Or anyone else, for that matter

Niki Marinis

Jan 20·3 min read

I was going to an event and expecting to see a certain someone there, so I chose my outfit with him in mind.

What might he be impressed by? What might he think looked great on me? What were the perfect accessories and hairstyle to make a lasting impression of how great I am?

I put together a fab outfit I felt super hot in, and headed out the door. When I got to the event, I learned he wasn’t attending.

I immediately felt like I’d put in all this work for nothing. That all my effort had been wasted and I was now in a bad, disappointed, let down mood.

Stop the presses.

What?

What kind of bullshit is this? Did I just get dressed for a man instead of myself?

I got dressed with expectations beyond my own satisfaction and look at the result: disappointment.

Fuck that.

If I had dressed for myself it wouldn’t have mattered if he was there or not. I made him the focal point of my evening AND my appearance.

Gross.

It’s important to look and feel your best for YOU and no one else.

If you’re dressing to try to impress someone else you’re going to be self-conscious all night. You can’t control how others react to you. You can’t put your self-worth or happiness on whether they like how you look. Don’t give other people that power.

Please yourself and you’ll impress people, even if they don’t care for what you’re wearing. When you look and feel your best you exude confidence in whatever style that is for you: goth, rockabilly, bohemian, preppy, vintage, jeans and a t-shirt.

I kinda doubt you feel your best in sweats and a PJ top, so why leave the house like that? Love yourself, people.

If you feel unstoppable with no makeup on, do it. If you love an over the top glam look, do it.

You wanna dye your hair lavender, get it. You wanna embrace your grays and go full silver, get it.

Whatever makes your soul sing, embrace that and KILL IT.

You exude a whole different energy when you feel authentic. Dress for yourself and you’ll never feel disappointed.

I’ll put on that headband with the pink puff balls I got for 400 tickets at Golf n’ Stuff because it matches my top and looks cute as hell. I get compliments!

Find your style and flip the bird at anyone who doesn’t like it.

Live YOUR life for YOU.

#CyndiLauperIsMySpiritAnimal

I dress to impress MYSELF. If you’re happy with yourself you’ll automatically impress others.

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Niki Marinis is kitschy, quirky bird with more clothes and shoes than she knows what to do with. Check out her style and runway pics on Twitter and Instagram, and sign up for her newsletter here.