4 Reasons to Always Dress Your Best & For Yourself

….and don’t judge others for doing so!

If I had a dollar for the number of times someone has asked me why I’m so dressed up I’d be a millionaire! It’s something I’m self-conscious about every time I leave the house knowing I might be a little over dressed…are people going to think I’m incredibly high maintenance? over the top? a diva? arrogant? super into myself? too girly/feminine?

I’ll admit that there have been many times I’ve tried to alter my personal style to fit in with the event I’m going to. I always struggle to dress for occasions like Lollapalooza, sporting events, outdoor activities, etc….I’m not into festival wear, I hate how baseball caps look on me and I’ve yet to find a pair of pink hiking boots (although I do love my pink Hunter boots).

The reason I’m always a bit overdressed (like wearing a sundress to the Cubs game) is because I think it’s important to (almost) always dress your best! This is where the & for yourself comes in. Your “best” is completely up to you, your style/taste, and the message you are trying to send about who you are. Although our definition for what our “best” is may be different, the reasons why I feel it is so important applies across the board – here are a few.

1. Dressing well is a form of good manners: This Tom Ford quote really resonated with me. I think that dressing up properly shows that you put the effort in to be where you are. Whether it be work, a friend’s party or a date showing up looking like a slob or not like yourself kind of screams that you really didn’t put the time in and might give off the vibe that you don’t want to be there. I think dressing for the occasion shows a sense of respect towards whoever is hosting or joining you.
2. You never know who you’re going to meet or see: So cliché but so true! I remember the day I had an unexpected opportunity to meet my all-time style icon, Olivia Palermo and I absolutely hated my outfit that day. I was so angry at myself! I know it sounds stupid and materialistic but still to this day I wish I had worn something different for the photo I got to snap with her. Aside from meeting celebrities or style icons, you never know who you’re going to run into at the grocery store. What if you just had a job interview and run into your interviewer at the grocery store later that night looking like a slob?!
3. It’s a form of self-expression: For most of our lives from school to the office we have to abide by a dress code so when the moment comes that you don’t have to abide by that dress code, take advantage of it! Most of what I wear on the weekends could be worn to the office but I do take the opportunity to add in some cutesy accessories and try out new trends that aren’t office appropriate or I don’t feel comfortable wearing to the office just yet.
4. It forces you to take care of yourself: Self-care is something that people don’t always make time for these days. Dressing well is definitely a form of selfcare. Sometimes putting on a cute outfit that you feel comfortable in is easier and less time consuming than washing, blow-drying and curling your hair. So on days that you don’t have time to get all dolled up, throw some dry shampoo in your hair and spend a few extra minutes picking out a cute outfit. I truly believe that dressing your best helps you feel your best!

I usually feel my best in a dress and flats like this look that I wold wear for just about any ocassion from the grocery store to the office and maybe even a cubs game if I could swap my oxfords for some converse! If you love dresses like me – check out my favorite shirt dress/drop waist dresses below. They are super comfortable and adorable all year round!

I do want to end this post by saying there are many, many moments when I run errands with wet hair and a hat, go to target in my PJs or spend an entire day in workout clothes with post-workout hair – we all do and that is totally ok!