In spring, many of us tend to do a thorough house cleaning, including going through our wardrobes and getting rid of what doesn’t fit or isn’t in style any longer. The winter clothes get stored, while the lighter summer clothes move to the front of the closet. While it is nice to shed the heavier threads, it can make you feel vulnerable with more skin being exposed. Here are seven tips for feeling confident in your summer outfits.
1. Understand Your Body Type
Knowing the type or shape of your body can help you understand what assets to emphasize. Every body shape has an attribute that can be highlighted. Try to rethink the temptation to wear a tent dress or oversized tee because you don’t feel like you have anything to show off. You will feel more confident once you get more creative with accentuating your best attributes. There are body type calculators that can assist in knowing your type.
2. Quiet Your Negative Internal Chatter
Ninety percent of us are not supermodels. The few women and men who are don’t set the standard for most of us when it comes to choosing how we dress in summer. You need to resist comparing yourself to those “beauties” in magazines and on the silver screen. Many of them have access to personal trainers, private chefs, and plastic surgeons. You are beautiful just as you are, so work with what you have.
3. Get Moving
If you simply don’t feel comfortable or your summer clothes are a little snug for your liking, don’t go out and splurge on a new wardrobe just yet. You can sign up for some classes at your local gym to boost your workout routine and tone your body before slipping into a bathing suit this summer. Many gyms are more affordable than you might think.
4. Adjust Your Expectations
Your body shape is dependent on many things, including genetics, current health conditions, and habits. While you can change your habits, you can’t do anything about your DNA. You may be naturally thin or genetically predisposed toward a larger body type. This is what makes you unique and embracing that will help you feel positive about how you dress in summer.
5. Seek Nutritional Advice
Just like taking some classes at the gym, you can get help with your diet if you feel that you aren’t eating in a manner that sustains you and supports your goals. Your primary care physician may be able to offer you sound advice on nutrition at your annual visit. Or, you could download a fitness app that helps you track your activity level and calorie intake. Some of these are awesome tools that help you see what is actually going on and how to get back on track.
6. Find Clothing that Flatters You
When shopping for summer clothing, take advantage of sales staff who are skilled in helping you find the clothing that flatters you. If you don’t have access to professional fashion help, take a friend shopping with you whose style you like and who will give you honest feedback. Our friends and family often know what is best about us better than we know ourselves.
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7. Comfort Matters
Whether you feel comfortable in form-fitting summer clothes that show off your figure or free-flowing garments that move in the breeze, it is important to feel comfortable in whatever you are wearing. Don’t restrict yourself when it comes to clothing. If the outfit doesn’t feel right, choose another. Summer is meant to be fun.
The bottom line is that you can feel confident in your summer clothing with some self-love, attitude adjustment, and outside help.