Wardrobe Hacks That Make Me Feel More Like An Adult

Dress To Feel Your Best

I’ve never felt more seen than I did when the phrase “I’m baby” first surfaced on the Internet a couple of months ago. Often used in a very post-ironic way, the phrase sums up a sentiment many of us feel but are often too afraid to admit: feeling like a fake adult.

I graduated from college, and started working at The Good Trade just two short months later. One might say, I was thrust from my crib, straight into the workforce. Even after a year of working a steady job, paying my own rent, and (slowly, but surely) building up my savings, I still feel like “baby” from time to time.

Though I’m still trying to figure out what it means to be an adult (I mean, does anyone really know?), I’ve figured out a way to get around those feelings of baby-ness on a daily basis—clothes!

The clothes we wear have a big impact on the way we feel and our overall sense of confidence. So, it totally makes sense that even though I have the credentials of a “real” adult, it may be hard for me to feel like one if my outer appearance doesn’t match. Anyone here at The Good Trade will tell you that I am one of the most casual dressers on the team. But for me, I’ve realized that dressing like an “adult” isn’t necessarily a matter of casual versus formal, but rather a matter of intentionality.

“The clothes we wear have a big impact on the way we feel and our overall sense of confidence.”

So, I’m sharing some of my wardrobe tips (hacks, if you will) that have helped me feel more confident, elevated, and overall, more like an adult.

1. The iron is your friend.

And so is its cousin, the steamer. Nothing makes me feel less put-together than wrinkled clothes. Perhaps, I get this from my mother who would never let me go to school with a wrinkled uniform growing up. Though at the time I’d throw fits and complain about how she was making me late, I now appreciate her instilling this value in me. I find that even if I’m wearing a simple t-shirt and jeans, ironing or steaming my outfit makes me feel more prepared to show up in the world as my best self. It’s a great reminder that a “mature” sense of fashion is less about what we wear, and more about how we wear it.

2. Embrace the blazer.

I’m of the belief that every girl needs a good blazer. Adding a blazer that is structured to your personal taste is a great way to elevate almost any outfit. If you’re someone like me, who loves to dress down, finding a nice blazer you can wear on a regular basis will help you bring your personal style into the workplace seamlessly. You can often find me rocking a t-shirt, a pair of vintage jeans, sneakers and a blazer in our studio.

3. Finally get those pants hemmed.

I really swear by this one. As someone with short legs and a bit of a booty, it can be hard to find pants that fit me just right. I often end up with jeans that are too baggy or too tight—neither of which make me feel very confident at work, or elsewhere for that matter. I love taking my new and vintage jeans to the tailor to have them hemmed and fitted to my body. Having pants that fit me just right has been an absolute game-changer, and contributes immensely to my overall confidence.

4. Invest in some good shoes.

Last year, I tweeted that I would officially become a Clog Girl. I am happy to announce that I have since purchased my first pair of sustainably-made clogs. They were quite the investment, and absolutely worth it. I’m typically the thrifty girl, but I’ve found that investing in a new pair of shoes has been a great way to tie my wardrobe together to look a bit more polished. For me it was clogs, for you it may be a simple mule or the perfect sandal—whatever you’re going for, there’s a shoe out there just waiting to elevate your look.

Do you have any wardrobe hacks that make you feel more adult-like? Let us know in the comments!