Sometimes a girl needs a boost in the self-esteem department and needs to put on an outfit that boosts confidence. We all have those days where we wake up and just aren’t feeling it. Some time between your late night snack and your morning coffee you’ve decided you lost your groove, and you need a little bit of help getting it back. And while it’s all pretty much mental, you’d be surprised what a killer outfit could do for your self-esteem.
Whether you have a big presentation at work that day, need the courage to finally ask the coffee barista out (how many hearts can they draw on your coffee cup?!), or you just need a little something extra to feel better about yourself, a well thought out look can help you achieve that boost in confidence. But the problem is: What kind of outfits achieve exactly that goal? You might have a rough idea based on your personal style, but when you’re standing there in front of your closet, feeling kind of down and impatient, it can be hard to piece together. So I’m here to help. Here are seven outfits everyone should have in their closet closet for confidence — keep these ideas in your back pocket and whip them out during moments of need.
1. A Go-To Dress
A great dress has the power to completely change your day around. And it doesn't have to be a snug, bombshell dress either; it could just be your favorite shift you like to reach for on normal Tuesdays. So why would a simple frock boost your mood like that? First, it's easy to put together. All you need to do is throw it over your head, add shoes, and you're done. Instant style without any stress or bother. Secondly, chances are you got compliments while wearing said dress before, so every time you slip it on you feel those same feels.
According to researcher Dr Alastair Tombs, "A dress...can be valued not only because it makes the wearer feel more confident, but also because remembering the confidence and admiration these garments brought is valued long after it has ceased to be worn." So find that one dress in your wardrobe that makes you feel amazing and that has snagged you a compliment or two. Every time you put it on, you'll feel that boost of confidence.
2. A Pair Of Well-Tailored Pants
Dress pants are awesome to have handy because they work in so many different ways. Not only do they make you look incredibly polished when paired with classic pieces like blazers or button-downs, but they also add a fun contrast when paired with casual items like chunky knits or crop tops. But there's a difference between having a pair of dress pants, and a pair of immaculately tailored dress pants.
In the former you'll look nice, but not necessarily like something out of The Sartorialist. In the latter, you'll look like something straight out of Vogue. And the look is easy to achieve — all you have to do is get it fitted at a tailor. You might have to shell out an extra twenty bucks but it'll take your confidence a long way.
According to body language expert Dr. Lillian Glass, "Quality pieces fit better, and that affects your posture, which then affects the overall impression you make every day. More than half (58 percent) of the women [surveyed] agreed that the higher quality clothing they wore, the more confident they felt." So elevate your pants from just nice slacks to high quality trousers — your mood will thank you for it!
3 A Leather Jacket Over Anything
The leather jacket is the ultimate cool girl status symbol — why do you think Madonna was such a fan of it in the '80s? It's effortless, goes with fancy evening gowns and lazy boyfriend jeans, and acts almost like a security blanket when going out somewhere that could be intimidating. Whether that's to a networking event or a first date, the leather jacket helps you exude a certain persona that not only makes other people around believe that confidence to be real, but you yourself.
According to Nicole Kliest at WhoWhatWear, “Wearing a leather jacket on a date sends a subliminal message to your suitor (and to yourself) that you are confident and cool." So if you're headed off to an event or situation that has the potential to put butterflies in your stomach, shrug on a leather jacket and let the confidence wash over you.
4. A Well Made Knit With Jeans
There's something about a well made, cuddly knit that just amps up the confidence factor. It might be because it gives you those cozy, relaxed feels that mellow you out, or because you know there's no awkward fashion faux pas that could go wrong while wearing it, but having a thick knit handy can really boost your levels of confidence.
Whenever I have a semi-stressful event coming up (like a first date or a dinner party I'm going solo to) I always reach for a thick knit just because it acts like a security blanket. I feel comfy and at home in the piece, and I don't have to worry about it draping incorrectly or coming undone in some way that a more complicated look might. It's effortless and timeless, and because of that I always feel a little more secure and less awkward while wearing it.
5. A Frivolous Skirt
While a lot of our pieces in our closets can wear many hats or are versatile and could be mix and matched, I wouldn't discredit the power of a good, frivolous skirt. It might not go with every everything in your closet and it might be tricky to wear for all occassions, but there's something about a piece being lighthearted and sugary that instantly boosts a gal's mood. And when you have something on that feels a little decadent and slightly too-much for the day, you feel happier and, as a result, more confident.
According to researcher Dr Alastair Tombs, "We demand many things from clothing. Quite a few people talked about using clothes to change their mood. If they get up and aren't feeling great, they would put on something that would brighten them up." So reach for that frivolous skirt and brighten your day. You'll walk a little taller and with a more sure stride.
6. A Structured Blazer With Denim
Blazers are a lot more versatile than you think — they can go further than the usual office desk role. According to Kristen Bousquet at Stylecaster, "Whether you pair it with patterned accessories, or with a crop top and high-waisted jeans there’s a way to take a black blazer from boring day job to a chic night on the town in the blink of an eye." And since it's so versatile, you can use it in many different ways to give you that boost of confidence when you need it. Because of its structured shape, its classic history, and its quiet and unfussy elegance, a structured blazer can easily give you confidence by transferring those qualities onto your own shoulders.
7. A Killer Pair Of (Easy To Walk In) Heels
The "easy to walk in" bit is important — if you feel like Bambi in stilettos, don't wear them! That won't give you confidence, that will just stress you out. So feel free to swap the heels for your favorite, fabulous sneakers or flats if that's more your speed. Plus, you can always wear block heels, manageable one-inch stilettos, or chunky platform options for more comfortable added height. Something about adding an extra inch or two to your look immediately makes you lengthen your stride and adds a confident sway to your hips.
According to at Kat Collings at WhoWhatWear, "Simply put: Heels elevate your look — literally and physically. You’ll look more confident and put together instantly. We’re not saying you should wear heels every day, but working them into your repertoire occasionally will certainly have stylish benefits." When you need a little more confidence in your corner that day, put on a great pair of heels (or sneakers, or flats, or any fabulous shoe) and be prepared to feel like you could kill it.
I feel more confident (and ready to shop) already, don't you?
