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258 | How Sandra Created a Clear, Cohesive Closet—And Stopped Hiding Behind Her Clothes

HER Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing

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Published: Thu Jul 24 2025

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your closet or unsure how to create outfits that actually feel like you, you’re going to love today’s conversation. I’m joined by one of our incredible HER Style Collective members, Sandra Avila, who came...

Summary

Episode Summary: HER Style Podcast | Episode 258 – How Sandra Created a Clear, Cohesive Closet—And Stopped Hiding Behind Her Clothes

Release Date: July 24, 2025
Host: Heather Riggs – Stylist, Image Consultant & Color Analyst for Women
Guest: Sandra – HerStyle Collective Member

Introduction

In Episode 258 of the HER Style Podcast, host Heather Riggs welcomes Sandra, a member of the HerStyle Collective, to discuss her transformative journey toward creating a clear and cohesive wardrobe. Sandra shares her experiences before and during the program, highlighting the significant changes she achieved in her personal style and overall confidence.

Sandra’s Background and Initial Challenges

Sandra’s Story:

At 57 years old and an empty nester living in Central California, Sandra has a lifelong connection to the fashion industry through her full-time work in hairstyling. Despite her background, Sandra felt her closet was "a little adhdish" and disconnected from her true self. She described her pre-program wardrobe as "over the top" and expressed feeling lost in her personal style:

“I think I got lost in what that looked like and sort of got lost on who I was when it came to fashion.”
(Sandra, 01:24)

Challenges Faced:

  • Overwhelming Closet: Sandra's closet was cluttered with too many items, leading to confusion and frustration.
  • Lack of Cohesion: Her wardrobe lacked a unified style, making it difficult to create outfits that felt authentic.
  • Impulse Shopping: Without a clear system, Sandra found herself shopping aimlessly, accumulating clothes that didn’t suit her.

Joining HerStyle Collective: Goals and Expectations

Sandra joined the HerStyle Collective seeking clarity and cohesiveness in her wardrobe. She was inspired by Heather's podcast and participated in the "Shop Your Closet" challenge, which introduced her to the concept that "more is not necessarily better" when it comes to clothing.

“I can now have clarity on what my goals are, what my styles are, and then how to obtain them.”
(Sandra, 02:28)

Key Objectives:

  • Streamline her wardrobe to reduce overwhelm.
  • Define and elevate her personal style.
  • Move away from impulsive shopping habits.

Transformative Changes Through the Program

Clarity and Calmness:

Sandra experienced a newfound sense of peace with her wardrobe, describing the feeling when opening her closet door as akin to "angel singing."

“Like when I open up my closet door, I feel like an angel should sing. It just feels so peaceful.”
(Sandra, 03:27)

Simplified Shopping and Wardrobe Management:

  • Minimal Shopping: Sandra’s need for shopping diminished as she became content with her curated wardrobe.
  • Strategic Purchases: When shopping was necessary, she now approached it with intention, ensuring new items complemented her existing pieces.
  • Emergency Outfits: Heather guided Sandra in creating "emergency outfits" for quick, stress-free dressing.

Personal Aha Moments:

Sandra realized that her clothes were overshadowing her personality:

“I hid behind my clothes and my clothes spoke louder than me.”
(Sandra, 05:00)

This insight led her to select outfits that highlighted her true self rather than masking it.

Color Palette Alignment:

Understanding and utilizing her best colors transformed how she presented herself:

“When you're wearing your best colors, they're seasonless because you know you're going to bring out your best.”
(Sandra, 14:04)

Consolidated Wardrobe:

Sandra now maintains a streamlined closet, focusing on versatile pieces that offer multiple styling options.

Impact on Shopping Habits

Before the program, Sandra engaged in frequent, unplanned shopping sprees, which she acknowledged were wasteful:

“I was just willy-nilly, if I had an hour break at the salon, I'd run down to a local boutique and be like, I'll take that, I'll take that.”
(Sandra, 08:48)

Post-Program Shopping Approach:

  • Purposeful Purchasing: Sandra now shops with a clear list and purpose, ensuring each new item serves a functional role in her wardrobe.
  • Versatility Consideration: She assesses whether a new piece can be styled in multiple ways, enhancing her existing wardrobe rather than adding one-off items.

Ripple Effects Beyond Wardrobe Transformation

Enhanced Confidence and Calmness:

Sandra describes her transformation as not just physical but also emotional:

“There's just a calmness about knowing who you are and presenting your best self without any fluff or smoke and mirrors.”
(Sandra, 10:30)

Time Management and Reduced Stress:

With a simplified wardrobe, Sandra spends less time deciding what to wear, reducing daily stress and increasing efficiency.

Inner Work and Personal Growth:

The process prompted Sandra to reflect on her relationship with her clothes and her self-expression, leading to personal insights and growth.

Advice for Women Feeling Overwhelmed by Their Wardrobes

Sandra offers heartfelt advice to listeners in similar situations:

“If you're that woman with feeling overwhelmed in your closet, you probably just have too much in there that isn't cohesive and that isn't complimenting other things in your closet. So you just need to get rid of stuff.”
(Sandra, 12:08)

Key Recommendations:

  • Be Open to Change: Embrace the process of letting go of items that no longer serve you.
  • Simplify Your Closet: Focus on creating a cohesive wardrobe that complements each piece.
  • Trust the Process: Understand that organized and intentional wardrobe management leads to long-term satisfaction and savings.

Future Style Goals and Aspirations

Minimalist Traveling:

Sandra aims to develop a cohesive travel wardrobe that allows her to mix and match effortlessly, minimizing the number of items she needs to carry.

“My biggest goal is to figure out how to travel the way my closet is.”
(Sandra, 16:16)

Seasonal Adaptability:

With her optimal color palette, Sandra plans to wear seasonal pieces year-round, maximizing the versatility and longevity of her wardrobe.

Final Thoughts and Community Support

Sandra emphasizes the importance of community and support within the HerStyle Collective, highlighting the encouragement and friendships she built during the program.

“It's just fun. It's like girl power. Everyone's just helping each other look and feel their best.”
(Sandra, 14:33)

Closing Advice:

Sandra encourages women to invest in their personal style journey, assuring them that the rewards far outweigh the initial effort and investment.

“If you're on the fence because of finances, you're going to make that tenfold. If you are on the fence because you don't know what to do, you're going to make it super clear for them.”
(Sandra, 14:33)

Conclusion

Sandra's transformative experience on Episode 258 of the HER Style Podcast exemplifies the profound impact that intentional wardrobe management and personal style alignment can have on a woman's confidence and daily life. Through Heather Riggs' guidance, Sandra achieved a peaceful, cohesive closet that truly reflects her personality, while also unlocking broader personal growth and enhanced well-being.

Next Steps for Listeners:

Connect with Heather Riggs on Instagram: @heatherigstyle

If you found inspiration in Sandra’s journey, consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing to the HER Style Podcast to continue receiving empowering episodes tailored for ambitious women striving to build their dream wardrobes and showcase their confidence daily.

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