The way we dress affects the way we think, the way we feel,
the way we act, and the way others react to us
~ Judith Rasband
Hey beauties! When you dress, do you simply put on clothing and head out the door or do you think deep – not too deep – about what you want to wear and why you want to wear particular pieces? I fall into the latter group. I tend to think about what i’m wearing. I think about my mood, what color makes me feel a certain way, my age, type of event i’m going to (job interview, cocktail, preview, launch, PTC etc.). This is called dressing with intention, and i’m sure most of you already do so. There’s no need to over think or over analyze it. It simply means you dress with a specific purpose in mind. You want to attract a certain outcome or you want to be perceived a certain way or convey a certain message. People do it all the time. Of course, to each his own. But, if it matters to you, here are 10 tips for dressing with intention. And remember, this is a no judgment zone. We’re all beautifully, different.
♦ Determine your style category if you have one. Some people can be pigeon-holed into a specific category, i.e. Bohemian, minimalist, preppy, classic, street, electric, high fashion. Are you one of these? If you are, then go for it with an appropriate outfit. Me? I am any one of these on any given day. I call myself the moody dresser, and I dress based on how I want to feel or am feeling at any particular time.
♦ Be confident with your choices. don’t wear clothing that you don’t feel comfortable in.
♦ Be authentically you. Don’t try to duplicate someone else’s style. Sure, be inspired by others. We all learn from and are inspired by each other, but you are you with your own unique style sauce. Add that special sauce or element, whatever it is to your mode of dress. For me it’s my hats, which I’ve been wearing since I was 8 years old. I have other sauces, but that’s my main sauce.
♦ Clean out your closet. Get rid of the things you do not like. Donate some. Keep the ones you like. Trash those that cannot be salvaged.
♦ Invest in some quality pieces of clothing and accessories. Shoes, handbags, jacket, eyewear. But, try not to go crazy with the trends. They change every season and will cost you a fortune. Shop your closet, mix and match and come up with new fun and creative combinations that expresses your unique sense of style.
♦ Invest in a full length mirror so you can check out your whole selfie before you step out. Once you give yourself the nod of approval, what others think won’t matter. When I look in the mirror and I see what I want, I strut my stuff, with confidence, and no glance or lance can make me feel anything less than confident.
♦ Let your intuition guide you. You know you best. Go with your gut on how you want to look and feel.
♦ Color has meaning and gives energy. If you want to feel powerful, then wear some red. If you feel happy, slip on something with yellow.
♦ Get up, get dressed and get shit done. Even if you work from home; get dressed like you’re going to the office away from home. Though your office is at home, how you approach that work will set the tone for what you’re going to get done. If you’re in pajamas, you’ll feel like sleeping and watching tele or chatting on Facebook and twitter all day long. So, if your intention is to make some phone calls and have a tele-conference with a clients, get dressed and do so.
♦ Know you’re beautiful regardless of what you’re wearing.
So do you dress with intention? If so, I’d love to hear your take. Leave a comment below. And beauties, i’d love it if you can share this post on Facebook or twitter.
XOXO

Dixie Lincoln- Nichols is a biological science educator, health and wellbeing consultant and Qigong instructor. Her work has been featured in media outlets like, Oprah Mag, SELF, Yahoo and more. She is the founder of Inside Outer Beauty Market, a multi-cultutal retailer curating and creating products to support the body inside and out. Visit the site at www.iobeautymarket.com