Part of my mission statement for Absolutely Olivia reads: “Through Absolutely Olivia, I aim to inspire and empower others through fashion, lifestyle, and words.” When reading this, it’s easy to pick up on what I mean by inspire, but sometimes even I have a hard time picking about what exactly it means to empower. By definition, empower means: “[to] make (someone) stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights.” That’s right on the mark in terms of how I want Absolutely Olivia to affect you, but then that leads to the question of: how does fashion play into that so-called empowerment?

Have you ever put on an outfit and all of a sudden felt unstoppable and ready to take on the day? That right there, my friend, is how fashion can empower you. Maybe you feel like this everyday when you get dressed, maybe you only feel like this occasionally, or maybe you’ve never felt like this at all. Whatever the case is, today I’m sharing 5 questions to ask yourself to find an outfit that makes you feel the most confident, the most you, and ultimately, the most empowered! Let’s get into it 🙂

In the photos throughout this post, I am rocking my Boy Meets Girl tee and tote bag that they gifted me. Nothing makes me feel more powerful than a comfy, graphic tee, especially a tee in one of my favorite power colors: burgundy. I love the simple, yet statement designs over at BMG and the messages of unity and connection that they spread. Be on the lookout for my interview feature on their blog, and while you’re waiting be sure to shop some of their collections using the code OLIVIA40 for 40% off your purchase.

WOULD I WEAR THIS MORE THAN ONCE?

There’s no point in buying a clothing item you won’t wear more than once or can’t be styled a multitude of ways. If it doesn’t strike your fancy enough that you would wear it more than once, then chances are this piece won’t give you the confidence clothing is capable of. The exception to this rule is for bigger events like galas and proms! It’s completely okay to rock a dress for one night and never wear it again if it makes you feel ready to strut your stuff on that big evening.

AM I COMFORTABLE IN THIS?

This ties into the previous question because if an item of clothing is itchy, ill-fitting, too tight, too loose, or overall just uncomfortable; once again chances are this piece isn’t what you’re looking for in an empowering clothing item. If you try-on an item and you immediately feel anything less than comfortable, leave it at the store!

DOES IT FLATTER ME?

Clothing can be tricky when it comes to finding a piece that suits your shape. It takes months, sometimes years, of trial and error before you may find each and every shape that flatters your body type. Of course, it is not essential that every item of clothing you buy suit your body perfectly, but getting the fit exactly right every once in awhile feels incredible. If a piece flatters you, you’ll feel it like a warm, radiant glow from within. The mirror is your best friend when it comes to this one!

IS IT TOO FAR OUTSIDE OF MY COMFORT ZONE?

It’s important to take steps outside of your comfort zone when it comes to fashion, or else you may never find what works for you. However, it is also important to have a good grasp or what you will wear and not wear, or else you’ll find yourself with a closet full of clothes that don’t fit your comfort zone at all. If you try-on an item and feel out of your element, take a step back to ask yourself whether this is a style you want to try (but never have), or a style that makes you don’t want to try (and never will). Your answer will lead you to check-out 😉

DOES IT MAKE ME DOUBLE TAKE?

If the outfit feels right and you feel boss, take a look in the mirror. Did you do a double take at how good you look AND feel? If an outfit makes you look and feel good, that’s when you know you’ve reached the jackpot. You can now step out of your house and have full confidence in your abilities to seize the day. This is what empowerment through fashion feels like: confidence on the inside and outside.

I hope you all enjoyed this post and feel ready to go out and find your own fashion that empowers you! Don’t forget to check out Boy Meets Girl and to use the code OLIVIA40 on your own purchase for 40% off. Leave a comment below with the clothing item that makes you feel most powerful, and feel free to drop any questions or blog post ideas you may have while you’re down there. Thanks so much for reading!

💜Love, Olivia

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