More Than Just Clothes

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I've always been someone who is persnickety about dressing well. I've had my share of wearing bawdy clothes and colors, thanks to the hand-me-downs that were a primary part of my wardrobe growing up. For me clothes go beyond dressing up, beyond fashion trends and it brings out the personality of the person and honestly, I can tell a lot about a person by the way they dress. I didn't have a choice in clothes as a child. Coming from a lower middle-class family, we liked what we could afford and were fascinated by the clothes handed down to us by our affluent cousins even though they felt the need to yell out "Hey, that's my old skirt" during family occasions. I guess taunts like these are what imprinted a sense of being well dressed in me, in the clothes I choose to wear and own. Looks like the shroud of the toxic family had a skein of silver after all.

I know that while clothes don't maketh a man or a woman, they speak volumes about them as a person. From my personal perspective, being well-dressed is far more than just donning the latest trends or keeping up with what’s “in” at the moment. It is not about wearing big brands, it’s about finding a sense of style that reflects who you truly are while staying neat, clean, and put-together. The world is full of people following trends mindlessly, but I’ve always believed in dressing with intention. Fashion can be a fun outlet for creativity, but it’s essential to make sure that what we wear expresses our true selves rather than blindly jumping on the bandwagon of passing fads.

I think one of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to fashion is following trends without considering whether they suit their individual personalities, the climate of the place they live in or are visiting, or their body type. A foppish, overly extravagant look can be a fun play for some (not everyone is a Ranveer Singh), but for others, it’s more about dressing in a way that flatters their natural shape and fits their budget and lifestyle. Trend-following can quickly lead to a closet full of pieces that look great on the runway but not so much in the real world. Instead of chasing after the latest "it" items, I focus on keeping my wardrobe versatile, classic, and practical while still feeling fresh. Investing in timeless pieces is the key.

Primness and cleanliness are also key to my personal style. No matter how expensive or stylish your clothes are, if they are wrinkled, dirty, or poorly fitted, they won’t give off the polished look that we all want to project. Also, and I cannot stress this enough, invest in good quality underwear/lingerie/shapewear . That's the base to everything else you wear. To me, being well-dressed is about more than just the clothes; it’s about how they make me feel and how they reflect my character. A neat, well-groomed appearance shows that I respect myself and the people around me, and it creates an atmosphere where I feel confident and put together. Being well dressed, even in the smallest details, gives off a sense of sophistication that is difficult to replicate with flashy or mismatched outfits.

Confidence is something that’s inherently tied to how I dress. When I feel good about what I’m wearing, it gives me an instant boost in confidence. It’s not just about looking good for the sake of others, it's about how my clothes make me feel on the inside. A carefully chosen outfit that fits well and suits the occasion can help me walk into a room and feel like I own it. This confidence is noticeable, and people can sense when someone is comfortable and sure of themselves, even if it’s simply because of the way they’re dressed.

On the other hand, someone who consistently neglects to dress appropriately, whether it’s through sloppiness or lack of effort, often leaves a certain impression. It’s easy to judge someone based on their appearance, and though it shouldn’t be the sole factor, the way someone presents themselves says a lot about them as a person. A person who dresses poorly might be perceived as someone who lacks discipline or doesn’t care about how they’re seen. When I meet people who turn up in pajamas, slippers or oiled hair, it is such a turn-off! People who dress slovenly to work gets my goat too. While we shouldn’t define someone entirely by their clothing, I’ve always believed that a well-dressed person conveys a sense of respect; respect for themselves, for the people they are meeting and for the occasion they’re attending. At a workplace, it amounts to the respect you show your work. It's that simple.

Looking sophisticated doesn’t require an excessive or ostentatious wardrobe. It’s not about being a dandy with an over-the-top style or spending an extravagant amount of money. True sophistication comes from knowing how to dress in a way that’s understated yet effective, where every piece serves a purpose, and where the overall appearance communicates class without screaming for attention. 

In the end, the power of being well-dressed is that it helps shape how one feels and how one's perceived, leading to greater self-assurance, higher confidence and the ability to tackle any situation with a sense of pride. One body, one life. We owe it to ourselves to take care of it and that includes how we present it.