Dressing with intention.

I have a few questions for you: How do you want people to perceive you? What's the image you want to portray to the world? Do you want to, quite literally, wear your personality on your sleeve or would you rather be more reserved or perhaps even a little mysterious? I'm going to start out with a little story. A young man from the neighborhood asked me if I was a Wicken. I laughed uncomfortably and said “Why would you ask such a thing?” His answer was endearing; “Because you always look so magical." I was charmed and pleased with his response. Magical wasn't necessarily my intention, but I do perceive myself as being whimsical, so I happily accepted it.

This sweet encounter got me thinking more and more about “dressing with intention.”

When you work with me as a coaching client, my first question is to ask you what your intentions and goals are. Just what is it you want to achieve by working with me? We'll talk more actively about the image you are presenting to the world. We'll work on having a list of words in your mind's eye as you stand in front of your closet trying to figure out what to wear for the day's adventure.

I came up with an eclectic list of words (pictured below) that I'd like to share with you. Consider each one and circle the words that speak to you.

Keep in mind, there's no right or wrong answers and your words may change day to day depending on your activities... or your mood. Best of all, it doesn't have to be stagnant. It can and will evolve. Think of that line “I'm the star of my own Hollywood movie” and be playful with it. Try to come up with your own words!

I've been actively doing this myself and I'm finding it fun. I get to decide what my role is every time I get dressed. I'm upping my game a little. I often put on a hat now or wear something that may have once considered to be “too dressy” to wear to a Business Networking event because my key words were “whimsical,” “unique,” "striking" and “creative.”

Have fun with this exercise and I'll go deeper into the topic next Fashion Friday. Have a great weekend. denise

PS: Click on Image below for a Printable Black & White Copy of the worksheet.

After sending about my MailChimp and receiving some feed back I decided to share my Key Words and a clients Key Words.

For myself, I added "impish." It's not on the main list, but it's a common word people close to me use to describe me. (My father, the "Ernest" in "ERNSTdottir," being the first when I was a toddler) so I choose to embrace my inner and outer impishness.

My client Laura needs to dress for business, but feels she's challenged with her casual everyday clothing. You can see that there is an overlap between the two. One is not necessary independent of the other for her style goals, but yours may be polar opposites day & evening.