That's My Style | Is your style uniform sending a clear message?

18 Apr Is your style uniform sending a clear message?

Posted at 23:28h in That's My Style by Bernadette Payne 0 Comments

Something that stands out to me as a personal stylist is that people spend way more energy than they need to when getting dressed in the morning. Whether you are a mum, work from home or an office, you spend too much time and energy deciding what to wear daily. Recent studies show that over a lifetime, a woman spends almost a year standing before her wardrobe, deciding what to wear. So, in the name of sanity, I suggest finding a signature look and saving precious time in the mornings.

Every day, we wake up and get dressed. The choice of clothes that we put on is a way we communicate with the outside world. Our clothing style is a layer of language we wear and the first thing people notice when they see us. Everyone has a style uniform that aligns, and the more aware we are, the easier it will be for us to get dressed and communicate our style to the world.

As a personal stylist, it is my job to listen and activate the steps required to make sure you are visually representing yourself accurately. It’s the visual outcome you present to the world and the energy you give in how the clothing makes you feel. It impacts the way you show up and how confident you are. It’s all about delivering a clear message.

I recently worked with Bel, a mother who wears a credible and easily recognised government uniform that portrays high levels of respect and even fear for some. The Uniform gave her instant credibility when she stood up to speak, educate colleagues, and share her experiences. Her expertise is evident in the epaulettes she wears. She hasn’t even had to open her mouth to speak.

If you remove this ‘uniform’, how can she instantly visually communicate her experience and credibility?

After my first meeting with Bel, where we discussed her start-up business and lifestyle, we realised that she needs to visually show up differently across a few of the roles she plans to create in her start-up business. Bel was evident in her vision, so it was easy for her to find the words to describe her new style, ‘uniform’, reflecting her personal and business values. As her stylist, I needed to find tangible clothing items to reflect her personal brand. Elite, inspiring, stylish and approachable were explored as descriptions of how she wanted to reflect her visually ‘. Bel has a powerful message to share and needs to feel confident when holding the stage or captivating her audience.

We started in Bel’s existing wardrobe, removing those items which did not align with her brand. Her wardrobe now reflects her journey and the values and goals she has set out to achieve. The wardrobe she opens now reflects the day-to-day life she leads as a busy mum and as a woman starting out on her business journey. Bel no longer experiences worry or frustration in considering what to wear when opportunities present. She instantly knows how she wants to show up and visually present her message.

If you have a clear vision of what your style uniform or signature look should look like, then you never have to worry about whether you are looking sharp, professional, or stylish enough. This Uniform may even give you instant respect and credibility or propel you to the next level in your career based on how you turn up and present yourself.

All women in business need a “style Uniform”, a signature look that aligns with their lifestyle, values and how they want to be perceived. Having a strong sense of your style uniform will, in the long run, save you time and money in getting dressed, as you can begin to shop to add value to your existing wardrobe confidently.

To present your true personality through a “style uniform” you must first firmly define how you want to ‘look’. What words describe how you want to communicate to others in a work, networking, social situation. List three adjectives to describe your image or brand and the style you want to communicate.

When getting dressed in the morning, ask yourself what are your three adjectives you want to communicate via the clothes you are wearing. For example, Bel wanted to look professional when speaking to audiences in her own business to display high credibility. After exploring the word ‘professional, ‘ I discovered that this meant suits, heels, and a sharply put-together outfit. She feels she communicates and displays professionalism and authenticity when she wears items that reflect this.

We are constantly evolving and growing, and your wardrobe sometimes needs to catch up. When your wardrobe, lifestyle, and values align, you will experience confidence easily identified within yourself. This is when your style uniform is defined.

What is your style uniform?