The key to confidence is already hanging in your closet. Issue #13
Overwhelmed by Your Wardrobe? The Simple Formula That Has Helped 100+ Women Take Control of Their Wardrobes - Here’s what they’re doing differently.
The other day, I found myself standing in the middle of the Gary Bunt: Marrow, Spuds & Onions exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, completely mesmerized. His work is simple yet deeply evocative, each piece telling a story, capturing nostalgia, emotion, and everyday beauty with such ease. It struck me: this is exactly what personal style should feel like. Not complicated, not cluttered, just a cute reflection of who you are.
And yet, so many women struggle with this. We buy and buy, hoping that the next purchase will finally make us feel stylish, only to end up drowning in a sea of clothes that don’t really resonate with us.
That’s why, at my last Accessorizing with Purpose workshop in collaboration with Treasures of Brazil (exquisite handmade jwellery) at Marylebone, we explored how accessories are the seasoning of our outfits, the final touch that brings everything together. So why do we so often leave them as an afterthought? When styling women, I’ve realised that most aren’t lacking great clothes; they’re just missing a formula to pull it all together.
And if you’re ready to experience this in action, let me introduce you to the most fun way to refresh your wardrobe, without spending a dime on new pieces.
Next Saturday, March 15th, from 5-8 PM at Holland Park, I’m hosting a Clothes Swap Dinner Party, and trust me, it’s not your average swap event. A gorgeous setting, glasses of mocktails clinking, women swapping stories as they swap clothes, and me guiding you through the art of mixing, matching, and accessorising in a way that makes you feel like your most elevated self. Over the past two years, this community has grown into something truly special, women supporting each other, sharing style tips, and leaving with not just new outfits, but new friendships.
Come for the wardrobe refresh, stay for the connection. You don’t want to miss this one. Comment to be included in the fun! ;)
Now, let’s dive into why more clothes don’t equal more style, and the one-step formula that will change your wardrobe forever.
Do we really need more clothes, or do we just need clarity?
It starts out innocently enough. You're scrolling through Instagram, and suddenly, there it is: the jacket that everyone is wearing. It's chic, it's trending, and before you can even think twice, it's in your cart. A week later, it arrives, and it's… fine. You wear it once, maybe twice, but something's off. It doesn't feel like you. And just like that, it gets swallowed into the abyss of your wardrobe, never to be seen again.
Sound familiar?
Here's the truth that no one tells you: owning more clothes doesn't make you more stylish. In fact, it usually does the opposite. Because the more you buy, the more your wardrobe starts to look like a chaotic mix of trends, impulse purchases, and "what was I thinking?" moments. And before you know it, you're standing in front of an overflowing closet, feeling like you have nothing to wear.
After styling women wardrobes from all walks of life for over three years, I’ve noticed something. Whether they’re CEOs, artists, new mums, or navigating a big career change, every single one of them struggles with the same wardrobe issues.
They feel overwhelmed by their closets but somehow still feel like they have nothing to wear.
They don’t know what actually suits them, so they keep buying what influencers wear, only to realise it doesn’t feel right on them.
They dress in ways that don’t reflect who they are, hiding in oversized black clothes, wearing colors they don’t love, or simply defaulting to “safe” outfits that don’t spark any joy.
And I get it. Getting dressed feels like work. You think you have to overhaul your entire wardrobe, shop endlessly, and spend hours planning outfits.
But what if I told you that looking amazing every day isn’t about finding your style, it’s about simplifying the way you dress?
The Secret? Outfit Formulas
I’ve discovered that the women who always look super nicely, the ones who never stress about getting dressed, and always stand out, aren’t the ones with the most clothes. They’re the ones who have a formula.
They don’t wake up and start from scratch every morning. Instead, they have a handful of outfits that they know make them feel incredible. They repeat them, mix them up slightly, and accessories to keep things fresh.
And that’s exactly what you need to do.
Step 1: Identify Your Hero Pieces
Open your wardrobe. Forget trends, forget what you think you should wear. Instead, pull out the pieces that you genuinely love wearing, the ones that make you feel confident, the ones that always get compliments, the ones you never second-guess.
These are your hero pieces. They’re the foundation of your outfit formulas.
Step 2: Create Outfit Formulas for Your Life
You don’t need a hundred different outfits. You need one reliable formula for every key area of your life:
Work: The blazer + fitted top + tailored trousers combo.
Social events: The dress + statement earrings + kitten heels combo.
Casual days: The jeans + white tee + leather jacket combo.
Travel: (if applies) The monochrome set + trainers + structured coat combo.
Once you have these formulas, dressing becomes quick and intuitive. You just follow your own guide, you’re following a system that works for you. The key? Replicating what makes you feel amazing. Take your Hero Pieces, the ones you always reach for, and experiment with variations in colors, textures, and patterns. There’s a reason you love these pieces: they flatter you, they fit seamlessly into your life, and they make you feel right. Instead of constantly searching for something new, refine what already works and make it your signature.Replicate what makes you shine and feel good, in different colours and patterns, there is a reason why your Hero Pieces are your beloved clothes.
Step 3: Edit Your Wardrobe (And Stop Overbuying)
Now, anything that doesn’t fit into your formulas? Let it go. It’s just clutter. And moving forward, use a one-in, one-out rule, if you buy something new, replace something old.
Step 4: Add Personality Through Accessories
Your outfit formula is your base. Accessories are where you add you. Whether it’s bold earrings, a signature handbag, or a red lip, this is where your personal style shines. Listen to your body, connect with yourself and express that through your clothes. Is there a better way to feel authentic and not like a copy of someone else?
Why This Works (And Why It’s Life-Changing)
You don’t need to reinvent yourself. You don’t need to chase trends. You just need to refine what you already love and wear it with intention.
And once you do?
Getting dressed becomes easy.
You stop feeling overwhelmed by your wardrobe.
You feel amazing every day, with minimal effort.
This is how you create a Wardrobe Wonderland, by wearing what you love, not by adding more.
If you’re ready to simplify your wardrobe (without the stress), subscribe to my London Styled & Wardrobe newsletter. You’ll get my Wardrobe Edit E-Book with a step-by-step guide and a checklist to help you finally curate a wardrobe that works for you.
Because looking amazing and feeling right shouldn’t be complicated, it should be easy.
If you’re curious about how to bring this method into your own life, because let’s be honest, your wardrobe deserves better than the daily sigh of “I have nothing to wear”, you can find me here. I’d love to chat and, at the very least, help you pinpoint what’s not quite working in your closet right now. Because sometimes, all it takes is a fresh perspective to turn chaos into chic.
Next week, I’ll take you behind the scenes of how a professional stylist really analyses a client’s lifestyle, pfofiling each area to align and connect their wardrobes to their goals. so you can do the same for yourself. Because your wardrobe shouldn’t just be okay, it should be a reflection of you. Stay tuned. 😉✨
Until next time,
Carolina X