6 WAYS COSTUMING HELPS WITH CONFIDENCE IN EVERYDAY LIFE
There's nothing like the feeling of wearing something that makes you feel incredible. You feel happy, comfortable, you KNOW you look good and all is well in the world. The power of dressing with confidence is undeniable, especially when we use it in situations where we’re meeting new people and wanting to make a great impression. In the lifestyle, we like to throw theme parties and sometimes have dress codes simply to provoke a type of atmosphere and to get you (the guests) to dress in a manner that will elicit fun, excitement, and desire.
As a constituent of the lifestyle and resident of the most costume-centric city in the world—New Orleans—I can attest to the power that my magical costume wardrobe has brought me. It’s filled with mix and match pieces for me to become whatever or whoever I want. Tons of shiny booty shorts in every color, bikinis, sparkly tops, tights, corsets, tutu skirts, and accessories—it’s the dress-up wardrobe I needed as a kid (but definitely not kid-friendly). Dressing for things like Mardi Gras, festivals, and the Naughty N’awlins theme parties have allowed me to create some amazing looks that were not only fun to put together but made me see myself completely differently. My first couple of times it felt crazy to be doused in glitter, dressed as I could be in the circus, and found myself asking if it was “too much,” “do I look stupid?” “Is everyone going to think I look weird?” But once I started attending these events more often and creating costumes for the occasion, I realized how much I truly loved dressing up, how great it made me feel, and how surprisingly supportive people are when they see you wearing something fabulously ridiculous.
This new way of dressing for events in one part of my life started to influence what I wore in my normal, everyday life. I found myself wanting to have more fun with my casual outfits; more color, statement pieces, things that fit better in certain places, and just wanted to wear things that made me feel good. I now have a few go-to outfits that make me feel and look great, that were completely inspired by outfits I’ve worn for lifestyle parties and parades.
If you’re joining us for any of the Naughty Events coming up this year, including Naughty N’awlins, I highly recommend dressing up for the theme nights (which will be announced soon) and meeting us on the dance floor.
Here 6 reasons why dressing in costume is great for your confidence:
Allows you to channel an alter-go
When you have a theme to work with, or you’re set on what you want to wear, it’s like creating a character for yourself. When you put that costume on, you ARE that character, you channel their energy and demeanor and become an alter-ego. Think about it that way when you are dressing for work or for a date. What character do you want to be? How would they dress? And then go for it.
Initiates Connection with Others
How great does it feel when someone compliments us on the way we look? Fantastic! Right? Something about your look drew them in and made them reach out to you to tell you how great you look. Automatically, that connection has begun in a positive way. Where it goes next, who knows? But wearing things that make us stand out will surely draw some positive attention. Maybe we can’t wear headdresses and pasties to work (unfortunately), but wearing a great pair of shoes, or an amazing tie, cool sunglasses, or anything that just adds a little interest, will get those compliments going making you feel great about yourself.
Let's Your Personality Shine
You can tell a lot about a person by the costumes they choose for themselves—some like to go sexy, some go for funny, some want to be theatrical, and others like to keep it simple. The same thing goes for clothes we choose in our everyday lives. If you like certain colors, prints, fabrics or accessories, don’t let that hide, let your personality shine through your normal clothes with statement pieces, colors, patterns and things that remind you of your most fun and confident self.
Can Help You Develop a Signature Style
Once you allow your personality to shine and you begin to incorporate things into your wardrobe that make you feel confident, you’ll naturally begin to develop a signature look. Whether it’s the color of your shirt, a cool accessory, an interesting pair of shoes, or the way you wear your hair or makeup,
Challenges You to Be Brave
It takes some guts to wear something completely risque or out of character in front of a bunch of people you may or may not know. But once you get through your grand entrance and begin circulating the room with people who are also dressed up (and equally as nervous as you), it’s a lot of fun! Now you can let that character come out, reap in the compliments, talk to other people about their costumes, and next thing you know you’re connecting with confidence. Wear something daring to your next normal outing or even (gasp) to work, and see how it feels. It will tell you a lot about your personal confidence and give you that jolt you just might need.
Gives You Something to Look Forward To
I LOVE planning my outfits for the Naughty N’awlins theme nights! The fact that there are 4 of them is perfect and I love creating my looks for them. Last year, I was the most excited for my Neon Night outfit where I wore day-glow fishnets and UV light lipstick (which was a lot of fun). I am so ready to start planning (and wearing) my outfits for this year’s Naughty N’awlins theme parties. Until then, pick some outfits that you can feel excited about. Wear that dress that fits you perfectly, bust out those shoes you love and wear them for the day “just because,” or wear that shirt that makes you feel like your best self. Find it, make sure it’s clean, lay it out, and wear it tomorrow, bet you wake up thinking about it!
