Happy Monday, ladies. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was uneventful and rather quiet, with load after load of laundry and several hours of ironing, which, truthfully, I find relaxing and rewarding. I know, weird. Today, I’m musing about the act of putting ourselves together as a powerful form of self-care.
Dressing as Self-care
Last week, I ran into Whole Foods to grab some organic raspberries. Just a quick midday errand, nothing fancy. I was wearing a crisp white shirt, medium-wash straight-leg jeans, and a pair of flats I’ve had forever. I carried a crossbody to be hands-free and wore my favorite silver hoops and a fun vintage brooch.
It certainly wasn’t anything flashy but I did feel pulled together. I was surpised when several people commented on how nice I looked. Compliments always feel good which got me thinking about overdressing and underdressing and why I always err on the dressed-up side of things.
Truthfully, I think I got this tendency from my mom. Every morning, without fail, she got up and took out the brush rollers she’d slept in (remember those torture devices?), got dressed, then as she liked to say, “put on her face.” She believed in presenting herself well, even if the only one seeing her was the mailman. I watched that growing up, and I think it quietly took root, not as pressure but as self-care.
That’s the thing about getting dressed…it’s never just about clothes. It’s about care and dignity. It signals that today matters, and I matter. And in a world that seems to be sliding into anything-goes territory, I’ve found I feel better when I make the effort.
Why This Matters
Getting dressed with care isn’t about being fancy or impressing anyone. It’s a quiet way to care for yourself. It can lift your mood, bring structure to the day, and remind you that you’re worth a little effort…even when no one else sees it.
Applying This to Your Wardrobe
- Keep a few easy, polished outfits on standby.
- Choose real clothes and things that make you feel like yourself, not invisible.
- Add an accessory or two that you love, even on your quiet days, especially on quiet days. You may also enjoy How to Feel More Put Together in Under 10 Minutes
I realize that, for me, this is part of living a well-styled life.
Did someone in your life model this kind of everyday care? Or have you discovered it for yourself along the way? I’d love to hear how you use personal style as a way to feel like you.
Digital Detox
Over the weekend, I went on a little digital detox. Not from social media entirely but from the mountain of influencer emails and Instagram accounts that constantly shout about new arrivals, the latest drop, or the one piece you need to own that will make every outfit look perfect. I unsubscribed from a bunch of them, and it felt oddly rebellious… like throwing a catalog in the recycling bin before flipping through it.🤣
The truth is, all that consuming was starting to confuse my personal style. The more I looked, the more I added. The more I added, the less connected I felt to any of it. I wasn’t building a wardrobe…I was just reacting and exercising my add-to-cart finger. The whole thing suddenly felt overwhelming and stressful. It made me focus on lack rather than abundance, which isn’t good for anyone’s state of mind. It drove me into my closet for a cleanout again, and I was slightly shocked at the clothes hanging there that were not my style!
Obviously, I do share links here on A Well Styled Life. It’s part of how I support this blog and keep it going. If I find something I love and think might work for you, too, I’ll share it. I also enjoy curating outfit collages that may ring your sartorial bell. But I never want to be that person who encourages overconsumption or makes you feel like you need to keep shopping to have great style. That’s not what this space is about.
What I really hope to do is help you rediscover, refine, or simply feel more at home in your own style. To help you dress in a way that feels authentic, confident, and true to where you are in life.
Great style isn’t built through nonstop shopping. It’s built in the editing and curating. Having a larger wardrobe doesn’t give you better style. In fact, I’ve found the opposite to be true, so I needed to cut back on the noise so I could hear my own voice again.
Have you felt this way? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.
Splurge or Save
So many of you ladies love the splurge or save outfits, so I have another one for you today.
This one has straight-leg jeans, a white linen shirt, a black & white bandana, red cat eye sunglasses, black earrings, red ballet flats, and a leopard print crescent bag. Can you spot the expensive one from the budget-friendly option?
In case you haven’t heard, Talbots is kicking off the summer with a Cyber Monday sale, online only…save 40% off your entire order. It’s for today only, so if you need something to round out your wardrobe, this would be a good time to look.
Here are my favs:
Thanks for reading, ladies, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident. Please join the conversation in the comments, and let’s chat about the self-care aspect of dressing with intention.