5 Ways to De-Stress With Fashion

I’d like to start this post with a little challenge! Can you remember the last time a whole day went by without you feeling stressed, or hearing someone near you complain about feeling stress? Yeah, didn’t think so.

Stress is as pervasive as it is damaging. And since we can’t avoid it, we can start fighting it. We can educate ourselves on how we perceive and react to it, we can implement some self-care methods, and we can learn some de-stressing strategies. Which is why for today I’m proposing 5 ways to de-stress with fashion.

Yep, that’s right!

Curious as to just how fashion can help de-stress you? Then keep on reading:

Get a fun fashion colouring book.

I don’t know if you’re into grown up colouring books, but let me tell you: they’re worth their hype! If you want to tap into some childhood fun and have something pretty to show for it, grab yourselves one. Art, zoology, geometric patterns, funny phrases- there are so many options just waiting for you to unleash your creative genius on them!

I particularly like the fashion themed books. They give you not only visual stimulation, but also inspiration for your own wardrobe!

And the best part?

Playing stylist on paper might make you feel like carrying it into your closet as well! Or perhaps you’ll discover a talent for fashion design or styling, who knows?

Plan your outfits for the week.

Sure, it may not sound particularly relaxing- but hear me out here! Planning your outfits when you have more time on your hands (like on a Sunday), will save you so much stress during the week.

And it makes sense, really:

On weekends you have much more time to try new combinations, and think of all the details. Plus, you can use it to zone out from daily tasks and endless lists for a bit.

Think about it!

How often do you actually have fun planning your outfits? Chances are, you’re reaching for the same few things over and over again, because they’re tried and true. Or end up being late for work, coming up with your OOTD. So why not play stylist with your wardrobe for an afternoon, and see how you feel? You might just get hooked!  

Look at old pictures of your badly-dressed self.

If you grew up in the 2000’s, you probably made some pretty awful fashion choices. Hey, it’s ok, we’ve all been there! Wearing jeans so low they gave you a plumber’s butt, or going through your “It’s not a phase, mom!” Emo phase.

Also- bejeweled denim, anyone?

Glitter goth chick circa 2005

Ok, so 14 years later, still a rock chick at heart 🙂

So the best thing you can do now?

Go through the pics and laugh till you cry! Remember the good times, and smile fondly at the teenage drama that once felt like the end of the world. Bonus points if you can round up your girlfriends and host a montage of cringe-worthy outfits. All to the tracks of Britney, Christina and Avril, of course!

Reorganize your closet.

I recently had a bit of a revelation in terms of organizing my wardrobe. (Well, my entire home actually, but more on that in a different post.) After coming home from my winter holiday to an overflowing wardrobe, jewel rack and bag shelves, I could feel myself breaking out in hives. The whole place was so cluttered, it made me want to cry.

So what did I do?

That’s right, I rolled my sleeves up and got down to it- cleaning, sorting, organising and throwing out! Now I’ve been working on it this whole past week, and I can say the results are worth the efforts!

My wardrobe is clear of anything I don’t use anymore, and all remaining pieces have a place. Which made my home feel truly like a haven again.

And let me tell you:

The amount of peace and calm that comes from having a lovely, calm inducing home, really can’t be quantified.

Watch a fashion documentary.

This is actually my plan for this afternoon! Netflix’s 7 Days Out, the Chanel Haute Couture Fashion Show episode is on my list. Marshmallow hot chocolate in hand, fuzzy robe et al.

I really love watching historically accurate fashion films and documentaries- as you may remember, I wrote down my impressions on The September Issue. I love the glitz and glamour, and I feel soothed by the beauty of the shows.

But that’s not even the best part!

Fashion documentaries also inspire me so much to see people overcoming the struggles and obstacles they face. The fashion world is certainly not an easy one- and seeing leaders being born and rising to their full potential gives me a boost of confidence too.

Everybody has to start somewhere, and success comes with (sometimes literal) blood, sweat and tears. Which is encouraging to remember, and at least for me, helps reduce the pressure a bit.

And so, I hope my post was lighthearted enough to help you unwind this Sunday afternoon. Of course, I’m curious now to hear what you thought about my uses for fashion as a de-stressing tool!

Do you ever view fashion as something to bring you joy and diminish mental overwhelm? If you have your own tips on how to do so, let me know in the comments- I’m dying to know!

Thanks for reading, and until next week, have a fabulous time!

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