I’m A Style Coach – Here Is How To Rediscover Your Personal Style As A Mature Woman

As a personal stylist, one of the most common questions I hear is, “What practical steps can I take to improve my personal style?” This question often comes from midlife women who find themselves at a crossroads—they’re unsure about their current style but feel a strong desire to elevate it while staying true to themselves.

That’s where my DIVA Essentials™ framework comes in, bringing clarity and structure to your style journey. DIVA stands for Define your style vision, Invest in Yourself, View Your Wardrobe as a Strategic Asset, Amplify Your Impact. 

Define Your Personal Style Vision

Elevating your style begins with understanding who you are and how you want to show up in the world. Reflect on your lifestyle, your current stage of life, and the image you’d like to project. Then, choose three to five words that describe your desired style—vibrant, polished, edgy, etc.—and write them down. This becomes the foundation of your style roadmap.

Next, find inspiration from style icons who embody these traits. For example, Jackie Kennedy—or fictional characters like Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada and Olivia Pope from Scandal—may come to mind.

This list of style types and icons may provide you with a starting point to guide your style exploration:

• Effortless Minimalism: Jennifer Aniston, Katie Holmes, Zoë Kravitz, Gwyneth Paltrow

• Elegant Power Dressing: Victoria Beckham, Amal Clooney, Michelle Obama, Kerry Washington

• Vibrant and Expressive: Iris Apfel, Sarah Jessica Parker, Tracee Ellis Ross, Lupita Nyong’o

• Edgy Modernity: Cate Blanchett, Jenna Lyons, Rihanna, Tilda Swinton

• Classic with a Twist: Angela Bassett, Sofia Coppola, Helen Mirren, Sandra Oh

Once you’ve identified your style icons, search for their images and create a mood board that aligns with your personal preferences and style aspirations. If you prefer a digital approach, use platforms like Canva or Pinterest. For a more hands-on experience, consider making a physical board with magazine cutouts.

Look for signature colours, silhouettes, and accessories that resonate with your vision. These elements will guide your next steps in curating a wardrobe that reflects your personal vision and style goals.

Start your style roadmap by documenting your style descriptors, your chosen style icons, and the traits that resonate with you—such as favorite patterns, timeless pieces, or colour palettes. Use these as a foundation to define your vision and shape your unique style identity.

Invest in Yourself

Elevating your style requires intentional investments of time and money, much like the investments you make in your education, health, and career. Just as you focus on your skills and well-being, dedicate time to understanding what works for your unique style—silhouettes, colours, fabrics, and all.

Focus on building a wardrobe that reflects your goals by prioritizing quality over quantity with key foundational pieces, while allowing for the occasional splurge on something special.

Equally important is the care and maintenance of your clothing to ensure your wardrobe remains polished and functional. Before shopping for new pieces, auditing and editing your wardrobe is an essential part of your style elevation. Take stock of what you already own, eliminate pieces that no longer serve you, and identify gaps. This allows you to better understand what you have and what you need, ensuring new purchases align with your style roadmap.

Build on your wardrobe audit by documenting your findings in your roadmap. Note wardrobe gaps, items that need replacing, and pieces that need tailoring or repair. Schedule time for a professional bra fitting and get damaged shoes repaired. Focus on essential upgrades that integrate seamlessly with your existing wardrobe to ensure each piece contributes to your elevated style.

View Your Wardrobe as a Strategic Asset

Your wardrobe is more than a collection of clothes; it’s a strategic tool for building confidence, projecting authority, and enhancing self-perception. Dressing well can help you remain visible and polished in both professional and personal spaces.

A study in the Journal of Women & Aging revealed that women over 50 often feel invisible in professional settings. A thoughtfully curated wardrobe can combat this by ensuring you stand out and feel empowered.

Research on “enclothed cognition” shows that what you wear can influence your confidence, focus, and even your ability to tackle tasks with purpose and precision. This concept suggests that what you wear impacts your mental state, such as increasing focus or confidence, based on the symbolic meaning of the clothing.

By dressing with intention, you can align your wardrobe with your impact and ensure it reflects your true self—your style becomes a tool for empowerment, allowing you to own your presence wherever you go.

View your wardrobe as a tool that aligns with both your personal and professional vision. When selecting clothing, ask yourself: “Does this piece enhance my visibility and authority? Does it reflect the person I am today, and the impact I want to make tomorrow?“

In your style roadmap, note pieces that can be used for strategic purposes, like a power blazer or a pair of statement shoes. Keep this mindset as you continue to curate your wardrobe.

 

Amplify Your Impact

To make your style unforgettable, focus on signature elements that reflect your personality and set you apart. This could be anything from a bold accessory to a unique silhouette or even a distinctive hairstyle. Think of icons like Iris Apfel’s oversized glasses or Anna Wintour’s sharp bob—these elements define their personal brand.

Experiment with adding one or two of these signature touches, whether it’s a vintage pattern, a pop of color, or a standout accessory. Let these elements become an integral part of your style identity and express who you truly are.

Experiment with incorporating these signature elements into your style roadmap—and embrace the fun of expressing your true self. Identify one or two items that you feel could elevate your wardrobe and make it feel even more authentic to who you are. Whether it’s a unique print, accessory, or color, let these pieces showcase your individuality and boldness.

Bringing It All Together

Now that you’ve crafted your roadmap, it’s time to bring everything together into a cohesive and actionable guide. This is where all your insights and plans merge to create a personal style blueprint that’s both clear and functional.

• Style Vision: Define your style with three to five key descriptors and visual inspirations that capture your aesthetic.

• Investments: Curate a list of essential pieces, explore brands that align with your vision, and identify any tailoring needs to ensure a perfect fit.

• Strategic Assets: Identify wardrobe essentials that are versatile and also align with your personal goals. Wardrobe essentials aligned with your goals.

• Signature Elements: Add your personal touch with unique accessories or details that make your style memorable. Unique touches that make your style memorable.

Refer to this guide when shopping or working with a personal stylist to ensure your purchases align with your vision. It’s your compass for building a wardrobe that reflects your true self and aspirations.

Have style questions? Send them to [email protected] with “Ask Lauren” in the subject line. 

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