What you Wear Matters More Than You Think

Photo courtesy of The Divine Group for Nancy Dilts Wardrobe Consulting

Wardrobe consultant and sustainability champion, Nancy Dilts, openly admits that as a teen and for much of her adult life, she hated her body. Along with that came shame, lack of confidence, and a desire to disappear into the woodwork. For years, she hid in hugely oversized and baggy clothing – clothes were the enemy, until they became the key to finding her voice.

Once she gave birth to her daughter she knew that it was time to put her negative body image in its place. She wanted her daughter to love her body and herself. Nancy realized for that to happen, she needed to do it herself.

Cue the show “What Not To Wear” hosted by Stacy London and Clinton Kelly. Watching this show became a turning point in Nancy’s life. She realized that no matter your body type, weight, age, (insert all other physical characteristics judged by cultural norms here), you can look – and FEEL – fantastic in your clothes.

Later she learned about the science behind feeling good in your clothes called enclothed cognition. It is the foundation of the work that she does. How she shows up in the world – both physically and emotionally. What she does for a living. How she interacts with others. And most importantly, how she feels about herself.

As entrepreneurs and small business owners it can be easy to become complacent with your wardrobe, especially if you work from home. Maybe your body is changing and your wardrobe didn’t come along for the ride. Sometimes it can feel downright overwhelming to shop for new pieces and figure out how to put them all together in a flattering way for your body type. What looks good on the rack may not work once you bring it home. Buyer’s remorse anyone??
This is where working with a wardrobe consultant like Nancy can be a game changer. She uses an objective eye to help her clients refresh their wardrobe to flatter and suit their current life and work style. And yes she will help you rock a track suit if that is your style!

How do you know if hiring a wardrobe consultant would be a good investment for you? If you find yourself staring at your clothes in the closet unable to decide what wear or pair together, feel you have “nothing to wear” even though your closet is full, are stressed every time you need to “dress up” for an event, your life or work style has changed, or perhaps your body has changed. If you have been telling yourself for years that you can do this on your own but still feel the same way when you open your closet, then it’s time to make that call.

Whether we like it or not people perceive us in a certain way depending on what we wear. As a business owner you are your own brand. Does that mean you have to wear a power suit if you despise them? Absolutely not - but finding your personal “power suit” is when the magic begins to happen. 

Nancy shares, “Clothing is a tool for empowerment for me. And that is how I approach my work with clients: clothing can help make your life what you want it to be. The right clothing can foster confidence. It can help you feel strong. Clothing is an extremely powerful tool for expression of self and of self worth. And it can help you speak out for what you want.

Now that’s power! 

About Nancy:
Nancy Dilts brings together her passions – personal style, positive body image, and the environment – to help her clients feel fantastic in their clothes, using an economically and environmentally sustainable approach. She provides personal styling, wardrobe consults, and personal shopping for people of all genders and identities

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