By HTE Founder, Erin Hughes
Let’s be honest, we’ve all been guilty of dressing for someone else’s approval at some point. Maybe it started when your mum used to pick out your outfits, so you’d look “presentable” for her friends. Then came the teenage years, when we all desperately wanted to fit in with the cool girls. Then adulthood arrived, and suddenly, we were dressing to impress at work, at social events, or just to keep up with the effortlessly stylish mums at school drop-off.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s always lovely when someone compliments your outfit or says you’re looking good, but here’s the thing: the person you really need to impress is, you.
“Style isn’t about trends or what’s deemed ‘fashionable’ this season. It’s about you, your personality, your creativity, and what makes you feel amazing. I like to think of it like art, there’s no right or wrong way to do it (imagine how dull the world would be if there was).”
Yes, we take inspiration from people, places, Instagram and endless Pinterest boards, but at the end of the day, the real magic happens when you wear something that makes you feel good. Confidence is the ultimate head-turner, far more than any designer label. It’s all about having the courage to like what you like (not anyone else), put it on and wear it confidently. That confidence will turn heads every single time.
As we get older (and wiser, let’s be real), we start to understand what we feel great in. We gravitate towards brands or shops that just ‘get’ us, not just in terms of style, but also in values. That’s not just fashion, it’s psychology. The key? Stop dressing for others and start dressing for you. Like something? Wear it. The best outfits aren’t the ones that follow trends; they’re the ones that feel like a second skin, that we feel like us in.
Style isn’t just about what we wear, it’s also about recognising and appreciating how other people express themselves, even if it’s not our personal taste. The art of style is about seeing someone own their look and applauding them for it. For me, it’s not about how expensive their outfit is or whether it aligns with my style, it’s about the confidence they exude because they’re dressing for themselves.
The next time you go into a store or look at a product and find yourself on the fence about it, take a moment. Reflect on whether you truly love it, whether it resonates with you. If it does, don’t let apprehension win. Your gut instinct is always right.
Whenever I’m at an event or just out and about, and I admire someone’s style, it’s always because their outfit is a true reflection of their personality. It’s never about the price tag or the designer label (anyone can wear an expensive outfit), the people who stand out are the ones who are unapologetically themselves.
For me, sunglasses and bags are my absolute go-tos. They have such a presence and can completely transform an outfit. But I’m not drawn to the big-name designer pieces that I feel like every man and their dog owns! The bags and sunnies I love the most are the ones that make people say, “Where did you get that?!” rather than just recognising a brand. That’s just my take, though. This is purely my opinion and what I connect with. However, I have such respect and admiration for people who connect with brands and products that represent their personality and individual style, no matter what that looks like. I love that not everyone wants the same thing. That’s what makes style so personal and so powerful.
What I love most when someone dresses for themselves (without the noise of other people’s opinions or input) is the level of confidence which is so inspiring. It shows a deep happiness and comfort in their own skin. And that’s what style should be about.
So, the next time you put an outfit together, ask yourself one thing: Do I love this? If the answer is yes, then wear it. Own it. And rock the absolute hell out of it.
Because when you feel good, you look good, and that’s what really matters.
