Retail Therapy

“Today, fashion is really about sensuality—how a woman feels on the inside. In the '80s women used suits with exaggerated shoulders and waists to make a strong impression. Women are now more comfortable with themselves and their bodies—they no longer feel the need to hide behind their clothes.” 
Donna Karan


Today I saw an old friend of mine and he pointed out that my blog isn't really about styling, most of the time.  His exact words were, "For a stylist you seem to talk a lot about how people should make themselves feel better."  I can't deny it, because this is a huge part of what I do.  Finding clothes is the easy bit, I don't know if you've noticed but they are everywhere.  The hard part is convincing people to relinquish things that are tried and tested, but may not be actively working for them.  For me what I do is about a baby step towards helping people to reach their potential and see who they are.  I truly believe when you look better, you feel better and as a result life improves.  It's not scientific, I only have anecdotal evidence to support my claims.  To be honest I doubt Upgrade me is going to win a Nobel Peace Prize and at no point will we stand shoulder to shoulder, a Well dressed wall against the tide of human misery but I know that my clients have a better day because I've been in it, more they have a better 6 months or year as well.


When you are comfortable with yourself and the way you are presented, you have the energy to think of other things.  When you question even the smallest part of yourself it takes more energy to get anything done, as you will be pushing from a position of sand, which is hard - I don't recommend it.  The hardest thing about my job is getting people to recognise that their preconceptions are the sand they are trying to build on.  Donna Karen says that women no longer hide behind their clothes, but I think actually the clothes may have changed but the thoughts haven't.  As women we no longer borrow power it is our right, but as people, men and women, we don't generally strive to use clothes as a tool, which is what they are.  My job is to show people how to put the right tools in the box and occasionally how to use them to their greatest effect.  Clothes won't make the man, but the feelings of confidence inspired from looking good just might.