From Frustrating to Fun: My Journey to Helping Women in Midlife Find Their Style

Let me tell you a secret: I used to be that frazzled mom in the school pickup line, wearing the same tired jeans and striped t-shirt combo day after day. As a personal stylist, you might think I've always had it all figured out, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. It took years of looking in the mirror and thinking, “when did I get so ‘blah?’” before I really started focusing on my style.

I can’t point to one particular day or event that did it for me, although early postpartum days were pretty bad (which I talk about here). Collectively, it was probably my late 30’s and more importantly, when I turned 40, when I caught glimpses of myself in the mirror and barely recognized the woman staring back at me. Where had my sense of style gone? When had I started prioritizing everyone else's needs over my own desire to feel good about how I looked?

That period was a wake-up call. It helped that I was working for Stitch Fix styling other women daily, and the idea that personal style wasn't just about looking good—it was about feeling good—was engrained in me and became part of my mindset. It was a bit of enlightenment; if I truly believe personal style is more than just the clothes, and if I can help other women see this, then what about me? My passion for helping busy women discover their unique sense of style catapulted me to embark on my own style journey.

This experience shapes everything I do as a personal stylist. When I work with clients, I'm not just picking out clothes—I'm helping them reconnect with their authentic selves. My approach is all about finding that sweet spot between practical and personality-packed.

Here's a little behind-the-scenes peek at my styling process: I always start by guiding my new clients through a style discovery exercise. We start from scratch and look at their lifestyle, their preferences and how they aspire to feel in their clothes to influence outfit creation that’s customized for them as individuals. This holistic approach ensures the styles we choose aren't just trendy—they truly reflect who my clients are.

This exercise often starts to open my clients’ minds. Many of my clients come to me believing that "stylish" and "practical" are mutually exclusive, especially for busy women. They also tend to believe they need separate work and weekend wardrobes. But through our work together, they discover a new belief: "My style can be an effortless expression of who I am, no matter how hectic my life is."

This shift is transformative. When you stop seeing style as another chore and start seeing it as a form of self-expression and self-care, getting dressed becomes fun rather than frustrating.

Because I incorporate this personalized, holistic approach in my styling services, my clients don't just walk away with a new wardrobe—they gain a renewed sense of confidence and a style that truly feels like "them," whether they're in the classroom or the office, at the park with their kids, networking or enjoying a rare date night.

So, to all the busy women out there feeling stuck in a midlife style rut: remember, your unique personality is your best accessory. Embrace it, express it and watch how it transforms not just your wardrobe, but your entire outlook!