Style Buzz: Tips for Being Confident + Mixing Patterns & Prints

Eugene Stylist
Jul 24
4 min read

Three Ideas to Inspire Your Style This Week

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"It's a matter of being open and vulnerable to be able to try clothes on around other people! "

*I almost didn't buy this dress because it was too loud, but it was the perfect dress for a perfect day, and I'm SO glad I ignored the conservative voices in my head. Also, limos are awesome!*

A lovely client and I were talking about her upcoming closet edit and personal shopping trip appointments and the topic of shopping with other people came up. In her experience, shopping with friends is a challenge - not because of modesty, but rather that they might judge her if she tries on styles that they might not like personally. There's a lot of trust placed in me when I'm with a client to remove my own preferences from the equation, giving them the right space that helps them discover their own style.

xxx rachel

CONFIDENCE: THE SECRET INGREDIENT OF STYLE

It's one of life's little Catch-22s that dressing well gives you confidence but you need confidence to dress well.

Huh. That's annoying.

You're likely aware that your personal style affects both your physical and mental states - you know: Look good = feel good = do good. When you're comfortable in how you look and with what you're wearing (meaning: dressing as your authentic self, not in PJs!), you get a mental boost as well as an increase in self esteem. You also improve your physical being with more energy and confidence. However, when you're not comfortable with your appearance, the effect is not just neutral. It actually has an opposite, negative result, undermining your confidence and self esteem. That's also annoying.

Style is about confidence. That's the real beauty.

- Diane von Furstenberg

She's so right. Style translates to a visual reflection of your inner self, and you really are a beautiful soul. You maybe just need to learn how to show it outwardly.

So what can you do to get confident with dressing well? Start with small steps.

Carry a handbag in a pop of color, not the usual black or beige.
Stack a couple of bracelets in different colors, metals, and textures
Layer a few necklaces
Wear a monochrome outfit and add a pair of pretty, colorful shoes
Pull out your favorite piece of clothing and wear it!

Once you get comfortable with these little changes, you might be ready to keep going with some more ideas:

Mix pattern with pattern (see below for inspiration)
Wear unusual color combinations
Go a little maximalist with your accessories
Wear something you deem "fancy" for everyday
And then go out in public in it!

The thing about all of these suggestions is that they use pieces you might already own and won't cost you a dime to put into practice. But if you don't own anything like this yet, I give you full permission to invest in yourself and buy pieces that align with your future stylish self.

When it comes to discovering your personal style, being open and vulnerable around someone else can be intimidating or overwhelming, even if that person is a professional whose purpose is to support and guide you. But sometimes we just want a little head start in the privacy of our own home, taking the time to make mistakes and get an idea of what we want to do before sharing that out loud with someone else. It's kind of like tidying the house before the cleaners come, a little dip-of-your-toe into the world of style that's just around the corner but aren't quite sure if you want to commit to hiring a professional to get there.

Because I wish I'd had this kind of resource when I was trying to figure out my own style, I've created a downloadable course with step-by-step instructions and ideas to help you go from confusion to clarity. There are 7 modules to work through with activities and links to resources, and of course, my support throughout. While it's not as customized as my in-person services, this is a great place to start if you are feeling a bit lost, and can be complemented with any further styling services. Confidence is just a click away!

3 WAYS TO WEAR IT: Mixing Patterns & Prints

If you remember anything from What Not To Wear, you'll recall Stacy and Clinton encouraging people to mix patterns and prints. The formula is pretty simple: just make sure either the color palette OR the print/pattern matches (bonus if they both do!). This ties the pieces together with a common theme, allowing their differences to become focal points rather than a distraction. These three examples show how mixing them can elevate each piece to something greater than the sum of their parts.