Comfy Clothes and Confidence

Like a lot of women, I’m hooked on “Wiser Than Me,” the Julia Louis-Dreyfus podcast. If you haven’t listened to it yet, do yourself a favor, and add it to your list. Yesterday, I listened to the new Vera Wang interview. At one point, in talking about how women look and feel in different style clothing, Wang commented, “A woman never looks more beautiful or more confident than when she’s comfortable.” I was at the gym when I heard this, but the comment stopped me in my tracks - and I actually texted the sentence back to myself. This resonated with me so strongly - especially because of what I’ve been up to recently.

If you’re a solo coach, consultant or service provider, and you have a website, at some point you have to have branding photos taken. I know some women love all the components of this - figuring out what they are going to wear, maybe having their hair and makeup done.?

I’m not one of those women.

When I started this business 6 years ago, I had a stray headshot or two that got me by for a while. Eventually I hired a photographer and did a shoot. Those photos have been on my website and in my social media for years. Last fall, the strategist that helps me with my social media suggested it was time for new photos. I don’t remember what I said at the time, but I’m sure the look on my face would have made you think she had asked me to do something crazy and painful.?

I dragged it out as long as I could. But she kept reminding me. And after months of putting it off, I knew there was no more stalling. I hired the photographer, scheduled the date, reserved the studio, and set out to determine what I was going to wear.?

I’m a jeans and t-shirt/sweater kind of girl. I actually love the fact that I get to work from home, showing up on Zoom, just the top of me. Could I get away with wearing jeans again for this shoot??

One Saturday morning, I finally made it to a store - one that features clothing that is definitely on the casual side. I picked out a few things and headed to the dressing room. And then promptly sent pictures to my friend in Portugal.? She’s my go-to for all things style and fashion (and I use those words very loosely when talking about myself). Five hours ahead of me, she immediately starting texting me instructions on what would go with what, tuck in the shirt, you need a darker belt, and grab the blue shirt next to the one you just sent me. We came up with a couple of outfits I liked and was comfortable with. But I was also a little unsure about it because it included white jeans (Can I wear white jeans and have it look ok year-round? I have no idea…), I shot it over to my social media guru. Her response to me, “The question is do you feel good? Because that’s what will shine through.”??

And I did feel good. Really good. We had a great shoot (with the amazing photographer Kim Conant) and I just got my first look at the rough images this weekend.

So when I heard Vera Wang and Julia Louis-Dreyfus talking about how we’re always going to look better when we’re comfortable, I thought, “absolutely!” and was so glad that I made the choices that I did.?

Stay tuned….new photos coming soon!