Why it is important to look your best each day
Happy Tuesday, ladies! Today, I would like to answer why I believe it is important to look your best each day.
In order to explain why it is important to look your best each day, I must give a little history about this blog and how it began almost 15 years ago.
There are many misconceptions about looking our best each day….especially for those in retirement.
Moving to a smaller town has me reflecting and, with some, defending how I feel about this question.
Some might say that I am attempting to show my new community that I have the money to look my best.
I believe I have demonstrated over the years that looking your best each day has little to do with money…I can style anyone to look amazing from Goodwill or any thrift shop and have done that for myself for years.
So, let’s dive into why I believe, from experience, it is important to look your best each day….
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK YOUR BEST EACH DAY: MY STORY
Here I am in my thirties…young wife and mom.
Just a ten years later in my forties, I was a very busy working mom of three.
Teaching brought me a host of students who also became my own. Our house and lives were full.
Which meant for me and many women, the needs of my family and students topped my priority list.
At the bottom of that list was me.
I became so focused on my parenting and teaching that I ceased taking care of me and avoided mirrors…they were painful.
There was no time to fix my hair…no time for makeup…no time to coordinate a wardrobe…no time for healthy decisions related to me…only time for others.
At least those are the excuses I made.
It affected how I felt about me, my state of mind, and became a cloud hanging over my head.
Well, along comes that pesky birthday when I turned 50.
The state of Texas requires us to renew our driver’s license at that age.
When this picture arrived, for some reason, it was the first time that I took time to look at that woman.
I was stunned at how I looked, far from the polished woman I was in my 20s and 30s.
I fell onto a couch in shock. It was as if I had never seen her before.
The DL picture drove me into a deep time of reflection, evaluation, and desire to get ME back.
It was the slap in the face I needed.
During this time, my daughter introduced me to WHAT NOT TO WEAR?
Once again, I saw me in many of the women Stacy & Clinton helped and I began to take notes and practice what I learned.
When they said…it takes as much time to put on bad clothes as good clothes…they had my attention.
Their tough love approach was what I needed at the time and baby steps yielded results.
The more I learned, and practiced, and put me back on the priority list, the better I felt about me.
My confidence grew and my optimism of what each day could bring grew as well.
There are spiritual aspects to this…God wants us to care for HIS creation and that is why I believe His joy grows within us when we do.
Stacy London affected me during this time immensely with her style book, THE TRUTH ABOUT STYLE.
The quotes which I return to again and again are:
Style doesn’t start with your body – it starts with your brain.
By changing your style, you’re forced to change the way you perceive yourself.
It’s everyone’s right to feel good regardless of age, size, and budget.
You limit your options every time you do not try your best.
CELEBRATE EVERY DAY THE PERSON YOU ARE AND GARNER THE LEVEL OF RESPECT YOU DESERVE.
The goal should always be to look good for your age, not to look as if you are chasing your youth. Nothing screams “out of touch with reality”more than trying to look twenty years younger than you are.
After 40, you hit the new A.G.E.: Attractiveness, Generosity, Experience
Perfection is the enemy of style. It’s actually the enemy of all of life
experiences. If you don’t try, you don’t fail – but you don’t succeed either.
“Style is a form of self-expression and aspiration. Style is there for you to use, to constantly re-evaluate to see yourself differently. It isn’t superficial, and it is never just about clothes. Think of it as a “Hello, my name is ____________” tag, and life as one big convention. It is a tool of opportunity to help demonstrate the possible. With style, you can see change quickly and feel it viscerally and the belief in your own power translates to other areas of your life. It’s not an overstatement to say that style teaches me over and over how to live in my skin. It helps me to find courage and confidence and control when I feel I have none. I love the world of style for its transformative power.” She says we have the never -ending ability to improve.
I experienced myself that looking my best each day included was happening inside and outside.
It was a true re-invention and so empowering.
Over the years, I have tweaked Pamela-style for work and other reasons, but right now, is the best me and I am enjoying who I am at 71 so much.
Thus, a fire was lit to help other women who needed to discover all that I was learning so a good friend suggested I blog…and thus this blog was born.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK YOUR BEST EACH DAY: MY NEW STORY
Now I find myself living in a smaller town where very casual seems to be the norm.
For those who have suggested that I also go that route, please understand who I dress for.
ME!
This is why it is important for you to look your best each day! You are a masterpiece!
I strive to look my best each day for my own self-confidence and to send the messages to my new community who I am through the way that I look.
It is about self-respect and respect for others.
AND, about the legacy I leave to my grandchildren.
I am meeting their friends and families and representing them as well.
I am not dressing over the top but taking care to wear elevated casual or casual chic….which has become Pamela-style.
I must look in the mirror and smile at myself before going out.
And, of course I want my outfit to say that I am polished, approachable, creative, current and confident.
Those are my own style adjectives to create each outfit around.
My daughter said, “Mom, you don’t have to look nice everywhere you go.”
Oh, but I do, because I do not want to ever slip back into despondency.
I want to go out smiling and encouraging others to smile as well.
WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK YOUR BEST EACH DAY: YOU DESERVE IT
I think we are all aware that life is short.
I want to enjoy each day and look my best each day, because it ends all too soon.
You will be amazed at the people you meet and new adventures that happen even in your 60s and above, when you exude confidence and joy.
It is important to look your best each day…no matter how you define “your best.”
Wear whatever makes you smile and appreciate….YOU!
Thank you for joining me today for this discussion of why to look your best each day.
I think it is important to remind you where I am coming from as I begin to show you what I wear out into this lovely community.
Until tomorrow….
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
Please consider for all of your fall shopping needs to click on your favorite brands on MY SHOPPING LINKS page. Thank you to everyone who supports the blog this way.
I also believe in looking my best every day. I think it shows that I am important to myself, but also that the people I encounter are also important to me. Casual or dressed up, either way, I check to see that clothes, hair, etc I am put together to meet you with a smile.
Just helps us enjoy our day better…doesn’t it Patsy? And I meet more new people this way. Thanks for joining in this morning.
I totally agree and at the age of 74 I will always dress for myself first and would never leave the house without looking presentable .I feel it’s a way to respect myself and others.
Beautiful message, Pam. So true. You are an inspiration to all of us.
Thank you for sharing. I am totally in agreement with you on how to dress for myself. I have always loved following Stacy London – she certainly gets her point across.
I remember my mother who lived in a very small farming community always looking great. At one time in the 60-70’s she thought about getting a pair of jeans, but she never could bring herself to purchase a pair. I can also remember my father or brother never wearing a “leisure” suit. She always wore a pin or scarf with her coat. I think about her constantly when choosing my clothing. She was a beautiful lady with not a lot of money but great style.
Thanks for your post today. I agree 100 percent. I have been retired for years and I want to look my best and I can stay in my budget.
My strength comes from my faith and my encouragement from family.
Blessings always
I’ve heard your story before, but have never heard the driver’s license part. Oh my, it might have been the kickstart you needed, but I guarantee your driver’s license made you look way worse than you looked in real life … I swear, it’s a gift from our government to us :). Caring about how we “speak” to the world simply says we also care about our commitments and roles within our community, both the outer world and our inner, spiritual selves. You (and Stacy) are completely right … it’s as easy to put on a crummy, stained item of clothing as a nice one, and my usual, stay-at-home or walking makeup takes less than 5 minutes. The makeup used to hang me up, till I bought a few face palettes that had all the steps in one, and I choose -one- tube of mascara, eyebrow pencil, and tinted lip product every week and put it out on a pretty little tray on my counter. Just as I did while working, when I hang up or put in the hamper each day’s clothing, I choose and set out tomorrow’s outfit (including accessories). It makes the morning much easier and helps with any excuses.
Look at you now- brilliant! Gorgeous! Beautiful inside and outside! Caring! kind! And still compassionate to others. Love thus blog where you bring such inspiration to both look our best and feel our best!
When I am dressed nicely, in accordance with my casual personal adjectives, somehow I feel smarter, taller (!), more observant, and capable. I am noticed in a good way and my confidence is solid. Why would I not take the 10 minutes extra to step up my appearance? I just feel better! Thanks for encouraging all of us to treat ourselves with care and love.
I agree, Dianne! Thanks so much.
You are sweet, Marcia. I am here to inspire!
And look at the legacy she gave to you, Janet. This is wonderful. And you made me chuckle with a memory about leisure suits!
That is also where my strength originates, Audrey…thanks so much.
You just inspired me, Linda…I like that you select the morning outfit the day before…I spend too much time pondering that decision. Thanks for sharing.
Bless you, Paulette. This blessed me.
And I love how you feel when you take the time…smarter, taller, more observant, capable…love these words. Thanks Sharon
Thank you for baring and sharing your soul with us. You are living your adjectives in more ways than fashion, my dear. The encourager, the adviser, the friend. <3
Thank you, Lou. You made me smile today.
I understand exactly how you feel. I must dress for myself or I feel depressed. Looking nice each day is important to me, even if it just a stay at home day.
I agree, Becky…even if just around the home…but maybe not doing yard work!
You go girl!! I think you’re simply amazing.
Thank you for being a bright spot on the internet! This was such an uplifting post.
Thank you, Deborah! There are so many women in this blog community!
You are welcome, Stacy!
This is a beautiful encouraging post, Pam. I am recovering from wrist surgery (many broken bones fixed with wires, plates and screws), and my first 2 week postopt appointment is this afternoon. Even though my arm is heavily bandaged and splinted past my elbow, I am so proud I dressed myself this morning despite having to wear a baggy shirt to accommodate my arm. I know I have many months ahead of recovery, but I will do my best to look nice! Thank you so much for all that you do –
Laurie
Hope u have a speedy recovery Laurie! Then u won’t get depressed. I have had many injuries so perseverance endurance with God’s help can get us through read n pray!
Of course it’s fun to think up new outfits even with what we already have
Good afternoon! Although I knew about what led you to this blog, I hadn’t heard the license story. Sometimes you just need to look at a photo to remind yourself of what you want to do to improve. Not too many of us here have the luxury of photo shop or all of what goes into a red carpet presentation which is so inauthentic. I just want to look my best at the age I find myself in. You are such an inspiration, Pam. Thank you for sharing that license story. I think we can all relate to that, and it brought you to us. Thank you for your sharing of your continuing journey with us: your ups, your downs, your challenges, your solutions, all with grace and a sense of humor. I love Stacy’s book, The Truth about Style. She is also truthful about herself and how style is for everyone. ( I have to admit I am curious about her new show considering the tasteless title.) I am one of those that has to feel coordinated during a blizzard or when I put my pj’s on. My neighbors often ask me where I am off to. Hmm, the grocery store? A walk on the beach? My back deck? I have always dressed for myself and for the respect that it shows to others. Thank you for reiterating that and I thank your loyal readers for their insightful responses.
I do want to mention the importance of thoughts and prayers for those suffering from the recent hurricanes. I want to acknowledge Kathie Briggs’ post from a few days ago. I know her from another blog, too. The devastation and heartache swirls around in my mind.
Wow, Laurie…YOU are an inspiration. I know this is difficult but will help get through recovery in a hopeful state of mind. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for inspiring her, Debra!
With a possible Cat 5 headed to Florida, we must keep Kathie and all these states and residents in our prayers. Thanks Deborah!
I really needed this post today. Thank you for making time at this busy time to inspire me. I try to take the time to always look my best even if I’m staying home and do not consider my age (77) since one of my style adjectives is ageless. I find that if I dress for myself my entire day is happier and more enjoyable. Thank you! Mary Lou
Pam, you are beautiful inside and out! I loved your backstory. My drivers license always looks like a mug shot of a hardened criminal! I don’t know how anyone can see it and recognize me! Like Deborah, even my pajamas are coordinated. I dress for myself but to also tell the world that this woman of almost 80 still looks put together.
You are welcome, Mary Lou..so glad it helped.
And can handle anything! You go, Sydney!
I went through a period in my life where there were two mes. There was the polished put together professional me who went to the office each day & the at home me who felt unappreciated unloved & unlovable. I just didn’t care enough about myself to care how I looked. One day, I woke up & realized that the unlovable person was not who I was or wanted to be. At that point, I made some changes in many things, including how I dressed. As with you, I have gone through a couple of style reinventions since then, one quite recently. I agree it is not about spending a lot of money. For me, it is about fit & how a piece of clothing makes me feel. Not only do I dress well every day, but I also wear makeup & do my hair because that makes me feel my best even if all I am doing is cleaning house.
Thank you, Pam and Debra for your kind words. God Bless you both.
Laurie
Oh my gosh Pamela you are so right! For me it was the passport photo.
Thanks so much for this blog! Forever a fan!