The Style Shift: Dressing for Who You Are & Who You’re Becoming

Aligning Style with Self: Reflecting on Personal Style and Branding

This Week on the Podcast & Blog : Personal Styling & Branding

This week it's is all about personal style — not just what you wear, but what it says about you. Personal branding isn’t just for public figures; it’s for anyone who wants to express their identity with clarity and confidence. And Harriet Chung - Chatley from Radiant Styling joins me to discuss personal styling and her experience of how the psychology of colour and style impacts how we show up in the world.

The iconic fictional character "Carrie Bradshaw" from "Sex In The City" - a personal branding master.

Your style is a kind of language — one that tells the world how you see yourself, what you value, and where you’re headed. And like all forms of self-expression, it can evolve. If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your wardrobe or curious about how to make your outer self match your inner self, you’re not alone.

In this post, we’re exploring how to use self-reflection, psychology, and intentional choices to connect with a style that feels true. Whether you want a gentle refresh or a total style reboot, we’ve got you.

🔍 Three Prompts to Explore Your Personal Style

1. "When do I feel most like myself?"

   Think back to moments where you felt grounded, alive, or fully at ease. What were you wearing? What textures, shapes, or colors were involved?

   
   

2. "What three words do I want my style to communicate about me?"

   Consider words like creative, calm, powerful, joyful, or unapologetic. These words can guide your wardrobe choices — and help you notice what’s currently missing.

   
   

3. "Who inspires my style — and what does that say about me?"

   Reflect on people whose style you admire. Are they bold? Effortless? Artistic? What parts of their aesthetic might you want to explore in your own way?

   
   

🎨 Colour Psychology: How Hues Affect Mood & Perception

Colour doesn’t just look good — it feels a certain way, too. Our brains associate colour with emotions and energy, and what you wear can subtly shift how others (and you) experience your presence.

• Blue – Trustworthy, calm, reliable

• Red – Confident, bold, high energy

• Yellow – Optimistic, creative, attention-grabbing

• Green – Grounded, balanced, fresh

• Black – Elegant, strong, mysterious

• White – Clean, simple, open

• Neutrals – Minimalist, versatile, timeless

  
  

Try this: For one week, experiment with wearing colors that reflect how you want to feel, not just what’s in your closet. Track any changes in your mood or interactions.

🧠 Body Image and Styling with Compassion

Our relationship with personal style is often tangled up with how we view our bodies. Many of us internalize the idea that we must look a certain way before we “deserve” to dress well. That’s a myth worth breaking.

Style is not a reward for weight loss, confidence, or perceived perfection. It’s a tool for expression, self-respect, and agency — right now, exactly as you are.

Ask yourself:

• Am I dressing to hide or to express?

• What would I wear if I stopped waiting for my body to change?

Approach this with gentleness. Style isn’t about masking — it’s about meeting yourself with creativity and care.

🌱 Dressing for the Person You’re Becoming

Your wardrobe can support transformation. The clothes you choose aren’t just a reflection of who you are now — they can also be an invitation to grow into who you’re becoming.

Ask: What would the most confident, purposeful version of me wear?

This doesn’t mean dressing outside your comfort zone every day — it means making small,

aligned choices that reflect your future self’s energy. Maybe it’s adding a bold piece of jewelry, trying a new silhouette, or retiring outfits that no longer feel like “you.”

Every item in your wardrobe is a vote for the version of you and who you’re becoming.

What future are you dressing for?

✨ Positive Psychology Intervention: Best Self Style Visualization

Use this guided visualization to bridge your internal growth with your external expression:

1. Set the scene. Take 10–15 minutes in a quiet space.

2. Visualize your Best Self. Imagine a version of you who feels aligned, confident, and grounded in their identity. Picture a day in their life: what they wear, how they move, the energy they carry.

3. Write about it. Capture all the details — textures, colors, accessories, posture, mindset.

4. Take one action. What’s one small change you can make to bring a piece of that vision into your life this week? Notice how it makes you feel? Does it change your energy?

   
   

💬 Final Thoughts

Personal style is more than aesthetic — it’s emotional, psychological, and deeply personal. Whether you’re drawn to reinvention or small shifts, the goal isn’t to impress. It’s to express.

So be curious. Be compassionate. And dress for the self you’re proud to become.

Let us know how the episode resonated with you — and if you try the reflection prompts or style visualization, tag us!

I'd love to celebrate your transformation.

Rhi xx

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