How we dress and present ourselves to the world can have a significant influence on how confident we feel and how successful we are interacting with others.
As part of my monthly confidence series, I consulted with Anna McConnell, a gifted Kansas City wardrobe stylist and image consultant, and asked her to share her thoughts on how appearance can affect self-confidence and perception and how we can use our assets to step out the door feeling our best.
CH: How much can appearance impact a person’s self-confidence and how others perceive her?
AM: Appearance affects a person’s self-confidence greatly.
Women have a lot of pressure from the media as well as from their peers to look better, younger, thinner…. Designers use models with a rectangular figure weighing 130 lbs and are 5.10 when reality is much different. The average size in the US is a size 12.
We already have a tendency to see our “perceived” flaws instead of seeing our assets. This is human nature.
When you feel attractive, well-groomed and put together, your self-esteem and confidence lifts. Not only do you carry yourself differently, but you interact with others in a different fashion.
Have you ever had a bad hair day and everything goes wrong and you just don’t feel right? Or you walk into a restaurant inappropriately dressed for the event. You feel awkward and certainly not willing to be the life of the party!
Looking polished and put together implies to the rest of the world that you’ve got everything in your life under similar control, career, family, finances…..The contrary also exists. If you go to a business meeting or interview with an unprofessional appearance, for the outsider, your skills will seem unprofessional as well. Perception is reality!
We are judged by our appearances within three seconds. It is our first tool of selection. We tend to go towards like-minded people or people who look similar to us.
CH: What are simple, quick ways that we can appear and feel more confident through our appearance whether we work outside the home or stay home with children?
AM: Anyone can look great regardless of where you live, what you do, how much you weigh, size or budget. We can change our attitudes by becoming aware of our self-image and taking control of our emotion.
Knowledge is key. Here are a few things that can help:
- Know your body type and what you can or cannot wear (according to your body type). For example, if you are a long lean rectangular figure, you do not want to wear long, straight shapeless garments.
- Understand your clothing personality. Are you a romantic, classic, sporty…..? If you are sporty and spend your time taking the kids to the soccer field, you may not need 5 pairs of heels and pencil skirts in your wardrobe.
- Does your wardrobe suit your lifestyle, personality and activities? Can your wardrobe take you to all your activities, events? Does it really correspond to my personality? Am I making the most of my wardrobe?
CH: What advice do you give women who are on tight budgets or simply don’t want to spend a lot on clothing for themselves?
AM: Once you’ve answered the above questions, you can organize your closet with the clothing you really need and discard the rest.
Shop in your closet first and try to build a wardrobe that can fit your activities and lifestyle. Make a list of items that you would need. This is essential to stay on track with your budget.
You don’t need an extensive wardrobe, but good quality items that you can wear in different options. On a tight budget, stick to classics that will always be in style.
Consignment stores are a great place to start.
About Anna McConnell:
Wardrobe Stylist and Image Consultant Anna McConnell helps men and women create and maintain an efficient and functional wardrobe to suit their lifestyle, body type, personality and budget. Also discover Anna and the KC Glam Squad for their fabulous makeovers. For more information on the services Anna provides and how she can help you, visit http://www.anna-mcconnell.com
For questions and consultations contact her at http://www.anna-mcconnell.com/ask-anna/ or call 816-582-2550.
I am always yearning for a style makeover. I feel I never quite get it right but so love seeing women who do and make it look effortless- and they look comfortable. Last year I bought a great pair of boots that look and feel great so if I build my outfit around them I am usually happy.
Sue, for me the outfit always revolves around the shoes! 😉 I always feel great when I have a nice handbag too and a cool piece of jewelry. I guess I’m an accessory kind of girl. Thanks for commenting!