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Great News!

✨Your Wardrobe Makeover may be Covered by Your Benefits!

Many Health Spending Accounts cover my services (Colour, Style, Closets & Shopping) as it falls under Self-Improvement. Confirm with your provider—you could enjoy a Style Transformation sooner than you thought!



📅 Click here Start your Style Transformation Today!

👗 Essential Style Tip of the Month

🌸 Why We Buy Clothes We Don’t Wear — and How to Stop

Do you have closet orphans—those pieces you bought with the best of intentions but somehow never wear. Maybe they don’t fit quite right, don’t feel like you, or simply don’t work with anything else you own.

Understanding why we buy clothes that end up as orphans is the first step toward shopping with intention and building a wardrobe you truly love—and actually wear.

Here are 10 reasons we make shopping mistakes:

1. Buying for the Life You Wish You Had

It’s easy to shop for the fantasy life—the one filled with elegant parties, impromptu getaways, or perfectly curated mornings at the café. But if your closet is full of “someday” outfits, you’ll feel like you have nothing to wear today.

Quick reset: Imagine next Tuesday. Would you wear it then? If not, it’s probably appealing to a dream, not your daily life.

2. Focusing on Size Instead of Fit

Many women have tied their self-worth to a number on the tag—it’s a message we’ve absorbed for years. But your worth isn’t measured in clothing sizes. What truly matters is how something fits and feels.

When you try something on, ask: Do I feel comfortable and confident? Does it look too small/big? Could I sit comfortably all day? That feeling—not the size—is what style confidence looks like.

3. Trusting the Fitting Room Too Much

Store mirrors and lighting are designed to flatter, not to be honest. Move around, sit down, and if possible, take a photo. It’s a lot easier to judge a photo than our mirror image.

4. Getting Swayed by the Sale Rack

A bargain is only a deal if you’ll actually wear it. Before saying yes, ask: Would I still love this at full price? If the answer’s no, keep your money (and your closet space).

5. Overlooking Colour, Necklines and Shapes

Colour matters, but silhouette is the silent star. The right neckline or shape can lift, balance, and flatter instantly. Pay attention to what lights up your face and what doesn’t—it’s rarely your body that’s “off,” it’s usually the colour or the cut.

6. Confusing Quantity with Quality

More clothes don’t mean more style—just more clutter. A few well-made, flattering pieces that mix and match easily will serve you far better than a full closet of “almost right.”

7. Ignoring Fabric and Care

If a label says “dry clean only,” be honest—will you really do it? Choose fabrics that fit your lifestyle: soft, breathable, and easy to care for. High-maintenance clothes rarely become favorites.

8. Overdoing the Trends

Trends can refresh your wardrobe, but moderation is key. A statement piece or seasonal colour adds personality—just don’t let trends overpower your personal style.

9. Shopping for the Mood Boost

We’ve all done it—shopping to lift our spirits. It works… temporarily. Next time, pause and ask what you truly need in that moment. Often, connection or rest works better than another top.

10. Settling for “Pretty But Uncomfortable”

If it pinches, pulls, or scratches in the fitting room, it won’t magically improve at home. True style confidence comes from feeling good in what you wear—not suffering for fashion.

Final Thoughts

We all make shopping mistakes, but once you notice your patterns, you can shop with more awareness and ease. Every thoughtful purchase moves you closer to a wardrobe that feels authentic, versatile, and perfectly you.

Remember: You don’t need more clothes—you need the right ones for the beautiful, real life you’re living right now.

Does the thought of shopping for clothes overwhelm you?

Let's make it fun and stress-free—together we'll choose stores that fit your style, needs, and budget (even thrift shopping if you'd like!). Click here to book your personal shopping session.

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✨ Trending This Season’

🐾 Animal Instincts—Refined for 2025

Animal prints are always in style, but this season we’re seeing fresh takes beyond the usual leopard and zebra. From sleek snake textures 🐍 to bold tiger stripes 🐅 and graphic cow spots 🐄, there’s a print for every personality. The best part? Choosing the right animal print can be an effortless way to wear your perfect value contrast—whether you shine in high-contrast patterns like zebra or softer tones like subtle reptile textures. It’s fashion and color harmony in one stylish statement! These items are from: Anthropologie, Melanie Lyne, Marks & Spencer, Shein and Coach Outlet. Can’t find them? Contact me for the direct link.

🌼Boho Style—Timeless, Flowy, and Free-Spirited🌺

This season, the boho trend gets a fresh update with flowy silhouettes, rich textures, and a hint of vintage charm. From dreamy velvet dresses to breezy tops and fringed purses and boots, these pieces bring effortless style and movement to your wardrobe. 🌷 The clothing shown here is from Anthropologie. The brown purse is from Amazon and the black boots from Etsy. Can’t find them? Contact me for the direct link.

What is your biggest Style Challenge? Feel free to ask questions by e-mailing me at mona@essentialstyleconsulting.ca

Have a Fabulous Fashion Day!

Mona Rioux CAOPIS, CSFC

Essential Style Consulting

Cell 403-826-9910

Mona@essentialstyleconsulting.ca

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Website: https://essentialstyleconsulting.ca/  

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