Welcome to the first in our special series of articles celebrating Blue Illusion’s collaboration with Channel 7’s Healthy, Wealthy and Wise.
This week, as Chyka and Donna join forces on screen to reinvigorate the wardrobes of some lucky women, we’re providing style tips for women over 45 everywhere who want a confidence boost and a style reboot.
We’ve all been there: looking into our wardrobe and lamenting that we have nothing to wear… We know it’s not true, but we’re stuck in a style rut and can’t see a way out. Fashion reflects how we feel and who we are. And it’s normal for these things to change—day by day, season by season. Allowing your style to shift with life’s seasons and embracing looks that flatter you now will help you step out with clarity, class, and confidence.
Perhaps, you’ve been through a transition and the pieces you once loved no longer work. Over the years, personal style for women evolves. Hormones and changes in health can have a huge impact on our bodies and minds. And big life milestones—like a new job or retirement, becoming a parent or grandparent, or finding yourself with an empty nest—can impact our identity. Our confidence can take a hit.
Instead of rushing out to stock up, now is the time to slow down and take stock. Look at the pieces you own—do they bring out your joie de vivre? Do they make you feel assurée? Are they the right fit for you maintenant? If the answer is no, then it might be time for a makeover or a simple style reboot.
Remember that holiday that got you out of a funk and set you on a new path? Just like a sojourn to the South of France can help us reset, a makeover can revive our style and reignite our verve. But where to begin?
1. Take charge
Decisive action is often the first step in a confidence shift. Gifting yourself time to consider how your clothes express your essence, is a great way to start your style shake-up. Approach your wardrobe with a Marie Kondo mindset and let go of anything that doesn’t bring you joie. There is power in accepting the season you’re in and releasing what no longer serves you. It also creates space for what’s next…
2. Ask for help
Don’t be afraid to ask a professional. Stylists are masterful at seeing the true colours of a person and knowing just what will help them shine. They might get you trying something you never dreamed of—a power blazer, a knit dress, a pair of flares (again!)—and loving it! Likewise, a friend can help you find a new perspective. Choose someone who knows you well, is comfortable being honest, and has your best interests at heart. Make it a special event and go for un café et un croissant after!
3. Trust yourself
Embrace a sense of playfulness, experiment with self-expression, and enjoy the process! Have fun with fashion but stay true to you. If you like it but will never wear it, then let it go. However, if the holiday-you in the South of France would wear it, then lean into it. Push your boundaries to find your flair. Even one fun piece can breathe new life into an old wardrobe and spark a fresh fashion direction that could totally revamp your look.
4. Choose wisely
Style is about confidence, not comparison. Just because it’s en vogue, doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. Choose colours that suit your skin tone and cuts that flatter your shape. Invest in a capsule of key pieces that mix and match, and a statement item that makes you feel radiant. Dress for comfort without losing style. And consider if a few choice accessories—like a scarf, a belt, a bag, or some eye-catching earrings—could help elevate existing outfits. Think about how to refresh your wardrobe with pieces that reflect who you are today, and spend time experimenting with both new and old—fashion makeover ideas can start with things you already own.
Transitions can be tricky. But in change lies opportunity. You deserve to feel confident. And your transformation doesn’t have to be as drastic as Sandy Olsson in Grease! In fact, it should be much less about how other people see you and more about how you see yourself. Chyka says, “a lot of people feel they need to dim their light as they get older, but the older I get, the more I want to shine”. So, if a style reboot will have you walking taller, smiling more, and feeling at home in your own skin, then it’s worth it. Because a makeover isn’t about becoming someone else, it’s about reconnecting with yourself.
Profite bien!
We invite you to reinvigorate your wardrobe with our in-store stylists. Book your very personal styling appointment now.
