March 30, 2022

HAS LOCKDOWN AFFECTED OUR DRESSING CONFIDENCE?

I wonder how our experience over these past two years has affected how we feel about the way we dress.  Has lockdown affected our dressing confidence?   Without a doubt.

We adapted to a half-life and adopted a more casual wardrobe to feel safe and comfortable.  Perhaps we have lost our identity and forgotten how to dress and show up?

I am convinced that being locked away on a diet of leisurewear and above the waist dressing has impacted upon our confidence.  We overlooked the very comfort we can enjoy by dressing for self-expression, the joy of dressing up and the way that makes us feel.

Has lockdown affected our dressing confidence?

Being intentional when you dress

With that in mind, I wonder how intentional you were when you were planning your wardrobe this morning?  How much thought you gave to the clothes in your wardrobe?  How did you select those clothes?

The clothes we wear are an expression of our unique and individual identities.  Our clothes have the power to elevate us, support us, differentiate us, enhance our personal brand and fill us with joy. The good news?  We can choose how we want to look and how we want to show up.

Believe it or believe it not, our wardrobes and the clothes within hold the secrets to looking good, feeling great and showing up in the most positive way we can.  Be more deliberate in your choices and ask yourself how you wish to present yourself to the world that day.  Connecting ourselves to those feelings through our clothes really can help raise our confidence.

To me dressing in leisurewear promotes a more relaxed feeling, that akin to a day off, snuggling on the sofa to read a good book or watch a film.  We associate certain clothes with differing scenarios.  Similarly a suit transports us to formal work environment perhaps or a wedding.

How can clothes elevate how we feel?

Remember how the garment made you feel

So how can dressing differently or swapping those casual clothes for smarter attire, elevate the way we feel?  Elevate our confidence.  Let’s just think about that.

Remember the outfit that each time you wear it, you feel fabulous…on top of the world, on top of your game.  It could be a dress, killer heels or a blouse with bold pattern….our clothing is powerful.

Remember how that garment made you feel? When you wore the dress, the killer heels?  Empowered, happy, fired up, powerful or capable?

These are all real feelings that we can enjoy and experience from our clothing.

There's always the outfit that generated a compliment

Maybe as an extension of this you received a compliment.  What about the flattering comments you received when you wore that dress or your killer heels?

There is incredible elation from this kind of reaction.

We feel fabulous and seek opportunities to replicate that surely?   So our clothing engenders positive associations – the date night blouse when we met our partner, the interview suit that landed our dream job, the beautifully cut trousers we treated ourselves to when we went self-employed.

Did our leisurewear ever provide us with this kind of reaction?  Fired up and ready to take on the world?  I’m imagining not.

Do you need an extra level of Confidence?

Lingerie can provide an extra level of confidence

Consider our day to day activities and how we are often required to influence, educate, challenge, encourage or to inspire?  Do you agree that sometimes you will find these tasks more challenging when you need to be the expert?

Through my own experiences, I have learned that confidence in our clothing eases those occasions when we need to flex our muscles.  For me, my choice of lingerie always helped to empower me and provide an extra level of confidence.

 

 

When you dress this morning, ask yourself how you would like to feel in your clothes, how you would like to present yourself and connect your clothes to those feelings.  I’d love to hear your thoughts or if you need help to unlock your own dressing confidence code, do get in touch.

Jackie Crawford

Image Consultant

07494 644788

Feature image credit Lindsley Weddings

January 31, 2021

THINKING OF VIRTUAL STYLING?

Many of my recent clients have ‘leisurewear fatigue’ and have been keen to reconnect with their personal style.  Perhaps you too are thinking of virtual styling?  Whatever our life stage this can really help put you in control and back on your styling track.

I’m not going to lie to you, I am missing my face to face clients and what we wear does seem a little frivolous in the grand scheme of things.

For about 5 seconds, that’s what I thought but given the unsettling times, I continue to coach my clients about the important role our clothes play in ensuring we  remain focused.  However we spend our time at home, self care and confidence is one of the few things in our power to control.

That is why I have been able to offer some of my styling services virtually.  That means we can work together wherever in the world you are, from the comfort of your own home.

The flexibility of these services is a joy and I endeavour to make each experience as enjoyable as my face to face consultations.  With no commute we can focus on your individual styling needs to fit around your lifestyle and family commitments.

Thinking of Virtual Styling? Get in touch for a complimentary 30 minute discovery session.

So how does it work?

Working with an Image Consultant helps you focus on your personal style goals and working virtually is a great way to introduce you to the many benefits.

Before beginning any of my services, we arrange an initial discussion so that I can better understand your needs and goals – your lifestyle, what you love and how you wish to feel.

Perhaps you want advice on building a capsule wardrobe or styling something differently, some advice on elevating an existing outfit or you’d love to create new outfits from those you already have.

Maybe you need guidance on what to look for?  A special occasion or job interview?  I can also put together a bespoke Shopping List to inspire you with different options and new brands.

We then agree on the best service for you.  You may choose from the following four options or I can create a bespoke service just for you.

The Styling Power Hour

This session will power up your wardrobe and get your dressing frustrations answered.  You tell me what you need and I will help whatever your style questions.

Price: £50.00 for the hour

Virtual Personal Style

Classic Wardrobe Personality

A bespoke Pinterest Board to inspire you

 

Using many visuals we explore your style personality which forms a crucial basis for successful clothing choices.  This is a special session that assesses your body shape and identifies the most flattering shapes and style for your unique characteristics.

Included in this package is a carefully prepared Pinterest Board that outlines some current styles and looks to inspire you forward.

Price: £150.00 for the 2.5 hour session including bespoke Pinterest Board beyond

 

Image credit Pexels stock photo

Virtual Wardrobe Edit

Making your wardrobe work harder for you is what we achieve here.  Together we can delve into your wardrobe and find out what is working and also edit those ‘orphans’ that remain unworn and unloved at the back of your wardrobe.

We will prune and trim your clothes as we go, creating new outfits combinations from those you already own.

No stone is left un-turned, we also review jewellery and accessories.

Ultimately we create a shopping list of items we feel your wardrobe is missing.

Price: £50.00 per hour minimum 2 hours

Capsule Wardrobe Creation

A flexible capsule wardrobe

Whether you are stuck in a style rut, short of time or you are an existing client looking for a refresh,  this service will flexible selection of clothes or will enhance your existing wardrobe.   Let me help you to develop a cohesive selection of clothes and ‘window shop’ for you along with a bespoke Pinterest Board outlining some current options from a variety of brands.

Once we agree your budget and selection we can arrange a future session to try on your new garments and decide together which pieces you retain.

Price: £50.00 per hour 

 

If you need some guidance about the best service for you or wish to discuss the pricing options, I’d love to hear from you.  Feel free to send me an email for further information or to reserve your complimentary 30 minute discovery call.

Whatever your clothing needs, if you are thinking of virtual styling, let's work on them together.

Jackie Crawford

Image Consultant

Colours . Clothes . Confidence

June 23, 2020

SHOPPING FOR CLOTHES – 2020 STYLE

Remember when we were able to safely move around a clothing store, pick the garment up, feel it and try it on?  A new norm is emerging as Shopping for Clothes - 2020 style is re-invented!

With our clothing stores now open for business with social-distancing and other restrictions in place to guarantee our safety post Covid-19; it is going to be some time before we recognise the shopping experience we previously enjoyed.  So what can we expect?

We will likely meet a socially distanced queue before we are able to shop in our favourite stores and with fitting rooms closed, will be unable to try our clothes on before we buy.

Clothes and shoes that are returned will need to be quarantined for 24 hours before they appear on the shop floor once again, so there may not be the choice.

Many stores have extended their returns policy to 90 days but rather than have to return back and forth to the store isn’t it a better strategy to understand first what fits and flatters us before taking a punt?

Wouldn’t it be great if we knew first up what we needed and what suited us?  Let me guide you.

There's no better time to plan for what our wardrobe actually needs, so that our future shopping trips are more successful.

Shopping for clothes - 2020 Style

Really consider what your wardrobe needs

Check your wardrobe for any gaps

Really consider what you do need.  Do you have Summer trousers but no tops to go with them?  Think about the colours that would pair more easily with several trousers or your skirts perhaps.

If you already own a pair of pink trousers or a green skirt, add a patterned top to your shopping list that combines both colours.  That way you build a ‘capsule’ selection of clothes that mix and match together.

If it’s shoes you need, think about the style – trainers, flats or wedges.  Again, consider what you already have without duplicating.

Making a list helps you to focus

Make a list and do some homework

I’ve spoken before about making a note of what your wardrobe needs and keeping that list handy so when you do manage to get through the store doors, you are prepared.  I recommend keeping a note on your phone then you always have it with you.

If you already have some stores in mind – finding their ranges on-line before you visit will give you a head start and will reduce your browsing time.  Take a picture of the garment that interests you so it is easier to find in-store.

This tactic also prevents you buying randomly.  We’ve all done it, come home with a fabulous item that goes with nothing in your wardrobe!  It either sits at the back of your wardrobe with the tags still intact or it needs returning to store.  Let’s try to avoid both scenarios!

There will be plenty of ‘sale’ items on offer and it’s an opportunity to buy a key piece that you could not previously justify but remember it’s only a bargain if you wear it!

Sales offer a great opportunity to find a key piece

Set a budget

Setting a budget is a good thing!  When we do, we make better and more considered economical clothing decisions.  We become more mindful of what we need, of the sustainable fashion culture and so we contribute to helping the planet and our pockets.  It’s easier to assign a limit when we know what we need.  A Summer Trench Coat may be more pressing than a pair of boots for Autumn.

Understand your body shape

We all have a different body shape, it’s what makes us unique.  Understanding what works for us and what shapes flatter us best is the key to making successful choices.  Knowing what we love about our bodies also allows us to enhance the best bits.

Following our bodies contours usually works best – generally closer fitting clothes suit a slimmer frame whereas a curvier shape looks fantastic when clothes drape over our curves.

You may be interested in my Personal Style service which I am now successfully offering virtually.

Colour makes an impact

Wearing colour can play an important part in the way we feel about ourselves.  Choose colours that flatter your skin tone and that pair easily with clothes already in your wardrobe.  A colour that is right for you will always create a harmonious look and make your skin glow.

If you would like to learn more about the best colours for you, take a peek at my Colour Analysis service.  When it is safe to do so I am looking forward to re-opening my studio for face to face consultations.

Before you shop

Remember you may need to queue on arrival and at the tills so wearing something comfortable is key.  You may also wish to wear a face-mask for some added protection.  Take some water with you and don’t forget to monitor the time your car parking ticket expires!  Set an alarm on your phone 30 minutes prior which allows a little more time contingency.

Wishing all of our clothes-stores a safe transition and particularly those stores local to me in #York. We’ve missed you!

Please do stay safe and remember that if you feel uncomfortable shopping for clothes - 2020 style or are not quite ready to return, many retailers will continue to offer their garments via mail order.

Do please get in touch, if you would like to arrange a transformational virtual personal styling session.

Stay safe and stylish

Jackie

COLOURS • CLOTHES • CONFIDENCE

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York, North Yorkshire