How To Dress Confidently

I was once given an assignment to write on "How To Dress Yourself Thin." What really is "thin"? Is it a physical appearance, a state of mind, or some sort of measurement? Thin is subjective. Each person has their own opinion of what thin means. Don't dress to be thin, dress to be confident. 

I am no fashion expert, I wear what I like -- granted, I'm aware of the trends -- but I also am aware that a lot of trends may not fit my curves. Here are 10 tricks to keep in mind while trying to dress yourself confidently.

1. Wear what you like
   Don't worry about the latest trends, confidence is always in season. "Fashion fades, only style remains the same." -Coco Chanel
   
   
2. Don't compare yourself to othersThigh gaps and muffin tops: we're all human. One size does NOT fit all. Do not size up yourself to someone else, pun intended. Everyone has a flaw, everyone is beautiful in their own way.
   
   
3. Dress your body, not a mannequin's
   Humans aren't Barbie dolls, there are curves and imperfections involved, embrace them. Wear clothes that fit your body, your skin, your curves, your imperfections. Do not try to wear something because of a number. Don't let the size on the tag detour you from getting clothes that look great on you.
   
4. Know what colors and materials you like
   Not a fan of pink with your skin tone? Then don't wear it. Hues of colors help to make your facial features pop, or help draw attention to certain areas, be aware of that. Understand what materials fall well on your body, avoid materials that are too clingy and uncomfortable.
   
   
   
5. Collect staple items
   Signature pieces are a must. Denim and leather can go a long way. Every woman needs a great black dress for any occasion, but don't forget about a great pair of jeans. A good wardrobe contains an outfit suitable for a wedding, a funeral, a job interview, a casual day off, a night out-on-the-town ensemble, a great bathing suit, and a few other great pieces that will work for other various occasions . Incorporate signature items such as a great blazer with a fun top and a pair of staple jeans.
   
   
   
6. Take chances/express yourself
   Style is a form of expression, let your clothes express who you are and what you like. Don’t be afraid to take chances with your wardrobe. Remember that your clothes give off a first impression and help to convey who you are before you even speak.
   
    
   
7. Layers can be your best friend and your worst enemy
   Light layers are always favorable. But don't let your natural shape get too lost under copious amounts of fabric. Know your layering limits. It takes practice.
   
   
   
8. Accessorize accordingly
   Accessories are meant to compliment an outfit, do not let them distract from your beauty and your outfit. Less is often times more. There's a great motto about removing one accessory before leaving the house, just to make sure there's not too much going on with the look.
   
   
9. Highlight your assets
   What's your favorite feature about yourself? Highlight that. Understand that hemlines help to accentuate areas of the body. A great high-waisted garment can help draw attention to the waist, as do cinched waistlines and high-belted items. A great pencil skirt that hits you right above or below the knees will help to accentuate the thinnest part of your legs. If you're wanting to accentuate your breasts, choose a scoop-neck or v-neck cut, the eye will be drawn to your breasts, also helping to draw the eye to your waistline, giving the illusion of an hourglass figure.
   
   
10. Smile
    Reality television and fashion magazines tell us to be thin. But haven't you heard? You're a babe no matter what shape or size. When you feel good, you'll look even better and exude a charisma that people will swoon over. Try it! Don't squeeze into clothes that don't fit. It's tiresome and uncomfortable. Save the pain for the great shoes you'll be rocking.
    
    

It took me years to figure all of this out. I've always had my own unique style, pulling pieces from my grandma's closet and pairing them with my own modern pieces to create an interesting combination. (Yes, I had an Avril phase, you know, the whole men's tie phase? Yep, I did that. Man, middle school).  I remember the days of trying to look as cute as my "thin" friends, in their Soffe shorts.  I used to peruse the mall for hip clothes that would fit my body. Then, alas, I realized that my tall, curvy frame wasn't easy to shop for off the mannequins. That's when I stopped obsessing over trends.

Pay attention to what you like and what looks good on you, then the rest will fall into place! Style is what you make it. Embrace it. 

Unpublished: Dreamland

In the stillness of it all, I wonder. 

In the blackness of it all, I ponder. 

Enveloped in the quiet. 

Lights of cars creeping in. 

I lay here. 

Paralyzed. 

Restless.

Weary.

Relaxed. 

Eyes become heavy. Lids close. The music continues to play. Lyrics dancing in my mind. To do lists being written. It's hard to turn it off. The mind continues to wonder, to ponder. 

When the shapes begin to shift behind our lids, we slip away. Even for a moment. To a place much more simple than this. Or be it much more intricate than this. It's different, and that's what matters. 

Filled with endless possibilities, familiar faces and shadows of the unknown, we dream. We believe. We feel. We see. We think. We know. 

Those moments are pure. They're our sub-conscience coming to life. Our hopes, our aspirations. Or emotions, our memories. Stored away, ready to come out and play. 

Revel in them. Enjoy them. Hold on to them. For these moments are fleeting. For these moments are scarce. 

Drift away. Steal away. Allow yourself the simplicity of sleeping. Fall into your sub-conscience. Sweet dreams.  

Unpublished: What We Were

I was your window. Your tiny window. The time spent between her. The adventure out into the real world. Your escape. Look through my glass.

I was your confidant. Your listening ear. Your fortune teller. Your ego boost. Your shoulder. Your journal. Write on my pages. 

I was your speakers. Crescendo-ing and decrescendo-ing. Your noise. Your muse. Your soothing sounds. Your accompaniment. Let me sing. 

Unpublished: Less Than A Month

It lasted less than a month, you and I. Whatever we were. In an attempt to rid myself of feelings for another, I went searching. But I wasn't searching for you. You were like the prize in the cereal box of my childhood memories. There, a surprise, something that I had been made aware of, but was hesitant to get my hopes up.

It happened in mere hours, this new relationship. Platonic or romantic, that was left to be discovered. We chatted for hours. Life, hobbies, music, etc. The time seemed to fly by. Daily exchanges of good night and good morning texts.

It happened once, us meeting. I remember that it wasn't weird. Two strangers talking for hours, exchanging inside jokes as if we'd been friends forever. You swirled your water as if it were wine. Had I made you nervous? Swapping stories of families and embarrassing moments, the time came to part ways.

It happened in a span of a few weeks. We began to fall into a routine of our own. Witty banter and sarcastic jabs. Gifs and emojis. It almost happened effortlessly. Like two people whom were comfortable in their ways.

It happened in an instant. The night you told me. Told me about her. My heart sank into my chest, but I wasn't quite sure why. We had no real ties to one another. You weren't mine. I wasn't yours. I even thought you liked me more than I you. I was convinced that I had no romantic feelings for you. But as I told you, "Feelings occur. Shit happens. It'll be fine." All at once I was immersed into a variety of feelings. Maybe it was the melancholy soundtrack that accompanied the moment that led me to such emotions, but they were there and they were relevant. And even now, I'm confused. I swore you liked me. I think I was beginning to like you. And while yes, just shy of a month is a very small amount of time, but you understood how much of a romantic I am. You were beginning to get my weird sense of humor, and I yours.

It's occurring now. As I type. This weird sense of sorrow. It shouldn't have caused this much pain. This much wallowing. But maybe that's just it. Maybe I'm not wallowing about you. Maybe I was searching for a reason to wallow. To feel self pity and shame, embarrassment rather. I needed a cleansing cry. A moment to get in-touch with my feelings and be vulnerable.

Thank you for that.
Thank you for sharing with me that little bit of time.
Thank you for allowing me to be vulnerable.
Thank you & farewell.

A Series Of Unpublished Posts

In an effort to try to get back in the writing game, I will be posting writings that I've had saved for a while. The posts will be called "Unpublished," depicting past emotions or ramblings that I never published on here before. Enjoy some older writing of mine, and let me know your thoughts.

xoxo
-Coco