Style = expression

Style. What do you think of when you hear the word style? What does the word style mean to you?

Is it something you don’t feel you have? Something you feel others have, but it you wouldn’t possibly know where to start? Or do you know and love your own style and feel confident with how you present yourself.

It’s funny….I was never confident with how I looked or how I dressed. I tried hard….but I could tell I tried hard. I never felt like I had it down pat. I didn’t know what I liked or what suited me. I actually liked to hide and blend in. Black and grey were my staple “colours”.

As a youngster, the only jeans I would wear were boys jeans. No dresses, no skirts. Boys jeans. My teenage years were spent in flannelette shirts, or huge tops that hid my shape. Cherrylane was the brand to love… shapeless and baggy. Just the way I liked to wear clothes.

As I got older, I would wear the occasional dress to an event. But I never felt comfortable.

My wedding dress was beautiful and I felt like a goddess in it! A one off!

Pregnancy was a great excuse to bring out the big clothes again and I managed to raid hubby’s wardrobe for those big clothes. No showing off my belly and celebrating that beautiful roundness for me.

I did, however, always make some effort. I did my hair, I wore makeup. Maybe that was my mask. My armour when life was tricky. Lipstick meant I was ok, and coping with all life had to throw at me.

Turning 50 was life changing for me. I decided I needed to show the world who I really am and that came in the form of style. I’d already joined an online group lead by the amazing Nat Tucker. She has an online community where she teaches you about how to dress for your shape, your clothes and even your personality. I can’t recommend it enough. Look up “Make it look easy” on Facebook to watch her free content if you are needing some tips and tricks on style. Her advice is incredible, and the community is the kindest, most supportive community of women I’ve ever known.

Style to me meant showing up feeling comfortable with who I am. It meant accepting that I’m not perfect, but in fact, I am. I’m me and I’ve embraced that.

It means accepting that my style is slightly masculine and that’s ok! I can add feminine pieces in to balance it out and I now know how to do that. Light bulb stuff!!

It means I acknowledge my flaws and build my style around them, enhancing the good bits and kind of ignoring the rest. It means feeling quietly confident every time I step out the door and not caring what others think.

It does not mean wearing designer items on a regular basis….or in my case, at all. It does mean I can go to Target or Kmart or an op shop and pick up bargains that I recognise as ideal items for me. Because I know and love my style. It also means I can shop my wardrobe and pluck pieces out to make bespoke outfits that suit me. A top from 10 years ago, some jeans from a fast fashion store, shoes I bought on sale.

It also means letting go of items that no longer give me joy…that no longer serve a purpose for me.

Style to me means exactly what a stylist named Rachel Zoe one said, “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” So true. Your clothes and the way you wear them is a reflection of how you feel about yourself at that particular time. What you choose to wear indicates the mood you are in, the way you see yourself, the self belief you hold on to. Does your style reflect the way you want to be seen by those around you? You may not care about how the world views you, and that’s great! But do care about how you view yourself. Self-belief and self-worth are superpowers! Having those things embedded into your soul actually changes everything. It changes how you interact with others, it changes the goals you set for yourself. It changes how other people view you and opens up your universe, allowing so many amazing opportunities to come your way. It’s an attitude. It allows you to drink in the positive vibes around you, and allows the negativity to bounce off.

We should all care about showing up being the best version of you. That may mean taking an extra ten minutes in the morning to get ready for work. That may mean going through your wardrobe and getting rid of things that no longer fit you, that have a stain on them, that have holes in them. That may also mean wearing what you love, regardless of what others think.

Our styling journey changes with time and experiences. Whether you are changing jobs, or entering the workforce, your shape has changed due to pregnancy or on the opposite end of the scale, menopause, or you are just becoming aware of the impact clothes have on your self image. Maybe you have lost or gained weight and just don’t feel like YOU in your current clothes. I get it…I’ve been through all of the above!

Style doesn’t have to be hard work….it just means a little effort. You’ll be amazed at the difference you feel if you know you look good. You’ll hold your head a little higher. You’ll walk a little faster, find joy in the little things. Just by making a little effort. And everyone deserves to feel special, to feel seen, to feel good about themselves.

I’ve had some lovely feedback about me doing a personal styling course. Those who know me, and love me, are thrilled that I’m continuing to learn about something I love. Those who get me, understand it.

Some people look at me with a slightly confused look on their face. They don’t get it. To them, you get up, throw some clothes on and get on with their day, never giving a thought to their “style”. They may think I’m being superficial, worrying about what I’m wearing. And that’s ok! I’m not here to convince anyone to change if they are happy with the clothes they wear. If that’s you, I love that for you. Without even knowing it, you own your style.

Others have a bewildered look on their face for a couple of minutes, then quickly follow up with an outpouring of disdain aimed at their current wardrobe. They often have a wardrobe overflowing with items they don’t know how to wear, or how to get rid of! That guilty feeling of paying money for items that just don’t seem to work as well as you’d hoped when you first purchased it overwhelms you. So you keep it…..and keep buying random items in the hope that one day, you’ll find the perfect piece to go with it.

If that’s you (and I’m sure it’s been all of us at some point), I just may be the person you need in the near future to help you make those decisions. Or, this blog may just be the catalyst you need to move some things on. Personal style goes beyond wearing the latest trends and accessories but is a reflection of our personality, our preferences, our lifestyle and even our values. A personal stylist will guide you in a positive way to develop your style in a fun and non-judgemental way.

So, when you read this, have a think about your style. What is your style? What do you feel amazing in? What item in your wardrobe brings you joy and makes you feel like you have all your ducks lined up in a row?

And most of all, are you showing up as YOU?

I met Trinny ( famous for makeup, “What not to wear” show in the 90’s and makeovers) and wore the brightest blazer I own. I’ve put the picture up so you can see just how loud it is! And guess what? She LOVED it! Loved that I knew what colour did for me…my mood, my personality, and even my complexion! And I felt AMAZING! What’s not to love about that?

Love,

Cherie with a C.