Nine years ago, Kelly and I met as new mums at our children’s swimming lessons. We've kept in touch ever since, and recently she reached out to me about my personal styling services. After a change to her personal life, Kelly was ready for a fresh start — and that included her wardrobe.

“My clothes feel tired, drab and too ‘housewife.’ I have no idea what suits me anymore,” she admitted.

She had a walk-in wardrobe packed with old clothes, many of which she hadn’t worn for years. She was overwhelmed and unsure where to start. That’s where I came in.

Step One: The Prep

Before our session, I asked Kelly to send me a photo of her wardrobe. I explained that we’d be doing a mini colour analysis, body shape evaluation, and a full wardrobe assessment lasting around two hours. We booked a time during school hours, so she’d be free to focus without interruption.

A Fresh Colour & Style Direction

When I arrived, we chatted over a drink, and I had Kelly fill out a client form. Using my seasonal drapes, I identified Kelly’s seasonal colours and her body shape as a curved top line with a straighter bottom half.

We talked about how she uses her clothes during the week — from teaching at high school to gym sessions, mum life, and socialising — and mapped it out using a pie chart to guide our wardrobe sort.

Sorting the Wardrobe: Three Clear Piles

With the help of a portable clothes rail and new hangers, we tackled the wardrobe by dividing everything into three key piles:

1. Frequently Worn

These were easy to spot. We checked each item for condition, colour, and fit. If it didn't flatter her colouring or body shape, or was too worn, it was set aside. The rest went onto the “keep” rail.

2. No Longer Worn

Here’s where the magic started. We rediscovered some lovely pieces Kelly had lost confidence in. A couple of tailored jackets found a second life paired with jeans. Ill-fitting trousers? Out they went — and onto the shopping list went a better-fitting pair.

Kelly also had lots of hand-me-downs from her mum. I reassured her that she could return or donate them with kindness. “Just tell her you’ve done a wardrobe detox,” I suggested.

3. Occasionally Worn

This pile included pretty dresses Kelly rarely wore. I pulled out a few gems that looked amazing on her — and just like that, her confidence began to grow.

Filling the Gaps

Once we’d cleared the clutter, we reviewed her weekly wardrobe needs and built a list of must-haves:

Workwear: Mix-and-match staples to keep things smart but modern
Gym gear: Something functional yet feminine
Socialwear: A refresh with flattering, confidence-boosting styles
Everyday comfort clothes: Already in good shape — no changes needed

Organised, Styled and Empowered

We rehung everything by category and colour, making outfit-building effortless. The change was immediate: Kelly could see clearly what she owned, how it all worked together, and what she needed moving forward.

I took the recycling bags with me and encouraged Kelly to drop her charity donations soon — keeping momentum going is key!

Feedback Like This Fills My Cup

A couple of weeks later, Kelly messaged me:

“Lucy, I just had to message you. I cannot tell you how much the colour analysis and wardrobe assessment has changed my life. For the first time in such a long time, I feel like me again. I’m so pleased to finally have my wardrobe how I want. Thank you so much x”

Ready to Find Your Style Again?

Whether you're starting over, feeling stuck in a style rut, or just want to feel more like you when you get dressed each day — I’m here to help.

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Let’s rediscover your style and boost your confidence from the inside out.

From “Drab and Housewife” to Fresh and Confident: Kelly’s Wardrobe Transformation