Dressing for Ourselves or for Others?

[cupcake_625]

Who are we dressing to impress?

We are all embedded with the natural human desire to dress to impress. Our clothing choices are often highly influenced by those around us. Whether its for a job interview, a fancy date, a lavish vacation to the tropical islands, a passionate night in the arms of a lover, or a surprise birthday party for a best friend, our clothing choices will always and forever be influenced by the event and the occasion or how we want to be perceived. There is absolutely nothing wrong with doing this because it shows that we care about ourselves and the way we are perceived by others. We respect our reputations and want to make the best impressions in the way that we carry ourselves.

However, where is the boundary between dressing for your own needs and dressing for the needs of others? It is your body, after all. You have the final say in what you feel is ideal for your body. Yet, the opinions of others often come into play while making the final decision on an outfit. We would rather buy something tight and uncomfortable because we know that hot guy/girl will be at that party tonight rather than buying something that fits well and is comfortable to wear. I am as much of a victim to this as all of you may be. In our heads, we are always letting others have the final say in the clothing decisions that we make.

So what can we do to change this?

There are three ways that I feel we can mentally train ourselves to be more mindful of what we want to put on our bodies, rather than always thinking about what others may like us to wear.

1. Feel CONFIDENT in your own skin.

When you are out shopping for the perfect outfit, look in the mirror in the dressing room and tell yourself that you look beautiful in whatever you are trying on. Tell yourself this over and over until you can feel the confidence flooding through your veins.

2. Don't let their JUDGMENTAL thoughts bring you down.

Whoever he/she is, they aren't worth it. If he/she thinks you don't look attractive in your outfit, they can move their shallow ass on to find someone else. If he/she is only consumed in your appearance, they probably aren't the one for you anyway. Find someone who is worth your time and pass this shallow brat off...

3. Settle for what makes you feel truly BEAUTIFUL.

In the end, all that matters is pleasing yourself. Whatever you end up buying should reflect your unique personality and physical beauty. What might look good on your best friend might not look good on your own body. Find something that highlights your best features and makes you feel like the beautiful shining star that you truly are.

[IsenhowerJ]

Interesting article. As a guy I want to say that I dress for only me, but I know that I also dress to impress girls and my friends so they know I don't look like a slob with hat hair.
First impressions are important for us humans as well. For a job interview, I would put on more expensive and dressier clothes because I want my future boss to first think that I took time in my appearance to be here and that I look professional. It would be a different story if I were with friends where I would be more laid back in my attire.

[LittleSally]

I agree.
And yeah, dressing for an interview will be quite a bit different, but it's till going to be at least partially what YOU (as an individual) find appealing...

Dressing for others isn't sustainable... unless you're a huge hypocrite or desperate for friends/relationships/sex...

[silverblood]

I feel lucky that I was raised to dress for myself, I don't care if people don't like it or whatever they may think. I love my body and like dressing it. they can kiss it off if they feel like sharing. Naturally I won't show up at church in a super short club dress and 6 inch heels, but if I was in to my idea of bad fashion choices I would lol.
Honestly I like feeling good, looking my best and don't care much for the world around me when I'm not doing anything wrong. My disturbed tee is fine if I'm hanging at the mall, but I am waring it because I want too, not for anyone else lol.

[WalterRadio]

Actually, women often dress not to impress, but to compete. They have an unconscious mating competition going on with other women.

Do men care that a woman has a $3,000 purse? No. But she wants other women to care because it makes her feel like a more valuable mate that she can get her partner to spend so much resources on something so frivolous.

[Anonymous]

What's with all the questions and takes about this all of a sudden? I laughed hysterically when I read the recent takes by @LittleSally and @bente2. Saying women don't dress to impress men is an utter load of garbage. Everyone knows it, but women like them are just bitter at any suggestion that men have any influence over women at all. It's clearly just the sort of anti-male bitterness we have all come to expect from feminists.

www.girlsaskguys.com/.../a47831-women-s-grooming-is-done-for-themselves-not-for-you

www.girlsaskguys.com/.../a47815-guys-it-s-not-a-compliment

[Cuteguy135]

Nice MyTake! I feel like I dress for dress for others to dress for myself. Basically, if other people like what im wearing then I like what I'm wearing. At the same time, I dress nicely for myself because I like it! And then when other people like what im wearing I like it even more! Basically, I think we dress as much for ourselves as we do for others because the two ideas are closely linked.

[RedMatch]

Hm, for everyday life at home, I just have a set of basic clothes that are practically identical. When going out I dress to what I like and what I think looks good on me. If i am going somewhere in particular though occasionally I will look at what i am wearing and think about how i would look to others. I very rarely go even into town so every opportunity to were something nice is enjoyed.

[Sluthater]

Nice article. At home I look like a hobo. Outside the home I ain't gonna lie. Im a bodybuilders and I gotta wear something that subtly shows off the legs.

[Drake]

man, first i WEAR WHAT I LIKE FOR MYSELF
then 2nd to impress the girls

but i fist want to wear what im most comfortable in, where i feel like a million bucks for myself, cause confidence really does carry an outfit

then the girls come

[Anonymous]

The only time I see this bullshit (MOSTLY) is when a women is wearing panties with her ass hanging out (Not a bathing suit) A transparent bra (You can see the nipples) and no shoes on in public. (Not saying that you were justifying that) That's what I mostly see with that, I think you are different with that and more class-like, Probably? What I dress for myself I wear things that aren't supposed to be used as sexual, such as transparent shorts, transparent shirts, no shoes, or no shirt/tank tops, I wear mostly casual stuff such as designer t-shirts (mostly by my brand) jeans and some fresh looking shoes.

[kitty71]

In a way we all dress for other people not for ourselves

[BrittBratt2416]

We all dresses to impress or at least look decent in front of others.

[alice55]

If I didn't dress for other I would be in pajamas all days XD

[Bezbozhnikustanka]

When a straight man looks at totty he's just trying to picture you naked.

[seryleme]

Totty? you mean a slutty-looking girl or just an attractive girl?

[Phoenix98]

So your saying it's fine to walk around in your pajamas's as long as it's what you want?

Also @WalterRadio post.

[Pizzalover101]

Yes we all want to have sum 1 look at us like we're looking good we dress nice when we go out in public

[TacosRAwesome]

I guess I mostly dress for myself, however I still like to look appropriate for the location / occasion.

[Physics-Man]

Since I have an athletic/muscular build, I tend to want to wear tight clothes that will show it off to the pretty ladies out there. I tend to wear shorts to reveal my sculpted calves as well!

[Anonymous]

I only think about what I'm going to wear when going out on a date, or applying for a job.
Other than that I just don't want to smell bad. I don't even pay much attention to the weather because I'm always inside or in my car anyway.

[sunnybunny2004]

for me unless I am going some where where i will meet someone important

[player0696]

Off course wear to impress a girl lol