We’ve all heard the term “power suit,” especially in reference to the color-blocked pantsuits sported by Hillary Clinton—but pantsuits aren’t the only thing that can radiate power. When a woman feels confident in what she’s wearing—whether it be a dress, a pantsuit, or nothing at all—that, my friends, is power. But, how do we go about feeling confident in our clothes? What about our clothing choices makes us feel self-assured or self-reliant? And if we don’t feel that way, how can we start?
As I thought about the force behind what we wear (and it is a force to be reckoned with), all of these questions flooded my mind. I started to analyze the reasons I choose the clothes I wear each day and I realized something that startled me—what we wear each day speaks directly to others. Whether we are intentional about it or not, the clothes we put on each morning says something about who we are.
So, for a week, I decided to put my theory to the test and focus on the feelings behind my wardrobe choices.
Monday was a pretty casual day—I had a lunch meeting at a local coffee shop and then I would be spending the remainder of the day catching up on some writing and reading and possibly running a few errands. Conscious of the day I had ahead of me, I pulled on a pair of Jesse Kamm Sailor Pants because they’re tailored so they look put together and yet they aren’t pretentious. I paired them with a cropped linen t-shirt because it was forecasted to be 90 degrees and humid today and the coffeeshop has no A/C, and since the pants were high-waisted the crop top let me feel free without revealing a lot of skin. I wore it with a pair of classic black vans for comfort (a subtle nod to my middle school days) and the Building Block Peephole Tote, because I like to keep things transparent—literally.
I felt comfortable enough to run my errands but put-together enough to take on my meeting and tackle some writing deadlines I had. As one of my professors oft said in college, you perform better when you’re dressed better—he wasn’t wrong. But, what he failed to realize is that a part of performing better is also having confidence inwhatyou’re wearing.
The rest of the week consisted of outfits similar to that of Monday’s because wide leg pants or high waisted jeans and a tee or simple blouse is my go-to. I like to look structured, but I need to be comfortable, because that is where I find my power and my confidence. But alas, Friday called for something a little dressier than my usual outfit combination.
With some appointments in the afternoon and a dinner in the evening, I needed something that would take me from day to night—I opted for my Kaarem Triangle Midi dress in a sultry blue-grey and a pair of Maryam Nassir Zadeh Palma heels in faux crocodile blue. It was hot out, so a dress was a simple choice, but the cut-out in the back added some intrigue—perfect for dinner. The heels were high enough that they made me feel sexy, but not so high that I wasn’t comfortable to walk in them. I paired it with my Building Block Peephole Tote again, because I had a lot of things I needed to carry around with me, but for dinner I opted to just carry the cylinder that accompanies the bag—it served as the perfect clutch for a night out.
These two outfits were vastly different, but I felt my power in both of them. So why did I feel powerful in them? Why did I feel that these outfits, or more precisely, me intheseoutfits held force? It wasn’t simply because I dressed for the occasion, or the job, or for the people I was going to be with—it was because I dressed for me. Hillary Clinton’s pantsuits are powerful not because they are pantsuits, but because she feels like a boss when she wears them—she radiates confidence.
The power in the way we dress comes from within ourselves. Yes, we can dress for a special occasion, for the weather, for the errands we have to run, or for the job we have to do, but the force behind what we wear comes from the confidence we have in the clothes we’re in.
They say you should love the skin you’re in, and you should, but you should also love the clothes you’re in. Don’t be afraid to dress for yourself; don’t be afraid to share who you are with the world—because when you do, it radiates power and confidence, and that is hot as hell.
Summer pieces that you won't need to pack away come fall. See how Idun styles a few favorites and discover their ability to transition into cooler months.
- Rachel Comey, Dock Pant and any white tee shirt (or any top for that matter!). The easiest "cool" you'll ever find. Throw these pants on with basically anything and you have a complete and interesting look.
Here at Idun we have worked side by side with Caylon Hackwith many times. He is one of our absolute favorite artists. Working as an Art Director, Photographer, and Videography we got to ask him a few questions about his creative journey. Read the interview below and check out his portfolio HERE.
Here at Idun we love your aesthetic and clear point of view. Have you always had such a specific creative perspective, or has it evolved over time? Was there an experience, mentor, artist or theory that was instrumental in your career and creative journey?
The things I’m inspired or distracted by are definitely always changing, but I think the ideas and general aesthetics of projects I’m working on now are surprisingly (to me) similar to things I made ten years ago. In and after college I was working in the art world, so that formed the way I thought about making work. I was most interested in conceptual artists, mostly Minimalists, and mostly sculptors. I remember going to see one particular exhibition many times, an exhibition called “The Quick and the Dead” at the Walker that I think back on a lot. I still go to shows often, but my focus has shifted some to architecture.
Do you have any rituals or routines when photographing, art directing, or editing?
It’s really different for every project. If I get in too much of a routine, I get bored.
Where have you recently found inspiration?
Standing at the window of a building on the 24th floor during a tropical storm, looking out on nothing but a dense white that was the fog.
What is your favorite part of the creative process? Least favorite?
I’m not really interested in being the artist that works alone in his or her studio. I like the camaraderie of being on set or sitting down and writing with a partner. The worst part of the process for me is promoting my work after it’s made.
With your work you are able to travel all over the world. What city/place/area has felt most inspiring? Is there a specific place you find yourself traveling back to over and over again because you feel most creatively “at home” or are new cities where you feel most inspired?
I’ve never been as interested in history as I feel like most people are, so I generally seek out places that are attempting to define contemporary life and design. I'm continually drawn back to Mexico, and Mexico City specifically. There is a lot of energy and beauty there. But for me, fresh eyes in a new place will always refresh the creative juices. I don’t think I’ll ever stop looking for the ‘next place'.
Any words/mantras you live by?
Just don’t let yourself get too comfortable.
What piece of advice would you have given your 20 year old self?
Just make things and get them out in the world before you overthink them.
Any advice for photographers/artists looking to go freelance?
Make friendly with everyone around you that you think does something better than you do, and pull them into your projects.
From Megan: A mix for the warm-weather state of mind. Songs to be listened to on the road, in the air, or lounging seaside...
Albatross, Fleetwood Mac / Out Of My Body, Fox / A Minha Menina, Os Mutantes / Don't Huzzle For Love, The Apostles / Dagomba, Koo Nimo / Pretty Please, The Triplett Twins / Tezeta (Nostalgia), Mulatu Astake / That's Not Me, The Beach Boys / 2 Dia, Helado Negro / Wish I Had Not Said That, J.J. Cale / Anchin Kfu Ayinkash, Hailu Mergia Dahlak Band / Let 'Em In, Wings / Mae Kha Som Tam, Onuma Singsiri / Good Time, Donnie & Joe Emerson / This Is The Day, The The
A few things IDUN has been interested and inspired by lately.
We’ve all heard the term “power suit,” especially in reference to the color-blocked pantsuits sported by Hillary Clinton—but pantsuits aren’t the only thing that can radiate power. When a woman feels confident in what she’s wearing—whether it be a dress, a pantsuit, or nothing at all—that, my friends, is power. But, how do we go about feeling confident in our clothes? What about our clothing choices makes us feel self-assured or self-reliant? And if we don’t feel that way, how can we start?
Here at Idun we have worked side by side with Caylon Hackwith many times. He is one of our absolute favorite artists. Working as an Art Director, Photographer, and Videography we got to ask him a few questions about his creative journey. Read the interview below and check out his portfolio 
From Megan: A mix for the warm-weather state of mind. Songs to be listened to on the road, in the air, or lounging seaside...