How Important Is What You Wear?

I've got a confession to make: I struggle with what to wear.

I know, I know...someone who writes about body image and the importance of accepting your body ought not to have these struggles. But hear me out on this -- shopping and dressing have become more difficult for me because now I actually care about what I put on my body. Back when I was truly unhappy with myself, oversized and shapeless were the way to go (hide-ability was my biggest deciding factor in making a clothing purchase) and frankly, there's not a lot of effort involved in hiding. But now that I'm in a place of knowing that I'm the best "me" I can be, I want the body I live in to look its best -- and that requires more shopping effort.

That's why I love the TLC show What Not To Wear. Sure, it's goofy and hokey sometimes, but I love the show's emphasis on the value of looking your best -- no matter what your size. I also love that Stacy London and Clinton Kelly acknowledge that shopping can be hard work and a great effort, especially for women who don't like to shop (that would be me).

The Washington Post ran a great interview with Stacy London this week, in which she reflects on this very topic. My favorite line from the interview? "Whether you're as healthy as you should be or not, that doesn't disallow you to look your best," London told columnist Jennifer Huget. "Style is only possible from a place of self-acceptance."  

I love that.

When I find myself frustrated in a store, I try to remind myself that it's always worth the effort to dress my body well. What do you think? Is clothing an important part of your body image?

Comments

[Leah Ingram]

I LOVE Stacy London, Clinton Kelly and "What Not to Wear." It was one of the first "reality" shows I let my daughters watch when they were younger. I appreciate how the hosts celebrate their makeover contestants, regardless of size, shape, color or age. I think we've all gotten a self-esteem boost from the show and the great fashion advice they dole out with their tough love doesn't hurt either. However, I still haven't found that PERFECT jacket to wear with my everyday dark-wash jeans. And you?

Leah Ingram
http://www.suddenlyfrugal.com

[Sagan]

I thought that the article was great, too. And I think that dressing ourselves well is really important... when I look good, I feel way better. That's why I stay away from cheap outlets; I buy fairly expensive clothes, but it's good quality and that makes me more confident. (And they last longer too!)

[Alyssa]

I need to find some fashion sense. Remember Garanimals? Clothes that helped kids by matching the tags on clothes that went together? (A shirt with an elephant on the tag went with pants that had an elephant on the tag, and so on.)
I would SO wear those if they made them for adults!!!!!

[Ane]

Well, I also hate to shop, but I guess being overweight has a lot to do with that. You're being judged by the girls in the clothes stores, they look at you funny. Also it's the part when you THINK you've found something that fits, and it turns out it DOESN'T.

But people also look at you funny when you DON'T make an effort. Yesterday I met the mother of one of my son's classmates, so I know. She was just out, perfectly made up, showing off her brand new convertible. I was in sweats, and my hair was a mess. Anyway I talked to her (no hiding behind the shelves in the grocery store), and I didn’t feel THAT bad, I knew I had put in my fair share of exercise the last days so I sort of thought to myself “I wear sweats because I’m soon going for my long walk … “ :)

[Ane]

I guess I forgot to answer the question! ;) I remember clothes USED to be important a long time ago. At this stage no, I can't allow them to be. I have to focus on getting healthy and slim. But I've started THINKING about clothes at least. That's something. :)

[A friend of UCC Middletown]

FYI: Your http://www.darachadwick.com/ 's link to Blog in the title bar points to your old Blog site and not this new one.

[Renata]

What I wear is important to me. It is part of my self-expression, but I have to guard myself on my self-worth when I just can't find clothes that work for me, especially now with the change in seasons... I dread and despise the whole shopping process. Thankfully, I know how to sew and I need to make myself some A-line skirts for the summer. I don't sew all that well, but I'm more pleased with those results than a trip to the mall. And the process is a lot more rewarding.