Vanity values?

Those of you who feel having pride in your appearance is a matter of vanity over practicalilty are probably not confident in realising your image potential. It’s not a case of having to have pots of money to be well groomed and turned out, but it does require a certain amount of guidance and effort. That’s why some people enlist the services of image consultants, as they want to recognise what’s harmonious and what’s not. This process involves getting inside people’s psyche and expressing and enhancing their uniqueness. I’m not one for cloning individuals into a trademark ‘look’ (like some celebrity ‘stylists’ I could mention!), rather, I work with male and female clients to bring out the best in them, whether that’s to make more impact professionally, socially or even romantically.
Depending on who your early influences were and your developing personality, those elements will give me an indication of where your comfort zone is in terms of dominant colour and style preferences. For example, my mother and grandmother had distinct high contrast characteristics which enabled them to carry of cool, deep and bright colours very successfully. They always wore lipstick, as they felt naked without it. So, no surprise to learn then, that my signature look during my teens and 20’s was bright colours with matching red or pink lipstick! Okay, so the fashion influences of the 80’s were to blame too – gosh, I used to love aqua mascara!
Anyway, as you usually develop your comfort zone out of parental, family and environmental influences –in your 30’s and 40’s does this reflect who you really are? My guess, and experience, tells me not. It was Christian Dior who said, “A woman doesn’t learn to dress well until she is 35”. This is the exact age that I finally ‘got it’ and learned the power of wearing the best shades of colours for me and also stopped trying to rebel against the style advice for my size and shape. Vertical emphasis is king for me now, but dennis the menace stripes did appear in my old clothing choices! As for my hair colour, I finally changed the permanent golden blonde after 10 years, to a more flattering neutral light brown shade. I look at my photos from 10 years ago and I definitely look (& feel) younger now – isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing?
So, if vanity isn’t an inbred value, why do I see plenty of ‘outwardly’ confident women who need an objective pair of eyes to guide them to make the best colour and style choices that relate to combining different looks that tick the age-appropriateness box? Don’t take my word for it, instead, read below the results experienced and some lovely comments from my happy clients – you’ll get a real feel for the value and benefit of my expertise and experience:
“I’ve gained more compliments at work and at home on my appearance. My husband has certainly noticed that I look ‘better’. I feel more empowered about my appearance and even expect to get compliments from my own outfit building!” P.C
“My light grey mac and soft purple cardigan always get complimented. I’ve even had the confidence to get a very different hairstyle – short and highlighted with cool ash blonde tones. So many people have commented on how nice it looks…it’s been great!” N.M
“After a full day’s consultation with Fiona, I now have more than enough tools to shop confidently. She gave me an easy to follow wardrobe plan which I’ve already added to! She has not changed who I am, but she has helped me show the world who I have always been…priceless.” L.H
“I now wear brighter shades and better fitting styles of clothes. Shopping is a breeze.The compliments I’ve had include, you look great, slimmer & sexy!” A.S
“I feel fab at 50! My business has increased, I’ve had to take on sub contractors to cope with demand. Psychologically, I’m even more confident than before even with my muted tones. Thanks for showing me how to express my creative side without being overpowering. Husband particularly likes my new fitting jeans!” K.L
“People have noticed my make-up – probably because I didn’t really wear it before. It really does make a difference to people’s perceptions.” K.B
“Thanks for helping me to stay stylish without cramping my daughter’s style! Her friends tell me they like the way I dress!” S.M
“I’m much more confident about experimenting with colour and accessories. My friends and colleagues have said, “You look great”, and one friend shocked me with, “You always look so glamorous these days!” R.B
“My immediate impression was that she knew her subject inside-out. This was reflected in her confident manner. Fine tuning her own and others’ personal brand is a way of life. One major light bulb moment for me was understanding and learning how to dress to attract what I want, this has not only assisted me in gaining the contract of my dreams after a period of redundancy, but has also improved my working relationships beyond expectation.” M.C
“Fiona’s instills confidence and her approach is (collection of feedback)…friendly, warm, positive, understanding, non-judgemental, helpful, practical solutions, value for money, lovely person to work with, relaxed, doesn’t make you feel a failure, helped me regain my enjoyment with clothes…her energy is constant, she exudes it!... Fiona always makes time for people and really listens…her memory of stores and items is amazing!... what she doesn’t know about empowering others is not worth knowing.”
PS: If you hadn’t already guessed it, I LOVE my job! Let me bring out your uniqueness and help you “glow with confidence”.
Fiona x Style2you Mycapsulewardrobe or send me an email