romanticizing the everyday: dressing with intention in a casual world

Romance your routine, one outfit at a time

In today’s world, we’ve gotten used to the idea that comfort is crucial for anything, whether that’s running errands, going to the local coffee shop, shopping at the mall, meeting friends for dinner, the theater, or the airport etc. Think about it: next time you step out, you’ll notice hoodies, sweatpants, and workout sets anywhere and everywhere. It’s becoming the everyday fashion standard in our society.

I can’t help but wonder if this new standard is replacing what was once a culture of elegance, detail, and effort with laziness and leisure. Somewhere along the way, dressing beautifully or putting effort became associated with being “too much,” or extra, and femininity or elegance started being seen as outdated or out of touch. The norm of constantly hearing, “Why are you so overdressed?” only confirms my thoughts that, as a society, we’re gradually losing the artistic touch of trying and of finding our own personal style.

I used to joke, when someone would ask why I was so dressed up, “If this is my last day in this lifetime, I will not be caught dead wearing something that doesn’t reflect who I am.” I still believe there’s power in intentional dressing- not for unwanted attention, but as a daily ritual of self-respect. What if we stopped saving our best outfit for the “perfect day” and instead wore it to romanticize the now? Dressing up isn’t about impressing others or getting the perfect Instagram post, but it’s about aligning with the life you truly want. Manifest by the way you dress. That is key. So why are we scared to dress up for the everyday?

What is femininity to you? To me, femininity is about qualities like softness, communication, being nurturing, expressive, and yes, sometimes just being girly. But it’s not just about liking the color pink or wearing lace and bows. It’s about grace, softness, and being polished. Society today often devalues overt femininity, linking it to being superficial, materialistic, or even weak. But I see it differently. Femininity, to me, is powerful, magnetic, authentic, genuine, and deeply personal. It’s a gateway to true elegance and the highest form of self-respect. It’s protective and it’s strong.

Let’s not devalue this quality and instead, let’s embrace it in our everyday life and in our personal style. Adopting that mindset has helped me evolve, not just as a woman in today’s world, but in how I express myself through what I wear. And trust me, I’m just as guilty of looking at the day’s itinerary and saying, “Yeah... sweatpants and a tee it is.” But why are we so quick to give up trying? To stop putting effort into how we present ourselves, even if just for us? The good news is: effort doesn’t have to mean discomfort. There are easy ways to dress both comfortably and elegantly.

That’s where romanticizing your routine comes in, not as something performative or overdone, but as a way to care for yourself in the smallest, most intentional ways. Getting dressed becomes more than just something to check off in the morning; it turns into a peaceful ritual. A quiet moment to ask yourself: How do I want to feel today? What energy do I want to bring into the room?

For me, it’s something simple like swapping sweatpants for linen trousers with a soft elastic waistband, or choosing a stretchy black top that hugs in all the right places. Wearing some makeup, making sure the hair is thoroughly brushed and clean. Adding a few layered necklaces, slipping into comfortable flats, or even wearing my signature scent from my favorite perfume. It’s all just for myself. These little choices make even the most boring day feel more romantic, more intentional, more mine. It’s not about being extravagant, but it’s about adding a little meaning to the ordinary.

When we treat style as a ritual, we start seeing beauty in the in-between moments like getting coffee, running errands, and sitting at our desk. Suddenly, those everyday tasks become something worth dressing up for. And when you begin dressing for the everyday, something subtle but powerful happens: you start dressing for the life you want.

Manifestation isn’t just about repeating affirmations, writing in a journal, or creating a vision board. It’s about alignment, and that’s showing up as the version of yourself you’re working toward. Dressing with intention helps you embody that version now, in small but impactful ways. It’s less about pretending and more about preparing and making it into a reality.

If you want to work in real estate, education, or even step into a leadership role, start dressing like someone who takes themselves and their career seriously. That doesn’t mean abandoning your personal style completely or wearing something that doesn’t feel like you. It means finding ways to incorporate polish, structure, and presence into your look, even on the most regular day.

It can be switching from sneakers to loafers, or pairing a button-down with jeans instead of a hoodie. Maybe it’s wearing subtle gold jewelry with a soft knit top, or simply choosing clean lines and good tailoring that gives you structure. These small shifts can change how you feel and how others perceive you.

The more you embody the energy of the life you want, the more it begins to find you. I believe that wholeheartedly. And it starts with how you show up, even if you're just showing up for yourself.

There’s something quietly powerful about being the most dressed-up person in the room. Not in a loud or attention-seeking way, but in a way that says: I care. I tried. I showed up with intention. That’s the power of overdressing. I’ve personally experienced this in the workplace and noticed a huge difference in how I was perceived when I showed up with intention in my style. It’s not about being “extra”, it’s about choosing beauty in a world that often chooses ease.

We’ve been taught to tone ourselves down or to conform to the norm, to be less expressive, less emotional, less feminine- as if softness or elegance is something to be ashamed of. But femininity, in its truest form, is strength. It’s self-awareness. It’s a graceful kind of presence that doesn’t need to ask for permission. Think of icons like Grace Kelly or Audrey Hepburn; they believed this. And when we dress with that in mind with care, with emotion, with personality, it becomes something deeper than just style. It becomes self-honoring and respectful.

So yes, wear the outfit that feels like you. Wear the dress to your friend’s dinner. Put on the lipstick and your hair up, just to grab coffee. Iron your shirt even if no one notices but you. These choices aren’t silly or superficial; they’re remembered and honored.

Instead of being scared or feeling embarrassed to dress up in a casual world, what if we flipped the script? What if the question wasn’t “Why are you so dressed up?” but “Why have we stopped caring?” There’s nothing wrong with taking pride in your appearance. In fact, there’s quiet power in showing up thoughtfully, with intention and grace. When you dress with care, it invites others to reflect on why they’ve stopped, to gently remind them that effort isn’t something to shy away from, but something that can inspire.

Elegance, femininity, and personal style aren’t outdated; they’re forms of self-respect. And if your outfit makes someone uncomfortable, maybe it’s not because you’re doing too much, but because they’ve forgotten how to show up for themselves.

So the real question is, when did we stop seeing effort as something beautiful?

-NF