Magic formula for when you haven’t got a stitch to wear
There’s no need to be afraid of going to a christmas party if you know how to put together an outfit that gives you confidence, writes
WE’VE all been there – piles of discarded outfits on the bed, the clock ticking, a partner pacing in the hall as we try to figure out what to wear to a big night out.
Now a survey from Sainsbury’s tu brand has found that more than a quarter of us have passed on a party because we don’t have an outfit we like.
Fashion psychologist Dr Dion terrelonge said: “as the festive season approaches there are mixed emotions around feeling our best.
“Excitement for events can often be tainted by stresses over what to wear while looking after your pocket and the environment.”
She has created a formula based on four Cs – classic, comfort, colour, components – so that everyone can put together a festive look to get them out the door and onto the dance floor.
Dion stressed: “I want to empower people to repurpose items from their wardrobes, connect with the pieces they love, and use key items to embellish and spruce up any look, for any occasion.”
For 30 per cent of your outfit, think classics. the average Brit has four items in their wardrobe they always turn to and feel great in – this is their moment.
Dion said: “the classic pieces in our wardrobes are often the ones we feel most attached to. When we wear these classic items, we are reminded of these events and our loved ones, therefore increasing the likelihood of feeling the positive emotions we associate with them.”
another 30 per cent should be easy and comfortable to wear. a knitted dress, stretch jeans, trainers – no one has fun in crippling platforms.
Dion advised: “there’s nothing worse than being uncomfortable at a party or event. research shows that when we are not comfortable in our clothes and preoccupied by how we look to others, our cognitive efforts are diverted and taken up with thinking about this discomfort.
“the key to having fun at a party is being present and, in the moment, so don’t let worries about your clothes distract you by wearing something you feel unconfident in.”
another 20 per cent will involve some stardust, whether it’s colour, sparkle or texture.
Sequins are a Christmas classic, while velvet, silk and bright colours have confidenceboosting qualities.
Dion said: “opting for more bold colours, textures, and patterns than you would typically wear can help put you in the festive mood as it acts as a marker to your brain that this isn’t any ordinary day. We are primed for special occasions by indicators such as colours, encouraging us to switch from work mode to festive mode.”
the final 20 per cent should be the accessories that pull the whole look together.
almost four in five of us believe that an accessory can make all the difference when it comes to sprucing up an outfit, with 45 per cent turning to shoes to complete a look. So this is the time to dig out the silver clutch bag, the disco boots and top it all off with a fun fur wrap.
Dion explained: “accessories can add the final touch to any outfit and take you from being dressed to being dressed up. the act of getting dressed up can promote the generation of feelgood hormones in the body and boost wellbeing.”
The classic pieces in our wardrobes are often the ones we feel most attached to dr dion Terrelonge