Guest blogger, Kate Llewellyn, talks openly about starting her style journey and her free initial consultation with me.
On a cold but sunny Thursday in November, I met with Victoria for the first time in my local pub (… don’t judge, it was just for a coffee… it was 9:30 am after all!).
I have never been all that interested in fashion, but like most people, I am keen to look ‘nice’ and a positive comment about something I am wearing has always gone down well.
Since joining Hampshire Women’s Business group on Facebook, I had seen the Victoria Hamilton Lifestyle Facebook page and started to follow the posts and videos more and more avidly. The idea of getting the help of a stylist then just kept popping into my mind.
At the start of November, I finally took the leap and actually emailed Victoria to arrange to meet! It sounds ridiculous but it was a huge step for me…I even drafted the email first and then couldn’t bring myself to send it!!! It took me another week to actually press send!
Why now?
Why did I do it? I feel like I am in a bit of a cross-roads in life. I turned 34 in October, I am a mother of two kids (aged 3 and 5) and I have accepted that this defines me in a lot of ways. I am also really enjoying running my own business, however I would like to see it grow in 2018. This means combining the ‘mum, school run, running around after a boisterous energetic 3 year old boy’ look, with the ‘sophisticated, business-owner, content strategist, who knows what she is talking about’ look!
From a body image and body shape point of view, I now run regularly. I even managed the Great South Run at the end of October. This has given me more body confidence. I don’t think I have actually lost any weight (I run so I can eat and drink what I like!!!), but I admit it has ‘toned me up’ a little and I am happy at the moment. So, with this little bit of a confidence boost, I felt it was the right time to look at what I am wearing.
My initial consultation
So here I am at the pub, waiting a little nervously! Victoria arrived, sweeping in, in a beautiful pink coat and we greeted each other like forever friends! Over a latte, we chatted about our kids and how we both came to live in the Basingstoke area. I apologised for wittering on about non-related stuff, but she explained how important it is for her to get to know her clients. Her styling is not just about colours and body shape, but about lifestyle. I knew then that she would ‘get me’ and what I needed.
Victoria was amazing, clearly explaining the different services she offers, the basics of how a colour consultation works and talking me through the stunningly comprehensive online portfolio she can produce.
I talked to her about my ‘conflicts’ when it comes to clothes. I find it difficult to spend lots of money on clothing (and don’t have a huge budget), but then get really frustrated if I buy something cheap and it falls apart within a couple of months. I have a wardrobe and draws full of clothes, but I hardly wear any of them, picking out the same (navy blue!) items straight from the clean washing pile. I want to get rid of stuff I don’t wear, but I am afraid I’ll just end up replacing them with more items that either won’t suit me; will go with only one thing or sit unworn for most of the year.
Victoria made me feel heaps better by explaining that most people wear just 20% of what they own and that her goal was to change that to 80%, with the other 20% being items for ‘event wear’, for special occasions. I absolutely loved that as a take home message!
In terms of helping me to enhance my wardrobe, Victoria explained that she would identify my base colour and my power colours (those that really enhance your skin tone…and make you feel great!). She wouldn’t just suggest a simplified capsule wardrobe but genuine combinations which would give me lots of options. She gave the great example of having two two-piece suits which could be swapped, i.e. jacket from each, also goes with skirt or trousers of the other. Then, adding in 2-3 tops which again complemented both suits. This would lead to a myriad of options and different looks, but without blowing the budget and still getting the use out of all of the items on numerous occasions.
Next steps
I am booking myself a Colour & Style Experience at the absolute bargain of £125. I am planning to book in early January, with the idea of using some Christmas gift money to pay for it and, hopefully, some new items of clothing too (in my power colours!). I also mentioned how many of my friends would love to meet Victoria…so I am also planning one of her style soirees. This means more people can meet this lovely lady who made me feel so good about myself within the space of an hour. Just got to stockpile the bubbles now.😉
Enjoyed this blog, make sure you follow to find out how Kate gets on in her Colour & Style Experience soon!