Stylist to the stars Ellis Ranson says there’s no ‘lightbulb moment’ when it comes to the ‘right time’ to wear that special outfit – and offers her top tips when it comes to biting the bullet
“‘Just wear the dress. It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. You only live once, go for it!’
Those are mottos I have always lived by for as long as I can remember. Often, I find myself questioning why we’re saving our ‘best’ clothes for something special – then we slowly realise we didn’t ever get to enjoy them!
Every day can be a celebration. Don’t wait for a special event. When you dress in something that makes you feel good, from personal experience, I find your day always goes better.
I’ve worked as a stylist for over ten years. In that time, I’ve watched closely how people interact with their bodies, their clothes, and themselves – and let me tell you, it’s been eye-opening.
Firstly, I’ve realised that there is no big ‘lightbulb moment’ when confidence just.. arrives. Most people are waiting for a feeling before they take action. Waiting to feel ready to wear the thing they’ve been avoiding. The tight dress. The low-rise jeans. The outfit that feels a bit ‘too much’.
Is it easier to just blend in, we wonder? I’m here to tell you no, it’s not! Go for it – today. Because confidence is not something you wait for. It’s something you create through repetition and trial and error. It’s built in the small, slightly uncomfortable decisions, like being worried about that slightly revealing dress – and choosing to wear it anyway.
The first time you step out all dressed up maybe won’t feel so natural but you will notice how good it feels when you are walking to work, or sitting at an event. Feeling put together and styled is, quite honestly, a game changer.
Because here’s what actually happens. The first time you wear something, you’ll feel hyper aware. You’ll squirm a bit. You’ll adjust it constantly. You’ll question it. You may even regret it halfway through the day. But the second time? That’s where the magic happens. This time, you’ll spend less time thinking about how you look and more time just existing in the outfit.
Body confidence isn’t about loving every inch of yourself, at all times. Who does?! It’s about reducing how much space those thoughts take up. It’s about getting dressed up, enjoying fashion and having fun with it, rather than pulling yourself apart!
Next time you’re getting dressed and in need for a confidence pick-me-up, highlight the things you love. A good start is wearing a pop of colour – it’s an instant dopamine hit, and when you walk past a mirror, you can’t help but smile.
Another tip is to remember the compliments you receive. So often, we struggle with and brush it off with an “oh, this old thing?”, but next time, accept it. Hold your head up high, because you look good.
Pay attention to the patterns in compliments paid to you as well. If you always get compliments when you wear blue, maybe blue is your colour. And on days when you’re not feeling your best, reach for that go-to blue piece.
There’s also a quiet shift that happens when you stop treating certain clothes as something you have to “earn.”
Girls, it’s time to remove the idea that your body needs to reach a specific standard, or it needs to be a special occasion, before you’re allowed to wear something. You take back a level of control most people don’t realise they’ve given away.
My motto, always and forever, remains the same. Just wear the dress!”
Ellis Ranson launched her debut podcast Talk In Wardrobe this year, discussing fashion, style and confidence with her celebrity clients and friends. Follow her on Instagram @ellisransonx.
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