We all want to look and feel our best, and that has a lot to do with how confident we are. What we don’t realize is that what we wear directly correlates with our self-esteem, and sometimes, a simple change of wardrobe can seriously amp it up.

For those of us who are still on their style journey and looking to try new things, here are five ways to use fashion trends to boost your self-confidence and feel certain about your sartorial and lifestyle choices.

Find a confidence role model to look up to

It’s no secret that we can be our worst critics at times. After all, we’re the ones spending hours in front of the mirror examining each perceived flaw and imperfection, and that can make us pretty self-conscious. What many of us tend to forget is that the way we perceive ourselves can be completely different from the way others do. Sometimes, a change of perspective can be all we need to boost our self-confidence.

To do this, find a confidence role model you can look up to. This can be a celebrity or a regular person. What’s important is that it’s someone who is similar to you. Pay attention to the way they present themselves, their style, confidence, and attitude.

If you share the same attributes, chances are, you could probably pull off the same or similar look as theirs. In other words, if they’d wear a particular brand or a piece of clothing, you’d probably look great in it as well.

Empower yourself through your brand choices

Another way to empower yourself through your fashion and lifestyle choices is to base them on your personal beliefs. They are a huge part of who you are, so pay special attention to the brands you choose.

The thing about brands is they reflect certain cultures and values, so they can easily be used to present ourselves and our personalities. Think of brands such as Potent Goods that have found a way to successfully merge their way of thinking with their range of products. Based in L.A., the brand is a reflection of this city, and like the L.A. entertainment industry itself, it too aims to provide an escape from the mundane and the stale with their edgy yet contemporary product lines.

Other than the brands, some other ways to express your identity through everyday choices include opting for cruelty-free products (if you’re a vegan), choosing sustainable brands (if you’re eco-friendly), and so on.

Step out of your comfort zone

Many of us tend to stick to the same everyday choices because it feels comfortable. While you shouldn’t wear clothes or follow trends that don’t make you feel good in your skin, you should try to step outside your comfort zone occasionally, both in terms of your fashion and lifestyle choices.

For instance, let’s say you’ve been reading up on a particular trend that sounds great but feels out of your comfort zone. The best approach is to take baby steps until you feel comfortable enough to embrace the trend completely, whether that’s switching from smoking vaping or wearing a bold pattern or adopting some new eating habits.

By expanding your comfort zone, you’ll feel more open to trying new things, which will, in turn, boost your self-confidence.

Develop your own style

Fashion and lifestyle trends can be a great way to try something new from time to time and expand your horizons. They can be fun to experiment with, and they can also teach you a thing or two when it comes to the things that suit you and the ways to play up your best features.

That said, all trends aren’t for everyone, and they aren’t to be followed blindly, either. Surely, that new neon trend we’re seeing everywhere these days can be a great way to add color to your outfit, especially if you tend to neutral or monochromatic outfits. However, just because something is en vogue doesn’t mean you have to wear it.

Instead, embrace the trends that suit your own personal style that you’ve developed over time, and use the current trends to highlight your authentic and unique style and let it shine through.  

Embrace your style and dress your best now

More often than not we’ll put things off because we haven’t reached certain goals we’ve set for ourselves. For some, it’s losing those few pounds that makes them feel stuck, and for others, it’s waiting to get that dream job or to move to that awesome new place. In reality, by waiting until things feel right, we’re just putting our lives on hold.

Instead of waiting for things to happen so you can feel your best self, put your best foot forward now. Embrace yourself, your body, and your own unique style, and start dressing and feeling your best today.

Remember: great style and confidence don’t have prerequisites, so don’t let insignificant things hold you back from truly living and expressing yourself.

Wrapping up

There’s no doubt that dressing stylishly can work wonders when it comes to our self-esteem. The only thing you need to do is to get in tune with your personal style and find the best way to express yourself. After that, you’ll be 100% sure about any fashion or lifestyle choice you make in the future.