Why it’s important to have the Confidence to Be Yourself with Fashion & Style

Fashion and style is a part of our everyday lives, whether you like to think it is or not. Each morning when you pick out what top to wear, or which shoes are most appropriate for the day you are making a conscious decision on how to style yourself for the day ahead. Every time you buy a new pair of jeans, whether that be from the high street, the supermarket, a charity/thrift store or a premium design house, you are buying into the fashion industry and the many different elements within it.

For some people, fashion and style mean nothing and they see it as more of a daily necessity to wear clothes, any clothes, rather than actually piecing an outfit together for a desired outcome/event. For others, the way they dress dictates their mood, confidence and approach to the day and is very much a cornerstone in their daily routine. Behind all of the many different ways we dress every day and the reasons for this, there is one key behaviour influencing it all – confidence.

It sounds simple but having the confidence to be yourself is for me, one of the most important factors in looking and feeling great. I believe no one should feel pressured to dress a certain way or buy a certain pair of shoes, just because they are in ‘fashion’ or because everyone else is wearing them. Although I talk a lot about trends and styling those pieces, that’s because it’s something I’m personally interested in and I want to help inspire others, it doesn’t mean that I don’t admire people who go completely against the curve and put together some wild and crazy looks. That’s the beauty of the fashion industry and those people who put themselves out there in terms of going against the grain are often my favourite.

Feeling the need to go along with a trend ‘just because’ and not buying or wearing the pieces you truly love because of a lack of confidence or worrying about what others will think, is probably one of the worst things that could happen to the industry as people would lose their individuality and we would become like clones, all wearing a uniform of the same things, day in, day out.

Whatever your personal style or preference when it comes to clothing, as long as you’re dressed appropriately for the occasion just own it and go with it. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve felt too self-conscious to wear certain pieces because of what someone else might think but at the end of the day, does it really matter what anyone else thinks if you’re in love with how the outfit makes you feel?

I’ve spoken to so many people who won’t wear hats, for example, or a bold, statement trouser because of the fear of standing out or being laughed at but fashion and style are so personal to each individual that there will always be someone who disagrees with your choice. It’s like everything else in life, so why would you make your decision based on another person’s preference?

I’ve definitely had comments made to me in the past along the lines of “What are you wearing?!” or “What have you come dressed as?” but the older and more confident I’ve become in my own style, the less I’ve begun to care. I LOVE to see how clothes bring out an individuals personality and I love, even more, to see people who approach getting dressed as a form of art. It’s just a small way to make the world a brighter, more interesting place and the everyday routines of life, not feel so laborious.

I would absolutely hate for everyone to look the same, so please try your best to be confident, own your style and wear whatever the hell you want to and always remember to embrace everyones style preferences, however different or out there they may seem.