Get a confidence boost and learn how to build confidence with your style this autumn/winter

Do you have style confidence?  You know that feeling you get when you know you are totally rocking your outfit?  When you feel like you are wearing just the right outfit for the occasion and you are happy, strong and could take on the world?  Or then on the other hand, there are those days when you just feel like you got it wrong, when you hate what you are wearing or you just couldn't get your outfit right that morning and you now have ten outfits discarded on the bed and still don't know what to wear?

I thought when I 'grew up' I'd always get it right and have style confidence but now I know you never really quite grow up!  And it doesn't matter how big your budget is or how full your wardrobe is, some days, we just feel wrong!

Self-confidence is of course about more than just what we wear but for many women, let's be honest, our wardrobe is a huge part of finding our inner confidence!

But then came along lockdown to complicate our style even more and we have been stuck at home for the best part of two years!  We discarded our bras (well I didn't, but many did), we put on sweat pants and comfortable clothes - and now we are slowly getting our social life back, the old style dilemmas are back.

Joe Browns have launched a new campaign and it is all abut getting your mojo back!  They want to inspire you to feel better about yourself!  And love what you wear!  So Joe Browns are asking if it is time for you to unleash your inner #mojoe and my post today shares with you what I do to feel confident with my style ...

​This is a gifted blog post.

Wearing the Vintage Check Skirt from Joe Browns - all outfit details below

Change your mindset and get a confidence boost!

I decided to embrace my inner confidence when I was approaching my 50th birthday, I lost some weight, got fitter, started my blog, began keeping a diary of my style on my Instagram grid and got braver with what I was wearing!  It didn't happen overnight, but when I look back at my 'style journey' over the last few years I can see the confidence emerging.  I love fashion and I love clothes and I love looking and feeling confident.  I then started HRT, tackled the menopause symptoms and took control of my life!

Taking photos for my blog gives me an excuse to dress up every day!

There are more affordable choices on the High Street now, fashion is no longer limited to what is on trend - anything goes!  And pre-loved is now mainstream!  Find a good local pre-loved boutique , get to know the owners and they will look out for things that suit you!

I also stopped caring so much what others think.  Not easy!

I do my best to switch off the comparison - it really is the thief of joy!

I buy gorgeous lingerie, it makes me feel good, and getting the foundation of your outfit right is essential!  A well fitting bra and the right undergarments can totally change the look of a dress.  

I look after myself, I get my nails done, I put the spray tan on, I get a full leg and bikini wax regularly and I have my hair cut and coloured every 6 weeks.

I choose my down days though and sometimes a home day wearing leggings and a sweatshirt is absolutely what I want.

​But I still get up, do my hair, and put some make-up on!

Vintage Check Skirt from Joe Browns - all outfit details below

What is style confidence?

Did you know there is a term to describe style confidence?  

Enclothed cognition is a term coined by Hajo Adam and Adam D. Galinsky in an experiment from 2012. It relates to the effect which clothing has upon a persons mental process and the way they think, feel, and function, in areas like attention, confidence, or abstract thinking.

The clothes we wear daily reflect the way we want others to perceive us and how we see ourselves. ... the researchers concluded that clothes have a symbolic meaning. When we wear an article of clothing with a specific meaning, these clothes can influence our psychological state.

So we can literally find strength through style.  We can feel better about ourselves if we feel confident in what we are wearing. 

​If I need a boost, I will choose the red underwear or the bright dress, or my favourite tight jeans that I feel amazing in!  And I love wearing an outfit with significance and meaning - that lucky dress or a top with a slogan that has a hidden message!

Tips to help you find your style confidence

Start now!  Dress your best now, don't wait until tomorrow, next week or when you lose weight!

Get rid of all the clothes that make you feel rubbish, the jeans that are too small, the shirt with a hole, the baggy jumpers.  Only keep what you love!

Work out your style personality and stick to it!  I tried the Kettlewell Colours Style Quiz and it told me I am 'Minimalist' - neat, chic and pared back, you look best in well cut styles in classic shapes.  I'd agree with this!  I like simple and not too much fuss.

Stick to your style and go with your gut instinct, don't copy others, by all means get inspiration from Instagram but we are all unique.  When I've been shopping with a friend and bought what they bought because it looked amazing on them, I always regret it, in fact I love to shop alone for that reason!

Don't give up too soon, I often take some time to come around to a new trend or look, I will watch and consider before buying.  Like chunky boots - it took me a year or so before I decided to buy into the trend, now I love wearing my chunky boots and have even invested in a cream pair this season. 

But equally if it doesn't work for you - give up!  I love faded, ripped jeans on others, but on me - it just doesn't look right!

Stop comparing yourself to others, make an outfit your own, so if you love something on someone else but it just doesn't look right on you, don't give up, try it a different way!  Back to the chunky boots example, there are lots of different styles, I found that patent lace-up was just the right side of subtle chunky for me and I can't wear them with short skirts, even if I think it looks amazing on others.

.And finally be kind to yourself!  No one gets it right every single time.  We all have doubts and remember Instagram isn't real life, I don't heavily edit my photos (I don't know how) but I do only post the best ones!  I doubt myself nearly every day, but I have learnt to embrace inner confidence, and not care so much what others think.

For more inspiration read my blog post about how a colour consultant can help your confidence and have a browse of the Joe Browns website too - they have lots of lovely styles and colours to help you find your inner #mojoe.

Love from
Michelle xx
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Disclaimer: Joe Browns gifted me three items from their autumn range and asked if I would like to write a blog post about confidence, all words and opinions are my own.

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Other blogs I link up with:

Is This Mutton
#WowOnWednesday 

​Mummabstylish
#Chic&Stylish

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Outfit 1: Vintage Check Skirt from Joe Browns worn with a red skinny knit from Marks & Spencer or why not try it with the red cowl neck top from Joe Browns.  I am also wearing a faux fur scarf  in berry and a vintage (ish) wool coat from Laura Ashley (was my mums)

Outfit 2 - to 'rock my inner confidence' I chose the Rock It Sweater Dress in a rusty red colour, it is a non-clinging knitted, skater style dress that flatters!  I don't often wear a shorter style!

Rock It Sweater Dress from Joe Browns worn with long suede boots from Kurt Geiger - but Marks & Spencer have similar styles - Suede Pointed Knee High Boots in Black.

My handbag is from Kate Spade but I bought it (new with labels) from local pre-loved boutique, Vintage & Vogue in Beaconsfield.

And finally Outfit 3 is the A Wonderful Time Dress and I wore it for my son's birthday lunch at Cliveden and we did have a wonderful time!  It is cute, flattering and easy to wear.  I love the tiered hem for a little swish and the colours are bright and fun for winter!  The light on this day doesn't really do the colour of this dress justice - but it gave me lots of confidence wearing it as my daughter and husband agreed I looked younger!

A Wonderful Time Dress from Joe Browns worn with a pair of Stretch Over the Knee Boots from Next (last year) - Dune have a similar pair.  I need flat boots for our walk after lunch but I think this outfit would look fabulous with heels too.

For more confidence inspiration and quotes visit my Pinterest - tap on the quote to find me!