Last week, a friend sent me a text photo of the outfit she wore to work for that day. In her text, she asked if she looked frumpy.
As a stylist, I regularly get these kinds of texts and emails from my friends and clients. And like the husband or boyfriend who gets asked Does this _____ make my butt look big?, I know the emotional landmines surrounding these questions.
In this particular friend’s case, her husband had already commented that the outfit made her look older. (I’m sure he said it in the most loving way possible!)
As I looked at my phone, and my friend’s urgent text message and picture, I understood why her husband had such a strong reaction to her look.
She sent another text asking for my complete honesty.
As a stylist, it’s my job to be honest with women about their style. And while sometimes that honesty stings, it’s exactly what a woman needs to hear to shift from feeling style stifled to style success.
After taking a deep breath, I texted my friend back and answered her question.
In MY most loving way possible, I told her that the jacket was too small, her pants too big, and that the outfit itself just didn’t capture her brilliance as a successful attorney.
She said she felt embarrassed to stay at work now that the two people she trusted most had given her a reality check. Suddenly, she had such a strong self-awareness that she felt self-conscious, style stifled, and she wanted to run home and change her clothes.
If you’ve ever felt like my friend – I know I have! – you are in excellent company. So many brilliant and beautiful women are so busy with careers, managing multiple roles as wife, mother, daughter, boss, that they just don’t feel like they have to time to focus on themselves, let alone pay attention to their style.
Like my friend, they end up having a moment that stops them in their tracks. Someone or something brought their image into focus for them in a way that stings. Suddenly, they’re struck by a public image that just doesn’t reflect who they really are. And that rude awakening hurts.
For most women, this is style rock bottom. For me, this is a new beginning.
Deep down, if you feel like your style isn’t representing the best of who you are, don’t worry. Help is just a click away.
On Wednesday, I’m sharing my best tips on how you can elevate your look to your level of brilliance on my FREE call CEO Secrets to Bringing Out the Beauty and Brilliance in your Brand Style.
Register here NOW
The call is being co-hosted by my brilliant friend Lisa Steadman, CEO of Woohoo, Inc and The Woohoo Radio Network. Lisa’s journey from feeling style stifled to style success is one of my favorites.
She’s also an inspired example of why I do the work that I do. On the call, Lisa will share how she went from feeling style stifled to style success in her own brilliant Mega Mogul style.