As the self-designated "Miss Fashion" of Sporting Chic, I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about what it means to be attractive, stylish, and personable as both an athlete and as a 25-year-old woman. While many qualities can contribute, I’ve come to the conclusion that the most important thing to strive for with your look is very simple: complete self-confidence.

Most females struggle with confidence at some point, if not multiple points, in their lives. It’s a shame to see beautiful, intelligent women unsure of themselves when they look in the mirror or go out into the world. Growing up, my insecurities and lack of confidence made me shy and passive in social situations. I’m proud to say that I have changed that drastically, but of course, still have a whole lot to work on. These are just a couple of tools and tips that I've used over the years. They have inevitably made me much more confident and assertive in social situations. In addition to that, I feel that these minor adjustments can transform a person's appearance on the outside.

These are my non-cliche tips on how to look, and more importantly FEEL, more confident.

1) Put your damn phone down.
There is nothing less attractive than someone who hides behind their phone during social situations. Don’t get me wrong… I love the occasional Instagram binge on the couch with some chocolate covered pretzels, but there is a time and a place for that. Putting your phone away forces you to engage with people and have conversations. Even with your friends! There is nothing I hate more than when my friends don’t give me attention because they are drooling over Justin Bieber's latest post. Like who cares. Put the phone away, have an intelligent or even just funny conversation with someone, and believe that what you have to say is important. Stop hiding.

2) Make eye contact.
Take your sunglasses off. It takes practice and focus to maintain eye contact, especially with someone you don’t know that well. It’s even harder when you have to try to come up with something to say while gazing into someone's baby blues. But if you want to earn someone’s respect, you need to show that you are interested and that you care. There's nothing that conveys insecurity like glancing around the room or looking down. Head up, eyes alert, let's intimidate some people with a no-blinking contest.

3) Stand up straight!
Body language says so much more than what comes out of your mouth. Having lazy posture makes your clothes look terrible. You have the ability to tell someone more about you just by the way that you hold yourself. Pull your shoulders back, pop that hip, and smile with your eyes. Your body is people's first perception of you. If you are hunched, slouched, or trying to make yourself as small as humanly possible, people won't expect as much from you. The first step is believing that you're hot, that your outfit is killer, and that you are cool enough to run the room. The rest will follow.

4) Enunciate.
Be poised and assertive with the way that you speak. The way you talk has an effect on the way you will be perceived. People listen when you sound like you know what you are talking about. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost the house key and convinced Steph that it was her fault. It's all in the tone. LOL.

You can have the best wardrobe, the most expensive haircut, and perfectly symmetrical eyebrows, but if you slouch, look at your phone, don’t make eye contact, and mumble, no one will notice or care to talk to you. Strive to be the girl who lights up any room in sweats and a baseball hat. As much as I love style and fashion, the most basic foundation of looking great is FEELING GREAT. You have it in you to be whatever it is that you want to be- now it’s time to believe you already are.

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