The secret (well not so secret) is out, I'm over 40, in fact I'm well over 40, much closer to 50 than 40 these days and I love blogging about style for women who are in a similar situation.
Sure I know that many of you are under 40, and so many are well over 40! But when I'm writing I'm thinking about the women like me, over 40, little time for themselves, but who want to look great but often feel lost and unsure. I know that was me before I took my image consultant training course and learned just a little of what I know today.
We don't have perfect 'model' bodies, they are regular ones that have had kids and have been fed more chocolate and wine than they maybe should have (but life is short and a girl has to have some fun). I know all those frustrations that women have when they shop and get dressed. I have felt their pain a million times myself. I know what it's like to have a non-manufacturing standard body shape that doesn't suit many of the fashion trends.
This blog is a testament to having spent over a decade working with women of all ages and stages, all bodies and colouring, all personalities and lifestyles. I have learned so much from each one of you, plus I learn from every question that is left in the comments or emailed directly to me from you my readers.
I love being a real person, with a real and regular body, and you can see over the years I've gained and lost weight, changed my hair colour radically, had a breast reduction (the anti-boob-job as I call it) and have evolved myself over time.
With the little maturity that has come with my age, I feel more confident in myself in my 40s than I ever did in my 30s (and particularly not my 20s). I never felt stylish pre-40s. Funnily though, when I recently attended my 30th Anniversary reunion of the Canberra Youth Orchestra people commented that they felt I'd always had style (sure with my hand painted shirts, nasty 80s perm and all the clothes I made myself, it was some sort of style) but I never felt like I had that kind of in-built style that some people seem to so effortlessly achieve. I never felt stylish.
I feel that my style has come from learning and playing. Trying things out, analyzing what does and doesn't work, and then trying something else. The photos help too to see whether or not an outfit seems balanced or not. By sharing what I know and have learned I hope that you too feel more confident and stylish and just a little more like you.
My reality is that I spend lots of time sitting on my behind working from home in front of my computer when I'm not seeing my personal styling clients. I certainly don't have a glamorous life (my life is not anything like the TV show Fashion Bloggers) and I rarely get invited to parties or events (though I'm open to invitations!). I do try to dress well every day, occasionally you'll find me sitting here in my exercise clothing, but not often. I know that when I dress in a way that pleases me, I know feel better and am more confident, even if the only people who see me that day are my family, and of course myself when I catch a glimpse in the bathroom mirror. I understand the power of style.
Celebrating women and style, who we are as we grow and change through our lives is my aim. Sharing the Stylish Thoughts of women from around the globe (and how much you love reading them) is one of my pleasures. Helping you discover who you are and how you can express that through your personal style so that you look and feel great, have more confidence and credibility in all that you do is my mission.
When I was growing up I was told that clothes are shallow and unimportant, yet I know just how deeply what we wear influences how we feel.
I know this is true, as I've seen it over and over.
I started this style blog back in 2008 with the idea that if no one read it, it would be a good place to download what I'd learned helping my personal styling clients. It has become so much more than that for me. Blogging has transformed my life, opened up opportunities both personally and professionally, and given me and avenue to help so many more people than I could ever possibly consult with in person.
I grew up reading fashion magazines where all the models were under 20 and super slim with long torsos and legs (and that's pretty much still the same today). There were very few style icons for women over 30, let alone 40, 50 or 60. I love that blogs are full of photos of stylish women at every age with every body type, they show that style is not about a number or a style, but an attitude. When I started I never published photos of myself (cos I sure ain't a model) but taking photos of myself has helped me define, refine and be more bold in my own style and has given me a confidence in myself, that I didn't have before. If it could do that for me, then I know that even in a closed environment like the Evolve Your Style and 7 Steps to Style facebook groups, publishing photos has given many of you a new confidence and understanding of your styles.
I don't want you to copy my personal style, but I do want to influence you to discover your own, what makes you feel confident and empowered, appropriate and gorgeous.
That's why I love being an over 40s fashion and style blogger.
Now I'd love to know, who are your favourite over 40 style bloggers? Please leave a link in the comments to the blogs you love to read.
And just so you know, the outfits in this post are what I really wore this past week.
