As we reach the half-way point for 52 Love, let’s reflect on how we’ve shown our partners affection this year. We’ve held hands, gazed into each other’s eyes, and listened to one another. Most 52 Love tips focused on one person’s efforts. This week’s suggestion may challenge you both equally.
For week 26, let your partner dress you for a shared outing. We aren’t all blessed with style fashionistas for partners. This venture will be riskier for some than others. You may fear he’ll pair clashing items, or worry he’ll dress you in something too sexy to leave the house—he does love the way you look in nothing but his old gym shirt. Regardless of how you feel about the ensemble he chooses, maintain your poker face. Surrender to your partner’s whims. This isn’t about yielding power. It’s about sharing the experience and learning what your partner likes. Whatever his choice, allowing this push out of your comfort zone is part of the deal.
This may be scary for him too. He won’t want to disappoint you and may feel out of his depths. Resist the urge to make suggestions. Wearing what he chooses, evidences your trust in his competence, which strengthens your bond as a couple. It’s all connected. You open the door to him. In accepting what he brings without judgment, you increase his trust and affection for you.
It may help to set some ground rules. Your partner can’t ask you to leave the house in something that breaks public indecency laws. Stay home if he picks the gym shirt. And you should be able to voice if something causes pain or physical discomfort (itchy, too hot or cold for the season). Stay silent if it only discomforts your vanity. If you’re feeling particularly vulnerable by your partner’s selection, ask his reason for the choice. When asked without criticism, the question may receive an answer that inspires pride, not embarrassment.
Have faith. Your partner may surprise you. He might retrieve an old forgotten item from the back of your closet or pair typically mismatched patterns with an impressive flair of style. You may learn your partner leans toward bright colors, lacy tops, or polka dot bow ties. Or, he may reveal a strong desire for skin-tight, black, and shiny. Even if it’s not attractive to you, wear the outfit with pride. Remember, you look great to him.
Embrace the confidence boost from knowing the most important person in your world thinks you’re a knockout today. As you saunter toward the eyes of the public, ignore your increased sense of self-awareness, and instead, focus on your partner’s fixation on you as he parades past your perceived paparazzi with his personal dress-up doll on his arm. After an evening of him gazing at you, eyes full of love and admiration, you may walk away from this experiment with the confidence to take more risks with your wardrobe. You’ll certainly take more risks with him.
If you try this intimacy tip or have a better recommendation, let me know in the comments. For weekly suggestions on how to show your partner love, sign up for my blog, 52 Love, in the sidebar.
Thanks Ms. Tonya! Love this series of ideas for things to experiment with and bring in to relationships! This one is lots of fun and worth trying even if what you wear is just for you and your SO at home! Set your imagination on fire by letting your fantasies fly. So much sexy fun to be had and the mutual trust makes you really remember why you love them so much in the first place!
Thank you for reading, Bob! I hope you enjoy the next few attire-themed posts.