Personal Style Workshop: Was it Worthwhile? What does it Involve?

Back in September I was invited to attend a 'Personal Style Workshop' run by Style with Cindy. I used to think that personal style was something that I was well across, but since having Mr B it has been a whole new ball game!!

Not only do  have a totally new shape and size to contend with, but my wardrobe needs are just so different to where I was at a few short years ago. Like many Mums post baby, I was in a bit of a style rut and for the past 10 months since having B I have been wearing pyjamas and tracksuit pants more than I'd care to admit! To say that I really needed a bit of help on how to dress the new 'mummy' me was a bit of an understatement.

The Style Worshop ran over the course of a full day at Style with Cindy HQ at Chadstone Shopping Centre here in Melbourne. I must admit that it was somewhat of a luxury for me to spend a full day on my own - no Mr B (I did miss him to bits though)! When I arrived I was pleasantly surprised that the group size for the day was nice and small, it guaranteed us a lot of personal one one one attention with the style guru herself - Cindy Newstead.

The main three themes of the day were:

• Defining your own personal style
• Dressing correctly for your body shape
• Using colours to enhance your complexion

After working through an initial little exercise, I found that my personal style was a mix of classic and elegant, which did not surprise me too much. I am not really one that gravitates towards dramatic or overly 'sexy' fashions. Generally when I buy something it is something classic that I know that I'll be able to wear year after year as these days the one wage situation is a bit limiting on the old clothes budget (anyone relate here?!).

Cindy then worked through our 'body shape', which I was a little bit nervous about, especially when I saw a tape measure for the first time in a good few years! Rather than classify everyone using the traditional 'pear' 'apple' etc, Cindy's method of establishing body shape is far more advanced. Cindy works with 3 variables to establish body shape - horizontal proportions, vertical proportions and your body features. Together the 'results' give you a more thorough understanding about how to balance, hide or enhance your individual body shape.

The results showed that I was an inverted triangle (with hips narrower than shoulders), that I had longer legs and shorter body (I had always thought I was the other way around). I was then provided with a very comprehensive and detailed list of what does suit me and what I should be looking for, from my clothing and even where I should be shopping for my body type. I have to say that this has made shopping so much easier and I no longer waste hours and hours trying on clothes only to be disappointed. 



Some of my take home literature which has become my bible!!



For example Cindy told me that with my body shape the Peplum style, that I had been seeing everywhere, would look great. Previously I wouldn't have gone near this trend with a 10 foot pole, but you know what when I tried it on it was amazing to see just how much this look really suited me and my shape.



Source: Portmans



The last major part of the day was a personal colour coding session designed to establish the colours that balance and harmonise you and enhance your complexion at the same time. I used to be a bit of a 'black and white' gal. I could see that it wasn't really doing much for me but it was safe and I never really knew what colours worked for me. This little exercise was another life changer, you can see below the colours that were found to suit me.

I have to say out of all of these colours, I probably wouldn't have thought the vast majority would have suited me. But after seeing just how amazing colour does look on me, I have totally embraced the advice and gone a little colour crazy! Out of all of my recent purchases lately there has not been a hint of black and white in sight.



One of my recent purchases in Magenta, a colour I NEVER would have picked but now adore! Source: Portmans



So did it change the way I think and dress? You bet it did!!

One of the things that really resonated with me was when Cindy said that you shouldn't leave your clothes waiting for a 'better' occasion. Her suggestions to start enjoying your wardrobe and love every thing you own and don't have anything in your wardrobe that doesn't make you look and feel great were ones that have really changed the way I dress. These messages were ones that I think that we could all learn so much from. I am sure that we all have clothes that we 'save' rather than enjoy and by the same token why do we hang on to those clothes that don't make us look and feel fabulous is beyond me, but we all do it!

As soon as I got home from the session, I went home and did a BIG cleanout and declutter and started making way for some new items that I love with all my heart and I know suit my new body shape. I will be sharing some of my tips as well as some of the ones learned at the session, over the next few days. This time of year is just perfect for a bit of a wardrobe declutter session!

Further information on sessions, dates and the services offered by Style with Cindy can be found over at their website. There is another session being held in Melbourne in December as well as one on the sunny Gold Coast.

A BIG thank you to Cindy for having me as a guest for the session, you really have changed not only the way that I dress but the way I feel about my body shape and I am hoping to book in a shopping trip with you very soon!! Whilst I certainly still consider my trackies a staple in my wardrobe, I will try and retire them a bit more :-)