Finally after a long week of bills, errands, and work, it’s Friday night. You throw on your favorite pair of heels and a slinky dress to head out for a little fun. Stop! Without even thinking-- answer this: When you pick out a hot outfit, WHO, exactly, are you dressing for?
We polled some of you to find out. We had some responses that made us laugh, like Arleen's: “I dress for me, but undress for him“. Monica says she loves to WOW her husband... but Lauren says she dresses "for other women! They are the ones who talk... my guy hardly ever notices if I'm dressed up or wearing my PJs." Come on, ladies, think: WHO are you thinking of when you squeeze into a pair of skinny jeans that took you months worth of yoga poses just to fit into.... or throw a fabulous designer outfit together for a night out? Before you say that you don’t care about what other people think, OK. Duly noted. But, don't all of us love to turn heads and rack up compliments on our outfits (or is that just me?!)? Who do you really want to 'impress': your significant other or the other girls at the party?
For more insight on the female brain, we turned to relationship expert Elizabeth R. Lombardo, or as she prefers to be called Dr. L. She's a psychologist and the author of the bestseller A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness.
According to Dr. L, women initially dress for their significant other, thinking along the lines of ‘Do I look sexy but not easy in this?. However, as time goes on and they become more stable in their relationships, their focus switches to dressing more for other women (she’s speaking about us single gals, too!)
Think about this: The last time that you bought that gorgeous but highly expensive designer bag, were you thinking of him? Probably not. If you are like me, you were thinking, “I will be the talk of the town.” Or as Dr. L puts it, “Other women will go crazy over it!”
So, why do we think this way?
Dr. L says that in a society that emphasizes superficial appearances and how one dresses, it is hard not to put so much weight on what others think about you. So women, in turn, rely on others’ opinions --shown by once-overs or smiles --- to determine whether or not they look good on a given day.
She explains there are many reasons women dress to impress. They may be seeking approval or they want to make others envious—whether it be with their sense of style or their slamming physiques. While all of us appreciate the second glance, Dr L. says some women can actually be disappointed if they go out and multiple people fail to compliment them. Finally, Dr. L says that when women dress they are looking for an opinion on their self worth (Really?).
Although hardly an expert, I think it depends on who you are. I know that when I throw on my stilettos and pull on a mini black dress, I’m heading for the kill! Plus, I know looking FAB will definitely put me in the right mood to attract positive energy, AKA guys!
Now it's your turn. Who do YOU dress for?
Elizabeth R. Lombardo or as she prefers to be called Dr. L, is a psychologist, physical therapist, and the author of the bestseller A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness. Known at a national level, Dr. L has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, Women’s Day, Glamour, Self, Woman’s World, Health, and Real Simple.
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