Letting Go of ‘Someday’ and Dressing for Today

We live in an age where inspiration is always at our fingertips. A quick scroll through Pinterest or Instagram can transport us into the closets of fashion influencers, celebrities, or everyday people whose style we admire. With the rise of online shopping, we can replicate those looks almost instantly. Style, once gatekept by glossy magazines and seasonal runways, is now accessible to anyone with a smartphone and a Wi-Fi connection.

And for the most part, I think that’s a beautiful thing. Fashion has become more inclusive, budget-friendly, and democratic. You no longer need to live in New York or Paris or flip through high-end editorials to know what’s trending. You can sit on your couch in sweats and discover how to style a blazer five different ways or how to build a capsule wardrobe that feels elevated yet effortless.

But with all this access and inspiration comes a subtle trap—the fantasy self.

You may not be familiar with the term, but chances are you’ve met your fantasy self in the fitting room or while clicking “add to cart.” This is the version of you who attends fancy parties every weekend, who always wears crisp white linens without spilling coffee, who wakes up early to perfectly iron her dress. Or maybe she’s the corporate powerhouse strutting through a city in heels and a silk blouse, or the boho traveler floating through markets in flowy dresses and statement jewelry.

The problem isn’t that these versions of ourselves are bad or unrealistic it’s that they often don’t align with the reality of our day-to-day lives. And when we dress only for the fantasy, we can end up with closets full of beautiful things we never actually wear.

I’ve been guilty of this more times than I’d like to admit. For example, every time I travel to India, I feel completely in my element. I’m surrounded by vibrant cottons, hand-block prints, and breezy kurtas in every shade imaginable. I see women wearing them so effortlessly, and I imagine myself doing the same back here in California. I buy these beautiful pieces with the sincerest intention of integrating them into my everyday wardrobe. I promise myself I’ll wear them to work or on weekends.

But once I’m back, reality kicks in. The office environment here has a different aesthetic. The weather isn’t always suited for those airy fabrics. And culturally, even though I love those clothes, they don’t always fit into my routine or context. So they sit, neatly folded in my closet, barely worn, waiting for the “right” moment that rarely arrives.

And it’s not just me—I’ve seen this pattern in so many women. We buy elegant workwear even if we work from home, or dresses for fancy events that never quite materialize. We hold on to clothes that will “look great once we lose a few pounds” or when “we finally land that promotion.” We buy for a lifestyle we hope to live one day, not the one we’re living now.

This realization has shifted how I approach my wardrobe. My new philosophy is simple: dress for your real life, the life you're living today. That means buying clothes that suit my current body, current schedule, and current climate. Not a hypothetical future. Not someone else’s highlight reel. Just me, right now.

And you know what? It’s been liberating. I’ve found that I wear more of what I own. I shop more intentionally. I feel more comfortable, more authentic, and honestly, more confident. There’s a quiet joy in putting on something that fits well, feels good, and works for your actual day—not just a Pinterest board.

That doesn’t mean I don’t dream or get inspired. It just means I try to be more honest with myself. If my lifestyle ever changes, my wardrobe can evolve with it. But until then, I’m not holding onto pieces for “someday.” I’m choosing to enjoy what I wear now—in this body, in this life, in this moment.

So let me ask you:
Have you ever bought something for your fantasy self? A dress that didn’t quite fit your climate, a pair of heels for events that never came, or a size smaller “just in case”?

What if, instead of waiting to become the person who “might” wear those clothes, you started dressing for the amazing person you already are?

Because you are worth dressing up for—exactly as you are.

Food For Thought

“Your entire life only happens in this moment. The present moment is life itself. Yet, people live as if the opposite were true and treat the present moment as a stepping stone to the next moment - a means to an end.”

—Eckhart Tolle