Ever feel self-conscious/nervous about wearing new clothes?

[foodfiend]

Strange question here. I've spent time updating my wardrobe recently. I now have some lovely pieces that are stylish and appropriate for work. Funny thing is, I get a bit anxious about wearing them sometimes. It's so much easier to reach for something simple like a sweater and trousers instead of wearing something that will stand out. It's great to have a nice collection of clothes -- if I have an important meeting or event I know I'll be ready -- but it feels strange to dress up all the time.

[funniegrrl]

hmmm ... can't say that I have. I have a pretty varied wardrobe and some flexibility at work, so there are days when I "dress up" and days where I don't so much. There are a variety of reasons, though, and I've never felt anxious about it or felt like I shouldn't. In fact, if I have a new outfit, I usually can't wait to wear it!

[BaileyJune]

I know what you mean! But for me, it's people asking me if something I'm wearing is new. I HATE that. I don't mind people saying "I like your skirt" but I hate it if someone says "is that new?" I don't know why. I'm just weird, I guess. :D

[DmOrtega]

Yep, me too, especially at work. I feel like sometimes I'm reinventing myself, even if I'm not. I have been known to wear my clothes until I could see through them. Not a pretty sight. It is much easier to not have to think about dressing, but styles change and I'd often think that I need to update my wardrobe but didn't want to take the time and spend the money on new clothes. So every year I was forced to redo my entire wardrobe. People noticed and I didn't feel comfortable standing out.

I'm much better these days. I think the key is to get something new every month, so it becomes normal. When you are out, look at the clothes and try them on. Don't buy them off the rack without trying them on first. I hate to think of how much I've spent on things that I thought would fit or look good on me only to find out it didn't. I wouldn't take them back. I do now. I don't have money to throw away. I now try everything on, no matter how inconvenient or time consuming it is and I never regret it. And no one blinks twice because I am wearing something new anymore. Now I am more comfortable and get to have fun when I go to work with a new pair of shoes or skirt or suit or whatever.

[krhm]

Foodfiend, this happens to me all the time!

Yesterday I wore a skirt that hit right at my knees with a beige cardigan set. I wore a new pair of open-toed platform sandals that I loved and thought were very cute in the store, but are VERY different from my normal everyday wear. I felt a little weird about it all day, so when I got home I asked DH, and he told me I looked like a hoochie mama! :confused: What about a beige cardigan set says hoochie? He said the shoes were too casual and the skirt too short for work!

[Canice]

A skirt that hits your knees is too short? :confused:

BaileyJune, it used make me uncomortable, too, when some would ask, "Is that new?" Can't put my finger on why.
My dress doesn't vary much anymore, but I do recall feeling a bit awkward at times, like DmOrtega said, as if I were trying to reinvent myself. Intresting.

[sarah2397]

I can't see that a knee length skirt could be too short for work either.

I think I used be more self-conscious about it when I was younger and maybe wearing something trendy for the first time that I was not used to seeing myself in. Thinking "is this cute or stupid looking".

If I go shopping at lunch I feel self-concious when female co-workers see that I am bringing back a bag to a well known clothing store like Ann Taylor -- as if I was being too frivolous. It's always "what did you buy -- let's see". I feel I have to explain it was on sale and I had an additional percentage off coupon, etc. So I don't hide shopping bags from DH but I have w/ my co-workers!

[Middydd]

I have been known to wear my clothes until I could see through them. Not a pretty sight.

I'm the same. I hate shopping for bathing suits and once wore a favourite until the fabric was nearly worn through, you couldn't tell when it was on, just if you held it up to the light. I still miss that suit!!

[LakeMartinGal]

BaileyJune, it used make me uncomortable, too, when some would ask, "Is that new?" Can't put my finger on why.
Perhaps it makes us uncomfortable because it implies that anything we have that's cute has to be new -- or borrowed from someone else who has better taste! :rolleyes: Or that it implies you've gone overboard on your clothes budget, or lost your mind and spent a lot of money getting trendy stuff that'll be out of style by tomorrow...:rolleyes: :D

It's really no one's business but your own if it's new or not... say if you like it, or it looks good on the person, but don't ask if it's new!

ok, I'm off the soapbox, now...;)

[foodfiend]

Maybe it's the idea of people noticing. It's only when we wear something out of the ordinary do we realize people were taking stock of how we dressed every day. But it's doesn't apply to haircuts for some reason. It's nice when people notice I got my hair cut.

[Grace]

I actually feel funnier and more self-conscious when I don't have anything new to wear. I wear my clothes until they are nearly tattered lately (several reasons for that, namely my figure isn't what it used to be and I have very hard time finding clothes that fit me without making me look/feel HUGE, so shopping is very depressing and I rarely go), and so I am self conscious that I wear the same stuff over and over again (simple black pants and plain sweaters). I feel a thousand times better when I have something new and fashionable on (that fits of course!). I hate looking/feeling dumpy, and new fashionable clothes never make me feel dumpy. My old "uniform" does.

[foodfiend]

That's interesting. I've never been a clothes-hound. For me, clothes I had for years were like old friends. It felt comfortable to wear them.

[DmOrtega]

.... It's great to have a nice collection of clothes -- if I have an important meeting or event I know I'll be ready -- but it feels strange to dress up all the time.

I notice how people dress and do have opinions based on how they look. I've made a rule, for myself. I never wear jeans to work unless it snows. This year, I've worn jeans for about 2 weeks total. I like to dress up for work because people treat me better when I dress better. I guess it comes out in my own confidence level. If I look good, I feel good about myself. I do it for myself.

[Paula H]

Since I've started getting my confidence back and am wearing more fitted and eye-catching clothes, I admit to feeling self-conscious at times. I used to wear little itty bitty bits of fabric without a second thought, but it's amazing what surgery can do to your body and self-esteem/confidence/image.

I find myself, far more often than I like, standing there, looking in the mirror, saying to Dr Love "Really? Are you sure this looks okay? Are you really sure?" And then I find it hard to wear my "new, good" clothes. :o

I'm getting better. Although I don't think the itty bitty clothes will ever be coming back...