The two most common questions that I get on the blog as well as on my various social media channels are…
THE STORY
…”Do you wear these outfits to work?” and “Are the things you wear on the blog things that you actually wear in real life?” Oh, and “You seriously color your hair yourself?” That question though, I’ll save for another day.
Yes, I wear these outfits to work and yes, everything you see on the blog I have worn at some point in recent history whether it be to work, shopping, running errands, laying on the couch with the dogs…you get the idea. So, where am I going with this exactly? I say on a regular basis that what you choose to wear on any given day tells the world a little bit about who you are at that moment in time; different outfits give us the chance to dabble in different personas. And your overall general style typically speaks to who you are as a whole.
I happened upon this article, “How Clothing Choices Affect and Reflect Your Self-Image” , from about a year ago in the Huffington Post. The article states that..
“When we put on a piece of clothing we cannot help but adopt some of the characteristics associated with it, even if we are unaware of it.”
How powerful is that? And how accurate? Think about it for a minute…don’t you feel just a little more badass when you’re wearing your moto jacket? Don’t you feel a little more sexy when you’re wearing that perfectly fitted little black dress and smokin’ hot pumps? You walk differently. You move differently. For that moment, you are different. And all because of a piece of clothing.
The article also points out that how others perceive and react to you is affected by what you’re wearing. This is where I connect all of this to what I wear to work. I know that many people who visit the blog might be thinking that I don’t dress very professionally considering that I’m a teacher. Fair assessment I suppose, but one that quite honestly I don’t care a lick about.
What I have realized is this; I dress the way that I do for school because what I want to give to my kids on a daily basis is me, the real me. I have a relationship with each and every one of them that I would not trade for the world. And I can tell you with absolute certainty that every one of my students trusts and loves me right back. I get them and they get me. They can relate to me…because I am relatable. A large part of that relatability comes from what I’m wearing.
I truly believe that if I showed up on a daily basis in a pencil skirt, blazer and pumps there would be an invisible barrier between myself and my kids. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that my more professionally dressed sisters and brothers in the education profession cannot relate to their students. I am saying that for me, and the environment I have created in my classroom, blazers and pumps don’t work. Okay, that’s not entirely true. They do when I have them paired with boyfriend jeans and a graphic tee because then I have made them “me”. The kids know, in no uncertain terms, that with me, what they see is what they get.
See…fashion really does have more power then people give it credit for…
THE OUTFIT
I really do love a good casual/dressy mix in an outfit. And the above story gives even more meaning to my pairing of a super casual hoodie with the gorgeous embroidered clutch, blush pleated skirt and studded pumps. I do this sort of thing often and usually without thought; it’s just how I like to dress.
The embroidered clutch from Kaneli Nomad Boutique is even more stunning in person. The colors are vivid and gorgeous; it’s the perfect addition to update the closet for Spring. The blush pleated skirt and blush studded pumps are super pretty and feminine, but the addition of the cream hoodie as a top takes it all down to the casual realm. Just where I like it.
THE TIP
View getting dressed every day as an opportunity to express yourself. Who are you today? How do you want to feel? What are your plans for the day? Take all of these things into consideration when you’re deciding what to pull out of your closet. Clothing truly does have the power to transform.
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Clutch: c/o Kaneli Nomad Boutique; Hoodie: Forever 21; Skirt: Boohoo (Similar); Pumps: Rialto Shoes
