← Her Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing
Her Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing
229 | From Scared Shopper to Savvy Stylist: How Allison Cox Learned to Love Getting Dressed
00:19:20
If you’ve ever found yourself afraid of shopping online or overwhelmed at the thought of what to wear, you’re not alone. HER Style Collective member, Allison, felt the exact same way just a few short months ago. In today’s episode,...
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- [00:00]
Heather Riggs
If you've ever found yourself afraid of shopping online or overwhelmed at the thought of what to wear, you're not alone. Her Style Collective member Alison felt the exact same way just a few short months ago. In today's episode, Alison shares her story of learning how to shop with confidence, make what was already in her closet work so much better for her, and finally feel excited to get dressed and start her morning. Not only is this exactly what we set out to accomplish together inside Her Style Collective, I'm hosting a five day Shop your Closet challenge this week to help you get started for free. If you're ready to wear what you own and style your outfits using the same expert advice I've shared with Allison and so many others, it is not too late to join us. Our first live session starts today, April 7, 2025 at 1:00pm Eastern Standard Time and there are replays available for you to watch all week long. Press pause right now and go grab your free seat@herstylellc.com challenge. I can't wait to see you there and I really can't wait for you to hear my conversation with Listen in and imagine what a transformation like this could do for you too. I'm ready and waiting to come alongside you, friend. Let's go.
- [01:15]
Welcome to Her Style Podcast where we're all about empowering you to show up and get dressed every day with confidence. I'm your host, Heather Riggs, a 15 year and counting certified image consultant and color specialist, ready to build a wardrobe and a personal style you love. Get started.
- [01:42]
Allison, my friend, I am so excited to connect with you and I appreciate your willingness to coordinate a time with me as our listeners are going to hear soon. You and I are literally worlds apart and you've been so kind in really showing up for yourself and fully for this program, even being completely across the world from me. So thank you for being here. First and foremost. I would love for you to just start at the beginning and tell us a little bit about yourself and where you were with your wardrobe just a couple of months ago. We've been in the program for about three months now. So where were you then and what led you to find Her Style?
- [02:21]
Alison
So I'm a mum, I have two boys and a husband and I live in South Australia and I work as a college librarian here. So I found Her Style that the podcast just simply by like browsing through Spotify. One day I listened to podcasts on the train going to and from work because it's so boring on there and that's how I found your podcast, but I can't actually remember when it was. I can't remember. A year or more ago, I think, but I can't remember. So, yeah, that's how I found out about her style. And I guess I picked the podcast because fashion, something I've always been interested in but not necessarily particularly good at. So, yeah, that's how I found it. I'm a lot further on with my wardrobe now than I was when I first started listening to the podcast. So that's. That's been good.
- [03:27]
Heather Riggs
I don't know if I can fully agree with you. I've seen a lot of your pieces that you had coming into the program, and you have some really beautiful items in your closet. So I think you know more than you might be giving yourself credit for. But I am happy to hear that you've seen a shift in your wardrobe already just since listening to the podcast. And tell us a little bit about why you were interested in joining the collective and where you were just a couple of months ago with your wardrobe.
- [03:50]
Alison
Yes. So I. I joined the collective after. After coming to the boot camp. Although I listened the. I was at work when it was on, so I listened to the recording, so I was a little bit behind everyone else. And the course just sounded really good, really interesting. And so that was why I joined the collective. It wasn't something that I'd sort of thought I was going to do coming into the boot camp because coming from Australia, it is a bit of. With the poor exchange rates that we've got, like, it is a reasonable financial commitment. But I'm really glad I did because I've learned so much with my wardrobe. And I feel like I've become someone who, like, went from someone who, you know, would wake up in the morning and I'd go, oh, what am I going to wear? Especially going to work. And I don't know. You know, when you don't know what to wear in the morning, it's not a nice start to the day. But now I find I wake up or the night before, I'm like, oh, what am I going to wear tomorrow? You know, I'm going to wear this pants and this top, and I know they're going to look good together. And it makes me sort of a bit more excited about my morning. So that's. That's been very good.
- [05:12]
Heather Riggs
I absolutely love hearing that. And your face lit up, too. I could just see the excitement when you were thinking now about what you get to wear instead of, what are you begrudgingly going to try to put together that morning. So that's so exciting. And we are right now starting our shop your closet challenge. And so I would love to also kind of focus on how that has been for you, and hopefully shopping a bit less than you maybe expected coming into the program. And how have you been able to better utilize some of the pieces that you already own? Let's talk about that. Yes.
- [05:47]
Alison
So I had a few pieces in my closet that I'd kind of try on, and I think, oh, they don't really look good. And even after, you know, doing the first few modules of the collective, I thought, I don't really know why they still don't look good. But then we learn about, like, the golden mean and the skinny bits. And I've learned just by, like, simply tucking in a top, all of a sudden, like, these pants look good because there's, like, you know, shape to it and things like that. So I've been able to rescue quite a few items that have just sat in my closet. I've been able to wear those now, which has been really good, because there was a few pants that were definitely sort of, I don't know, doomed for the charity pile, I think.
- [06:29]
Heather Riggs
Yeah. It's amazing what just a few different styling tricks can make to completely transform a piece that you had otherwise written off. So I'm really glad. And that's part of why we hold off a little bit on doing the closet audit until you have some of those tricks in hand so we can see what you can better utilize that you already own. My goal is not that you need to buy a whole new wardrobe, but that we can make it work within whatever budget you have and hopefully find some ways, like you said, to salvage some of the pieces that you've already invested in, because nobody wants to throw everything out and start all over. As fun as that might sound, it's a lot of work. So let's. Let's start small with what you have and just kind of build out from there. So, Alison, I'd love to know if there's been any other. Well, I know there's been other accomplishments and results that you've achieved over the last few months. So why don't you tell us a little bit about how the collective has really changed the way that you think about shopping and getting dressed. I know you shared a little bit about that, but I'd love to hear some more of your wins from the last couple of months.
- [07:28]
Alison
Yeah, so I found that I'm, you know, now that I know what colors? Like, the color palette has been really useful, and it was something that I'd been wanting to get done for a while, but as far as I know, there's no one in Adelaide that does that in person anyway. So I was excited to see that you could do that. And so I know, you know, I've got a better idea of the colors that work and, you know, prints and necklines of things that are good on me now. So I find when I'm going to the shops, I'm a lot more confident. And, you know, I recently went shopping and I bought something online, which I have never really done before because I've always been too scared. Yes, I did that. And I've also, you know, spent more money on clothes, but in a way that I'm making a good investment, whereas before, I would be too scared to spend too much money in case I bought something that didn't end up looking good. So, yeah, I'm a lot more confident now shopping, and that's. That's. Yeah, that's a good win for me.
- [08:41]
Heather Riggs
That is so fantastic. You. I didn't realize you had not really shopped online before this program, but it makes sense, right? Because if you're not feeling confident in choosing the best pieces for your wardrobe, then I understand why. Maybe that wasn't something you were as willing to invest in before, but now you are making smart choices and ensuring that you're building out pieces that are going to work well for your real life and for your figure and all of those wonderful things that you've learned about. So let's talk a little bit about out what this experience has been like for you, especially being in a very different time zone and a different part of the world for us recording this podcast interview. Right now, I'm starting my day. You're wrapping up your day. So has it been tricky for you being in such a different location, or has it just kind of worked seamlessly through the process? Let's talk through some of the logistics about this.
- [09:33]
Alison
Yeah, so I'm like, before I joined, I sort of looked at what time the zines would be, and there was one that I could do when I was at lunch at work, although I was working from home at the beginning, too, so it's a bit easier. And that was all good until a couple of weeks ago when daylight savings happened, and then everything moved and I was just. I should have thought about that. But up until a couple of weeks ago, that. But so for most of the program, that's worked quite well for Me being at a 10 because there's two sessions, which is really helpful in terms of. There's just been. There was one episode where you were talking about rash guards and cover ups and I had never heard of those things before and I thought you were talking about like sunscreen and like eczema cream or something. And I thought that was like. It was because it's weird because I have American friends, but I guess we don't talk about clothes. So that was. That was a kind of funny, funny thing for me. I mean, I just googled it when I was sitting there. But that was a bit of a funny thing at first because I. I couldn't work out what everyone was talking about because we don't. Well, we just say rashies and we don't really have a cover up. I don't know, it's not really a thing here. So that, yeah, that was just a kind of funny, I don't know, cultural difference, I guess.
- [11:04]
Heather Riggs
Yeah. Well, that is so funny and I'm glad that you figured it out and got on the same page with us, but I think we should be doing it the other way around. You should be teaching us what you guys say because I just feel like it's so much cooler. And I don't know if I mentioned this to you before, but Australia is the number one place on my travel bucket list. So, yes, very. A little jealous of where you live and that you get to enjoy the Aussie life, but that is too funny. So, yeah, we should be using some of your phrases too. So feel free to enlighten us on other words that we can use for these things. And I'm happy to diversify the language that we speak inside the collective. But I know you've also been really fantastic at submitting questions in advance for the calls, which is so nice. So even if you can't make it live due to work commitments or family things or time differences, you know, there's always ways to be supported and have your questions answered inside the program. And you've been really fantastic at making sure that you get those handled. So.
- [12:05]
Alison
Yeah, that's right. And that's why I wasn't really so concerned that I couldn't attend all the lives, because there is that option. And plus, you know, there's the Facebook group, which is really awesome too, for answering questions.
- [12:19]
Heather Riggs
Yeah.
- [12:19]
Alison
And you always answer them so quickly as well. So.
- [12:22]
Heather Riggs
We try. We definitely try. I don't like to leave anyone hanging, especially if you have something pertinent coming up. We want to make sure that you're ready to feel your best. And Daylight savings drives us crazy over here, too, so you're not alone in that. All right, so let's talk about. I would love to hear maybe what's been your favorite aspect of the program or the support that you've received inside, Speaking of some of the support that's available to you, maybe something unexpected out of the program or just something that has been really paramount in helping you to achieve all of these amazing results in just a couple of months.
- [12:59]
Alison
Yeah, well, I mean, I really. I really like the online modules. I'm someone that kind of prefers to sort of figure things out on my own often. And so it's good that you sort of have sort of the two options. You've got that information for people who just want to, you know, read it and figure it out. But then you have the group and the online sessions to do both. And one thing that I thought was really cool was the first. I think it was the first live session we did. There was someone on there talking that they wanted to buy a particular pair of shoes and you. And a brown pair of shoes. And you said, but haven't you already got, like, a pair of those in your closet? And they did. And I just thought that that was. That was really cool that you knew, you know, like, that they already had those shoes. So I thought that was, you know, pretty impressive how sort of personalized the advice was and is. So I thought that was pretty cool. And it's also, like, a really nice group of people as well. Like, you never feel like you're asking a stupid question or you're gonna look. People are gonna judge you for looking silly in the outfits that you've posted or something like that. So that's also been a real plus, I think, too.
- [14:25]
Heather Riggs
I'm so glad that's been your experience. And, yeah, I mean, we are all learning and growing together. And so I. I'm glad that you brought that up, too, about the online course and the community, because it is two different things that I think work best together, but it's so customized to what each person needs. I'm such a people person. I don't really like doing things on my own, so I rely heavily on groups when I do online courses and things like that, and kind of connecting and getting other people's insights. And for me, that's really valuable. But we've also had quite a few people go through the collective really kind of on their own. And you can do that if you're someone who is a little bit more reserved, or maybe you're not as open to engaging on Facebook or whatever the case might be. And sometimes people go through the program, and I don't really hear much from them until the end, and then they share all these amazing results, and I'm like, wow, you did that all on your own. And so it is possible to really do it all and really in the way that works best for you. And I'm all about personalization, and it is a joy for me to get to be part of your process and to see what you have in your wardrobe and really get in the trenches with you and figuring it all out. So that is such a delight for me to be able to be involved in your transformation. But, of course, it's not totally required either. So whatever works best for you. So I know we did talk about that. The investment wasn't even really on your radar before coming into the bootcamp. Has it been worth it for you coming into the program and saying yes a few months ago?
- [15:54]
Alison
Oh, definitely, yeah. Because I find. Because I did. I did a session with a personal stylist. I forgot to say this before, as part of Fashion Week last year, and I really liked it. And she helped me, like, pick out a dress and stuff. And I thought. I had thought recently about going back to see her and doing some more shopping, but she was great. But I sort of just picked out an outfit that looked good, but I didn't know really why it looks good. So then I saw your course, and I thought, well, you know, that'll give me, hopefully, the skills to work out these things for myself. And I think it has. And, you know, these are skills that, you know, because I know over time, your style and your body kind of changes. But, you know, I've learned things that I'll be able to go back and work out what looks good as time goes on. So it's not just, you know, picking out one good outfit. It's, you know, your whole wardrobe.
- [16:54]
Heather Riggs
Absolutely.
- [16:55]
Yeah. It's getting that information and those foundations for life that really you can just kind of rinse and repeat this process as often as you need to. So I love that now you are empowered to know what looks good on you. So if you decide to go back and work with her again, you will probably feel even more confident to share what you like and what you don't like. And also, I think what's so special about doing this program, too, is that we get to think about your wardrobe holistically and not just looking at standalone outfits that might look amazing on you. But as you said, you know, you already have a boot like this. You don't need another brown shoe or whatever the case, you can really think about the whole thing, which is a little bit trickier if you're working with someone maybe in a department store, which is so great too. It's just kind of serving a very different purpose for your closet.
- [17:42]
Alison
Yeah. And it's not really. Yeah. It's kind of always based on buying something new rather than working with what you've got, which is, you know, the course is about both of those things. So that's really.
- [17:56]
Heather Riggs
Yes. In whatever combination you need. Well, thank you so much, friend, for joining me. Is there anything else that you want to share about your experience or that I forgot to ask you that you wanted to talk about today?
- [18:08]
Alison
No, I don't think so. But yeah, just to tell people that if they're thinking about it, yeah, it is a really good course to do. And Heather, you are really lovely and yeah, I think it's. Yeah, it's definitely a worthwhile investment.
- [18:22]
Heather Riggs
Oh, you are the sweetest friend. Thank you so much and thank you again for being willing to come on and share about your experience with us. I appreciate you so much.
- [18:29]
Alison
No worries. Thank you.
- [18:33]
Heather Riggs
Thank you for listening to today's episode. If you want to stop copying everyone else's style and start dialing in your own swoon worthy signature look, head over to take my free 5 minute personal style quiz which you can find at the link in the show notes. If you've enjoyed our time together, please be sure to rate, review and subscribe to her style podcast so you never miss an episode. Finally, I invite you to make this a two way conversation and send me a DM over on Instagram eatherigstyle to let me know how I can best support you on your style journey. I'm always here for for you in Style and service. Until next time.