Fashion Dysmorphia

What Is Fashion Dysmorphia?  

Okay babe, let’s talk. Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, “This outfit is awful. I look awful. I have no idea how to dress”? First of all—pause. Because that thought? It’s giving fashion dysmorphia. Think of it like body dysmorphia, but make it fashion. You know when a stunning woman—like, certified slay every time—looks in the mirror and says, “I’m so ugly,” and she’s not fishing for compliments, she actually believes it? That’s the energy we’re talking about—but instead of doubting your looks, you’re doubting your style. 

Fashion dysmorphia happens when you convince yourself that you can’t dress, even though your closet is stacked with pieces that could absolutely serve. It’s when you think, “I have nothing to wear,” while standing in front of a wardrobe full of fire ‘fits just waiting for their moment. And let’s be honest—if you care enough about fashion to be reading this article, odds are, you’re one of the girlies who can actually throw together a killer outfit with your eyes closed. 

Still, I know someone out there reading this is stylish AF, puts looks together on the regular, and still doubts her ability to serve. She’s giving Vogue cover but thinks she’s giving clearance bin. If that’s you, keep reading. We’re diving into what fashion dysmorphia really is, why it shows up, and how to know if you’ve got it. Because let’s be clear: the problem isn’t your style—it’s your perception of it. 

What Are the 3 Symptoms of Fashion Dysmorphia?

(For the Girlies Who Might Be Struggling) 

First off, let’s get one thing straight: just because you threw on a bad outfit once does not mean you have fashion dysmorphia. We all have those “homeless chic” days where comfort wins and the look is giving... cozy confusion. That’s totally normal. The difference is between knowing your outfit is off and thinking your outfit is bad—even when it’s actually serving. 

1. You Get Stares (But You Think They're Bad) 
Okay babe, let’s talk airports. We’ve all had that moment—you're strutting through the terminal in a cute fit, but suddenly you’re overthinking it because people are looking. Newsflash: if you’re a fashion girlie, they’re probably staring because you’re slaying, not because it’s giving cringe. We travel a lot for work and serve looks while doing it, and we used to spiral wondering, “Are they judging me?” But guess what? Those looks turned into compliments, real ones. People were admiring the style, not criticizing it. So if you’re used to turning heads and still questioning your outfit, that’s the first symptom, babe. You’re not being judged—you’re just being seen. 

2. You Live in a Small Town 
Not all of us were lucky enough to be born in Paris, Milan, or NYC. And let’s be real—small towns don’t always get fashion. If you grew up somewhere where jeans and a graphic tee are considered dressing up, then stepping out in corset top and wide-leg trousers might feel... dramatic. And that can mess with your confidence. But listen: if you’ve ever felt “too much” for your town, it’s not because you’re doing too much—it’s because you were born to serve in a space that wasn’t ready for the looks. To my girlies who grew up in small towns and now live in places where they can serve without apology—remember: you always had the style, you just didn’t have the audience. That wasn’t a flop era—it was fashion dysmorphia. 

3. You’re New to Fashion and Haven’t Found Your Style Yet 
This one’s a rite of passage. Every fashion girlie has been there. Before you find your personal style, every outfit feels like a costume. You look in the mirror and think, “I look ridiculous,” even if that outfit is exactly what future-you is about to be known for. The beginning of a style journey is awkward—it’s supposed to be. But once you lean into it, embrace it, and realize that you actually love how you dress, something clicks. And suddenly? You’re eating every look without even trying. 

If any of this sounds like you, we hate to break it to you babe, but you’ve had (or maybe still have) fashion dysmorphia. But the best part? It’s totally curable. Once you realize what’s going on, everything shifts. You stop doubting and start slaying. Because the truth is: you’ve always been that girl—you just needed to see it. 

Do You Have Fashion Dysmorphia—Or Do You Actually Not Know How to Dress?

(Spoiler: You Probably Do know How to Dress) 

This is the question, girl. If you’ve ever stared at your closet thinking, “Ugh, I have nothing to wear,” even though it’s literally bursting at the seams—welcome to the club. Fashion dysmorphia hits hardest when your brain tricks you into thinking everything you own is ugly, when in reality? You just saw one cute new piece and suddenly everything else feels tired. That’s not a lack of style, babe—that’s just your fashion-obsessed mind playing games. And trust me, we’ve all lived there. Some of us still do. 

Here’s the truth: if a new item makes you side-eye your entire wardrobe, that’s not failure—that’s a phase. You’re not lacking style, you’re just temporarily in a fashion funk. It’s giving temporary fashion dysmorphia, not a style crisis. 

Now, if you’re sitting there thinking, “Maybe I just don’t know how to put an outfit together,” pause and ask yourself a few questions: 

Do you know who Cara Delevingne is? 
Can you quote Christian Dior (or at least pretend to)? 
Do you understand color theory even a little bit? 
And do you have more than one favorite designer brand? 

If you answered yes to any of those, congrats—you’re a fashion girlie. You do know how to put an outfit together. You’re just overthinking it because you care. Fashion dysmorphia isn’t about not having style. It’s about forgetting that you already have it. So take a deep breath, go try on that outfit you weren’t sure about, and remember: you’re not lost—you’re just evolving. And girl, you’ve got taste. 

If You "Can’t" Put an Outfit Together, You’re Probably Just Rushing It 

If you feel like you can’t put an outfit together, chances are you’re not even giving yourself the time to really think about it. You're probably not considering colors, layering, textures, or the vibe you're going for—and babe, that’s okay. Life moves fast. Most of us are just trying to get out the door with coffee in hand and mascara somewhat in place. But here’s the thing: great outfits don’t come from chaos, they come from intention. 

And we get it—not every day can be a full runway moment. But like Coco Chanel said, “Dress like you’re going to meet your worst enemy and the love of your life.” That quote lives rent-free in our minds because it’s a reminder that fashion isn’t about perfection—it’s about power, confidence, and showing up for yourself. 

So don’t let one rushed morning or a style rut make you think you “don’t have it.” You do. You’re a fashion girlie, which means you care, you notice the details, and you’re always one Pinterest board away from serving a whole lewk. 

Let’s be clear: the odds of anyone reading this—who isn’t brand new to fashion—not having style? Literally zero. You’re all queens. You slay. You’ve got this. 

How to Overcome Not Knowing How to Put an Outfit Together

(Because You Can) 

Okay babe, let’s break it down. There are three core elements that make any outfit interesting—not just to others, but to you. If you feel like you don’t know how to put a look together, don’t worry. You just need to start thinking about the big three: color, texture, and shape. Once you’ve got these, you’re not just getting dressed—you’re creating a vibe. 

Color 
Color is the easiest way to elevate an outfit. Start simple: think about complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel) or tones that live in the same family. For example, red and green—hello holiday slay—look good together because they contrast in a way that’s visually satisfying. When building a look, layer with complementary tones for harmony and opposite tones when you want contrast and drama. Either way, you’re telling a story with your palette. 

Texture 
Texture is all about mixing fabrics and materials. This is where things get luxe. Think soft knits with leather, satin with denim—chef’s kiss. When you’re wearing a single piece, like a dress, the texture is usually consistent (silk all over, tweed all over, etc.), but for layered looks, mixing textures makes the outfit pop. It’s about balance, babe. Too much contrast can clash, but the right mix? So chic. 

Shape 
Now this one takes a little finesse. Most off-the-rack clothes either flow or cling—but mastering shape means playing with structure. Ask yourself: what silhouette works best for your body and your vibe? Belts can give that hourglass fantasy, shoulder pads add definition to softer frames, and if you’ve got hips? Embrace them. Let them lead the look. The goal isn’t to hide—it's to highlight. 

Our Final Thoughts 

At the end of the day, fashion dysmorphia is just a phase, not a personality trait. If you’ve ever second-guessed a killer outfit, felt out of place in your hometown, or thought your closet was suddenly trash after seeing one new trend—you’re not broken, babe, you’re just a fashion girlie in her feelings. It happens to the best of us. The truth is you have style. You care, you think about aesthetics, and you know deep down that you're that girl. So next time you’re spiraling over an outfit, take a breath, adjust the belt, throw on your go-to sunglasses, and remind yourself: You don’t need a new wardrobe—you just need to trust the vision. 

Because when it comes down to it, fashion is a mindset. And yours? Unmatched. Now go serve.