Reserved but determined
Mar 27, 2026 9:56 am
Identity catches up to life
Hi ,
After Elena’s Personal Style consultation, I kept thinking about how common her situation actually is.
Life changes quickly. But our wardrobes, and sometimes our self-image, lag behind.
During the session we spent a good amount of time working through her physical structure. Her proportions, her natural lines, how clothing sits on her body, and where visual balance matters most.
This is usually the part people expect.
What they don’t expect is how much time we spend talking about real-life things.
Where she spends her time.
How she wants to be perceived at work.
How she feels walking into a new situation.
What feels comfortable, both physically and emotionally.
Elena was thoughtful in the way she answered. She didn’t rush her responses. She took her time, considered things carefully, and was honest about where she felt unsure.
That reserved but determined nature showed up clearly.
One thing that stood out during our discussion was how much responsibility she had been carrying.
Primary parenting.
A newer role at work with higher expectations.
And the quiet pressure honestly many women feel to hold it all together without drawing attention to themselves.
In situations like this, clothing often becomes purely functional. Something to get through the day.
Elena had forgotten many of her needs in the last two years. She’d been "containing" everything - the divorce, the move, the new job - so tightly that her outer shell had become a bit of a blur. Almost outside her own body.
But when looking at her natural physical presence, it became clear that Elena actually had a strong visual presence.
It just wasn’t fully aligned and supported by what she was wearing.
That’s where small adjustments will drive different choices. And end up making a big difference.
Like geometic prints instead of florals.
Choosing long narrow earrings.
Sharp and straight lines for her accessories.
We talked about how 3/4 sleeves were her ideal length.
How her silhouette is made for flared and A-line skirts.
To avoid cropped pants completely if possible!
The shape and construction of her glasses
And more...
By the end of the session, Elena had understanding of her body's structure and how to work with it.
More importantly, she had language to describe her own style preferences, which is something many women have never been given before.
And that makes Elena's future personal style decisions much easier.
Her Colour Analysis session was booked for a couple weeks later. I’ll share more on that next week...
xxoo
Maree
Style harmony. Life symphony.
