HER Style Podcast: Episode 267

Title: Easily Identify Your Fall Style with These 3 Questions
Host: Heather Riggs
Date: August 26, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Heather Riggs, a certified image consultant and color specialist, helps listeners get ready for fall by guiding them through three essential questions to pinpoint their personal style for the upcoming season. Instead of blindly following trends, Heather aims to empower listeners to cultivate a wardrobe that feels authentic, practical, and purpose-driven. Listeners are encouraged to reflect deeply before the next episode, which will dive into fall fashion trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Clarity Before Chasing Trends

• Heather shares her reasoning for reordering episodes, emphasizing that listeners need clarity on their personal style before paying attention to trends.
• “If you don’t know what your personal style is, you’re going to have a hard time deciphering which trends, if any, you want to incorporate into that vision.” (04:31)

2. Three Essential Questions to Identify Your Fall Style

Question 1: What am I drawn to visually?

• Style starts with what feels visually exciting and attractive.
• “Think about what catches your eye when you’re scrolling on Pinterest or on Instagram, or flipping through a favorite fashion magazine, or people-watching at your local coffee shop.” (06:22)
• Heather suggests creating or updating a style mood board at the start of each season, using Pinterest as a free resource for collecting inspiration.
• It’s important to not overanalyze at this stage; rather, to dream and explore what sparks joy visually.

Question 2: What does my lifestyle actually require?

• This question bridges fantasy and reality, ensuring your wardrobe meets your real-world needs.
• Heather gives practical advice:
  • “You might be drawn to tweed blazers and knee-high boots, but if your day-to-day life is mostly preschool drop-offs and work-from-home Zoom calls, you might want to tailor those ideas.” (12:36)
  • Open your calendar and map upcoming activities to appropriate outfits.
  • List your top three weekly activities and define ideal outfits for each to avoid overwhelm.
• Example: If you collect lots of professional looks on your mood board but spend your time in athletic pursuits, add more relevant inspiration for those activities.

Question 3: What do I want to communicate?

• Style is a language; your clothes tell a story before you even speak.
• “Take your style a step further this season and think about what you want it to say about you. Do you want to look more approachable, polished, or creative?” (18:02)
• Encourages listeners to write down three words they want people to use to describe their style and personality, and to keep these words visible as a reminder.
  • “Seriously, I want you to write them down and then put them on a post it near your computer or maybe tuck them into your wallet.” (19:10)

3. Extra Key Style Considerations

• It's not just about preference, practicality, and message—fit and flattery matter.
• Heather teases the next episode:
  • “I’ll be breaking down the top fall trends for 2025 and advising you on how to choose the ones that not only align with your style goals, but are the most flattering for you.” (22:13)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Visual Start:
  “This is the fun part where you get to dream and play and explore. But we often stop here. Sometimes we’re only thinking about our style as it relates to the visual component.” (09:54)

• On Lifestyle Reality:
  “Nine times out of 10, the women that I work with want to find that happy middle ground between their ideal style and their practical style.” (14:15)

• On Communication:
  “Your outer image speaks volumes before you even say a word.” (18:22)

• Actionable Challenge:
  “Take a few minutes today to reflect on all of these, maybe jot down some notes for yourself, and if you have some time, go ahead and work on making or refreshing your style mood board for the season and I promise you will feel so much clearer moving into the new season.” (23:25)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00-02:15 | Introduction, personal update (puppy story, summer wrap-up)
• 04:00-06:40 | Rationale for focusing on personal style before trends
• 06:40-12:30 | Question 1: Visual Attraction and Mood Board Strategy
• 12:36-17:00 | Question 2: Aligning Style with Lifestyle Needs
• 18:00-21:45 | Question 3: What Do You Want to Communicate?
• 22:13-23:30 | Looking ahead: Upcoming episode on fall trends and flattery
• 23:30-end | Recap & actionable steps

Tone & Style

Heather maintains a friendly, relatable, and empowering tone throughout. She integrates practical advice with a dash of humor and authenticity (including stories from her own life, like introducing her new pug puppy Lilo). Her approach is supportive, encouraging listeners to embrace their individuality and take small, meaningful steps toward a more intentional wardrobe.

Takeaways

• Reflection is key: Don’t just jump into trends—be mindful about what you want and need.
• Visual, practical, and communicative aspects are all important for authentic personal style.
• Action steps:
  1. Reflect on the three questions
  2. Create/update a style mood board
  3. Write down your three style words
  4. Consider taking the free Personal Style Quiz at herstylellc.com/quiz

This summary provides a comprehensive snapshot of Episode 267, giving listeners and non-listeners alike the strategic tools and motivation to clarify their fall wardrobe goals before considering new trends.