A few weeks ago, a reader left a comment that made me think about the things we wear every day and why we wear them. She was asking for advice on what to do when people ask “why are YOU so dressed up?” As if wearing something cute that makes you feel good is a “strange” thing to do!

That comment got me thinking about dressing up and what that means.

Since when did it become an unusual thing to put effort into what you wear and have fun with fashion? Since when is anyone not wearing sweatpants and a hoodie breaking unwritten social rules? Why should “dressing up” be reserved for special occasions only?

I was immediately inspired to create this list. I firmly believe in “dressing up” every day of your life, and I think you should too!

So why dress up? Here are 25 good reasons.

1. Because life’s too short to blend in. Don’t settle for average.

2. Because you’re only young once. You’re way more gorgeous than you know and have a fabulous body you’ll one day look back on and wish you had! Take advantage now and show off how fabulous you can be.

3. Because fashion is a method of self expression. What are you trying to say?

4. Because you never know who you’ll run into. Brad Pitt at the grocery store? Hey, stranger things have happened.

5. Because it obviously annoys closed-minded people (like the guy who asks why YOU are so dressed up). The fact that it annoys them so much is all the more reason to keep doing it. They don’t get to control YOU.

6. Because you never know, there’s always a chance you could get snapped by The Sartorialist!

7. Because you deserve to look your best at all times if you want to.

8. Because you’ll never improve your sense of style if your default look is “I give up”. Yes, that was a Seinfeld reference. But it’s true! If fashion is important to you, make it a priority in your life.