Last month on my weekly Instagram Live I mentioned some (or all) of the following items that are easy go-to guides on how to dress like a grown up.
Seriously, I regularly use these resources myself whenever I feel the urge to slink back into old habits. For me, those old habits were 300+ days/year of no makeup, yoga pants (sans yoga practice) no bra, and five day old hair. Ugh, I know, Ew! Maybe one or a few of those habits are ways you’ve neglected yourself, too. If this is an area you have also struggled, below are a few things that helped me along my “dressing like a grown up quest.”
3 Simple Steps to Start Dressing
Like a Grown Up
#1 Make your Bed.
What?! You think that doesn’t have anything to do with clothes?
I beg to differ!
Where do you put your clothes before you get dressed; or sit to put your shoes on; and put your laundry to fold and put away? Do you see where I am going?
Honestly, making your bed is a wonderful habit to adopt. It is something you can begin today and only takes a minute or two to accomplish.
When my husband is still in bed, because I wake up early to begin my workday, I make my half. I rarely leave my bed unmade. So, put down that smart phone, get off of Instagram for two minutes and MAKE. YOUR. BED.
#2 Wash Your Pretty Face.
Start a Skincare Routine today! For me, this was the game changer. It was where I started taking better care of myself. Now it is a sacred ritual performed at the start and end of each day.
A healthy skin care ritual should be a minimum of three steps – cleanse, tone/essence and hydrate. I like these products listed below. They work gentle enough to not irritate my sensitive skin. I have normal skin type and am very fair.
Here are a few skincare products I use regularly.
- Cleansers – Amore Pacific Treatment Cleanser $50
Laneige Foam Cleanser $23 (owned by Amore Pacific)
Simple Micellar Water $4.69 online at Target
- Toners – Laneige Fresh Calming Toner $27
Thayer’s Alcohol Free Witch Hazel $10.95 on Amazon
- Exfoliants – Peter Thomas Roth FIRMx Peeling Gel $48
Tatcha Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder $65
- Masks – Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask $62
Too Cool for School Egg Cream Hydration Mask $6 at Ulta
- Eye Creams/Gels – Laneige Water Bank Eye Gel $36
Sunday Riley Auto Correct Brightening |Depuffing Eye Contour Cream $ 65
- Moisturizers – Farmacy Lightweight Honey Moisturizer $45
Youth to the People Super Food Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizer $48
- Overnight Products – Laneige Water Sleeping Mask $25
- Makeup Remover – Simple Micellar water $4.69 or Towelettes $6.99 for a two-pack of 25 count – both available at Target; Coconut oil also works!
#3 Put on Real Clothes, not athleisure.
I know how comfortable your yoga and sweat pants are, friends. Besides the comfort and ” I don’t have to think about what I’m wearing” parts, ask yourself: “what benefits come from not investing in time to dress myself?”
More importantly, how do you feel everyday? Think about your go-to “first impressions” outfit. You know, it’s the one you’d go to for an important meeting or interview. If you could wear your this look everyday, how would the way you carry yourself change? Did you know, it is scientific fact that when we feel confident in what we’re wearing, we perform better? (Journal of Experimental Psychology: General).
Try something for yourself: get in your closet and drawers, pull out two pairs of pants (can be jeans, trousers or even leggings), two pairs of different shoes and three tops. Now, just experiment with those and see what you come up with – you will be amazed when you shop your own closet!
If your business is home-based (this includes you Moms!) get fully dressed anyway. No, not you with the six week old infant. You need ALL the comfy clothes! And, bras are not your friend right now! Try this exercise when you’re back from “maternity leave.”
Back to the getting dressed bit… every day. Dress. Like. A. Grown Up. Even that dreaded bra. I know. I know! Just try it for a week. When you put yourself together, you will feel better about yourself and you need to be your own BFF.
Are you ready to get started?
If you feel stuck on how to get the process rolling, drop me a line. Let’s see what we can do to get you started!
If you’re interested in receiving more quick, practical tips on how to dress like a grown up fit into your lifestyle, sign up for monthly newsletter!
Cheers!
Kari Carbone