Hey friend,

Can I tell you a little story? Recently I had one of those spiraling moments—you know the ones. I’m in my mid-40s, and after a silly quarrel with my partner (the kind where your emotions go through the roof), I felt completely deflated.

My confidence? Out the window. My mood? Not pretty.

Now here’s the funny part. Instead of curling up in sweatpants and hiding, I decided to go the opposite direction. I made a pact with myself: if my self-esteem was in the gutter, my style game was going to be a 10 out of 10. Actually… scratch that. A 12 out of 10.

I pulled out my favorite pieces, styled outfits like I had a photoshoot every day, and even threw on lipstick just to run errands. And you know what? It worked. Every time I caught my reflection in the mirror—or even just in the way people looked at me—I felt a little surge of “yes, girl.” My clothes reminded me of the version of myself I wanted to embody: empowered, confident, unshakable.

And this isn’t just me being dramatic. Science actually backs this up.

 

 

There’s a famous study where researchers gave people the exact same white coat. Half of the group was told it was a “painter’s coat,” and the other half was told it was a “doctor’s coat.” Then both groups were asked to take a test.

Guess who performed better? Yep—the ones who thought they were wearing a doctor’s coat. Just believing they looked the part made them act the part.

It’s called enclothed cognition—the psychological effect of clothing on the way we think, feel, and perform.

And it doesn’t stop there. Think about it: we already know our environment affects our mood. An interior designer once told me a shade of blue I picked for my daughter’s room was “too aggressive” for a child’s space. Color matters. Atmosphere matters. And if the color on our walls can affect how we feel, imagine what the clothes we put on our body can do.

Here’s the bottom line:

• Fit matters. When something hugs you in the right places, you stand taller.

• Quality matters. When your clothes feel good on your skin, you feel cared for.

• Color matters. Certain tones can lift your energy or calm your nerves.

 

So, here’s my challenge for you:

Go into your closet and pull out 6 tops and 3 bottoms that make you feel like a million bucks. Pieces that fit, flatter, and feel fabulous. Put them front and center. Wear those on the days you need a confidence boost—or honestly, every day.

 

 

Because here’s the truth: when you look good, you feel good. And when you feel good, you do good.

So the next time life tries to throw you into a funk (because it will), don’t just armor up emotionally—armor up stylishly. Your clothes can be your cape, your shield, your pep talk in fabric form.

And trust me, it works.

Ready to build your confidence closet?

Start with six tops and three bottoms that make you feel unstoppable. And if you need inspiration...