The Style Stories Podcast

How to nail business casual when you work in a formal environment

For years you've been wearing a suit to work and suddenly, your employer changes the dress code to 'business formal', 'business casual' or 'smart casual'. It's a minefield - suddenly you've gone from the security of being able to chuck on a suit every day (so easy) to having to look polished and professional in a much more casual way.  This relaxed way of dressing at work started in silicon valley dot.com boom that started back in the 80's. Relaxed dress codes are seen by many as allure and are a perk of the job. Being restricted in a suit in navy, grey or black isn't required anymore and even more corporate organisations like Goldman Sachs are have turned their backs on formal work attire. Now we're coming out of months of working from home and become even more used to dressing down this is going to continue. The thing to remember is just because our workwear has become more informal, it doesn't mean there's no need to look professional at work. But how do you get it right? Sportwear is out, as are jeans and flipflops. I run through the items you can get to make sure you always have the right thing to wear in a formal workplace that now has a relaxed dress code. 

How to get an elevated casual wardrobe

Want to be comfortable but still look nice? Elevated casual is the way to go. In this episode I cover all the key pieces to get to really create a fantastically stylish but still casual and practical wardrobe. Just by paying attention to details like colour pop and fabrics you can switch-up you wardrobe quickly and easily to make it more interesting so you feel great every day. All the items I recommend here are over on my Pinterest board 'elevated casual' available to buy in the shops now. See some of the items on my instagram @lisegillbestylist

Go with the flow! The episode all about making your wardrobe flow with top style YouTuber Erin Busbee of Busbee Style

I was very lucky and honored to have Erin Busbee of Busbee Style on my podcast. Erin is the YouTube go-to expert for style advice for women over 40. Her youtube channel has over 300,000 subscribers and she covers just about every style dilemma you can possibly think of and solves it in bite-size chunks that are super easy to digest and action. Always entertaining too, Erin has authentic, approachable energy and a humorous take on many of the things we as women struggle with when it comes to getting dressed. GO AND SUBSCRIBE!  In this episode we discuss everything from our experiences working 121 as personal stylists and what we learnt to Erin's personal style moments. She has given a FREE guide to anyone who listens to the podcast - a downloadable PDF detailing the essential wardrobe basics you need in your wardrobe to make sure it flows. One for Spring Summer and one for Autumn/Winter - Enjoy! If you enjoy this podcast please subscribe - it would mean the world to me.  https://busbeestyle.com/style-stories/ https://busbeestyle.com/style-stories/

The one all about Botox, Fillers and everything in between.

Lisa welcomes ex G.P. and now top London Aesthetic Doctor Dr. Preema Vig onto the podcast this week to discuss 'tweakments.' If you've ever wondered about the treatments available as you age to improve skin or help you look younger and fresher then this is a packed episode with all the facts you need. If you don't fancy going for needles there are plenty of other options available to bring back that youthful glow and boost your confidence.  We also discuss how Dr.Preema is going to run her Mayfair clinic in London post lockdown 2020. As we recorded this episode she as preparing the clinic to welcome back clients and she talks through how it's going to work.  Find Dr.Preema: https://drpreema.com/ https://www.instagram.com/drpreema/?hl=en

This one’s for all the honeys, making money!

During week 8 of lockdown in the UK,  I recorded a fantastic episode with Sara Duchovney, a highly regarded soprano and entrepreneur. We discuss the empowerment of being in control as a woman and being financially independent, glamorous and vintage style and dressing for yourself not for dress codes. Sara is also the owner of Songbird Sara Jewelry, an estate fine jewlery brand, bringing operatic glamour into everyday life with her unique one-off pieces made from vintage and antique stones and jewelry. She explains the joy of owning pieces that have already had a life and the sustainability of using vintage gems. A young entrepreneur, Sara started her business after an abusive marriage ended and she decided to follow her passion and start Songbird Sara Jewelry. One of the pieces she's very proud of is the creation of her divorce rings, rings for divorced women who want to mark a new and welcome life chapter! Find Sara at https://songbirdsaraantiquejewelry.com/collections/frontpage

Personal branding, style and stories with Maggie McMillan

During the lockdown via Skype, Lisa speaks with hugely experienced personal stylist Maggie McMillan. Maggie shares her tips on achieving personal style and the importance of getting it right as well as her own style story. At the end of this episode we discuss the impact the current lockdown is having as Maggie herself recovers from what was probably Covid19.

Running a boutique and styling business in a coronavirus crisis!

We are currently in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. Most of us are self isolating or social distancing and the impact on businesses and livelihoods is catastrophic. Whilst I can’t take my clients shopping right now I can record podcasts and this week I chat with fellow business owner Sheena of WHITE FEATHER BOUTIQUE in London. We talk about the impact this is having on both our businesses and our efforts to carry on! Sheena talks about her personal style and we cover spring trends. We all still need to dream. Especially during a crisis.

How to get out of your frustrating style rut

So many people are trapped in a style rut and even though they'd love to try new things but they get overwhelmed in the shops and don't know where to start. Feeling great in an outfit has the effect of giving you that extra bounce so no wonder so many people feel frustrated and bored with their wardrobes if they are bored but continue to play it safe and wear the same thing over and over again. In this episode Lisa gives practical and actionable tips on how you can break out of your comfort zone and style rut and really hone in on your personal style. It's about finally getting clarity on what works for you and rocking your look. This episode is a must if you feel like you dress in a dated, frumpy or safe way and are desperate to bust out of that but don't know where to start.

Kristin’s Style Story

Actress, entrepreneur, theatre company owner and triathlete Kristin Duffy joins me to talk style, business and fitness. Kristin started her own theatre company 'SLACKLINE PRODUCTIONS' as an actress frustrated with the lack of decent parts for women over 35. She shares how post-divorce she realised that although it was an incredibly sad and hard time of life, it was also a new beginning.  It was at that point she started Slackline and that then kicked her personal style into something braver and more adventurous.  Kristin is staging a series of plays for International Women's Day on 8th March 2020 at Southwark Playhouse - you can buy tickets direct from Southwark Playhouse in London.  She mentions TRIGIRL Triathlon clothing on the podcast which you can find here www.trigirl.co.uk

Pop goes your personal style - Poppy’s Style Story

This is such a packed episode! Lisa chats with local entrepreneur Poppy from South London eco hair salon and pop-up art gallery POP WEST NORWOOD. Poppy shares how she set up her business when her first baby was just 4 months old, and how it was becoming a business owner that changed her personal style forever. She explains that putting on a red lip and a vintage dress enables her to become ‘Poppy the hairdresser’ and without this 'armour' she can feel vulnerable. She also gives great tips on what to do if your hair starts thinning as you get older and in the menopause.  Links of the vintage places and things we recommend in the podcast: Art Unique 'Pimped-up' vanity units by artist Andy Best, find him here on Instagram: @estldn Vintage clothing Evelyn Jean Vintage provides Poppy with all her amazing dresses - she's a pop-up so follow to find out where she is selling next on Twitter or Instagram. In London: Rockit Vintage Beyond Retro Hair products (for thinning hair): Kevin Murphy Find Lisa on Instagram here - @lisegillbestyle