My color and confidence series continues today with the color green! If you've missed any posts from this series, you can catch all the links at the end of this post.
Green is one of my very favorite colors, and I love wearing it. For today's look, I went summer minimalist with a faux wrap skirt and simple tank.
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| Skirt: Eloquii (Available here) |
As much as I love wearing neutrals, wearing color can definitely make me feel more vibrant at times. Ultimately, feeling comfortable and good in our own clothes (and your own skin) is what gives you confidence, but I think color projects a confident vibe. Color announces your presence to others and demands more attention than neutrals. If you're not feeling as good about yourself as you'd like, wearing color can be a great way to fake it til you make it.
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| Tank: Ava+Viv for Target (Available here) |
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| Heels: Candie's (Available at Kohl's here) |
No matter how great you feel about yourself, we all have our less confident days. Whether you're working on your self-esteem or just need an occasional pick-me-up, I have a few strategies I employ.
Look at yourself in the mirror and smile
When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you like the person staring back at you? Do you think this person is attractive? Smart? Caring? Loving? It can be very easy to look in the mirror and only focus on what you don't like. Instead, I encourage you to look at your reflection and pretend you're staring at a good friend. You would be kind to that friend, right? You would know this person's flaws, but you would focus on the qualities that endear him or her to you. Treat yourself the same way. Smile at your reflection, say hi to that person staring back at you. Tell that person what is right about them, why you love and care for them. Show yourself the love you would show someone else. Be your own best friend. This exercise will make you feel silly, and that's okay. Laugh at yourself, smile at that gorgeousness you see reflected. You're changing the energy around you and sending yourself good vibes.
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| Necklace: The Limited |
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| Clutch: The Limited |
Surround yourself with diverse, body positive images
For years, I read oodles of fashion magazines, compared myself to supermodels, and just felt woefully inadequate. Blogging has really changed that for me. With so many fashion bloggers of diverse body shapes, sizes, ethnic backgrounds, and styles, I have learned to love and appreciate my own body more. Clothing looks different on different body types, and that diversity is nothing short of beautiful. I still read fashion magazines to catch up on the latest trends and runway shows, but I do so now with a more critical eye. While I think the models featured in the magazines are gorgeous, I no longer find myself comparing myself to them. Instead, I've learned to appreciate their unique beauty without letting it invalidate my own.
When I find myself feeling down in the dumps about my appearance, I seek out body positive bloggers for inspiration. I'm never in shortage of powerful, fierce, beautiful women who will put a smile on my face and give me the permission I needed to see my own beauty.
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| Glasses: Valentino |
Take the focus off of yourself
Whenever I start to get too focused on what I don't love about my body, I try to turn the focus outward. I try to spend more time with my kids, talk to the man, engross myself in work or the blog, re-connect with friends, etc. By taking the focus off of my body, I am nurturing important relationships and the other aspects of my life and of myself that have nothing to do with what I look like. My confidence grows as I am reminded of how my body is only one small part of who I am. Life is too short to spend your time focused on what is "wrong" with your body!
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| Ring: The Limited |
As I talked about yesterday, partaking in fashion also allows me to explore and expand my relationship with my body. Whenever I'm feeling down, I turn to my favorite clothes to help me feel my best. Wearing a favorite color instantly improves my mood. In particular, I tend to find green to be a calming color, and since I find most shades flattering with my coloring, I also tend to also feel a little prettier when I'm wearing it.
Want to incorporate more green into your wardrobe?
Try a green jacket in forest, olive, or mint
Florals, leopard print, and painterly prints in green are a great bet
Try green pants or a maxi dress
Green shoes, purses, and jewelry add a pop of color
Do you like wearing green? Have a favorite shade? What are some of your strategies for boosting confidence?
For the white skirt in other looks, see here.
For last year's Color and Confidence: Green, see here
Catch the other Color and Confidence 2 posts here:
Seeing Red
Orange You Worried About Your Health?
Mellow Yellow
Take the focus off of yourself
As I talked about yesterday, partaking in fashion also allows me to explore and expand my relationship with my body. Whenever I'm feeling down, I turn to my favorite clothes to help me feel my best. Wearing a favorite color instantly improves my mood. In particular, I tend to find green to be a calming color, and since I find most shades flattering with my coloring, I also tend to also feel a little prettier when I'm wearing it.
Do you like wearing green? Have a favorite shade? What are some of your strategies for boosting confidence?
