DOES FASHION BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE?

Fashion can boost your confidence, but it is not as straightforward as you may think. 

First of all, what is confidence? 

Confidence: a feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.

If confidence is a "feeling" based on "one's own abilities and/or qualities", then how does fashion play it's role in boosting self confidence?

The common misconception about the relationship of confidence and fashion is that it can be bought or copied. If you have the best you will feel the best. People focus their attentions on the results of what you "look like" and how "good" it makes you feel. The more beautiful you look, the more confidence you should have. 

However, this theory falls flat, as there are many beautiful and wealthy people who have the lowest sense of self worth. Not to mention, the common pursuit of a particular type of beauty, serves no purpose beyond physical attraction. 

This type of mental manipulation causes people to link confidence to money and success, when in actuality they are neglecting the essence of confidence building.

The only true way to use fashion to boost your confidence, is if it is used to celebrate who you are. No copying, no depending on labels or price tags, it's all about you.

 The mental process of choosing and coordinating creates a relationship of understanding who you are. It is only at this level that fashion can become a vehicle of self discovery. As you explore this type of fashion adventure, you start to understand, and accept the essence of your personal formula. The better you understand your formula, the more you learn to trust it. 

Embrace yourself, and discover your own beauty.

Follow your own path. 

xo,

Maya

BEAUTY: HOW DO YOU SEE YOURSELF? (PABLO PICASSO)

"Beauty?... To me its a word without sense because I do not know where its meaning comes from nor where it leads to." 

-Pablo Picasso 

Did you ever think about the face you see in the mirror every morning? 

Most of us do not give our reflection much thought, but the reality is, what you see is largely influenced by what you value in your thoughts, experiences, and moods. 

What you may love or hate about yourself is completely effected and filtered into an illusion of what you see.

"Art is not the application of a canon of beauty but what the instinct and the brain can conceive beyond any canon. When we love a woman we don't start measuring her limbs."

-Pablo Picasso

Master painter, Pablo Picasso has painted a vast collection of self portraits throughout his lifetime and they teach us how dramatically perceptions of self can alter through age and experiences.

When we are younger, we are largely influenced by the standard conventions of beauty, and the shell that contains us. 

However, through life, hardships, heartbreak, failures, and knowledge, what we see in ourselves will evolve into more complex forms.

Beauty is not what you see, but what you feel. 

xo,

Maya

3 Ways to Boost Your Confidence With Fashion

It doesn't matter how smart, beautiful, or popular you may be, we all suffer from confidence. 

Insecurities flood our day to day life, and a little armor could help all of us. 

Here are my top 3 tips on boosting confidence through fashion!

1.) Have Pride:

Start by taking pride in how you represent yourself. Don't slouch, look at the floor, and hope your demure sweat suit will somehow allow you to blend into the wall, and remain invisible. No matter how much you may try to convince yourself you do not care, it is effecting your confidence.

If you currently have no money, focus your effort on making sure the basics are covered. Keep your clothes clean, ironed, and organized. The recipe for more confidence, is not in buying more but to care more. Always put enough effort in your look that you can look at your reflection in the mirror and give yourself a thumbs up. Don't be negative, don't compare, just have enough pride that you can face the world with your head held up. 

2.) Clothes that Make You Happy:

There is something mystical about certain clothing that bring you so much joy. As a child, and even now, I love full A-line skirts that swoosh as I twirl or walk. So much joy can come out of a fashion piece like this and these are the "golden" fashion pieces of your wardrobe. It does NOT matter if other people  may hate it, or mock you for wearing it. Do NOT let them take a way the joy that a certain T-shirt or dress may bring. Instead, take it as a challenge, on how you can style an outfit around that funky T-shirt, or misunderstood dress. 

Wearing what makes you happy, makes you feel good. Feeling good, will boost your mood, and power. Cherish how you feel first and then judge what you end up looking like. You can always tweak an outfit at the final step. 

3.) Accessories!

One of the biggest problems in having style, is taking an outfit from "blah" to WOW! With most people living multifunctional lives, their wardrobe is usually comfortable and boring. A lot of plain shirts, jeans and predictable style. If you want an easy quick way to take a simple boring outfit, and hit it with some personality, invest in accessories! Whether it be statement jewelry, scarves, hats, gloves, or belts, it is the quickest way to add zest to your look and push you from the background straight to center stage. 

Enjoy.

xo,

Maya

Re-Defining FASHION

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, fashion is defined as:

"a popular way of dressing during a particular time or among a particular group of people; the business of creating and selling clothes in new styles; clothes that are popular."

The debate between what is fashion verses what is style is a direct result of the fact the definition of fashion itself is flawed and incomplete. Fashion cannot exist without style, just as style cannot exist without fashion.

 No different to art, music, and literature, fashion is a form of self expression shaped by our own human experiences. It should not be defined by the level of "popularity" it experiences in a given time period, nor should it be justified by the opinions of anyone but your own. 

It is ridiculous to equate fashion by current trends, or how much you "buy". Defining fashion based on trends, popularity or the "business" that exists around it, takes away from the artistic nature of fashion itself.

 Fashion does not discriminate and anyone who has the courage to embrace who they are, is capable of fashion.  Letting go of the desire to be accepted and following what socially surrounds them, is one of the greatest challenges in life. 

Fashion is not simply the physical adorning of the body, face, and hair, but the collaboration of the inner thoughts, and personal taste that allow you to create your own self-presentation. If you simply dress without thought, the garments you wear, will always remain as lifeless textile. 

Any worthy fashion designer, has a vision, and a message inspired by something. Copying head to toe looks, created by a famous fashion house, is undoubtedly a sure way to impress and look flawless. However, it should not be mistaken as your own merits of fashion, you are merely a dress form, displaying the fashion abilities of someone else. If you steal fashion to your benefit, it will surely use you right back. 

Although the practical purpose of clothing is to "cover" our bodies, ironically, the true purpose is to "expose" one's self. Figuring out how to dress yourself is as important as understanding who you really are, and what you are all about.

3 Ways to Use Fashion to Celebrate Your Body Shape

It is a common misconception that fashion is meant only for the skinny tall girls. Runways and Magazines showcase models that are thin and tall simply because it is the"easiest" body type to dress. It is a body type that is no fuss, quick, and easily "fashionable".

Does this mean everyone else, with their unique body shapes, are not physically capable of fashion? So many times people have the mind set to change their body shape in order to fit the "fashion stereotype". Whether it be through dieting or plastic surgery, there is a universal obsession to fit one specific shape of beauty. The reality is, fashion should be "used" to celebrate you. Don't change yourself to fit fashion, shape it to fit you.  Celebrate your body, personality and your individuality. It is a tool that enhances your features, and identity. Finding what suits you, is as important as finding who you are. 

Here are 3 of My Favorite Ways to Use Fashion to Celebrate your Body Type.

1.) Beauty Hunt

The first thing to do is to spot your strongest features. What do you like about your body or a certain facial feature? Perhaps they are your beautiful blue eyes, or long legs, make a mental note of what part of you makes you feel confident. Once you find at least one beauty spot, it is time to work around it, as if it is your start line. This is where you want a invisible spotlight to showcase the spot you are confident. This is the core of your visual confidence and focusing on it will grow your confidence encouraging you to see more positive aspects of yourself. 

For example, if you like the shape of your lips, showcase them by coloring them a soft pink, or red, and get inspired to match that shade with either your shoes or nails. Keep everything else one color or neutral, and you will be surprised how the positive confidence you have for your 'lips' will also attach itself to other parts of your body adorning the same color. 

2.) Contour Yourself

Contour is well known in the use of make up, but most do not know that the same concepts can also be used in fashion. Basically the key aspects of contouring, is "shade" what you dislike, and highlight what you like.  It is a simple, visual illusion "trick" that boosts your confidence while reducing negative body image.

For example, if you are self conscious about your "thick" thighs, try to find jeans that are shaded darker on the places you want slimmer and lighter near the ankles. 

 "Ombre" shirts or dresses are also a smart way to visually play with your upper body.

 

If you are self conscious about your large breasts, wear a ombre top  that is shaded darker on top and shades lighter towards the bottom. Similarly, if you dislike your protruding waistline, try an ombre that is darkest along the waist.

3.) Fashion Fingerprint

The ultimate goal is to find a "look" that you can confidently call your your own. It is customized to your shape, size, age and personality. It is like a fingerprint, and no one can pull off this look better than you. 

This is a combination of multiple factors.

 Firstly, you need to know your body type, and what type of shapes work well with you. 

Secondly, know what colors enhance your skin tone, hair color, eyes, or personality. 

Lastly, don't be afraid to combine, mix, and experiment with different styles that break popular trends. Anything is a possibility as long as you believe in it.

When you finally find your fashion fingerprint, it changes your perception on how you react to trends, or body image. Instead of wanting to be someone you see in magazines or runways, you see the clothes in relation to how or if it works with you. The power is in your court, and now you will make your own fashion choices.