” energy turns into “I should dress like this all the time” the second you catch your reflection.
Make Every Day the Occasion
Some of the best moments happen when you wear something fancy for no reason. There’s just more magic in an outfit when you’re doing something so mundane anyway. Honestly, it’s that contrast that makes it as magical as it all is. Besides, people notice. You notice. Plus, maybe just like on TV (specifically Sex and the City), that amazing outfit will give you a surprisingly amazing day that has a story worth telling.
Because honestly, what’s the point of having clothes that make you feel incredible if they never leave the house? No, seriously, this isn’t a rhetorical question.
They’re Not Museum Pieces
Well, one of the biggest excuses for keeping “special” clothes unworn is the fear of ruining them. “If I wear those shoes, they’ll scuff. If I wear that dress, I might spill something.” Sure, that might happen. But that’s called living. Okay, yes, no one liked destroying their clothes, especially the more expensive ones, but again, clothes were meant to be worn.
Just think of it like this: a tiny scuff on the heel is a reminder you actually went somewhere. A little loose thread means the dress has to be part of your life, not just a decoration in your closet. At the end of the day, clothes aren’t meant to be pampered.
Take Notes from the Icons
Carrie was mentioned earlier, but yes, there are plenty of others. There’s Fran Fine from The Nanny who wore leopard print minis to babysit (even though that’s her job anyway). Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek wore leather and feathers to buy milk. Alexis Carrington from Dynasty probably owned shoulder pads so big they needed planning permission.
None of them sat around waiting for someone to say, “Now is the right time.” They decided it was the right time. There are probably so many others in TV and movies that could be mentioned as well. So yeah, that’s exactly why they’re remembered.
