Last Updated on 2 February 2020 by Colette
I have written previously that after 7 years of maternity clothes, breastfeeding and a need for practicality that I feel like I’ve lost my own sense of style. I’ve lost myself in an abyss of black jersey – it’s comfortable, it’s practical and I don’t have to think about it. When did it become ok not to think about what I was wearing? With a lack of funds for experimenting in terms of my clothes any more I tend to be more cautious with my purchases, I need to make sure that what I wear is going to get worn and I find that my purchases have become safe and borderline repetitive – to the point that on several occasions I’ve repurchased the same top in different colours (or even just replace it in the same colour!)
I’ve recently tried to step away from black and am wearing more navy – baby steps and all! My most recent purchases include a navy and green striped dress and a navy shirt dress (both from Warehouse). And whilst I suppose this has felt a little braver, I still feel quite lost. I no longer know what suits me. After carrying three children my body shape has no doubt changed and this has limited what I can wear – at present things with a waistband rarely fit properly and are also very uncomfortable, I feel that I no longer know what flatters my shape. I struggle to dress in a way which is practical for my lifestyle (which means I’m at home with the kids 5 days a week) yet still feels stylish. Buying dresses is all well and good but I wouldn’t generally put these on for days at home with the kids. I will always revert back to the safety and comfort of my black leggings.
With all that mind you can imagine how excited I was at the prospect of a colour and styling session with the lovely Anna Mewes, a Leeds based Stylist and Fashion Blogger.
After chatting to Anna via email about my needs she put together a bit of a taster session for me running through both a Mini Colour Consultation and Style Consultation. She asked me to bring along a selection of tops / scarves that I wear regularly, my most favourite outfit – something which I always felt fabulous in, and anything which I’ve bought and never worn or only worn once. This in itself sent me into a bit of a panic as I don’t have an awful lot of clothes in the first place.
I pulled out a navy & red stripe dress from GAP which I bought and wore once. Every time I’ve put it on since it hasn’t felt right and I’ve taken it off again. A black and cream pencil skirt I bought from M&S earlier this year which I love but have yet to find a top to wear with it. A navy, green and cream stripe dress bought from Warehouse just before our holidays and also a navy shirt dress from Warehouse which I’ve not had chance to wear yet. Along with that a much loved and very tired leopard print scarf from Accessorize many years ago and a couple of navy print scarves (yes I have at least three).
We started our session talking a little about what I wear on a day to day basis and how I’m stuck in a black jersey rut. Anna asked lots of questions to tease out any specific areas of concern and then showed me a range of mood boards which explained the different colours and identified that I’m a “Clear” dominant pallet which means with my dark hair, fair skin and contrasting bright eyes I get to wear all the bright and bold colours.
When Anna got out the selection of colours my ideal colours and I can’t say there was anything I was really shocked by. They were all colours I loved and also colours which I am drawn to. Although my wardrobe is predominantly black and navy, my “Wardrobe Lust” pinterest shows a definite leaning towards the colours on my scheme.
Follow Colette (We’re going on an adventure. . . )’s board Wardrobe Lust on Pinterest.
Once we had chatted a bit about my “colours” we moved on to completing a style questionnaire – this reminded me a little of the sort of questionnaires you’d have done in Cosmo magazine in your teens. It was designed to define my style by asking questions such as “What kind of shopper are you?” or “How would you describe your overall look?”
My overall style came out as “Natural” which Anna explained most woman of my age with young children would be as it tends to focus on the comfortable practical side of things. She also explained that people who fall into this style category will often say they feel scruffy. Hitting the nail on the head there Anna! I also showed elements of “Romantic” and “Classic” styles. The “Romantic” element surprised me – I don’t seem myself as being flowery / delicate / frilly or any of the other words that “Romantic” instantly conjured up however when Anna and I looked at my Pinterest I could see there were things on there which definitely showed this side of me, things which I’d pinned but knew I couldn’t wear as they didn’t suit my figure mainly. It’s something which I like the idea of in theory but don’t really know how to make it work for me without just looking frumpy. One of the things Anna suggested here was that perhaps this would come through in more delicate stacked accessories. The “Classic” style however felt very much “me” – this is the girl that likes things to be coordinated, to match.
Alongside the style questionnaire Anna also asked me to give her three words which defined my style – at present I feel scruffy, frumpy and boring but in reality want to be tidy, put together and stylish. Anna explained that from now on I should have that mantra in my head when shopping – if it doesn’t feel tidy, put together and stylish; don’t buy it. Don’t buy clothes you don’t love and feel fabulous in, you won’t wear them. We also discussed that accessories are the key to looking “done” – particularly when you live in leggings and more practical clothing like I do.
After we’d finished chatting we moved to looking at how the different colours worked together – which combinations we liked best, particularly focusing on a base of navy as that’s where my wardrobe stands just now. We picked out three favourites – a red, a green and a teal. Anna challenged me to make my next three purchases in these colours.
We also worked through the items I’d brought with me – talking about which ones were the right colours (pretty much all of them) and how best to wear them to suit my hourglass figure. We also talked about patterns and how for the most part anything outside of my beloved stripes tends to make me feel frumpy. I pick beautifully patterned items up and put them on and something goes horribly wrong. Anna pointed out that it’s ok to admire some things on other people and just realise that you don’t really suit them yourself – which seems so obvious but I felt it sort of gave me permission to give up on trying to wear patterns!
If you’re interested in getting in touch with Anna yourself, she offers colour and style advice, full image makeovers, wardrobe detoxes, personal shopping and online style consultations / personal style advice. She will tailor packages to suit your individual needs (much as she did for me) to ensure you get personalised advice to suit your colouring, style, body, shape, budget and lifestyle.
For more information about her personal styling services or for style inspiration check our her website: https://www.annamewes.com/. I’m a particular fan of Anna’s posts as I think she writes about really accessible fashion, she’s a real woman with a family, writing about style in a genuine way – you’re not going to find beautiful but unrealistic images of skinny twenty-somethings here – this is all about real life style.) You can also catch her on twitter and instagram.
I plan to write another post in the near future to share with you some of my recent purchases and how my style / shopping attitude has changed since my session with Anna so keep your eyes peeled!
*Anna Mewes invited me to visit her for a style and colour consultation free of charge for the purposes of writing this post however all thoughts and opinions remain my own*
I love those outfits in your Pinterest board and this sounds like it was a fabulous session to help break you out of a clothing rut and find you something that will help you feel fabulous. If you're more comfortable in stripes than patterns then I don't see why that should be a problem – they suit you really well anyway 🙂
It has definitely inspired me to look at new things when I'm shopping! I'll be writing more about that soon 🙂 x
I love Anna! I had a colour session and much like you it didn't overly surprise me BUT it made me really think differently when I shop and opened my eyes to things I maybe ignored even though I liked them.
Absolutely that. I've gone into shops looking for specific colours now and things I might have bought before I've written off now on the basis that I know they're not the best look for me 🙂
This sounds like such a great session and it all makes so much sense. I am stuck mainly in navy, black and brown and with my hair colour I have no idea what colours I 'should' be wearing! Great tips in there x
It can be really hard can't it. I would fully recommend finding yourself a CMB consultant.
I feel exactly the same – stuck in a rut with my clothes! This session sounds great and has obviously made you think more about what to wear and buy and will encourage you to try some different colours next time you shop.
Anna sounds incredible and I would love to use her services but I think she's a bit too far away for me (I'm in Kent). It's a shame though. I would love to see what she came up with.
What a fantastic session this sounds like, Anna seems like a very interesting lady who knows her things – I would definitely love to have a session with her. .x
Loved this post, I think its quite liberating to break away from the colours that we're used to from time to time xxx
Sounds like fabulous session! I wouldn't mind a session with Anna, see if she could help with my never ending wardrobe of black, black and black! x
Sounds great – I am in a proper style rut. I look on Pinterest and I am just proper useless, I need someone to come and just FIX ME but I don't have the TIME. You look gorgoeus love. xxxxx
How fab. I love to wear colour as I find black saps me I don't know why. Good luck and keep going, it's definitely worth finding out what suits you and going for it – I have a few things I absolutely know are right for me, I just need more of them !
All the navy stripes on your Pinterest board are basically what my wardrobe consists of xD
That's sounds amazing! I really want to try it! I love what she picked for you!
I think I could do with a little style advice from Anna, I will definitely be looking at her blog. She's picked some lovely things for you
This sounds like something I would really benefit from – I always feel scruffy and have resorted to a 'uniform' which I don't feel very nice wearing. Off to check out her blog now!
What a great idea! I love the looks on your Pinterest board. I think you look great btw!
Love the pinterest board and I love the idea Anna has x
I would love a session like this – I sometimes have no idea what colours to wear or what suits me. Kaz x
This session seemed so great! I'd love one as well as I don't know what colours suit me so I just come back to the undying black.
Oh I love the idea of an expert helping me with a colour palette that suits me – once you have this you are good to go!
How interesting! It's funny how pregnancy can throw your off your style game, isn't it? All the clothes you used to rely on suddenly don't look 'right' and you have no idea where to turn. Sometimes that outside perspective is just what you need. x
I would so love to have someone help me style my wardrobe, I wear jeans every day! I look forward to reading your follow up post. Have fun shopping!
#triedtested
What a wonderful experience, I'd love to do this. I tend to stick to black and navy too with the occasional bout of polka dots thrown in. I find it so much easier to shop for others than myself.
Looks like a really useful session, something many of us could no doubt benefit from having, as always good to have a fresh, and knowledgeable, perspective x
What a great session, my mummy is bit of a 'weird' dresser and can occasionally get stuck in a black style rut, so this would be really helpful for her! #TriedTested x
Sounds fab and just the sort of thing I'd love! Your Pinterest board looks great….my colours! Love the striped top you are wearing Colette! #TriedTested
Oh I love this Colette, you look truly amazing and I love how to choose different colors. Absolutely love your pinterest board inspiration. Thanks for hosting. #triedtested
What a great idea.
I think we are all guilty at some point of getting stuck in a rut when it comes to clothing.
Love the pinterest outfits 🙂 x #TriedTested
Wow what a great session!! I could do with something like that as I also feel a little bit stuck in a rut atm. She sounds like a lovely lady and that she knows what she is talking about!! I love your Pinterest board. Really nice options. Thanks for hosting, 🙂 x
#triedandtested
http://www.amomentwithfranca.com/
What a great experience, love your stripy look #TriedTested
This looks fab. I would love to do a session like that. I too get very stuck in my ways with what i wear. Im a leggings and floral scarf girl! But I would love to mix it up yet i just don't quite feel confident enough. Maybe a session like this would do me the power of good
Oh I am really looking forward to seeing what purchases you make with your new colours. I feel like this sometimes, as I have gone for ease and comfort so have been trying to push my boundaries. I purchased a lovely jumper dress from next which I feel I can easily be a Mum and not frumpy in this!
Oh how dreamy! That would be amazing. I don't remember the last time I bought anything for me though so would be a bit wasted. Love the colours #Triedtested
I always sway away from colours but after reading this and seeing the pinterest board it makes me want to be a bit more adventurous!
This might be something I might have to consider. I am awful for fashion.
This sounds really interesting – I didn't know people still 'did' the colours for people, I'd be interested to try it out #triedtested
I too feel like I am in a clothes rut at the moment. Living in either jeans or black trousers for work. It sounds such an interesting session and looking forward to reading more in the future about your purchases #TriedTested
You look fab and bet it was so much fun, I change my style a lot but do tend to be fairly bold and love prints and patterns along with LBD's!
I could probably do with something like this – I'm another one who always opts for black! x
Looking forward to seeing what you buy! I tend to live in blue, black and white… oops
#TriedTested
What a great idea. I seem to buy the wrong things and never wear them #triedtested
I'd love to do a style consultation, but it's just too depressing to buy a whole new wardrobe when I want to lose my weight first. I think i'm in the 'it fits, it's comfy' style, but I'm probably quite a classic, smart casual dresser if I had the choice.
I tend to stick to lots of black and navy too, I'm completely in a clothes rut! I've no idea what suits me and buy the same things over and over too. I prefer comfort over fashion and need to find a nice balance!
Its great that you got a chance to spend some time on you for a change! You obviously know your colours instinctively, I had mine done some years ago and ended up in the same category, which is great I love wearing bright colours (on occasion). Look forward to seeing your new purchases 🙂 x
Wow it sounds like a great experience – what a confidence booster!
#TriedTested
Interesting session, I'm always using dark colours and occasionally bright but I;m far off from knowing which ones suit me best