I’ve been thinking a lot about what my nephew said when he looked at me on Face-Time and said, “wow, you don’t look like a fashion blogger right now, huh?” He was joking, but I have lost count of the times I had good content to share, but my hair needed a fresh color and I didn’t feel like getting dressed and putting make up on, so no video was produced that day… I missed the opportunity to share great content with my community because of vanity!
Does that affect you? Has that happened to you?
Are we perceived and judged by how we look?
This thought has been on my mind for over two months … when I got sick at a conference and had to go out and “look good”, even though I wasn’t feeling it … All I wanted to do was stay in bed!
Is our value based on our clothes and how we show ourselves in social media? As fashion blogger, I would say definitely yes, it comes with the territory.
But my standards have lowered … a lot! When I moved here from Brazil, I would not go grocery shopping unless I was all decked out, make up, hair, shoes and all! It’s a Brazilian thing, or maybe more of a Latina thing! Though some still tell me I’m always overdressed!!
The truth is we live in a culture where we create impressions about others based only on their appearance. We make judgements. We all do!
And it works both ways. How much of you is based on how you look, the make up you wear, the shoes you buy … how much of your physical appearance feeds your personality? How much of your personality is translated into the way you look?
Reading a recent article, I learned that studies show that “looking good” is a quality that receives preferential treatment in our society. Translating that – people with “more appealing faces” are judged more positively and feel more confident about themselves.
Not sure? Just remember the last time you had a mani/pedi, your hair done, bought new clothes? How did you feel??
How much did you want to hide, like me, when you have a bad hair day??? How you look has the ability to boost your confidence, changing how you project yourself to the outside world and what kind of message you are sending.
I truly believe how you look on the outside has a deep effect on how you look on the inside and vice versa, it’s like a tennis match.
That’s why I’m constantly looking for ways to reinvent myself – my appearance. What you see on the outside matches how I feel on the inside and it is reflected back, does that make sense?
One of my goals in 2017 is to look and feel even healthier and pursue beauty as a way to maintain what genetics gave me, instead of trying to change every single thing that bothers me! Feeling good on the inside, acting as a catalytic agent to propel my choices on the outside.
I feel good and look good, when the outfit, the make up, the shoes, yes, the shoes, are also in sync with how good I feel on the inside. For me, it’s never on the outside first, but it’s reflected there and that is what others perceive. They get the whole package!!! The Trendy is the real deal, not just in the blog name!
I would love to hear what you think! Please remember we’re not talking about stereotypes, looking thin or not, being pretty or not, we’re talking about feeling and looking good and how it is perceived by others.
As I stated earlier, this thought has been on my mind for over two months … when I got sick at a conference and had to go out and “look good”, even though I wasn’t feeling it…..but I knew as soon as I stepped out of the hotel room, everybody was expecting to see the Trendy Latina, so I had, with tons of concealer and a dark lipstick, to play the part!
What do you think? Do you agree with me? Do you feel better when you look better or do you look better when you feel better?
Can’t wait to hear what you think! As usual, give us a Trendy Shout!
I definitely feel better when I am dressed in something I feel attractive in and feel put together. But I think when you are happy, it definitely shines through. I feel like when I am happy, well-rested and feeling confident…I glow. So, I think it’s a little bit of both. All that being said, sometimes you feel terrible because you are sick and in those cases, I think y ou just need to give yourself a break and get some rest..get some clarity.
When you look better, you feel better. I totally agree with that!
I agree when you look better, you feel better about yourself. But during winter, it is difficult for me to look better. I need to bundle up to keep myself warm.
This is such a beautiful post! I agree with Diana, i feel better when I look better… My health is the most important that my look 🙂
This is so true! I always feel better when I look good. It’s one of the reasons a new outfit always makes me feel better!
This post is spot on. I’ve been struggling a little with some of the same issues. I lost a lot of weight and I’ve been asked to share my story on tv, in magazines and I feel all these pressures to look “good” for all of it. It can be tough!
I rarely have time to get all done up. I do love a good haircut though. Having my hair look good always makes me feel good.
I have to agree with you that when I am feeling good on the inside it definitely reflects on the outside. It gives you more bounce, more swagger, when you are feeling good and it doesn’t matter what you are wearing, people react to that.
Really interesting, we all put such pressure on ourselves and not feeling like we look our best can be hard. But like you said, do I look better because I am having a good day, or am I having a good day because I look good? Hmmm… I do know some days I wake up putting more effort into myself, other days I just start off sort of, off. My goal for this year is to simply enjoy life, the good, bad and ugly of it 😉
I hear ya and I feel it’s true ‘First Impression is the Last Impression’ and at times we might not meet that person for the rest of the life. But they do remember the first time we met them. For me, personally, it does improve our confidence when we know we are looking great.
I like to be comfortable, so I’ll dress that way. If I have a need to go to the store, but I don’t want to get dressed? You can bet I’ll go to the store in my PJ’s. lol. As long as I’m comfortable with the way I look? I don’t give a hoot what others think lol.
Can totally relate. Lately, I’ve been so busy with work and my blog that I have neglected to actually take care of me. This year, I want to bounce back to my old (yet, healthier) habits in order to take care of myself again!
I feel better when I look better! I love pampering myself and making myself look nice. I don’t believe that moms should be frumpy and always in tshirts and yoga pants. I am much more active and healthy when I take care of myself and dress up.
This year I am trying to be fearless and be comfortable with myself. It is really hard. i agree though our vanity shouldn’t keep us from sharing.
One of my goals this year is to eat healthier and be happy with who I am.
I so hear you! It’s probably why I am not in the photo’s too much on my own blog. But I aim to change that. I want to get a little more personal on my site as I get more into fashion and makeup.
I feel better when my hair and makeup is done but I also feel better when I eat well and exercise.
Great post and great question to think about. Although I love to get all decked out and dressed up on occasion, I LOVE to be in my workout clothes and comfy. A bun and ponytail are my best friends. I go out like this and although it is not glamorous, those that see me, know I am ok with it and do not want to or need to be glammed out to be out every day.
I always feel good on the inside, when I feel good on the outside. So that’s why I always work out when I can.
I think they go hand in hand. When I go work out consistently, I feel good on the inside which makes me feel better about the outside. But I also know that a good outfit and my nails done makes me fell good too!
This is a great post and a great question for us all. I would have to say that I feel better when I look better. If I am not feeling that great about I get all dolled up. Thanks for sharing this awesome post on perception.
I don’t have get all dressed up to go to the grocery store but yes there is always a but. What i have on is clean and presentable. I don’t wear pajama bottoms or fuzzy slippers to the store. I comb my hair and look nice.
i def feel better when I love better. I totally understand about not sharing good content when you don’t think you are looking your best. it happens to me too.
I can’t seem to start my day until my hair and makeup are applied. I need to not worry so much about how others perceive me as I do how I perceive myself.
Sometimes I go out in a ponytail and yoga pants if I feel like being totally ignored. It’s amazing how differently people treat you depending on how you look.
I have to admit that I do feel better when I look better. My kids have always joked that my casual is dressing up for most people and I rarely leave the house without a little bit of makeup on.
This is a daily battle. Working from home I rarely want to get done up. But the reality is when I do take a shower, fix my hair, and put on clothes (not pjs)I feel and work better! We are all in this together. It is not about others. It is about feeling good about yourself!
It is important to know what matters to you and what makes you feel good about yourself. It is good that you know what works for you and makes you feel better about yourself.
I think it kinda goes both ways for me. Of course you always seem to feel better if you look better. I am trying to be more healthy, and so far it’s working out good. Making sure to eat right and exercise more.
I really think it is sad how we as humans do judge from the outside. I purposely wear no makeup on most days because I do not want to feel forced to keep up with a certain look.
I think both are true at some time or another. I know when I look good I feel good on the inside and vice versa. When I’m feeling good on the inside I want it to show.
I a little of both! There are days that I feel better when I am in my PJ’s and then other days I feel awesome when I dress up!
I always have more confidence when I take the extra time to put on some make up and pick an outfit. I remember in my 20’s I would never leave the house without my makeup and hair done. Now I do not think it is as big of a deal if I go out in Yoga pants and a messy bun.
That’s true. I feel more confident when I look my best, and it does feel like people perceive me differently. Yesterday I managed to get all dolled up for the first time in a very long time. The other preschool moms at the library story time were side eyeing but I was feeling FIERCE! ?
I think it’s both. I definitely feel better when I look better, BUT I don’t necessarily feel bad when I don’t look good. Like right now…it’s the cold of winter and I just want to be warm. These layers aren’t the most flattering, but I am warm. I take good care of myself (exercise every day), so I feel good!