Your Look is Your Superpower: How Dressing Up Improves Your Mental Health

By Ashley Alt 

When I had my son, getting dressed again got my mind right again. After battling postpartum depression for what felt like an eternity, I stopped feeling sorry for myself and started advocating for myself. The easiest way for me to do that was through fashion — the ultimate expression of freedom, independence, and authenticity — core values I was desperately missing as a new (and terrified) mother. 

I had always utilized style as a confidence tool, and still do to this day. Good fashion sense came naturally to me as a kid, and it evolved organically through my college years and beyond. I took advantage of that dress-myself-confident feeling by being fearless with my looks — experimenting with vibrant makeup, standout outfits, and edgy hairstyles. 

Possessing “outrageous” style had become what I tied my identity to, so when my sparkly jumpsuits and twirly dresses were replaced by mom jeans and white t-shirts, I quite literally lost it — because I lost sight of who I was. 

You don’t realize how good something (or someone) makes you feel until you don’t have it anymore. 

That’s what happened when I became a mom. It felt like I wasn’t allowed to enjoy fashion anymore because of its superficial implications — even though it was the one constant in my life that made me feel like me. 

Learning To Embrace What Makes You Fabulous 

I am now making it my mission to give fashion-focused women a space where they feel free to adorn themselves in bold, colorful clothing that makes them feel exactly like themselves. This is the reason I’m starting a clothing brand — to give millennial moms the encouragement they need to reclaim their identities in an uber cool, fiercely fun way. 

Fashion has the potential to not only be a symbol of style, but plays a major role in our sense of self. For that reason, I want to create something that doesn’t just look good, but makes a difference in how women feel about themselves on a daily basis. 

This is what I mean when I say fashion improves your mental health. I’m living proof that getting dressed again can and will get your mind right again. I’m here to guide you on the path to being who you want to be by way of fabulous outfits and feel-good mantras.

Empowering Yourself With Designer Clothes 

Do you have a job interview? Or are you a salesperson or a corporate career woman? Dressing up professionally can help you land the job you’ve been dreaming of for the longest time. For instance, wearing designer dresses can help in empowering yourself because you feel proud and confident wearing a signature brand. 

When going for your goals, it’s crucial to be at your best and stand out above the rest. Your choice of clothes reflects your professionalism and helps in gaining people’s respect and buy-in. It’s all about the character you exude through your external appearance. 

Because of pride and self-confidence in wearing designer clothes, you can be the best version of yourself. Other people may think that wearing designer dresses isn’t practical. However, wearing designer pieces has an indirect effect on your self-worth. It shows how you value yourself with good quality clothing.  

Designer clothes are highly favored because of their uniqueness, excellent quality, aesthetic appeal, and overall impact on your reputation. When you wear these, you can boost your unique personality and show your fullest potential. You won’t feel shy, insulted, or neglected. Instead, you feel empowered, positive, and attractive, improving your self-image and overall self-confidence.

While mental health should be taken seriously, the way we approach it doesn’t have to be so heavy. I believe our weirdness is what makes us great. Whether that’s through distinctive style or a quirky personality, I think the world would be a better place if we all just owned it.