HER Style Podcast Episode 299 Summary

Live Style Coaching: Shopping Less, Diversifying Your Wardrobe, and Defining Your Personal Style
Heather Riggs | Released December 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this live, behind-the-scenes episode, Heather Riggs—certified stylist, image consultant, and color analyst—hosts a real coaching call from her "Her Style Collective" group. She tackles the most pressing style questions women have about impulse shopping, wardrobe repetition, feeling stuck in a style rut, and making personal color palettes work for real life. This coaching session is full of practical advice, mindset shifts, and Heather’s signature mix of humor and warmth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. How to Curb Impulse Shopping

• Minimize Temptation, Especially During Sales Seasons (Black Friday, Holidays):
  • Unsubscribe or filter retailer promotional emails/texts to reduce triggers.
  • Wait before purchasing: add items to a “window shopping” board, revisit after a few days or a week.
• Mindset Shift:
  • Focus on falling back in love with your current wardrobe.
  • “Awareness is the first step... You get familiar with what you have, rediscover some hidden gems and style them in new ways.” – Heather (04:00)
• Decision Process:
  • Pause before purchasing; rarely does the initial shopping excitement last.
  • Ask: "Can I wear it in multiple ways with pieces I already own?"

Memorable Quote (04:10):
“Just taking that little pause can make a massive difference.”
– Heather

2. Breaking Out of Outfit Repetition & Uniform Dressing

• Assess Your Mood Board and Wardrobe:
  • Identify patterns and repetition (e.g., always blazers & trousers).
  • Seek inspiration outside your defaults—expand mood boards to include overlooked items like skirts, dresses, or different accessories.
• Strategic Use of Pinterest & Mood Boards:
  • “Pinterest only knows what you teach it... It’s just gonna give you more of the same.” – Heather (12:04)
  • Search for intentionally varied looks and styles to disrupt repetition.
• Style Expansion:
  • Change it up through color, prints, or accessories—not just garment types.
  • Don’t force in silhouettes or pieces you’re not comfortable with, but look for ways to add interest within your comfort zone.

3. Finding & Defining Your ‘Star Pieces’

• What Are Star Pieces?
  • Pieces (clothing or accessories) that add flair and excitement—bags, shoes, jewelry, standout colors or patterns.
• How to Discover Yours:
  • Survey your closet for what already feels special and fills you with excitement.
  • Try combining classic looks with creative accessories for balance.
• Customizing Per Personality:
  • Most people are a blend of several style types; create boards that reflect your unique mix.

Notable Quote (20:00):
“Accessories are going to be a huge part of how your style really comes together... the way you put [timeless pieces] together is going to look really unique for you.”
– Heather

4. Blending Style Archetypes: ‘Creative Classical Bohemian’ and More

• Personal Style Is Unique:
  • Embrace favorite elements from different archetypes—creative, feminine, bohemian, classic.
  • Your style boards don’t have to fit pre-set quiz results; invent your own “style words.”
• Mood Board Exercise:
  • Challenge: Combine all your favorite pieces onto one board to find a cohesive direction and avoid feeling like you’re dressing for multiple personalities.
• Event/Role Adaptation:
  • Learn to find a style that feels like you and suits public or professional roles (e.g., upscale for business events, but with unique accessories).
  • "I need upscale that’s still me, but just enough conservative me." – Darlene (22:02)

5. Practical Tips for Using Your Color Palette

• Struggling with Whites When Your Palette Says Cream?
  • Don’t toss classic white shirts if they fit and feel good.
  • Use makeup (red or coral lip) and jewelry to “bridge” unflattering whites.
  • Layering helps soften harsh whites.
  • “The easiest way to pull off a white top is to do a red lip, honestly, because that helps break up the top against the whites of your teeth.” – Heather (30:40)
• Shopping Reality:
  • Cream/off-white is often harder to find, so strategic styling can help make do with what’s available.

6. Empowering Your Style Journey

• Guidance vs. Rules:
  • “Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.” – Heather (25:00)
  • Style systems are there to empower, not confine—take what works for you and ignore the rest.
• It’s a Process:
  • Building a wardrobe you love takes time—be patient and enjoy the transformation.
  • Celebrate every win and reach out for ongoing support.

Noteworthy Quotes & Moments

• [05:24] Debbie:
  “When I took a look at [my shopping board]... why are these things even on here? And there are... a couple of things, like, bright, shiny things that I've never worn because they just feel too bold and look at me. Kind of things that I love having but don't make me feel comfortable wearing.”

• [09:30] Dawn:
  "I feel like I've had a uniform, and I keep picking just a better version of that uniform... but there could be many other possibilities for me to achieve my goals for my style."

• [19:49] Darlene:
  “Jewelry. I'm silly for jewelry... I want to get it right. And yeah, I could do, like, the classic or the patterns or solid fabrics more. And then, you know, make it sassy with the jewelry or a hat.”

• [22:32] Darlene:
  “I need, like, upscale that’s still me, but not... but just enough conservative me.”

• [25:59] Heather:
  “I want you to all learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:14–01:13: Episode setup, the value of live coaching and actionable solutions.
• 01:39–05:21: Impulse shopping, email filtering, "window shopping boards," and shopping mindsets.
• 08:36–14:50: Breaking the repetition rut, expanding inspiration, using mood boards/Pinterest strategically.
• 14:50–22:53: Star pieces, style blends, creative adaptation, and customizing classic outfits.
• 22:53–25:59: Permission to break rules and embrace personal empowerment.
• 26:07–34:33: Working with color palettes (whites vs. creams), body shape confusion, and practical closet editing.

Tone and Takeaways

The episode balances practical, step-by-step advice with a supportive, open-minded tone. Heather encourages experimentation, celebrates each client’s unique aesthetic, and reminds listeners that true style is personal—not a formula to rigidly follow. The session is peppered with relatable anecdotes (shopping temptations, closet discoveries) and affirms that style confidence comes from self-awareness, patience, and play.

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is an excellent, real-life window into the personal fashion coaching process. Whether you’re tired of over-shopping, bored with your look, or struggling to mesh favorite pieces into a practical wardrobe, Heather’s group coaching addresses the spectrum of style dilemmas ambitious, creative women face. The actionable advice and mindset rewiring shared here is a toolkit for anyone eager to move from frustration to confidence—and fun—in their daily dressing routine.