When you have a style consultation, we start by exploring your style personality. This is crucial because it’s what determines what you will enjoy wearing and feel your best in. I will ask you to complete a questionnaire, but I will have been gleaning information from the moment you step through my door!
We’re all different and so are our style personalities. Some of us like pared back tailoring, others prefer feminine frills. Some feel their best in relaxed, slouchy clothes and would live in joggers given the chance; others need something a bit smarter to feel their best.
Is your wardrobe serving your needs?
Nothing is set in stone though. Just as life evolves, so does our style. At various points in our lives it can feel like our existing wardrobe is no longer serving our needs; both practical and emotional. On the practical front, it may be that your lifestyle has changed. For instance, if you’ve retired, a more casual wardrobe may be suitable compared to your previous formal attire. Alternatively, if you’ve been promoted, you might want to adopt a more refined and polished working wardrobe. Perhaps you’ve spent years catering to everyone else’s needs and not had time to think about your wardrobe until now and, as a result,it’s looking sparse and tired.
As well as having a wardrobe that works for our lifestyle, we need one that satisfies our emotional needs; one that we enjoy and feel confident in. It’s the difference between just feeling OK (or not even OK!) in our clothes and feeling fabulous.
It’s all too easy to get stuck in a rut and just wear what you’ve always worn; to play it safe. This can lead to wardrobe fatigue where nothing excites you about your wardrobe. If this is you, it’s time to take stock of what you want from your wardrobe. How do you want your clothes to make you feel? How do you want to be seen by others?
What’s your style recipe?
A good starting point can be to come up with three words that you would like to define your style. Here are some to think about, but please don’t limit yourself to this list; there will be other adjectives that are more relevant to you.
- Feminine
- Sophisticated
- Quirky
- Eclectic
- Elegant
- Laid-back
- Unexpected
- Sporty
- Refined
- Sexy
- Cute
- Classic
- Edgy
- Casual
- Polished
- Relaxed
- Structured
- Youthful
- Co-ordinated
- Original
- Timeless
- Fashionable
- Boho
- Preppy
Some of these words will really resonate with you and some you will recoil from. As well as those that particularly appeal to yu, it can be interesting to note those that you feel antipathy towards, because this gives you a strong insight into your style personality. The three words which most appeal to you can be seen as your “style recipe”. Does your existing wardrobe reflect your style recipe? If not, think about how you can move towards one that does. Small changes can have a big impact.
Play with your current wardrobe
It can be very easy to fall into the habit of always wearing the same garments in the same way. Try mixing things up a bit. Try out different combinations of tops and bottoms. Experiment with rolling/pushing up sleeves on tops and jackets for a more relaxed look. Tucking tops in versus wearing them loose etc. Try out different footwear and heel heights with various outfits. A dress worn with biker boots gives an entirely different vibe to one worn with court shoes.
Colour & Print
Colour is a great way of pepping up your wardrobe and lifting your spirits. Wearing flattering colours will make you look younger, healthier and more approachable , particularly if you’ve been hiding behind black, up to now! You can also use colour to convey aspects of your personality and how you want to be perceived. Bold colours convey assertiveness and confidence, while pastels appear gentle and feminine.
If you always play safe with block colours, try experimenting with print. Large scale prints give drama to an outfit, florals add femininity and uniform stripes and polka dots are very classic. If you want to give some “edge” to your outfit, you could try swapping your plain tee for a graphic one.
Accessories
Accessories are an easy way to refresh your look and express your personality. Go through your jewellery box, explore charity shops etc, to find pieces that appeal to you and then see how you can wear them with your existing wardrobe. A bold, chunky necklace and bangles could add some drama; fine, delicate chains can add femininity; an unusual vintage brooch could provide individuality. A statement bag, scarf or footwear in a vibrant colour or print can add interest to a neutral outfit. Or how about simply trying a bolder shade of lipstick or swapping your usual shade of nail varnish for something different?
Wearing your new look
It’s natural to feel a little self-conscious when you’re trying a style that is slightly outside of your comfort zone. Therefore, it can be a good idea to start by wearing your new look when you’re alone and unlikely to meet anyone you know well. This gives you time to become accustomed to it, without having to deal with other people’s reactions. At what point (if any!) you ask your partner’s or friends’ opinions depends on the personalities involved. If they are supportive and stylish themselves, you could seek their feedback very early on. If they’re stuck in a rut and naturally resistant to change themselves though, their opinions are of limited value and you should not allow them to undermine your confidence.
Re-visit your style recipe from time time to make sure that it’s still meeting your needs. Tweak it, if necessary. If you make sure your outfits align with it, you will always feel stylish and confident!