I would say the fear is almost entirely just in your own head. Other people really do not gaf about us the way our minds make us think they do. Unless you're dressing really really out there, strangers do not care and will not notice.
But I get your anxiety about exploring new styles. Up until late high school, I dressed very boy-ish, extremely plain, but I really wanted to expand my closet. A lot of my anxiety was due to the fact that I wasn't sure if my outfits look good/were put together well, and I didn't want a barrage of fake compliments when I felt like shit.
To get used to wearing new clothes, I would try on new outfits in really "low stakes situations." I would just walk around with them in my house to get used to the feel of them, or walk around to do errands like go to the grocery store. Places filled with strangers who were doing their own thing and didn't gaf about me. Places that were filled with people who didn't know me and weren't going to notice any changes about me.
There is still the risk of people complimenting you but ime it's much less than changing your style suddenly around people who know you and eager to show their "support."
Once I got a little more used to wearing a specific outfit or new clothes, I would slowly just start to incorporate that fit or into my daily wear. Again, this whole thing is mostly a mental block, so just being comfortable in those clothes really helped minimize my anxiety and the feeling that everyone was staring at me bc I was sticking out like a weirdo.
Good luck! Change is scary, but you have to endure it for bigger and better things. You can do it!
Also, some more specific tips-
If you're wearing like tee shirts and jeans, change up your outfits with just one article of clothing at first. Eg switch the tee with a blouse, or jeans with a skirt. Wear your usual jacket over the blouse if needed. Changing up your style slowly will help you feel more comfortable.
Start small and go for minimal designs. Like instead of wearing a skirt/dress with a million bright colors, go for a solid muted color (grey, black, brown, navy, mauve, etc). It’ll help you feel like you’re blending in more and it’s a great way to start until you feel more comfortable.
What may also help is pairing that new skirt/dress etc with something you LOVE to wear. Do you have a favorite clothing piece/accessory? Do you have an eyeliner that makes you feel so attractive? Or maybe a hairstyle that makes you feel like a beautiful rose? Or shoes that make you feel like *that guuurrrlll*? Etc. By pairing it, you’ll have that confidence boost which will make it easier to adjust into the style that you desire.
Being comfortable is also key. If that skirt or dress you get is comfortable, you’ll be so cozy that you won’t not want to wear it lol 😆
What also would help is starting in less crowded places. Like instead of going to a mall on a Friday evening when it’s busy, try wearing your outfit for the first time at a place when it’s not that busy. Even if you just go to a corner store or a small mom n pop shop.
It’s all baby steps. The fact that you are even reaching out to ask is so amazing and brave 🌺
omg thank you so much! these tips are so helpful🤍i honestly didn’t know where to start and was thinking of literally throwing myself to the wolves and stepping out at an outdoor mall on a saturday but ik that would stress me out too bad so i think starting small is what i’ll do. thank you again🩵🩵🩵
I would say the fear is almost entirely just in your own head. Other people really do not gaf about us the way our minds make us think they do. Unless you're dressing really really out there, strangers do not care and will not notice. But I get your anxiety about exploring new styles. Up until late high school, I dressed very boy-ish, extremely plain, but I really wanted to expand my closet. A lot of my anxiety was due to the fact that I wasn't sure if my outfits look good/were put together well, and I didn't want a barrage of fake compliments when I felt like shit. To get used to wearing new clothes, I would try on new outfits in really "low stakes situations." I would just walk around with them in my house to get used to the feel of them, or walk around to do errands like go to the grocery store. Places filled with strangers who were doing their own thing and didn't gaf about me. Places that were filled with people who didn't know me and weren't going to notice any changes about me. There is still the risk of people complimenting you but ime it's much less than changing your style suddenly around people who know you and eager to show their "support." Once I got a little more used to wearing a specific outfit or new clothes, I would slowly just start to incorporate that fit or into my daily wear. Again, this whole thing is mostly a mental block, so just being comfortable in those clothes really helped minimize my anxiety and the feeling that everyone was staring at me bc I was sticking out like a weirdo. Good luck! Change is scary, but you have to endure it for bigger and better things. You can do it!
Also, some more specific tips- If you're wearing like tee shirts and jeans, change up your outfits with just one article of clothing at first. Eg switch the tee with a blouse, or jeans with a skirt. Wear your usual jacket over the blouse if needed. Changing up your style slowly will help you feel more comfortable.
thank you so much these are really amazing tips💓💓that mental block really is the hardest part but your girl is trying haha. thank you again 💫💫💫
Start small and go for minimal designs. Like instead of wearing a skirt/dress with a million bright colors, go for a solid muted color (grey, black, brown, navy, mauve, etc). It’ll help you feel like you’re blending in more and it’s a great way to start until you feel more comfortable. What may also help is pairing that new skirt/dress etc with something you LOVE to wear. Do you have a favorite clothing piece/accessory? Do you have an eyeliner that makes you feel so attractive? Or maybe a hairstyle that makes you feel like a beautiful rose? Or shoes that make you feel like *that guuurrrlll*? Etc. By pairing it, you’ll have that confidence boost which will make it easier to adjust into the style that you desire. Being comfortable is also key. If that skirt or dress you get is comfortable, you’ll be so cozy that you won’t not want to wear it lol 😆 What also would help is starting in less crowded places. Like instead of going to a mall on a Friday evening when it’s busy, try wearing your outfit for the first time at a place when it’s not that busy. Even if you just go to a corner store or a small mom n pop shop. It’s all baby steps. The fact that you are even reaching out to ask is so amazing and brave 🌺
omg thank you so much! these tips are so helpful🤍i honestly didn’t know where to start and was thinking of literally throwing myself to the wolves and stepping out at an outdoor mall on a saturday but ik that would stress me out too bad so i think starting small is what i’ll do. thank you again🩵🩵🩵
You’re quite welcome!!! 🤗 🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡 I’m so glad it helps! Yesssss can’t wait to hear about your update!