Clothes are a creative expression for how I am feeling

Have you ever found yourself dressing down or altering what you want to wear based on how you think others might perceive you? I’m striving not to do that anymore!  Clothes are a creative expression for how I am feeling.  Being true to that expression builds me up inside and then is reflected outward.  Similarly, I feel the same behavior can also surface on a verbal level when we hold back thoughts and opinions and potentially “dumb” ourselves down for acceptance.  Why, why, why do women (ok, some men too) do that to themselves?  What are your thoughts or experiences with these feelings?