← Her Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing
Her Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing
298 | Style as Your Personal Brand: How to Lead With Authority Without Saying a Word
00:16:31
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- [00:00]
A
Whether you realize it or not, your style is speaking before you ever say a word. It communicates confidence, competence, creativity, warmth, leadership, whatever energy you're putting out into the world, and it does it instantly. In today's episode, we're going to talk about how to make sure your style is actually saying what you want it to say. We'll cover how style forms your personal brand, why it's one of the most powerful leadership tools you have, and what it looks like to show up with clarity, consistency and cohesion so that you're leading with a authority beautifully, effortlessly and completely on your own terms. If you're ready to elevate the impression you make everywhere you go, then let's get into it.
- [00:44]
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. Let's get started.
- [01:10]
Welcome back to the show, my friend. Here we are almost 300 episodes in. I'm so glad you're here, and I also just want to put it on your radar that we're going to be doing something really special next week to celebrate a couple of big milestones that we are hitting here at Her Style Podcast. So if you're not already, please be sure to subscribe to the show. You're just going to want to hit the follow button either on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or whatever platform you're listening listening from right now so you don't miss a thing. We are going to have some really good stuff coming your way next week. Of course we also have some good stuff coming your way today and our topic is really so important, especially as you're getting ready to close the chapter on 2025 and step into the next year with renewed energy. If you have big goals in your work or in your home or life in general, I really want you to hear this message today. I think it's wild how quickly our brains can form impressions. And studies show that it takes about a tenth of a second for someone to get a first impression of you. And that's not a looks matter more than substance thing. It's simply human wiring. I mean, think about how much information you are processing all day long. Your brain really has to make fast assessments about situations and people and places and all of the things. And so we really take just some quick visual information and translate it into an emotional meaning instantly. And this is something that is just happening at a faster pace than ever before. I don't see it changing direction anytime soon. So what does all of this have to do with your style? The clothes that you put on in the morning, they are not just covering your body. They're becoming part of your story and the visual story that you're communicating through the way in which you show up. And once you really understand that, you can no longer avoid the question, when, what is my presence actually communicating? I know most women are so busy. We have a lot going on. We are lucky if we can pull out some matching socks in the morning and just get through our day. So it's understandable that we often don't really stop to consider this. And we might be focused on our individual outfits or the individual pieces that we have in our wardrobe, but rarely are we really thinking about the bigger picture of what those choices are saying as a whole. And that's where your style starts to become something much more intentional and empowering for you. You can use it in a way that helps you advance in your career, show up more powerfully at home, or make new friends easier when you go out, because you're coming to the situation with a really approachable demeanor. So there's so many ways that you can really use color psychology, the art of style, as a way to show up in the way that you really want to in your life. And so today, I want to help you start to more intentionally narrate the story of who you are through the clothing that you wear and, of course, how you put it all together. And there are a few elements that make your visual identity feel cohesive and intentional, and they build on one another really beautifully. So I want to break this down for you into the pieces that actually shape the impression that you're making. The first element is clarity, and clarity is simply knowing the impression that you want to give. Before you can put the right presentation together, you've got to know what it is that you want to say. And so we're not talking about a Persona or a costume. I'm definitely not talking about showing up the way somebody else looks because you want to look like them. We want to bring out the best version of you, and we want to think about the qualities that you want people to pick up on the moment they see you. Do you want to come across as elevated, warm, bold, grounded, creative? There's so many different directions that you can take, and it doesn't have to be exactly the same from one day or situation to the next, but we will talk about how that comes into play in the next piece of the puzzle. Your key personal style types will really help to influence this, of course. And so that's why I always recommend that you start by taking my free minute personal style quiz. This will get you on the right path to thinking about your personality, how you want to be perceived, and which styling elements are going to help you best convey that. So each of the style types carries a unique feeling, but having clarity over which ones are right for you really allows you to refine and then direct that narrative. And once you know kind of the overall style, vibe or essence that you're really aiming for, it's going to become a lot easier for you to choose the individual pieces that reinforce it rather than dilute it or make everything feel more confusing. And that brings us to the next element that I wanted to talk about, which is consistency. And consistency is what makes that clarity recognizable and, of course, repeatable. We don't want you to feel like you're all over the place in your wardrobe. And if you have a creative, personal style, that's where you can deviate a little bit more. But in general, this isn't about wearing the same outfit every day or creating a rigid uniform that feels boring. Instead, it's just having certain through lines. This could be colors that you return to, silhouettes that you favor and that flatter you, or maybe an overall mood that feels true to who you are and how you want to show up. And so consistency is what creates familiarity, both for others and for you. It's going to make getting dressed easier. It's going to make shopping a whole lot easier because you know pretty specifically what your signature style is and what you're looking for. And it helps to eliminate that feeling of why do none of these things go together? When you're standing in front of your closet, you've got beautiful individual items, but it's hard to put cohesive outfits together because everything feels disjointed. So instead, it makes your closet transform into a well curated collection. Instead of haphazard elements that just leave you feeling frustrated in the morning when you go to get dressed. It also helps eliminate the question of why does this outfit feel off, even though the individual pieces are cute? Again, you might see something that looks amazing on someone else, and so you scoop it up, but it doesn't translate the same way on you. So you really want to think about how you want to show up, what works for you at a personal level, and then bringing it all together into a wardrobe that Just is easy. That works well together, and that reflects who you are at your core. And so over time, once you're developing this level of consistency, your style will start to feel less like a guessing game and more like a language that you are fluent in. I don't know about you, but that sounds really good to me. And then the last element that you want to keep in mind is cohesion. And this is what ties everything together. This is where your outfits, your accessories, your hair and makeup, even your digital presence on Zoom or social media, they all feel like they flow from the same source. They're not competing with each other. They're not sending mixed signals. It's really subtle, and it's something that people don't really consciously notice, but they're gonna feel it. And cohesion is what makes your presence feel put together and intentional, no matter how effortless. That doesn't mean you have to have a really formal style. You could have a really natural, easygoing look. But this is what's going to make everything feel well thought out. Even on days when you're not putting in any extra effort, your style does not have to take a lot of time. But having that clarity, consistency, and then ultimately cohesion is what's going to bring it all together so well for you. So once you have that foundation, once you really know who you are, how you want to show up, and how your style can work to reflect that, you can start using clothing more intentionally, and you can pay attention to the visual psychology. This is important. I don't want you to think of that as rigid rules. I know sometimes we really latch onto a rule about how to wear something, what we should or shouldn't wear. I want you to think about the visual psychology of your outfit as a reference point. You can choose to use it when you want to, and you can choose to leave it behind when you want to or do something different. And I think that distinction really matters, because none of these details operate in a vacuum. What they communicate depends entirely on how you put them together, the context you're dressing for, and the energy that you personally bring to the outfit. So let me give you an example of what I'm talking about. Some of these things that you might think of as rules could be that structured pieces give you a professional look. That can be true. Structured often creates a sense of confidence. It gives you that powerful feeling. But you can also soften that with drape, texture, or color. If you want authority without feeling stiff, for example, maybe you're going to do a structured blazer in a soft blush color to bring in a little bit of femininity and approachability. Right. So it's all about not only the piece, but the application of that piece and the details of it. Fluid fabrics can read as warm or approachable, but when you pair them with a defined shoulder, a strong shoe, or in a rich color, suddenly it's going to feel more elevated and powerful instead of overly soft. Dark colors can ground your look and give you a little bit more seriousness, but the tone and pairing matter as well. So deep navy is going to feel very different from a sharp black, and both feel different when you mix them with something luminous or textured. Light colors can feel open or inviting, but a monochromatic light look can also feel incredibly refined, elegant, and commanding in the most understated way. And contrast is the same. High contrast looks can be bold, but a soft blush with a deep burgundy is technically high contrast, but it still feels really romantic and gentle. Low contrast can feel delicate or ethereal, or it can feel modern and minimal, depending on the colors and silhouettes. And I just wanted to give you a few examples, because if you have been following rigid rules about what you can and cannot wear, I just want to show you how you might be able to break things up in a new way to make them work even better for you and to communicate whatever message you want to convey. So even if you have a lot of pieces that feel like at first glance they might read as something, there might be a way to make it say something else. I just want to open up your possibilities so you don't feel like you have to start all over, go buy a whole new wardrobe. We can absolutely work with what you have and make it better fit with the story that you want to tell. All of this to say that no single element determines how authoritative, approachable, or confident you appear. It's the way you put everything together that tells the story, story. And when you understand these different reference points, you gain the ability to shape that story more intentionally without ever following those rigid rules or losing what makes your style feel uniquely yours. That's really where style becomes something so much bigger than what to wear. Because once you start dressing in a way that aligns with who you are, it changes how you move through the world. You're going to be less distracted by your clothes. You're not going to be tugging, adjusting everything, or wondering if you look at a place, you'll be able to focus on the conversation, the meeting, the moment. I've talked about that before. How really, when you have that inner confidence. It allows you to show up in a truly selfless way and put your focus on everything and everyone else. Because what you're wearing finally feels like it's working with you instead of against you. You feel settled into it. You're going to make decisions more confidently. You're going to be more willing to speak up sooner. You're not going to shrink back or try to blend in. Your outfit is not going to be something that you're hiding behind. It's going to support you in stepping out with that self. Certainty. And other people are really going to pick up on that. I cannot tell you the number of women that I've worked with who, by going through this process, really refining their personal style, thinking more clearly about how it is that they want to present themselves. They get raises at work, they get promotions, they get a whole new job. It's crazy to me. I mean, it's not crazy because it makes sense. And that's what I'm talking about here. But I can't tell you the number of clients that I've worked with who have started this process and found that it has rippled out into every other area of their life. And it's really because they're showing up more confidently. And people pick up on that. It's not because you're giving off energy, but because you look put together, comfortable not only in your clothing, but more comfortable with who you are. You're gonna feel intentional and like you know yourself. And that really does build trust. It helps to make you more memorable when you show up in new groups of people. And it's what positions you as someone who comes to the table with clarity, confidence, and authority consistently. And that's why your personal style really matters. Not for the clothes themselves, but for what happens when your appearance finally matches the woman you already are on the inside. And also, I do want to add that your posture, your expressions, the ease or tension in your body, the way you carry yourself, these things influence the whole impression that you make as well, often more than the outfit itself. Again, it's. It's really how it all comes together. And so when your internal presence matches your external expression, that's when your style becomes truly next level. You will look effortless and magnetic, and you can do it with so much more ease. It stops being something that you put on and starts being something that you embody. And this doesn't just have to be in your workplace either. It could be at home. It can be in the way you show up with clarity and ease. Around your family and lead them with grace. It could be setting an example of showing up confidently for your kids. So there are so many ways that you can apply this even in your friend circles, how you're coming to the table and being able to focus out on others. It really is so important to think about for every single area of your life. And so if you're listening to this and you're thinking, yes, that is what I want. I want clarity. I want ease when I get dressed. I want my wardrobe to feel aligned with who I am and how I want to show up in this season of my life. I this is exactly what we work on together inside Her Style Collective. We help you uncover what you're already communicating. Often the things you don't even realize you're signaling. We help you refine it and we build a wardrobe and presence that supports the woman you are and are stepping into as your next level. And so your style is already speaking for you every single day with every choice that you make. And so the real question is, is it telling the story you want it to? You don't need to try harder to be taken seriously or to show up confidently. You just need the clarity to put it all together. Once you have that, everything will fall into place and your clothes will become a powerful extension of your identity, your leadership, and your overall message. Friend, I want to thank you so much for being here with me today. I look forward to meeting you right back here next week as we get ready to celebrate 300 episodes and some really big exciting things in the pipeline here at Her Style. Until next time, friend. I'll see you soon.
- [15:44]
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 subscribe 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 you in Style and service. Until next time.