A useful guide on finding the right clothes for the right occasion and feeling great Christmas is often a time we feel like buying something new. To ‘dress up’. Feel special. And we should, it lifts our spirits in the darker months, shows our energy and excitement at meeting up with friends and family. And who knows who we will meet or connect with looking fabulous. We look in our wardrobes for an outfit to wear. But as we probably haven’t seen or worn it for a year, it feels unfamiliar. It may not fit. And it doesn’t feel ‘new’. Retailers spend alot marketing to us to encourage us to buy sparkly new. For a quick fix its easy to buy cheap, poorly made ‘Christmas outfits’ sold specifically for this time of year. So we end up with more single wear items, then feeling guilty and the cycle continues. So here’s a guide on dressing to feel special, to give you ideas to inspire and without costing the earth. Why we should feel special in our clothes at Christmas Clothes affect how we feel about ourselves. They affect our confidence. They give us permission to go and talk to people. They provide the fuel to get up and get out. They help us connect. Fit in. Show that we are part of the group we are looking to join. Provide a talking point in the early part of the evening. A fashionable Christmas outfit would do this wouldn’t it? But does it have to be brand new? Loving what you already have, treating it as something special, styling it differently each time you wear it, can deliver the same results. And it’ll break the cycle of spend and guilt. How to feel special in the clothes you already have 1 More often than not, we want to feel like we are wearing ‘the right thing’ for an event. We’ve all been there, wearing the one dress we have, feel comfortable in so it’ll have to do but when you get to the event you just feel a little uncomfortable. It doesn’t have sleeves. Someone else looks smarter. It’s too long. Too short. So think about how you want to feel at whatever event you are going to. 2 And then there might be events where you might want to make an impression. Or not. So think about how you want to be seen. 3 Now take a look in your wardrobe with those two answers in mind. And a word of advice (or two)... it’s so easy to put your clothes into categories that means you might overlook them for going out. We can easily dress down or up lots of items. Here are some useful examples “I want to feel comfortable, and not stand out, but feel like I’ve made an effort.” So definitely look at what you already have. Can you put aside some time to get your hair looking great, book yourself in to the hairdressers? Plan ahead with making sure your clothes are pressed and ready. Think about co-ordinating coat and accessories like earrings, shoes. “I want to feel effortlessly sophisticated, without standing out”. So here’s a chance to think about colour in particular. Think about combinations - sophisticated suggests more co-ordination. Consider what works well together in your wardrobe colour wise. Don’t limit yourself to what you’ve been wearing just in the day and evening. Try on new combinations to see what works. “I want to make a bit of a statement”. This is often where we feel like we need something new. Know your own style, don’t be drawn into the sparkly new that is in the shop if it isn’t you. Know what styles suit your body shape best. It’s not just the LBD, trousers can be a statement, as can full length maxi. If you are investing significantly, also consider where else you can wear the outfit. Also You might have one item in the outfit e.g. a dress, but what will make it ping is a new coat or pair of shoes. To see how I’ve combined outfits for these types, sign up to my email . Tips and Reminders Spending time choosing outfits from your wardrobe will most likely give you most of what you want to wear and help you feel how you want to feel. Think outside the box - try combinations of colours from clothes you might think are just for work or evening. Hair and make up can often be the thing that makes us feel special and we don’t need a full new outfit! If you are clear on your own personal style, know how you want to feel and be seen, look in charity shops, they keep their Christmas clothes ready to sell at this time of year and have a range of sizes. Better than Vinted and Ebay because you can try things on. Feeling special at Christmas is good for our wellbeing, our confidence, our connection with others. It’s important to put time into thinking about how you want to feel and be seen. And taking time to get you and your outfit ready. Chances are, if you do this you will have what you need in your wardrobe and may only need to buy a small addition to make it feel new. For more on how to put outfits together the way you want, and plenty of inspiration, sign up to my newsletter here .

Fashion season updates are important for everyone, from those of you who are just a little interested in knowing what the trends are, to those who follow catwalk themes. We wear the same items in our wardrobe over and over, and so a season check, to see what’s in there and maybe buy some complimentary items, might help you wear more of the stuff you already have. Remember, clothes not only keep us warm but they can make us feel confident and happy. They convey who we are to other people. So having an organised wardrobe you are happy with can change your life. Most of us start to swap over at least some of our clothes at this time too, for warmer items and so an Autumn refresh is a chance to look at what you have and might need. In this blog I will cover How to refresh your wardrobe for the new season. A summary of the key trends this Autumn 2025. Sign up to my newsletter here for the top picks of the season on the high street. How to refresh your wardrobe An organised Autumn wardrobe you are happy with will not only boost your mood but also save you time AND give you something to wear every day. Here is a quick guide to refreshing your wardrobe. Put aside a couple of hours for a medium sized wardrobe. Have somewhere else, another wardrobe or rail, where you can hang clothes you are putting away for warmer months. Have a full-length mirror, bags for the charity shop, your phone (for the camera), a duster. Take everything out, dust and clean the wardrobe. Put all your summer or warmer months clothes on the other rail. With the ones you have left for Autumn ask yourself Does it fit? Is it ‘you’? If it isn’t, you don’t wear it but you spent money on it, then take a picture and either consider donating it or selling online and put it straight in a bag. Put all the items that fit you, and you are happy with back in the wardrobe Now, look at what you have in your wardrobe and think about how they work together. My summary of the key trends this Autumn 2025 I’ve taken these from reputable sources including Vogue. Be wary of retailers telling you what is on trend this season - they are often creating trends to sell us more. 1 Skirt suits - with a “lady like” look and trouser suits Two years ago we were talking about the new relaxed look following Covid and more people working from home. But there are now many more structured pieces on sale and being seen. What we wear affects how we feel, and particularly confidence in what we do, and a suit can do this well. Trouser suits are both with relaxed trousers and with a narrower look. Do you know what trouser shape best suits your body? Book a free consultation here to discuss clothes for your body shape. 2 Chocolate brown This colour was popular in the summer. A less harsh neutral to black, brown can work well against many skin tones particularly in winter, when skin can look paler. If you are not sure if this colour works on you, hold an item up close to your bare face in good daylight and see what your eyes look like. We often worry about what to wear with brown, but black shoes sit comfortably. As does white. 3 Faux fur Years ago, this would have just been ‘fur’ but with the welcome reduction in fur farming this can only be the way. Faux fur in autumn is unlikely to date so if you already have an item, use it, if not consider adding an item to your wardrobe. It tends to be a ‘glamorous’ look, so think whether you want a full length coat or whether a short jacket will do the job. 4 Soft shapes And this includes pleats. If you are looking to add some ‘volume’ to one part of your body then this is a sure fire way to do it. Soft flowing fabric can be a great way of flattering your arms, if that’s what you are looking to do. Book a free consultation here to discuss shape and what clothes might be best for you. 5 Nightwear for day time. A very feminine look with lace embellished garments on the catwalk this year. This is a look not for the faint hearted. And I do wonder what climate these are intended for. But I wanted to include it as it highlights that for women, there’s a shift to detail in clothes and away from the simplicity we have seen in recent years. 6 The end of quiet luxury - a move to ‘soft punk’ Quiet luxury is a term used to describe a recent look of simple, good quality clothing where brands are recognised by those ‘in the know’. This year there is a more bolder trend, tartan and checks are back in with 60’s and 70’s style jackets. This is an opportunity to get creative with the clothes you have in your wardrobe. If you are not signed up to my newsletter do this here for a more in depth focus on each of these trends and my picks from the retailers this season. Reminders It pays to reorganise your wardrobe for Autumn. You will feel organised, have everything to hand and less likely to buy more (of the same!) Take a couple of hours to do this well. Don't be fooled by retailers claims of trends - they spin these out to make us buy more. Better to define your own style! Little updates to your wardrobe are likely to boost your mood and encourage you to wear more of what you already have. For Autumn style insights and more tips on looking your stylist best, sign up to my email here .

Summer sales are, in my opinion, one of the most tempting. The sun is out, the colours tend to be brighter, dreamier. That combined with the dopamine rush we get from buying clothes is enough to encourage us to buy more. And we are buying more, research showing it’s 60% more than 25 years ago! We are to some degree being conned. Retailers are known to specifically produce items for sales and outlet shops, so it's not a bargain, but a strategy that you are buying. They also create shop layouts that entice you to buy what you never had planned. The thing is, if we wear what we buy then yippee. But most of us are disgruntled by our wardrobes, and the guilt that lies in there. We are not wearing anything between 25% and 40% of our crammed closets. That was the end of the gloomy bit I promise! Buying what you will wear and will give you joy is wonderful, and I encourage it. You will no longer feel guilt and you will ‘turn out’ as you. So what should you buy from the summer sales? Read on to find out how to believe in your judgement and experience. to get all out joy . to take happy control Believe in your judgement and experience Isn’t it true that when you go shopping in the sales you forget 1 what mistakes you have made before and 2 what you already have in your wardrobe. You’ve been here so many times before (probably most years) so use that judgement and experience to sharpen your eye to buy items that will compliment you, and compliment your existing wardrobe. It’ll take no time at all to take a couple of pictures of your wardrobe contents before you leave clothes shopping. This is a must for 1) not repeat buying and 2) checking out items that will serve what you already have. My memory of my clothes but even I can’t remember a lot of what’s in my wardrobe. Also spend a couple of minutes, in the car or on the train, trying to remember any good purchases and why they were good. And any bad ones. That’ll help bring focus when you are under the trance of the 50% off sign! Get all out joy The all out pleasure comes from a bargain that we wear, looks great and goes with something we already have. I find nothing is more valuable than an item that is my style, works perfectly with my colour profile and fits AND is half price. You will not feel like you have been sucked in by the retailers. You will feel like you have outwhitted them! So knowing your style personality, knowing your colour profile and knowing what suits your body shape will have you heading for the items you should buy and away from those that will just cost you more guilt. Three quick tips here 1 use that photo of your wardrobe to remind you what styles you like and that suit you best 2 try on anything before you buy it to see how it looks 3 if you can, hold the colour up to your face in a mirror, by a window to see if it works for you. Take happy control Write a wish list before you leave for the shops. What would make your wardrobe complete? I’m not saying you shouldn’t be open to new items. But you will probably get more satisfaction from something that you need. The most common items identified by my clients in wardrobe edits, for example, are Belts Short jackets that can be worn for both social and work e.g. bomber Smartish boots If you come home without what’s on your list, don’t give up, use it as the opportunity to continue the joyous hunt for those perfect items. Remember Take a picture of your wardrobe Have a checklist of what you need - here's mine you can download here Try stuff on in the shops before buying Many of us are unhappy with the amount of clothes we have in our wardrobes and feel guilty about not wearing it. Shopping gives us a joyous opportunity, but that will only be short lived if it adds to this. So take on the retailers with your own plan to find items that will flatter you, be worn and be a bargain. Book a free consultation to discuss a wardrobe review and edit that will help you forever when sales shopping. Email me to find a time. Download my one page sales shopping checklist.

Most of us find packing for a holiday stressful*. We also tend to deliberately overpack**. When our holidays are often the first thing we think about to cheer us up when Christmas is over, and we look forward to and save for most of the year, isn’t it a shame that packing then causes us so much angst? There’s a few explanations for this, which include Wanting to make the most of our time away and not finding ourselves with ‘nothing to wear’. Not having the confidence to mix and match items to make the most out of what we take. Our regular wardrobes already have too much choice in them and so a holiday pack is just a repeat of this. The overall anxiety that many of us feel in preparing to leave. Having a ‘capsule’ wardrobe in your suitcase that gifts you an outfit for every occasion and most importantly reflects who you are will not only save you the stress, but also give you ideas for how you shape your regular wardrobe at home. In this blog I will share six steps that will glide you into holiday packing calm. They will help you look at your wardrobe through a different frame, encourage freedom and creativity so you make the most of what you have. How to pack for your holiday in six clear steps Start early . I’d suggest weeks rather than days for an annual or special trip. That gives you time to buy any complimentary or replacements items you will need. Get everything you are thinking of taking into a spare room, on a spare bed or if you have one, a spare rail or section of your wardrobe. Try your clothes on. Yes I know you think your body hasn’t changed since you last had a holiday, and trying clothes on is a hassle, but if there’s any doubt or you don’t want to, it’s best if you do. Consider the holiday’s occasions and activities. Are you walking alot, dining alot, needing to cover up, needing to lie on a beach (!)...... I’ve put together a simple one pager to help which you can use to note all this down, as well as the advice written in this blog - download it here . Consider a colour palette or theme that could run through your holiday wardrobe. For example are you taking clothes in a certain palette e.g. neutrals, or are they in a certain style, e.g. romantic. What is the theme staring out at you from your pile or rail of clothes that you already have? Edit out the ones that don’t fit in where you are doubling up on items. Now with what you have left, look to combine items for different outfits. Using your sheet for activities and occasions for your holiday, have you enough or too many to cover them? What else can you take out? Write a list of what additional items you need to buy. Don't forget, you can download this here. Some final tips Wear a key piece jacket to the airport. If it’s light you can layer it to keep you warm on the plane. If it’s bulky that’s another reason to wear it as it’ll save you space in your case. Put a fine layer of tissue paper between trousers and tops to prevent them from creasing. To protect the shape of any rounded items e.g. hats, bras, fill these with underwear or creaseable clothes. Take a laundry bag and put clear items you don’t wear back in the suitcase. That way you save on washing and you know what you didn’t end up wearing! Working through these steps will give you a set of clothes that work together. It’s likely that what you end up with reflects your style personality, and one that is also in your regular or everyday wardrobe. Taking out the few items that ‘don’t fit’ style wise will not only save you case space and stress, but will strengthen the consistency of your style both on holiday and when thinking about what you wear day to day too. Download my free holiday packing guide with the occasions and activity chart here . My holiday packing service will give you Your fully functioning capsule holiday wardrobe. A host of shape and style tips to use elsewhere. Is £75 and can be booked by emailing me . * If you aren't one of the, whoopee, but research done in 2019 amongst 2,000 adults shows 65% are. ** More recent research in 2024 found 45% of people intentionally overpack. Photo by Apostolos Vamvouras on Unsplash

The surge in temperature has us rumbling in our wardrobes (or even holiday suitcases!) to find clothes to help us stay cool, well temperature wise at least. Anything close to the menopause and that’s another uncomfortable moment to deal with. Or we might just not want to put our bare skin on display and that affects our confidence too. So how do some women look so ‘cool’ in this heat, and why might we be envious? There’s lots of evidence to suggest that if you are confident in what you are wearing, you will do a better job, and be happier. In this blog I’ll outline four things I believe a woman who looks together in this heat has put into practice. Either themself, or working with a stylist like me. Why look cool in the first place? I know, cool might not be the word we would all use, but cool, confident, together, is a feeling many women want when sorting an outfit for the day. Wearing clothes that feel uncomfortable, either on our body or not reflecting our personality, is a distraction, and that means we spend less brain power/energy on what we truly can enjoy that day. How to look ‘cool’ in the hot weather. There are four thoughts and practices that women who look ‘cool’ or ‘together’ have Being clear about personal style. Knowing what suits their body shape. Choosing colours that reflect their character and skin well. Having an organised wardrobe organised. How to be clear about your personal style. If you can’t describe or identify the clothes that reflect your personality well, or your wardrobe needs an edit as it’s too full, then there’s a simple way to start the process💓. Take a few magazines, or create a board on Pinterest if you use it, and start grabbing images that you love or aspire to. They can be images of clothes, buildings, interior design, whatever gives you inspiration. When you have a few (I’d suggest at least 10) then look at the style they are conveying, and how would you describe them. Are they sleek and classic, or more of a romantic look? Are they bold and standout, or more natural? What colours are you attracted to in these examples? Take the magazine clippings or your Pinterest board and then look at your wardrobe - move to one area all those clothes that are similar and see if you can combine outfits within them. 💓 There is so much more that can be done to establish a more detailed description of your style personality, I just want to be clear this is a simple start to the process, that will help. Knowing what suits your body shape. This is one area that can really help build body confidence. Six out of ten women feel negatively about some area of their bodies, and it isn’t surprising given the amount of marketing images, often edited, that we are bombarded with. The key to this is finding your body balance in an outfit, and so rather than trying to ‘cover up’ one area or particularly focus on another, look to choose shapes that bring about a balance in your overall look. If you haven’t looked at your body shape in a while (and that’s not the one in your head!) then an easy way to take a more objective look is to wear some tight fitting dark clothing and take some full length pictures of your front, back and side profile. What is the area (if at all) that you would like to ‘balance out’. Choosing colours that reflect your character and skin well. As well as affecting us physiologically, colours reflect our personality and reflect differently against our skin. If you are wearing complimentary colours for your skintone, then you are going to have a brighter complexion and clearer eyes, helping you to look more together in the heat. The more confident you are in the colours you have chosen, because they are ‘you’, the less stressed you might become in the heat. To start your own colour profiling, remove make-up and look into a mirror in good daylight, put up or on different colours close to your face and see how your skin tone looks. How to have an organised wardrobe. Women spend on average 17 minutes every day choosing what to wear. An organised wardrobe, with items you can combine easily will not only save you time, but leave you feeling calm and on top of things. What else could help on a hot day when you have a host of other things to remember? Useful tips Women who look ‘cool’ or ‘together’ when the going gets hot, are choosing to focus on what’s important in their day, not on being distracted by what they wear. So Organise your wardrobe so you are prepared for the heat. Have items that work together easily so you can layer down or up to accommodate different temperatures. Build a knowledge of your own personal style. Do an edit of your wardrobe for these summer days and from now on, be conscious when you see a style you like, to note down why and how you would describe it. When you look in a mirror, notice whether the colour you are wearing is making you sparkle. If the change in temperature has prompted you to buy something new, make sure it works with your existing capsule wardrobe, or you’ll end up with only one thing to wear or another item with guilt attached for not working with your other clothes. Having an organised wardrobe with clothes that work together easily, through their style and colour combination, will give you an effortless choice of what to wear. This is at least one less thing to think of in the heat and you will feel comfortable all day. The key to this is knowing what works for you. ‘Cool’ women are not being distracted by their clothes. For a free 30 minute style consultation email me anytime. And my free one page guide on how to choose the best summer clothes for your body shape this summer will be available through my newsletter, sign up here if you haven't already. Photos by Apostolos Vamvouras on Unsplash

It’s that time of year when many of us feel like doing a wardrobe tidy, but have you considered the full benefits that a wardrobe edit can bring to both your wellbeing and your career? Having an organised wardrobe reduces stress, improves sleep, and will sharpen your mental capacity. Wearing clothes that are true to your unique personality (whatever anyone else might think of them) is crucial to your confidence and the way others interact with you. Whilst honing your wardrobe so that whatever you pick out reflects this takes some confidence and organisation, the benefits are evidenced widely. In this piece I will share the benefits for both your wellbeing and progressing in your career. The problem… We women spend on average 17 minutes every morning choosing what to put on for the day. Given that we wear less than half of the clothes we have, and we keep buying more suggests that we are increasingly struggling with what to wear. We are bombarded by clothing messages from a young age. ‘“hat to wear when you are 40. Outfits to make you look slimmer. What to wear to the office this season”. And then there’s everything about what’s ‘on trend’. No wonder then that our wardrobes are bursting and we look for quick fixes by buying regularly. Our ‘can’t see the wood from the trees’ armoires leave at least two thirds of us feeling stressed, guilty and plain confused as to what goes with what. How organising your wardrobe can help your wellbeing Organising and decluttering your wardrobe is an activity that will give you instant gratification. And an organised wardrobe can help your wellbeing for months to come too … Stress levels will be reduced because you wont face confusion and overwhelm every morning and you’ll spend less time putting an outfit together for the day. (Research shows that clutter increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol). You can feel happier by doing the things you love with the extra time you will have (could be two hours a week you’ll save!) You are likely to sleep better. Physical and emotional clutter can make you more anxious, which can make it harder to fall or stay asleep. Being organised will remove the thoughts that run through your head about unfinished tasks. You could benefit from better relationships too. Organised people tend to be good at scheduling in meet-ups and keeping them. How an organised wardrobe can help your career Knowing how you want to feel in your role and how you want others to see you will help you choose the outfits that will help you perform better. So a wardrobe organised with these outfits ready to put on will make it both easier and quicker to choose and develop the habit of you being and feeling this way. Research has shown that you are more likely to feel your authentic self and relaxed if you dress to reflect who you are. This will also improve your self esteem and people are more likely to connect with you. So make sure when you do your wardrobe he edit that the clothes do reflect you and not someone else. We so often have too much as we are buying what we think we ought to, not what serves our unique style. Knowing what impact colours have on both your energy levels and those you are working with can influence how you behave and you are received. It’s safe to stay in neutrals, but if you had a team meeting on a dreary Monday morning for example, and wanted to up engagement you might choose a more vibrant tone to help. Our psychological processes are influenced by what we wear, and clothes do have meanings. If you wear something in the next role up from you then you are likely to slide into their behaviours. A simple example of this is uniforms but I am sure you can think of others. When I started my career as a marketing secretary I always dressed as a Marketing Manager because it built my confidence in getting that job. So, where to start … Organising your wardrobe well requires a clear idea of who you are and how you want to portray yourself through your clothes. Then you will need a good, interruption free afternoon with a rail (or uncluttered bed) and plenty of bags. The benefits are life changing. “I have gained more confidence in how I dress”. Wendy Morris, client. Having an organised wardrobe means that you will have ready made outfits, every day that reflect your unique style, talents and personality. You’ll feel the most confident you’ve ever been stepping out to take on and enjoy the day ahead and in turn people will immediately see who you are and where you are heading. Download my free 10 page guide which will walk you through this or even easier, email me to arrange a free consultation to talk about elevating your career and wellbeing through my wardrobe edit service. The research behind this article (I don’t make all this stuff up!). Rather than put footnotes everywhere I’ve listed here some of the sources of research if you wanted to delve deeper, or just get in touch. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 2012 Enclothed cognition. Psychology of Fashion 2020 Expressing your personality. Journal of Cleaner and responsible consumption - The impact of clothing decluttering. M&S Research 2017 Amount of time women spending choosing what to wear.

Our clothes determine how we feel about ourselves and as a consequence how we behave, and equally, what we wear shapes how our clients see us and what they might hear. The psychology of clothes Research1 shows that what we wear can determine how we process information in the moment and how we behave (a concept known as ‘enclothed cognition’). So clothes that have a meaning attached to them can encourage you to think differently, have more confidence, energy and feel empowered. The Smart Works organisation is proof in volumes. It styles women for interviews, choosing outfits that help clients frame themselves for the job, with a 67% success rate. Considering who you are meeting and how you want to feel in that moment, allows you to curate an outfit to underline your personal confidence and ability to get the work. Colour energy It’s not just the style of clothes that can affect our behaviour. The colour of what we wear has an impact on our energy levels too. Why is red used in so many sports clothes, or green and pale blue used in medical environments do you think? If you need to be heard then blue might be the best choice, and if it’s a tricky situation green might be the best option to maintain calm. Colours create different energies physiologically - if you don’t believe it, try on different colours and see how you feel. Think Visual We all know that first impressions are made very quickly, in fact within a tenth of a second2 , but are you aware how much of this is visual? In research for her book You’re Not Listening, Kate Murphy found that 55% of the information we take in when someone is talking to us is what we see, 38% is through the tone of their voice and just 7% the words they are using3 . So what messages do you want to convey with what you wear? Be true to yourself As important as all of this though is that you show up in clothes that represent your personality. If not ‘clothing cognitive dissonance’ (a mismatch between your values and style and your choice of clothes) kicks in to leave you with self-doubt and unease. We’ve all felt uncomfortable in clothes that aren’t ‘us’ at some point in our lives I’m sure. Curating a wardrobe that feels easy, represents you and gives the best impression of your skills and capabilities is something that takes some thought, but the opportunity to influence your business as you show up as the best version of yourself can be worth it. For a free 30 minute consultation on developing your personal style drop me ‘hello’ in an email or call me on 07789 320983. 1 Adam and Galinsky 2012, 2 https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/how-many-seconds-to-a-first-impression, 3 Kate Murphy You’re Not Listening 2020

We are wearing the smallest proportion of what we have in our wardrobe - just 20% * - and most of us still claim we have ‘nothing to wear’. The overwhelm and guilt of this often means we just buy more, fuelled by social media and fashion marketing. If this were a health problem, we might seek professional advice. Employing a trained, experienced personal stylist with an independent perspective on your wardrobe can save you time and money as well as help you achieve your life ambitions. In this blog I'll share what a personal stylist does how this differs from the ‘free’ advice and guidance you can get online how to decide if a personal stylist would be of value to you A personal stylist is like having a best friend who you can go to with your problems, ambitions and your closet secrets, who who will also give you a professional, trained and honest opinion. They will give you trustworthy, unbiased, experienced advice to shape a wardrobe that reflects your true worth, that you will be happy with and help you achieve whatever you want in life. What we wear can change our lives. If we feel good in our clothes, we feel confident. How confident we are influences how others see us and our capabilities. If our clothes reflect our personality then we are likely to connect more quickly. What we wear helps us ‘fit in’ and ‘stand out’. Clothes help us get the job. Smart Works, a charity that helps women get a job by styling them for interviews have a 64%* success rate. What we choose to put on helps us find a new partner and attract new friends. Because clothes are the language that describes who we are. Research* shows that when we talk, over half of what we take in is visual, not verbal. So how you dress and how that makes you feel is driving what is being heard. Your choice of clothes on any day is determined by the habits within your wardrobe. We tend to choose the same colours, shapes and styles. These habits have a complex foundation, built from our upbringing, the communities we value and want to be part of, practical needs and of course how we value clothes. Someone’s first impression of you - made within less than a second will be a judgement of not just the outfit you are wearing at that time, but your whole wardrobe, your values and your priorities. So if you want to change your confidence, how you show up in the world as you, your career or your relationships, how do you unpick the thread of those habits? How do you discover more about what clothes can do for you and shape your future? It all starts with an understanding of your unique self, your personality, colours that will suit you best, your style preferences and of course who you want to be seen as. An objective perspective from someone who will listen and guide you. Books and articles are useful if you want to do this yourself, but an in-person session with a personal stylist will allow you time to explain out loud what it is you want to change and achieve. How to decide if a personal stylist would be of value to you Here are two areas to consider when deciding to work with a personal stylist 1) Are you looking to make a change in your life or work and would a more confident look that reflects you help you achieve this? If so, how much is that change worth to you? Both to your mental health, and financially. 2) How much could you save by having a wardrobe that reflects you? Take a pen and paper, and think about the average amount you spend each month on clothes, then multiply that by 12 for the year. Say it’s £100 a month (£25 a week), that’s £1200 a year. If you only wear a third of your wardrobe then there’s £900 to be saved (in year 1!) Personal stylists fees vary, but you would be looking to spend from £200 for some essential in-person wardrobe evaluation. Weigh up what you want to achieve and what you might save against this. Wendy, a career health professional in her 50’s had an ambition to sort her look and her wardrobe which was prompted by a step up into a new job role and a change in family circumstances. With a wardrobe bursting with clothes that ‘ I might get back into one day ’ (her words) she wanted to feel free and liberated. We worked to let go of those unused clothes (many still with labels on) and create a wardrobe with fun, stylish and sometimes surprising combinations. There were just three clothing investments needed to complete the wardrobe - a biker jacket, knee high boots and a belt, which Wendy bought within a month of the wardrobe edit “my wardrobe is now more structured and easier on the eye when choosing what to wear”. At a time when we have access to more clothing than ever before, many of us seem to be unhappier with what is in our wardrobes. What we accumulate and don’t wear can prevent us from achieving our goals in life. Sorting this can be simple with a book or online guidance, however, our clothing choices can be complex, so for a solution that best suits you, the ear and expertise of a professional stylist will give you a bespoke response, space in your cupboard and likely money in the bank. Email me for a free 30 minute consultation to see if a personal styling session can take you where you want to go.

So far this summer we’ve seen the highest ever recorded temperatures as well as frequent downpours in Britain. Whilst the weather forecast is worth a check when helping you pull an outfit from your wardrobe, the Met Office make it clear that what they tell you is approximate and change is, well, inevitable. This might make you feel like you either need to pack for every eventuality or run the risk of you feeling too hot, cold or even getting wet! In this blog I will give you three step plan for wardrobe choices that ensure you are always ‘covered’ for the weather and that you feel collected and stylish. Having confidence in your own style comes from being prepared, and feeling like you look like you. Clothes that are comfortable for the day or evening ahead and reflect your personality will allow you to focus on what you are spending your time on and give you more energy for it too. Having a capsule ‘any weather’ collection to draw from in your wardrobe this summer will remove the ‘nothing to wear’ syndrome, save you time in the morning as well as giving you the confidence to know you have what it takes to look the part that day. My three steps to having your ‘any weather’, feel confident capsule are... 1 Identify key pieces that can work with all outfits To make your choice of outfit easier every day, there are a few items that you will work with other items to create outifts, and will ensure you are prepared for whatever weather is presented to us. A short structured jacket e.g. biker jacket or Chanel style jacket, that stops at the top of your hips. Structured jackets bring smartness to an outfit, and can provide warmth if the temperature drops. An oversized tote bag or hand bag (useful for carrying spare jumper, umbrella, water, make up etc). Patents are perfect for moist weather and bring some shine to cloudy, rainy days in the summer. Multi-functional shoes that work with anything from a summer dress to jeans .e.g smart trainers, or Birkenstocks A solid umbrella! P ut these items on one end of your wardrobe rail, or on your bed so that you can move on to the next step of building your capsule. 2 Look for a colour or style theme that appears in your key pieces. This will help build the rest of your ‘any weather’ capsule I often find that women have more than one style personality. Personally I can move from a romantic, laid back style to a more dramatic ‘seeking attention’ style depending on where I am going and what I am doing. You might be more of a classic dresser or want to take on a natural look. Whatever your style personality, to save you time every morning when thinking what to wear and to help you feel confident, having pieces that sit together well style wise is will help. Looking at the key pieces you have already chosen What colours are they? What other colours in your wardrobe work well with them. Have a sift through, hold them next to your key pieces, and ask if they will work from a colour point of view. If they do, put them to one side on your wardrobe rail or on the bed. Looking at the style of your key pieces, are they of a particular style e.g. a classic look or a boho feel? Again, sifting through the other items in your wardrobe, what will work well with them. A classic biker jacket is very versatile for example, it works as well with a smart dress as a it does a pair of jeans. A Chanel style jacket, round neck, tweed design can also be as versatile, but you may want to consider the pattern or detail on other items to co-ordinate. In your capsule wardrobe I would suggest you include: A pair of jeans A T-shirt A vest or camsile top that you feel comfortable in A skirt A summer dress for daytime A lightweight jumper 3 Layer up and down for style The key to your effortless style and comfort is to have with you items that you can put on or take off when the weather changes. Layering can look modern, stylish and can flatter your shape, whilst also keeping you warm. Consider the length of the items you are putting on top of each other. It is ideal to have the last item on ie the item on top, being the shortest e.g. jacket or jumper. having layers like this not only avoids lumps and creases underneath the outer layers but can also make you look taller and leaner (if that’s what makes you happy). Keep items lightweight and breathable. If you are looking for layers for warmth, any weight of fabric will do this once layered so you wont have to consider heavy jumpers or jackets. Make sure you are happy with the layer closest to your body. We all know what it’s like when it suddenly gets hot and you strip off to say one top, its important you feel comfortable just wearing that. I’ve often made the mistake of stripping off to a vest only to realise there’s a little too much on show! So, to have that relaxed smile every morning you open your wardrobe, preparation is key and knowing that, with your key pieces determining your capsule wardrobe, you can be prepared for whatever changes in the weather that day. Tips Find yourself an hour or so one evening or at the weekend to do this. The time you invest now will be saved easily in the week’s ahead every time you open your wardobe doors. Keep the ‘essential items’ at one end of the wardrobe so they are either the starting point for your choice of outfit that day or what you take your outfit to, to match up with. If you have a choice of jewellery, consider what will dress up or down the outfit. A sparkly pair of earrings can make a pair of jeans and a T shirt into a ‘going out’ outfit as I am sure you know. Never underestimate the pick me up of a splash of perfume and lipstick to make you feel special whatever you are wearing and whatever the weather. Keep those in your tote too! Want some help pulling together your perfect capsule wardrobe? Feeling the best version of you comes from wearing clothes that will flatter your features and a style that reflects your personality. We don’t always put ourselves first and do this. A shape and style session will enable us to work through your existing wardrobe to identiy a capsule wardrobe that will save you time, give you more confidence and clothes to wear all year round.