BRING ON THE PRAISE
We spoke to three Prima readers about the power of compliments and why they’re so much easier to give than to receive
How good are you at accepting compliments? Do you get flustered and quickly change the subject? Or do you downplay it with a dismissive ‘this old thing?’
According to a new study*,
52% of women reject compliments outright. Feeling embarrassed is the main reason given (61%), followed by not wanting to draw attention to ourselves (55%).
As for our go-to reply when someone says they love our look, one in five of us uses the classic ‘I got it in the sale’ response.
Why do we feel so self-conscious when it comes to receiving praise? We styled three Prima readers in our favourite show-stopping party pieces from the new collection at JD Williams, asking them how they handle compliments and looking at the role fashion can play in building confidence – helping us to take the credit we deserve.
PAXIDIA CHIRAWU,
41, is an orthopaedic nurse from Worcester.
I’ve got better at accepting compliments. I think the more
I learn to love myself, the easier it becomes to handle them. They’re a lovely little bit of encouragement. If someone says they like my outfit, I’ll always tell them where I got it from.
Fashion can have a really positive effect and plays a huge role in boosting confidence. When I wear clothes I love, I automatically feel good about myself and I’m more confident in the way I interact with people. It makes it easier for me to both give and receive compliments.
‘When I wear clothes I love, I automatically feel good about myself ’
TANYA VINCENT-TOMLINSON,
45, is a bookkeeper from Ashford, Kent.
When someone compliments my outfit, I’ll brush it off and change the subject as quickly as possible. I’ll say: ‘It cost nothing!’ even if it was expensive. It’s an embarrassment thing; I just want to deflect the attention. Women can be very self-critical, yet we’re always able to see the beauty in others.
Finding clothes that flatter you is a great confidence boost. I tend to stick to the same formula of what I think looks good on me and wear things that draw attention away from myself. It was nice to try different looks for this shoot – it’s made me think a little more about the choices I make and how they impact my mood.
‘Women can be very selfcritical, yet we’re always able to see the beauty in others’
ANNA ISHERWOOD,
39, is a payroll co-ordinator from Manchester.
I’ve learnt not to downplay it when someone says something nice. I think women get embarrassed because they believe it’s vain to be proud of yourself. Once you accept yourself and feel comfortable in your own skin, it’s much easier to believe the compliments.
I loved my look for the shoot – I didn’t want to take the jumpsuit off! The more confident we become in our style choices, the easier it is to turn accepting and giving compliments into a habit.
‘Once you accept yourself, it’s much easier to believe the compliments’