The Style Stories Podcast

Style and Identity on the Autism Spectrum

The clothes we wear are part of our identity. They are influenced by where we grew-up, who our friends and influences were and what music we listen to.  But what if you've never really been sure of your identity because you've never known who your 'self' is or where you belong? Buying clothes is seen by some as materialistic and frivolous and if you've always felt that way, can you change and start to embrace fashion, identity and looking nice?  These are some of the fascinating questions covered in this episode with my guest Sara-Louise Ackrill, a Social Impact Entrepreneur and Therapist. Sara was diagnosed with Autism at the quite late age of 38. It was then though that everything began to fall into place and she began a journey of exploring her own style and identity. Giving herself permission at last to embrace fashion and explore herself through her style. If you are on the spectrum or physically disabled then there is a lot of valuable info in this episode. Sara-Louise is now involved in creating specialist clothing for autistic people and she talks about the inclusive fashion movement that is now picking up a pace.  #styleforautism #logicalstyle #inclusivefashion #adaptivefashion #autism  Inclusive Fashion - also known as Adaptive Fashion: Nike and Tommy Hilfiger Kintsugi (Manchester based small label) E3Koncept - the clothing line for autistic people is currently in the design phase.  Find Sara-Louise Ackrill here https://www.wireddifferently.co.uk

Every Good Wardrobe Starts With a Declutter - Here’s how to do it properly

Are you someone who has a wardrobe full of clothes but still no good outfits? Do you hang on to things for years and tell yourself they will fit you again one day, or they might come back into fashion?  A cluttered wardrobe full of clothes makes getting dressed much harder. It's harder to pull outfits together, harder to know what's missing in the wardrobe and creates confusion in the mind. While we are all still stuck at home, it is a perfect time to declutter the wardrobe and the benefits are huge. In this episode I share the process I use when working with my clients. It's essential to leave your emotions at the door and be brave and brutal. Get rid of anything dated, that doesn't fit, that doesn't serve who you are NOW. We evolve all the time and wearing clothes that from our past life that make you feel too practical, dull or frumpy is going to drag you down. There are some great lessons to learn when going through this decluttering process to make sure once your wardrobe is decluttered it doesn't end up back there!  By following my three pillars of style process, you will end up with a streamlined and stylish wardrobe that fils you with confidence.  Grab my FREE guide here - What to wear for YOUR bodyshape. The quick-fix guide that tells you the exact clothes that suit each bodyshape. 

Step in to 2021 with Style and a Smile (and ditch the hoodie)

Thank-you for listening, I am over the moon my podcast hit 20,000 this year. This is my little wrap-up, my thoughts and summary of 2020 and why I really hope you will ditch the hoodie and wear what makes you look and feel amazing in 2021.  After a rough ride in 2020, let's make 2021 the year we step out confidently and enjoy everything life has to offer including our style and femininity.  Want to work with me in 2021 on your wardrobe? I have virtual wardrobe edit and styling sessions or digital courses 'How to Find Your Personal Style.' email me Lisa@lisagillbestyle.com  Follow me on Instagram @lisegillbestylist https://www.lisagillbestyle.com/

How to get your wardrobe from a mish-mash mess to streamlined and stylish

Do you feel lost with your style and struggle with clothes and how to look good? Having lots of clothes but no outfits, feeling unstylish and frumpy, not knowing where to shop anymore are all so common. These same issues come up again and again for so many women and at the root of it all is lack of clarity and lack of confidence. Lack of clarity in what works specifically for you and lack of confidence to wear what you love and not care what others think. In this episode I share the top frustrations and my top tips to very easily solve them.  Covid has changed how we get dressed and how we'll be dressing in 2021. Being aware of what probably isn't working in your wardrobe will stop shopping mistakes going forward and will make sure you always have the right thing to wear.  GRAB MY FREE GUIDE HERE - WHAT TO WEAR TO WORK - THE SUPER SIX PIECES YOU NEED TO BUY. https://mailchi.mp/470995644e5c/super-six-workwear-pieces email me to join my next online course - 'How to Find Your Personal Style.'  email Lisa@lisagillbestyle.com

Have you got Fashion Imposter Syndrome?

Harvard Business School has recognized 'Fashion Imposter Syndrome' which is when you do not feel worthy of luxury items. You'd perhaps buy a designer bag then feel self-conscious walking around with it. This explains why people 'save things for best' i.e. have some lovely things in their wardrobe but don't wear them because they feel like a show-off or again, self-conscious, choosing instead to wear the same practical and plain clothes day in and day out.  This is all so relatable and something most of us do daily.  My guest this week to discuss this topic is mindset coach and coach at TechPixies, Teresa Klasener. Before lockdown we ran some workshops together exploring how our insecurities and mindsets stop us from wearing clothes that could make us feel amazing and break out of dull style ruts. Being bolder and braver and getting absolute clarity on what suits US and our natural inherent personal style has a hugely positive impact on self esteem.  You can find Teresa at @youcomingalive www.human-human.co.uk PLEASE SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE A REVIEW IF YOU ENJOY THIS. 

How to Declutter Your Home and Have Better Sex

A bit of an unexpected twist to this week's podcast episode ladies! Who knew that simply tidying your bedroom can improve your sex life? It's a new one to me but makes total sense.  If you're wondering what all this has to do with style, fashion and image it is more about the practical element of what I do - decluttering wardrobes. My guest this week declutters whole houses and it is fascinating how we hang on to so much crap we don't need.  We're still at home so make it a pleasant place in more ways than one... This week's guest: Tania Rose Mellis AKA The Mess Goddess messgodess.com My website is www.lisagillbestyle.com

Are you hanging onto clothes that belong to your past?

Having visual clutter around the home, not just in your wardrobe really drags you down. So this week I invited Yvonne Dam to join me to talk about easy ways to declutter your life so you feel more productive, less stressed, lighter and have more time for the important things in life. Yvonne helps ambitious entrepreneurs and professionals to let go of the things that don't matter so they can free-up time - decluttering their minds. So many of us put ourselves to the bottom of the pile and a really negative way to live. Letting go of things that no longer serve us truly has life-changing effects. I hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe if you enjoy my podcasts and leave me a review. x Find Yvonne Dam here amaze-yourself.com  grab her free guide to freeing up your time and working smarter here. SIGN-UP FOR MY COURSE 'HOW TO FIND YOUR PERSONAL STYLE' HERE. We kick-off next week on Tuesday 24th November 2020. Enrollment is OPEN until Sunday 22nd at Midnight. You can join from anywhere in the world as it's all on zoom and Facebook! If you struggle with your wardrobe and image, don't know what to wear and would love some new ideas give yourself a Christmas treat and sign-up! https://mailchi.mp/lisagillbestyle/how-to-find-your-personal-style-course

Style Tips for women over 5ft 9’ with feet over UK size 8 or eur 42!

It's not easy to find clothes that fit when you are a tall lady. Never mind if you have large feet to top it all off. Look around the high street and it seems as though size 8 or eur 42 is the end of the line!! Often you have to settle for shoes that aren't particularly stylish from dated brands but not anymore! We have so much more choice these days there are TONS of stylish clothes and shoes to choose from.  In this episode I give my run down on the brands for shoes and clothes that I love for women who are tall with large feet. Ever if you are not tall but have large feet or vice versa then have a listen because there are tips in here for you too.  If you'd like to see the blog version of this podcast with photos and a list of the brands I suggest then head to www.lisagillbestyle.com Want me to cover one of YOUR personal style dilemmas on the podcast and get a shout out from me? Send me a message at Lisa@lisagillbesytle.com or head to my Instagram and sed me a DM - I would LOVE to hear from one of my listeners.  Stay safe. xx  #styletipsfortallwomen

The powerful benefits of decluttering your home - with Vicky Silverthorn

This week Vicky Silverthorn the founder of the professional decluttering company 'You Need a Vicky' and author of decluttering book 'Start with your Sock Drawer' joined me to talk about the LIFE CHANGING benefits of decluttering.  Lots of people find this a very scary prospect, we are emotionally attached to items and change is something that scares us on a very human level. Vicky talks about the easy ways to approach this and how not to get overwhelmed when decluttering or letting a professional company into your home and personal space to do it for you.  Vicky and her team are true pros and the testimonials she gets show just how life-enhancing streamlining and organizing your home can be. They are efficient and discreet and have weathered the storm of the pandemic to come back even stronger and are inundated with requests from people keen to take control of their lives and have a beautifully organised home space. This is a fascinating chat that covers tips and tricks and also the psychological benefits of letting go of STUFF.  Find Vicky at www.youneedavicky.com Or on instagram @youneedavicky Grab my free PDF guide here that gives you all the exact clothes that flatter each body shape. If you enjoyed the episode please subscribe and leave a review. It would mean the world to me. Stay safe x

Lost your style identity since lockdown? Here’s what to do

There are many times in our lives we lose our identity and feel we've lost ourselves, a global pandemic is one of them! Perhaps you've been wearing a suit to work for the past 20 years and no longer know what to wear. Maybe you're just coming out of the baby years with your kids and feel ready to smarten up a bit or perhaps you've got older and know you might need to change things up a bit but don't want to look frumpy. We've all been in one or more of these situations in our lives and now we're in a huge situation all together. In this episode I share my top-tips on how to make a difference to your style, reclaim your identity but still look and feel like yourself and appropriate for the world in its current state! There's no need this far down the line to sacrifice style for comfort if you don't want to.  I was inspired to record this episode by the ladies in my current online style club. They have been sharing how they feel about themselves and their current wardrobe and I wanted to address that in this podcast.  If you'd like to join my next style course and learn all about your personal style plus get styled online by me - drop me an email for details lisa@lisagillbestyle.com. Hope you enjoy the episode! Please subscribe and leave a review. xx