Yes, transitional outfits are fun. You can blend seasons, play with layers and textures, and honestly, it’s probably my favourite time for fashion.

Except I live in Canary Island — and we are basically neighbours to Africa — so my summer is still very much in full swing.

And I don’t mind that, I love dressing for summer! but when you work in fashion and your feed start filling up with autumnal outfits…, it’s completely normal to want to start dressing a little more autumn-y too… even if that just involves adding a light knitwear around the waist ‘just in case’.

So because I’m struggling a bit with what to wear right now, and I don’t want to fall back into my lazy dressing mode of throwing on a dress and getting out the door, I thought September would be the perfect time to start another challenge.

I should say, this idea is inspired by the gorgeous Jenn Bregande on Instagram, who has been doing this for a while. Please go and check her out because she is brilliant.

And you know how I’m always going on about outfit formulas, shortcuts, ways to make getting dressed easier, and shopping our wardrobes? Well, this feels SO on brand for Nothing to Wear, don’t you think?!

The Challenge

So, the challenge is simple: every day, build the outfit around one piece wore the day before. Instead of opening the wardrobe every morning and asking "What do I wear?", you already have a starting point. One piece is decided. Then you build from there.

It can be anything — trousers, a top, a jacket, shoes, even accessories or jewellery — but something has to carry over.

I feel like sometimes the hardest part of putting an outfit together is simply starting from scratch. That’s why my advice is often: pick one piece you really want to wear, and build the rest of the outfit around it. This challenge basically gives you that starting point every day — one piece already chosen for you, so you are never beginning from zero.

And I’m really curious to see whether having that one little restriction actually makes getting dressed easier, and maybe even more creative? We shall see!

I wholeheartedly believe that repeating certain patterns in your wardrobe is actually a great sign of personal style. When you know the proportions you like, the colours that work for you, the styling tricks you keep coming back to, and what actually works for your lifestyle, repetition isn’t boring — it’s part of you are.

So, if you are struggling to figure out your personal style, I really encourage you to try this challenge with me. Pay attention to what you keep repeating, because those patterns might tell you more about your style than you realise.

To make things more interesting, I am giving myself a theme each week, so I can then come back on Sunday and tell you a bit more about it, what work, what didn’t, what I learnt from it.

Will You Join Me?

Shall we do this??

I really encourage you to try it if, like me, you are struggling to get dressed right now, or you just feel like you need a method to help you put outfits together every day.

A few things that might make the challenge easier:

• Give yourself a theme for the week. Keep it simple. For me, this first week is all about basics, so I’m starting with the outfit formulas I always go back to — tank tops with shorts or midi skirts, for example. Those core pieces that are the backbone of my wardrobe and always seem to work for me.

• Choose tomorrow’s piece before you put everything away. At the end of the day, leave out the one piece you want to carry over into tomorrow’s outfit and start thinking about the possibilities. One less decision to make in the morning!

• Get inspired. Maybe at the weekend, spend a little time on Pinterest — or wherever you normally find inspiration — and save a few outfits you’d like to recreate or take ideas from. You are not trying to copy them exactly; look at the colours, proportions, layers or styling tricks you could try with your own clothes.

• Don’t be too hard on yourself. This is supposed to be fun! If you’re having a tough day and just want to go back to your comfiest outfit, do that. There is no wardrobe police coming to confiscate your September challenge membership, haha!

• Share your outfits with me! I’ll be doing the challenge over on Instagram, sharing what I’m carrying over each day and how I’m styling it. If you are joining in, tag me, I’d genuinely love to see what you come up with, and I’ll be here to give you ideas and encouragement along the way.

And remember, the point isn’t to create a completely different or “better” outfit every day. It’s to get curious about the clothes you already own, try combinations you might not normally think of, and notice what you naturally keep coming back to.

And on Sundays…

Every Sunday, I’ll share A Week in Outfits, what I wore, what I repeated, the outfits I loved (and the ones I really didn’t), plus the styling ideas and patterns I noticed along the way.

These Sunday posts will be for paid subscribers, with the first one coming this Sunday. Think of it as our weekly wardrobe experiment, I’ll do the trying on and possibly a few weird styling decisions, and then report back on what worked, what didn’t, and what I learnt — all with the aim of giving you ideas you can take back to your own wardrobe.

Subscribe now

And because part of the reason I’m doing this challenge is that I’m secretly craving autumn dressing while the weather is still very much saying SUMMER (in big bold capital letters) I’ve put together a little transitional mood board for us.

These are the outfits, colours, proportions and styling details I’m drawn to right now, and what I will be looking at for inspiration as I get dressed over the next few weeks. Not necessarily outfits to copy exactly, but ideas to take back to my own wardrobe.

Save it, steal it, and use it as a starting point for your own week. More on my Pinterest.

Shop the Mood

I’ve also created a little in-between weather edit on ShopMy to help you spot any gaps in your wardrobe, and mine!

A mix of preloved and new pieces that are catching my eye, fit the mood, and would work really hard in our wardrobe right now and once autumn is in full swing.

But don’t forget to shop your own wardrobe first , you might already have exactly what you need!

SHOP MY TRANSITIONAL EDIT →

Besos,

Noelia xx

So, in honour of my upcoming milestone, I thought I’d do a slightly different sort of post. No fashion today, just beauty.

I like to do a lot of research before slapping something on my face, but I’m also not prepared to watch 350 Reels to find out. I like to hear from people who actually know what they are talking about so I really enjoy watching the Doctorly YouTube channel — two very cute dermatologists who go into skin concerns in a lot of detail without making everything feel unnecessarily complicated. I also swear by Caroline Hirons’ book Skincare, which helped me build a routine around my actual skin and concerns rather than whatever product is getting the most attention — or commission — that week.

My main concerns at the moment are hydration, pigmentation, texture and pores, the occasional breakout and, obviously, the bloody fine lines.

Over time I’ve tried quite a lot of things, so I thought it could be useful to share what I’m actually using and what I think is making a difference.

First: cleaning my face properly

This has been life changing! My skin actually got worse when I moved back to Spain. Yes, there was a lot of lovely sun tan and glowing skin (sweat most times!), but wearing so much SPF and then actually not cleaning my face properly made me break out a lot more than I was used to.

Caroline Hirons is very strict about double cleansing, and this is probably the habit from her book that made the biggest difference to my skin. In the evening I double cleanse, particularly if I’ve been wearing SPF and/or make-up, and once in the morning. Even when I get home at 3am, tired and slightly tipsy, I still double cleanse. It’s non-negotiable.

I like to start with Beauty Pie Japanfusion, which gently melts away make-up and SPF, then follow with the L’Oréal Vitamin C cleanser. Nothing fancy, but I love both and have been using them for years. I also don’t think cleanser is where you need to spend loads of money to be honest!

The ingredients I swear by

One of the things I learnt from Skincare is that, instead of spending your money on magical serums and creams, it’s much more useful to understand which ingredients are actually doing something for your skin.

You don’t need one insanely expensive “miracle” cream , it makes much more sense to use a few targeted ingredients that do something different. Which, for the lazy person in me, took a while to get used to. I would much rather wash my face, slap on an expensive serum, a fancy cream and SPF and call it a day. But I’ve changed the way I do things, and it’s actually working.

Over time I’ve worked out which ingredients my skin likes, and I keep going back to them depending on what I’m trying to tackle:

For hydration: I start with the Elixir Brightening Essence Lotion I bought in Japan, then layer Hada Labo Gold on top. Together they’ve made a really noticeable difference to how hydrated and plump my skin feels. Both were fairly cheap in Japan and I don’t know what I am going to do when I ran out! Go back to Japan most likely!

For pigmentation and brightness: vitamin C , I’m currently using Melano CC, another Japan buy. I really like it because it’s lightweight and easy to layer without making my skin feel sticky. I use it in the morning because I’m mainly looking for help with dullness and uneven tone, especially as I’m very conscious of sun damage and pigmentation.

For pores, oiliness and the occasional breakout: niacinamide — I use The Ordinary Niacinamide, which I’ve used on and off for years and always go back to. It’s one of those unglamorous products that just seems to keep my skin a bit more balanced, particularly when I’m sweating more or my pores are looking more obvious.

For dullness and texture: glycolic acid, I use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid around three times a week. I like that my skin feels smoother and looks brighter the next morning.

All of the products above were bought with my own money. There are also a few things I’m currently trying that were gifted to me, so let’s get into those.

For texture and fine lines: retinoids — probably the ingredient I’ve been most consistent with long term. As you probably know, they are basically vitamin A derivatives that help speed up skin-cell turnover and support collagen production, which makes them very good for fine lines, texture and pigmentation, ding ding ding! I’m currently using Medik8 Crystal Retinal, and so far so good. It’s a little stronger than the Beauty Pie retinol I was using before, so I’m only using it a few times a week for now while my skin gets used to it.

For keeping everything looking a little bouncier: peptides — these are short chains of amino acids, basically the building blocks your skin uses to make proteins like collagen and elastin. The idea is that they help support firmness, hydration and overall skin resilience rather than doing anything dramatic overnight. I’ve started using Medik8 Liquid Peptides, which feels very light and easy to layer, and I do feel like my skin looks a little plumper when I’m consistent with it, so let’s see!

And yes, collagen. I’ve been taking collagen for a while now, and while I can’t say I’ve noticed some miraculous transformation in my face, I do notice a difference in my hair and in how my joints feel after exercising. I’m currently using Elevate (15% off with code NOELIA15) and Ancient + Brave (both gifted), I add them to yoghurt, smoothies or coffee, depending on the type.

The devices I actually use

This is where my beauty routine starts becoming slightly ridiculous.

I already had an LED mask from Beauty Pie, but then CurrentBody (10% off with code NOELIA) gifted me theirs and I ended up preferring it simply because it’s much more comfortable to wear. It stays properly on my face, and the little remote can clip onto your clothes, which sounds incredibly specific but is actually essential because it means I can walk around the house, make dinner, tidy up, answer emails, whatever, rather than having to sit completely still for ten minutes. I use it always in the evenings just because I have more time. Red light is supposed to be good for overall skin health, brightness and helping with inflammation, and I do feel like my skin looks calmer and a little more glowy when I’m consistent with it. Is consistent the key to everything?

Yep!

Then there’s the ZIIP Halo, which was also gifted and is a much more recent addition. If you are thinking about getting one, I also have a 10% off with code NOELIA.

ZIIP claims a LOT, lifting, sculpting, glow, fine lines, all sorts, and I’ve seen some fairly wild reviews from people saying their face looks immediately more snatched after using it. I’m only about two weeks in, so I’m not ready to tell you it has rearranged my entire face.

But so far, I really like it. I was already doing a quick gua sha routine in the mornings for lymphatic drainage, so this feels like a slightly more high-tech version of that ritual. I definitely notice a glow straight afterwards, although that could also be the 35 different ingredients I’m applying to my face at this point, lol.

What I really like is how easy it is to use. The guided videos are genuinely helpful and weirdly soothing, and it’s become a really nice way to start the day. Full disclosure: I also don’t have kids, so introducing another ten-minute beauty ritual into my morning is probably considerably easier for me than for many people.

I’ve only been using it for two weeks, though, so this one is very much to be continued.

The Professional Stuff

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When I was taking pictures last week for my very unscientific experiment, I noticed that it wasn’t only the depth of a colour that made a difference. I literally tried on almost every blue thing I own and I noticed there was also something else that made certain blues feel better or worse on me.

And by “worse”, I mean a very slight difference in my face. Probably completely unnoticeable to anybody else. Which brings me back to why I “hate” colour analysis. I don’t believe a colour has so much power that it can suddenly make you look SO tired, SO pale, SO sick, or whatever other slightly derogatory adjectives someone might use to prove that a colour is “wrong” for you.

Yes, I’ve noticed through these “experiments”, some colours bring out my features a little more than others. But does that mean I’m going to stop wearing the ones that don’t?

Absolutamente no.

And in Part 5 (I know, I know, stay with me!) I’m going to show you how to wear those colours you might have been avoiding because you’ve been told they don’t suit you.

Spoiler alert: it’s all about the styling. It’s always all about the styling! ❤️

A big part of colour analysis is bright vs soft, but because the whole point of this series is to stay away from traditional colour analysis and keep things simple, I’m going to look at it from a more fashion-based perspective: texture and fabric.

Because once we are talking about actual clothes rather than colour swatches, the fabric itself can completely change how bright, soft or lively a colour looks on you.

So this week, instead of looking at colour alone, I want us to look at the clothes carrying the colour. Are they matte or shiny? Structured or drape-y? Textured, patterned or completely flat?

I’ve paired pieces from my wardrobe that are as close in colour and depth as I could find. They are obviously not perfect scientific matches (have we met?), but I think the differences are really interesting.

Light Blue

I do love the dress on the right, and every time I wear it I get lots of compliments. Which is interesting because light blue isn’t actually a colour I naturally gravitate towards. Over the years, I’ve noticed that it doesn’t always do much for me. That’s why I prefer a medium blue.

Except this dress does look very good on me (if I say so myself!). So what is it?

The colours are very similar in depth, but the fabrics couldn’t be more different. The T-shirt (left) is a simple matte cotton, while the dress (right) has a slight sheen that catches the light as I move. And somehow, that little bit of luminosity seems to bring the blue — and my face — to life.

Is it a dramatic transformation? Absolutely not. If I walked past you in the supermarket wearing either of these, I highly doubt you’d think “God, that satin really brings out her complexion!”

You might, however, notice that I look more confident in the light blue dress. Because I already know this is a dress that looks good on me, but more importantly, I feel really good in it. And that probably has a much bigger effect on how I look than the exact shade of blue ever could.

Anyway, let’s see another comparison:

Medium Blue

Now this is where it gets more interesting. These two blues are pretty similar in depth, ok maybe the denim is darker! But theoretically, based on what we discovered last week, they should both work similarly on me.

But I don’t think they do. The shirt on the left is a crisp cotton with a white stripe running through it, so there’s more contrast and variation in the fabric. The denim on the right is much flatter and more matte.

And to my eye, the shirt gives my face more brightness and energy. The denim isn’t bad at all — but somehow everything feels a little more muted, what do you think?

And I think the last comparison makes the point even more clearly...

Dark Blue

These are both navy, and probably even closer in colour than the previous two, but I see quite a big difference.

The cable knit on the left is thick, structured and quite dense. On me, it makes the navy feel heavier and more dominant, like I notice the jumper before I notice my face.

The knit on the right is much softer and has more movement. The folds create different depths and allow the light to hit the fabric differently, which somehow makes exactly the same dark colour feel much softer against my face.

And this is where I think my point really comes together: colour doesn’t exist in isolation once it becomes clothing. Fabric, texture, sheen, pattern and even cut all change how we experience it.

So if there’s a colour you love but you’ve always felt it doesn’t quite work on you, maybe the answer isn’t to stop wearing it. Maybe you just haven’t found the right version of it yet.

Maybe it needs to be a little lighter or darker. Maybe it works better in silk than cotton. Maybe you prefer it with texture, a bit of shine, a stripe running through it, or in a shape that shows more skin around your face.

That feels much more useful to me than simply being told: “This colour isn’t for you.”
It opens up so many more possibilities than a rigid set of rules than a traditional colour analysis ever could.

A little homework

Go back to the pictures you took for last week’s homework, but this time stop looking only at the colour. Look at the clothes themselves.

Are they matte or shiny? Smooth or textured? Structured or soft and drape-y? Does the fabric catch the light? Is the colour clear and bright or softer and more muted?

Do you notice any patterns in the clothes that make you feel particularly good?

And if there’s a colour you love but have always felt doesn’t quite work on you, don’t give up on it just yet. See if you already own another version of that colour in a different fabric, texture or depth and compare the two.

You might discover that the colour was never really the problem.

And next week, we are going to be tackling the one that has confused me the most over the years, and, to be honest, still confuses me! So my take on it is going to be as much a lesson for myself as it is for you.

Warm or cool?

Because apparently I’m cool toned. Except I love to see myself in a coral lipstick. So... we have some investigating to do, WISH ME LUCK!

Love,
Noelia x

At times it was actually too warm, which is something no one there is ever ready for. There were days when leaving the house before 5pm felt absolutely crazy and unnecessary and going into central London was completely out of the question. The Tube is still very much a non-air-conditioned situation — an absolutely wild concept when almost everyone relies on it every day. So if you are planning a London trip during a heatwave, forget every accessory you think you need. Buy a personal fan instead.

I lived in London for many years — basically most of my twenties and thirties — before moving back to Spain after Covid. At the time, I was very ready for it. I wanted to be close to my family again, live by the sea, have more space, more sun, a slightly slower life. All the things London is famously terrible for.

And I love living in Gran Canaria. I really do. But I still have the Londoner DNA very much running through my veins.

I miss walking everywhere. I miss having an insane amount of things you can do on any random Tuesday. I miss finding little vintage shops out of nowhere, meeting a friend for lunch and ending up partying until 2 am, going to the theatre, people-watching, wandering around Soho, and yes, jumping on the Tube, even if that means being drenched in sweat and standing next to someone who clearly forgot deodorant.

So when I go back now, and I go back very often, I try to do everything. I want to see everyone. I want to eat everything I’ve missed. I want to go to exhibitions and the theatre and shops and neighbourhoods I haven’t visited in ages. I want to walk around London for hours even though, technically, I moved away partly because I was tired of having to walk around London for hours. It makes absolutely no sense, I know!

It's the curse of being an immigrant, when you are away, you miss home desperately. But then you go back home and realise you don’t completely belong there anymore either, because you are not quite the person who left.

Anyway, enough with the soppiness. You came here for fashion.

Below, I’m sharing some of the outfits I wore, plus a very unofficial guide to some of my favourite London spots — including where I get last-minute West End tickets, the best place to buy souvenirs that don’t suck and my favourite shopping areas that are, obviously, not Oxford Street.

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The question you might be able to answer at the end of this post (after doing your homework first!) is:

Do I come alive more in lighter colours, darker colours, or somewhere in between?

Again, as I mentioned in Part 1, this doesn’t really matter. If you notice that you come alive more in lighter colours but you love wearing dark colours, please keep wearing them. Trust your instincts.

When you feel really good in something, it shows. Confidence truly is the best accessory (corny, I know, but it is!!!). So no, it doesn’t matter if that particular colour doesn’t make the whites of your eyes look whiter, your hair shinier, or whatever other nonsense anyone dares to tell you to convince you that you are doing colour wrong.

But if you’ve been having issues with how you feel in your clothes lately, maybe you feel a bit stuck with your wardrobe or simply don’t feel excited by it anymore, understanding these little nuances to colour might help.

Maybe it helps you to finally understand why certain things in your wardrobe have never quite worked. Maybe it helps you let go of something you’ve been holding onto but never wear. Or maybe it simply gives you some guidance the next time you go shopping.

Again, this is a guide, not a rulebook.

Let’s begin!

So, what do I actually mean by light or dark?

I told you before this is not rocket science, so it’s exactly what it sounds like: some colours are lighter, some are darker, and there is a whole lot in between.

The easiest way to picture it is to imagine taking one colour and slowly adding white to make it lighter, or black to make it darker. Obviously, this isn’t exactly how colour works all the time, but it’s a useful way to understand the idea.

Take blue. Add lots of white and you get something closer to baby blue. Somewhere in the middle you have your classic blue. Keep making it darker and eventually you are heading towards navy. Same colour family, very different depth.

And depth is really what we are talking about today: how light or dark a colour appears.

Baby blue → medium blue → navy

Pale pink → pink → dark pink

Mint → green → forest green

They are all versions of the same colour, but they can have a completely different effect when you are wearing them.

And you might say: HAHA! But Noelia, I already knew that, are you wasting my time?

Never! Keep reading, because this will make a lot more sense once you see it in action.

And this is where it gets interesting, because having light features doesn’t necessarily mean you need to wear light colours, and having darker features doesn’t automatically mean dark colours will look better on you.

The easiest place to start is by looking at yourself. How much light and dark do you naturally have in your features?

If you have very light hair, light eyes and pale skin, like me, there isn’t a huge difference between the lightest and darkest parts of your face. If you have dark hair, dark eyes and lighter skin, for example, there is naturally much more contrast.

But, and this is SO important, this doesn’t automatically tell you what you should wear. It just gives you somewhere to start.

This is why we experiment. Remember: no rules!

What we want to find out is simply: What happens to my face as the colours I wear get lighter or darker?

Do my features stand out more? Do my eyes look brighter? Does a very dark colour feel a bit heavy on me? Does something very pale wash me out? Or do I actually prefer myself somewhere in the middle?

And you might find that the answer is not particularly dramatic. That’s fine too!

Time to experiment

My colouring is naturally quite light: blonde hair, very light blue eyes with a darker rim around them and fairly pale skin (although I am slightly tan at the moment). So it’s easy to assume that because my colouring is naturally quite light I would automatically suit lighter colours, right? Well, let’s see.

I’ve taken three pictures wearing blue at three different depths: light, medium and dark. No make up, same spot in the house, natural light at the same time of day.

Before I tell you what I think, see if you can spot any differences in my face. And let’s ask the same questions as last week:

• Does my skin look healthier?

• Do my eyes stand out more?

• Do I look more awake?

• Does the colour seem to overpower me?

• Do I notice my face first, or the top?

Which one do you notice first?

Not which top you like best. Not which colour you prefer.

Look at my face.

What changes as the colour gets darker?

So again, I don’t see a particularly dramatic change. I love blue in all its forms and it’s a colour that features prominently in my wardrobe.

But compared with the other two, I do notice straight away that the medium blue brings more vibrancy and energy to my face. Then again, that’s one of my favourite shirts, so maybe I’m biased!

I like the light blue too, but it doesn’t seem to have quite as much energy, it feels to me a bit soft and flat. And navy definitely feels stronger against my face. My eyes look lighter, but there’s also much more contrast between the colour and my complexion.

So, if I had to choose based purely on these three pictures, medium seems to be my sweet spot. I’d still wear the other shades of blue of course. I just feel that medium blue gives me more vibrancy… and I like that.

What do you think? Tell me in the comments!

BUT, I tried almost every blue piece in my wardrobe while doing this experiment and I noticed something else that is quite interesting…

Two colours can be a very similar depth and still have a completely different effect.

Why? Well, that’s what we are getting into next time. For now, let’s do some homework!

A little homework

This week, I want you to figure out where your own sweet spot might be: light, medium or dark.

Ideally, choose one colour you already have in your wardrobe in three different depths: something like pale blue, medium blue and navy.

But if you don’t have three versions of the same colour, don’t worry! Just find:

One light top + one medium top + one dark top.

Take a picture in each one, in roughly the same place and lighting, and look at your face, not the clothes.

Ask yourself the same questions:

• Where does my face seem to have the most energy?

• In which one do my eyes stand out?

• Does the lightest colour make me look softer or a little flat?

• Does the darkest create nice contrast or does it feel a bit heavy?

• Which one feels like my sweet spot: light, medium or dark?

And most importantly: don’t try to find the “correct” answer. You might love all three. You are simply training your eye to notice what changes.

Keep those pictures close because next week we are going to see why two colours that seem very similar on paper can have a very different effect on your face, and even your mood.

Love,

Noelia x

Need another pair of eyes on your wardrobe?

If you’re feeling a bit stuck, my Nothing to Wear Session is a focused one-hour video chat where we can go through whatever is currently getting in the way of you enjoying your clothes.

Maybe you want to build outfits with things you already own, figure out why certain pieces never quite work, style something you love but never wear, or work out what’s actually missing before you buy anything else.

It’s not a wardrobe overhaul. It’s one hour, focused entirely on what you need help with right now, and you’ll leave with new outfit ideas and a much clearer sense of direction.

Book your Nothing to Wear Session here.

As a stylist, I know I should be interested in it, maybe even offer it to clients, but the truth is I've always struggled to make sense of it. There are too many rules, too many sub-seasons and too many nuances to ever arrive at one clear answer. And the whole ritual of holding coloured drapes under someone's face ("Aha! See how yellow makes you look ill?") can either leave you feeling reassured... but mostly more confused.

The reel below is exactly how I feel about it!

I’ve never seen myself in a single season. Light Spring? Warm Spring? Soft Summer? Depending on who you ask, I could probably be all three.

And I don’t know how many make up artists have told me that I definitely have cool undertones because I have very light blue eyes and my skin is fair, but I tan very well in the summer, so I’ve never been truly convinced… So maybe I am neutral or almost warm? See? Confusing!

So, to help explain what I mean, I decided to create this series. It’s not really about colour analysis, but about understanding what colour can actually do for you.

I’m going to use my own face as a bit of an experiment, taking pictures in different colours and seeing what changes — if anything.

But mostly, I want to prove that understanding colour doesn’t need to be complicated. Maybe instead of trying to fit ourselves into a season or follow a fixed set of rules, we just need to get better at noticing how we feel in different colours.

So for this first part I took a few pictures wearing four different colours, all around the same time of day, in the same spot and with no makeup.

Have a look and see what you think before I tell you what I see.

To be honest, I don’t see an overwhelming difference in the way these colours affect my face, but I do notice that red and green bring more life and energy.

My skin looks warmer, my eyes look brighter and, even though they are both quite strong colours, I don’t feel like they are overpowering me.

The black and white are a bit more meh. White feels softer and less lively; it doesn’t add much energy or warmth to my face. Black creates more contrast, but I don’t think it looks bad on me at all.

Is this rocket science? No. But understanding what a colour ‘does’ to you, it’s quite valuable. Especially when you are having one of those days where nothing seem to work: a colour that makes your eyes pop might just be the answer!

Do you need to go to a colour analyst for this? I don’t think you do.

You probably already know more than you think. You know the colours that make you look more awake, healthier or even more energetic. And then there are colours that, well... aren’t necessarily bad, they just don’t do quite as much for you.

As you can probably guess, I don’t offer traditional colour analysis to my styling clients. Of course, we talk about colour. I ask about the colours they are naturally drawn to, the ones they avoid, the outfits they get complimented on, and the shades that have been sitting unworn in their wardrobe for years. If they are feeling lost, I’ll help them understand the patterns I’m seeing.

But I don’t hand them a colour palette and tell them to avoid everything else. Because I believe the first rule of colour is to trust yourself.

Long before anyone told you you were an Autumn or a Winter, you probably already had a favourite jumper that made you feel incredible. A dress that always earned compliments. A lipstick that made you look brighter and like you slept a full eight hours. For me, that lipstick is coral — apparently a bit of a no-no for cool undertones!

That’s all you need to know, those are your clues. Colour isn't about looking perfect. It's about understanding the effect different colours have on you.

So this series isn’t about finding your season or giving you another set of fashion rules to follow. Hell no!

It’s about learning to see yourself.

It’s about understanding why certain colours seem to bring you to life while others quietly take the attention away from you. Because once you can recognise those patterns, shopping becomes easier, getting dressed becomes more fun, and you start making decisions with confidence instead of second-guessing yourself.

But first, before we get into the more “technical” part (jokes, we’re never going to get technical!) let’s understand what to actually look for in your own face and complexion.

Because when we think about colour, we always ask:

“Does this colour suit me?”

But I want you to start asking this instead:

What changes when I wear this colour?

A little homework

In every part of this series, I am going to give you some little homework to do, nothing too complicated, and always something you can do in front of the mirror without needing 350 different colour swatches and perfect lighting.

Just pick a few tops in noticeably different colours and take a quick photo of yourself in the same light, with no make up on.

Then compare the photos and ask:

• Does my skin look healthier?

• Do my eyes stand out more?

• Do I look more awake?

• Does the colour seem to overpower me?

• Do I notice my face first, or the top?

Don’t worry about whether the colour is “right” or “wrong”. You’re just noticing what changes.

Start looking for patterns. These are your clues, and they’ll help you understand which colours you naturally feel good in and are drawn to.

We’ll go into much more detail in the next parts of the series, so keep an eye out!

Love,

Noelia x

To the market, to restaurants, through airports and even to the Cannes Festival, paired with a sequinned dress. Talk about friction!

She didn’t treat it as a holiday accessory or save it for days when she happened to be within walking distance of the sea. It was simply her bag.

And when I say raffia bag throughout this article, I’m using the term loosely. It could be raffia, wicker, woven leather , straw or anything else that feels light, textured and summery. You know the one: it comes to the beach, occasionally accompanies you to the supermarket, or sits permanently in your hallway “decorating the entrance” because you love the aesthetic but haven’t quite worked out how to translate it into your everyday wardrobe.

The answer, according to Jane, is very simple: wear it with absolutely everything.

There’s something wonderfully ironic about the fact that one of fashion’s most famous and coveted handbags was created for a woman who had spent years happily carrying a wicker basket she picked up in a market in London instead. Her style was never about displaying how much something cost. It was about personality, practicality and wearing things in a way that felt completely her own.

The story behind the Birkin bag is equally charming as it is relatable. According to fashion lore, Birkin’s partner, Jacques Doillon, disliked her basket bag so much that he eventually ran it over with his car. How dare he. She was therefore travelling with a different bag when she happened to sit beside Jean-Louis Dumas, then chairman of Hermès, on a flight.

As she tried to settle into her seat, the contents of her bag spilled everywhere. Dumas commented that she needed something more practical, with pockets. Birkin replied that Hermès didn’t make the kind of bag she needed, to which he revealed that he was, in fact, the man running Hermès, so he would make it for her.

Birkin then described—and sketched on an aeroplane sick bag—the roomy, practical and “mum-friendly” bag she wanted. That chance conversation eventually led to the creation of the Birkin bag.

But the part I find most interesting isn’t really the luxury bag that came as a result of it, which, in my opinion, is wildly overrated. It’s the way she wore that original basket: without rules, without waiting for the right setting and without worrying whether it looked “too summery” or '“to gimmicky”. It added so much charm and character to her personal style, and I think those candid photos of her carrying that basket did far more to make fashion people fall in love with her than the fact that she was the original Birkin girl.

So perhaps the best way to style your raffia/wicker/woven bag beyond the beach is to borrow a little of that attitude. Stop treating it like a seasonal prop and start using it as a way to bring more texture, individuality and personality into your everyday looks.

LOOK 1: With Jeans + an Oversized Shirt + Colourful Shoes

Because I know how much you love a specific formula: start with your favourite denim: wide-leg jeans—always my pick—, denim shorts while it’s still hot, skinnies if you are still into them, or vintage Levi’s if you are one of those people who has made peace with limited movement. Basically, whatever makes you feel most like yourself.

Then add a slightly oversized shirt. It brings that relaxed, effortless feeling we want and gives the raffia bag something a little more polished to sit against. The contrast between the crisp shirt, everyday denim and natural texture of the bag is what makes the whole outfit work.

Finally, add a pair of colourful shoes. You know, the ones you bought this season and have since been staring at you from the bottom of your wardrobe? This is the perfect outfit for them. The denim and shirt keep everything grounded, while the shoes add enough colour to stop the look feeling too predictable.

The styling formula

Favourite denim

• slightly oversized shirt

• raffia bag

• colourful shoes

A few things that make it work

• Roll or push up the shirt sleeves to keep the shape relaxed.

• Leave the shirt loose, half-tuck it, or unbutton the bottom slightly depending on the proportions of your denim.

• Think about proportions too: denim shorts look great with an oversized raffia tote, while wide-leg trousers usually work better with a smaller, more structured basket bag.

• Repeat the shoe colour somewhere small—sunglasses, earrings or a necklace—if you want the outfit to feel more connected.

• Don’t over-style it. The raffia texture and colourful shoes are already doing plenty for your fashion cred.

LOOK 2: With Tailoring

Just like with the sarong skirt, tailoring is the answer when you want to take a raffia bag beyond the beach. It’s all about that friction… again!

I love the idea of wearing a huge, relaxed straw bag with pieces that have a little more structure. The tailoring gives the outfit shape, while the raffia stops it from feeling too corporate or boring.

The rest of the look can still be soft and fluid. Try a tailored waistcoat with a pleated skirt, a crisp shirt with wide-leg trousers, or a structured blazer over something floaty. It doesn’t all need to be rigid—one polished element is enough to give the outfit some backbone.

Think about it! the weather starts becoming less exciting, you are forced back into reality and, instead of reaching for your very sensible laptop bag, you carry the raffia one that still smells faintly of the sea and contains approximately half the sand from the last beach you were in.

That little reminder of summer is exactly what keeps a polished outfit from feeling too sensible.

The styling formula

One tailored/structured piece

• simple top

• raffia bag

• polished sunglasses and simple jewellery

A few things that make it work

• The sharper the tailoring, the more relaxed the bag can be.

• A huge raffia tote looks especially good with a clean, fitted blazer.

• Keep the colour palette fairly restrained and let the texture of the bag do the work.

• Add leather shoes, a belt or structured sunglasses to give the outfit a stronger frame.

LOOK 3: With a Neutral Dress

A neutral dress is probably the easiest way to let a raffia bag do all the interesting work without the outfit feeling too styled.

Start with something simple in black, white, cream, navy or brown. It could be a slip dress, a loose linen style, a knitted dress or something slightly more structured. The clean base gives the texture of the bag room to stand out, while still feeling like an outfit you could wear anywhere beyond the beach.

This is also where accessories can quietly change the whole mood. Add polished sandals, ballet flats or loafers, then bring in sunglasses, gold jewellery or a belt if the dress needs a little more shape. The raffia bag keeps the look relaxed, but the rest of the details stop it from drifting into holiday vibes.

The styling formula

Neutral dress

• raffia bag

• polished shoes

• statement sunglasses

A few things that make it work

• A black or navy dress makes raffia feel especially chic and less obviously beachy.

• A white or cream dress creates a softer, more summery version.

• If the dress is loose, choose a smaller or more structured basket bag.

• If the dress is sleek or fitted, an oversized raffia tote adds a nice bit of drama.

• Add one polished detail—a leather sandal, sculptural earring or sharp pair of sunglasses—to keep the whole thing from becoming too rustic.

I hope these outfits help you create your own versions using pieces you already have in your wardrobe. And when in doubt, think: what would Jane Birkin do?

Sometimes the pieces that make an outfit feel the most personal are the ones that don’t quite “belong”. The relaxed bag with the tailored trousers. The oversized basket with the very sensible dress. That little bit of tension is usually where the interesting styling happens.

So keep yours out a little longer. Carry it somewhere completely ordinary and let it bring a tiny bit of holiday energy with it.

Love,

Noelia x

This series is about changing that.

Each edition, I’ll take one of those very specific “holiday-only” pieces and show you how to style it with the clothes already in your everyday wardrobe.

I briefly touched on this in my recent newsletter about 3 Easy Swaps for Summer, but I wanted to go a little deeper because it’s something I see all the time. People buy beautiful raffia bags, bikini coverups, linen dresses and colourful sandals, only to decide they are only appropriate when they have a tan or are within walking distance of a beach.

As someone who grew up by the sea, I can tell you that’s simply not true. Some of my favourite summer outfits are built around pieces that most people would save for holiday. Okay, maybe the Canary Islands’ weather is particularly forgiving all year round, but it has made me a pro at wearing my summer pieces over and over again. I mean, we pretty much live in flip-flops over here!

So! the trick isn’t wearing all of them at once like you might do on holiday. It’s knowing how to style them so they feel just as comfortable on a Saturday coffee run as they do on holiday.

And I don't want to be THAT person who starts talking about autumn while we are still in July...but one of the reasons I love styling holiday pieces this way is so they don't really have an expiry date. Keep swapping the sandals for loafers, add a light knit, a jacket… and they'll continue working long after your holiday tan has disappeared.

I’d also love your help with what comes next. What’s the one piece you only ever wear on holiday but would love to style at home? Leave it in the comments or reply to this email, and I might include it in the next edition.

The Sarong

A piece that spends 50 weeks of the year folded in a drawer deserves better.

The sarong (or pareo, as we call it in Spain) is probably one of the hardest holiday pieces to bring back into your everyday wardrobe.

On holiday, it’s easy. Throw it over your swimsuit and head to the beach bar for your third margarita.

Back home feels... too beachy, right? Well, the trick is to stop thinking of it as a cover-up and start treating it like a styling accessory.

LOOK 1: Over Trousers

Last year, we were tying scarves around our waists. This summer, I’m making the case for using a sarong instead.

Wearing one over trousers is probably the easiest way to take it away from the beach. The trousers give the outfit structure, while the sarong adds colour, print and movement. It feels a little unexpected, but still completely wearable.

The key is to keep the rest of the outfit fairly simple. A plain shirt or fitted top, wide-leg trousers and straightforward shoes give the sarong enough room to be the interesting part without the whole outfit turning into a travelling textile exhibition.

I love the contrast of a bright, printed pareo with darker or more tailored pieces like does it over black trousers and a black shirt, or soften it with beige trousers and a colourful tank. Both work because the base outfit is doing the sensible administrative work while the sarong gets to have a bunch of personality.

The styling formula

Printed sarong

• simple top

• wide-leg or tailored trousers

• minimal sandals or flip-flops

• a touch of gold through jewellery

A few things that make it work

• Tie it slightly off-centre rather than perfectly in the middle. It looks more relaxed and creates a more flattering line.

• Let some of the trousers show beneath it. You still want it to read as layered styling, not as though the skirt has swallowed your legs.

• Keep the top tucked or fitted enough to balance the volume around the hips.

• Choose shoes that feel clean and simple. Flip-flops make it summery; ballet flats or loafers would take it further into everyday territory.

• Repeat one colour from the sarong elsewhere in the outfit, perhaps through the top, earrings or even sunglasses.

• I’d also add something fairly structured or polished, like a pair of sculptural gold earrings or a leather bag, to stop the look from feeling too bohemian.

LOOK 2: With an Oversized T-Shirt

A sarong with an oversized T-shirt is probably the most relaxed of the three looks, but that doesn’t mean it has to feel like you’ve simply thrown something on over your swimsuit and hoped for the best.

The contrast is what makes it work: the sarong brings colour, print and movement, while the T-shirt makes everything feel familiar and unfussy.

I recently styled my batik pareo from Singapore with a vintage Bowie T-shirt, and it felt completely like me. I absolutely love adding a bit of edge with a graphic print to stop a statement bottom from feeling too precious.

You could use a plain oversized T-shirt, a faded band tee or even a long-sleeved top with the sleeves pushed up. I love how does this—the tiny sleeve adjustment makes the whole outfit look more styled and super cool. The power of styling right there!

The styling formula

Printed sarong

• oversized or graphic T-shirt

• simple flat sandals

• one interesting accessory

A few things that make it work

• Choose a T-shirt that feels relaxed, but not so long that it completely hides the waist and knot of the sarong.

• Tuck or twist a small section at the front if you want to create a little more shape.

• Let the prints clash slightly. A graphic tee and a patterned pareo can look much more personal than trying to match everything perfectly.

• Push up the sleeves of a long-sleeved T-shirt to expose the wrists and keep the outfit feeling lighter.

• Add one polished or playful accessory—a sculptural necklace, an unusual bag or oversized sunglasses—to make the look feel intentional.

LOOK 3: With Tailoring

A structured blazer or crisp shirt is probably the last thing you’d think to wear with a sarong, which is exactly why it works! Friction baby!

The contrast between something polished and something relaxed makes the outfit feel intentional rather than “I forgot to get changed after the beach.”

A sharp shirt, tailored jacket or leather layer gives the sarong a completely different job. It stops reading as a cover-up to grab the next drink and starts behaving more like a printed but fun skirt.

Honestly, I’d wear this to the office if I had one to go to. If nothing else, it’s an excellent conversation starter. "Oh this? I found it in the cutest little shop in the tiniest village just outside Bordeaux while we were looking for somewhere to have lunch."

The styling formula

Printed sarong

• crisp shirt or structured jacket

• polished flats or sandals

• leather bag

• simple jewellery

A few things that make it work

• Choose a shirt with some structure, such as cotton poplin.

• Leave a few buttons undone and push the sleeves up slightly so it still feels relaxed.

• If you’re adding a jacket, keep the shape relatively clean and let the sarong remain the most decorative part of the outfit.

• Add a leather bag, sharp sunglasses or polished shoes to pull the look firmly away from beach territory.

• Try picking up one colour from the sarong in your shirt or accessories, but don’t match everything too perfectly.

The point of this series isn’t to convince you to dress like you are permanently on holiday. It’s to help those pieces earn a place in your real wardrobe, rather than disappearing into storage the moment the suitcase is unpacked.

So before you fold your sarong away for another year, try styling it with something you already wear all the time. A T-shirt, trousers, a crisp shirt, a proper bag. Give it a different supporting cast and see what happens.

Now I need your help choosing the next holiday piece to rescue.

Looking forward to see what you pick! See you next week!

Love,

Noelia x

As much as I love the Substack community, I sometimes feel like I don’t quite belong. I know many people here aren’t as drawn to colour as I am, and there often seems to be this idea that the less colour you wear, the more polished and chic an outfit looks.
I don’t think that’s true at all.

Thankfully, just as I was starting to doubt myself, the wonderful published her latest newsletter, All I Want This Summer Is Colour. I devoured it immediately, and it reminded me that there are, in fact, other people here who love colour just as much as I do.

Look at this rainbow! Some substackers who make a strong case for colour like , , , and just to name a few!

So I thought I’d share some of my favourite colour combinations right now—some I’ve already tried and others that are still on my list. What I love about all of them is that they transition beautifully into autumn. With the right fabrics, layers, and accessories, they don’t feel tied to one season—they simply evolve with your wardrobe.

Swap linen for knitwear, add suede or leather accessories, and these palettes work just as well in October and November as they do at the height of summer. That’s what makes them feel like smart wardrobe investments rather than trend-driven colour pairings you’ll only wear for a few months.

1. Navy + Turquoise + a Pop of Yellow or Orange

I blame Jacquemus Spring/Summer 2027 collection for my current obsession with turquoise and his ability to make this colour feel so modern and chic.

The funny thing is, while I was writing this, I couldn’t decide which colours I like best with turquoise (or what sometimes reads as a very light blue). So instead, I thought I’d share the combination I’m currently loving—and one I’m hoping to recreate myself soon.

Navy acts as the perfect neutral, while turquoise adds freshness without creating a high-contrast look. It’s colourful enough to feel interesting but subtle enough if you’re someone who doesn’t usually wear a lot of colour.

If you want to make the palette a little more playful, add a pop of yellow or orange through your accessories, or let a bra peek through a sheer shirt. It instantly brightens the outfit without overpowering it.

And if that feels like one colour too many, simply skip the accent and finish the look with white accessories—especially white sandals—for a crisp, polished summer outfit.

2. Chartreuse + Brown

This colour has been around for a while now, although I feel like it’s evolved into everything from chartreuse to apple green to lime. Whatever you want to call it, you know exactly the shade I’m talking about.

Yep, the colour of those infamous Donni pants that have caused quite a stir on Substack. Some people love them, some hate them because they can't justify the price (but secretly love them... me included), and others simply don't understand the hype (me also!). They've been the star of countless newsletters, Notes, and weekly outfit roundups, and I'd bet my Bottega bag that most of us have linked to them—or, at the very least, have them sitting on a ShopMy shelf.

What I do think they’ve done is convince us all that this slightly odd green has become a neutral in its own right. Just look at Ritika’s DD green bag—it somehow works with absolutely everything. Even the very queen of neutrals reaches for this shade when she wants to inject a little colour into her outfits. That says it all.

I recently made myself a pair of shorts (at the cost of a lot of sweat and a few tears) from a beautiful fabric I found in Japan. The moment I saw it, I thought of the Donni pants and decided I was finally going to make my own pair. Then I realised I’d bought just enough fabric for shorts instead. A classic

ewing lesson in optimism versus reality.

One of my favourite ways to wear this colour is with brown. The richness of brown grounds the brightness of chartreuse, making the whole combination feel sophisticated rather than loud. It’s just as striking in summer with lightweight fabrics as it is in autumn with suede, leather, and chunky knits.

3. Red + Lilac

If red and pink is now an established colour combination, consider red and lilac their slightly more sophisticated cousin.

We first spotted it at Prada SS26 and more recently in Chanel’s Couture collection, where a red bra peeking through a soft lilac dress became one of those styling moments you can’t stop thinking about.

What I love about this pairing is that it has the same playful energy as red and pink, but with a little more contrast and depth. The coolness of lilac softens the intensity of red, creating a combination that feels unexpected yet incredibly elegant.

If wearing both colours head-to-toe feels like too much, start small. A red bag with a lilac dress, a lilac tee with a red skirt, or even a flash of red underneath a sheer lilac blouse can have the same effect. Sometimes it’s those little styling details that make an outfit feel fresh.

Like the other colour combinations in this post, this one isn’t reserved for summer. As the seasons change, simply swap airy fabrics for richer textures—cashmere, suede, wool, or leather—and the palette feels just as beautiful in autumn.

Whether you are someone who lives in colour like me or you’re just looking for a new way to wear it, I hope these combinations inspire you to experiment a little this summer. The best outfits aren’t always the safest ones, and sometimes all it takes is one unexpected colour pairing to make pieces you already own feel completely new.

Now I’d love to know—which combination is your favourite? Or is there one you’re wearing this season that I should add to my list?

Love,

Noelia x

Looking back through my camera roll, I realised I’d been repeating the same tricks and formulas over and over again without even noticing.

So I thought I’d show you.

A lot of what I’ve been wearing is inspired by my recent newsletters (or maybe the newsletters have been inspired by my outfits?... Either way, I hope this gives you a few ideas to try with your own wardrobe.

Summer dressing doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s just about finding a few little formulas that make you feel like yourself, and repeating them shamelessly.

And if you're not quite sure what your formulas are yet, that's exactly what I help my styling clients figure out. Sometimes all it takes is another pair of eyes to help you see the potential in the clothes you already own.

Book a Nothing to Wear Session

Swap your white T-shirt for a colourful one

This one sounds so simple, doesn’t it? But you don’t understand the hold a white tank top has on me every summer.

The minute it gets hot and I want to wear a fun pair of trousers or shorts, I instinctively reach for my Uniqlo built in bra top. Mostly because I hate wearing a bra, and this solves the problem in one go.

So this summer I’ve been making a conscious effort to swap it for colourful tops instead. It’s genuinely one of the easiest ways to make an outfit feel more interesting without changing anything else.

Outfit 1

I recently bought this knitted top from & Other Stories in the colour of the moment, and I’ve been pairing it with simple basics like brown linen shorts. I love this combination, especially with the white flip-flops, which add a little freshness to the whole look.

I also added my new Bangla Begum earrings (I bought myself one pair... then my husband surprised me with another. Win-win!). They mix green and orange, so they bring in another little hit of colour without feeling too much. I’m genuinely obsessed with them.

Would I wear it again? Absolutely!, in fact I have repeated this outfit already multiple times.

Outfit 2

This red top from Oysho was originally meant for workouts. Then I realised I loved the colour too much to keep it for the gym.

It also has a built-in bra—which, as we’ve established, is one of my favourite inventions of modern times—so it’s become part of my everyday wardrobe instead.

I probably could have sized up, but honestly, I couldn’t be bothered to go to the shop. It’s fitted, but surprisingly comfortable, and I’ve been having so much fun creating unexpected colour combinations with it. This one with my blue skirt is probably my favourite pairing so far.

Would I wear it again? Probably! I might skip the shirt around the waist it it’s too hot, I got home with a pool of sweat around my tummy and backside…

Beach, please

This one comes naturally to me because I love anything related to the sea. I also happen to live a 10-minute walk from an incredible beach, so I spend a lot time in swimwear and beach-adjacent pieces. Let’s just say I own more shell-inspired jewellery than Ariel herself.

Outfit 1

When I put this outfit on one Sunday morning, I asked my husband, “Don’t you think this outfit is very mermaid?”He looked at me completely blank.

Then I met one of my friends and, before I even said anything, she went, “Oh my God, you look like what a mermaid would wear if she had legs.” Exactly! Someone understood the assignment.

I bought this white linen dress in the Massimo Dutti sale and was fully intending to return it. I don’t usually wear fitted dresses (and, I already own far too many white dresses). But the linen is incredibly soft, it fitted me like a glove, and once I started styling it, everything clicked.

I threw on this kimono-style jacket that I bought on holiday in Menorca and hardly ever wear (although, funnily enough, I ended up wearing it twice in the same week—see below), layered on one of my many shell necklaces and finished it with the white flip-flops that haven’t left my feet since I bought them.

I’d happily wear this outfit over and over again... until more people understand the mermaid vision.

If you’re enjoying this little peek inside my wardrobe, there’s plenty more below.

From my accidental mermaid era to the surprisingly versatile yellow shoes I wasn’t sure I’d keep, I’m sharing more outfits, the styling decisions behind them, and the little tricks that made them work.

✨ I’d love for you to join me.

Read more

I usually stay in my lane of styling advice, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the way the word flattering had suddenly become so controversial.

For years, flattering had been used as a synonym for looking smaller. No wonder so many women rejected it! But when I work with clients, we still talk about flattering all the time, not as a way to shrink themselves, but as a way to create balance, understand their proportions and wear clothes that reflect how they want to feel.

The response to that article was overwhelming. So many women told me they felt caught in the middle. They didn’t want to dress to look smaller, but they also didn’t want to pretend that proportions and fit didn’t matter either.

Reading all those messages, I knew I wanted to continue the conversation.

I deliberately waited until summer because if there’s one time of year when we become hyper-aware of our bodies, it’s now. Suddenly, getting dressed comes with a lot more questions.

Is this flattering? Should I cover up?Maybe I’ll wait until I’ve lost a few kilos…

So, rather than writing another article with my own thoughts, I invited a group of women whose style and perspective I genuinely admire.

I asked them all the same six questions about flattering, confidence, body image and dressing for their proportions.

• What does “flattering” mean to you personally?

• Was there a moment when your relationship with style changed?

• What makes you feel most confident or aligned in what you wear?

• What’s one fashion “rule” you ignore completely?

• How has understanding your proportions changed the way you dress?

• What advice would you give to women who are struggling to feel good in their bodies right now?

Their answers are all different. And that’s exactly what makes them so reassuring.

Alise - Wears her mood

Alise was one of the first people I thought of for this piece. I originally found her through her Curvy Chic Outfits series on Instagram, and I stayed because of the way she approaches fashion. She genuinely enjoys getting dressed. It's colourful, floaty, fun, and it always feels like she's expressing herself rather than trying to fit into someone else's idea of what she should wear.

On “flattering”

I would say going for clothes that are flattering on your body just simply means understanding what shapes you WANT to wear - emphasis on WANT because we’re really not all the same. Each and every one of us want to enhance or hide different parts of our bodies. Just because I’m hourglass, doesn’t mean I always want to wear a belt to enhance my waist, and I won’t go against my own instincts just because some style guide told me so.

Wearing what you love and enjoy wearing will give you more confidence and anything you wear with true confidence will automatically look more flattering.

Finding her style

A few years ago when I battled with bad mental health and agoraphobia. I couldn’t leave the house, I would have a panic attack even just thinking of getting on the tube. it took me 6 months to start proper exposure therapy.

When I got to the point where I could move around London a bit more freely, I started getting dressed to celebrate - I would treat each outing, even if it was a simple walk, as a form of celebration. I fell in love with fashion, colours, prints all over again and I even had a spring in my step!

That’s was a pivotal moment for me where I was no longer hiding behind dark, baggy clothes but instead embracing more dopamine dressing while still keeping it chic.

Dressing with confidence

And the answer varies each day. If it’s a hot day, I know I’d feel the best wearing breathable materials and show more skin. If it’s a day where I’m overwhelmed and busy, I might just want to go for baggy pants and a simple t-shirt so I don’t get overstimulated. And if I’m in a bad mood, I often choose to wear more colours (especially yellow) because it’s proven to boost my mood!

Getting to this intuitive way of dressing has taken me time and loads of experimentation, that’s why I always encourage people to try new things, even if you think you could never ‘pull it off’. Just try!

I used to hate yellow!

The fashion rule she happily ignores

I actually think I ignore all of them. I don’t like other people telling me what to do, I want to figure it out myself because I know my body best.

I don’t think anyone should blindly follow what someone else is telling them to wear, scrap all the ‘DOs and DON’Ts” and instead follow content creators and celebrities who look similar to you, see what they’re wearing, what colours they put together, what accessories they reach for, and try implement some of it in your own wardrobe. Play around, it’s not that serious!

Dressing for her proportions

I’m tall and curvy, I have hourglass figure and quite a long torso. Some might say it’s one of the easiest shapes to dress, and I would agree.

The hardest part is that a maxi dress is never truly maxi, it’s often midi on me. Mini dresses are usually a tunic on me, and sleeve lengths are also often wrong. This has limited what I choose to buy, how I can style certain things, and now I’m actually learning to sew so I can have that cute mini dress without having to wear shorts underneath! I’m excited for this journey!

Her advice to other women

First of all, you’re not alone and it’s normal. I am currently going through a bit of a love/hate relationship with my body because I’ve gained some weight and everything just feels so off.

But I’m taking each day as it comes and I constantly remind myself not to compare my journey to what I see online.

What makes me feel better about myself is taking care of my body, mind and soul - try to be active, go for walks, rest when I need, enjoy the sunshine, eat nutritious food and have some fun. It’s advice you’ve heard a 100 times before but it does work.
When it comes to fashion I stick to silhouettes I really enjoy wearing - like dresses and skirts in this hotter weather.

Don’t overcomplicate it!

I love that Alise's answers always came back to how she wanted to feel. Getting dressed isn’t about following rules or looking a certain way, it’s about celebrating herself, trusting her instincts and having fun.

Perhaps that's the whole point. Style isn't about getting it "right"; it's about building a relationship with clothes that feels joyful, intuitive and entirely your own.

- Writer. Editor. Outfit Repeater.

Liza has a rare ability to make fashion feel both aspirational and deeply practical. Whether she's talking about proportions, personal style or the latest trend, there's always a layer of thought behind it.

On “flattering”

Talking about “flattering” is socially loaded. And yet, I think the most myopic takes are the ones that tell women not to care. Because of course most of us do.

There is a dated, internalized-patriarchy layer baked into the idea of dressing for your body type. But dismissing it entirely, and implicitly shaming women for caring, is not much better. The reality of getting dressed for most of us involves frustration, disappointment, and trial and error. How could it not when we are being catered to by an industry that is still, more or less, one-size-fits-all?

Right now, there is a current of creators and publications saying there is no such thing as flattering, just wear whatever you want. The message deserves a lot more nuance. It also does not sit right when so many of the people sharing it are tall and skinny, which is still the body type the industry uses to design clothes and grade sizing. All this does is make women feel even worse when they are having a wobble in front of the mirror because nothing sits right over their chest, their stomach, their hips, their arms, etc. I have a meltdown of this kind at least every other week.

I am not going to give you the sanitized answer that flattering is just “when I feel most myself.” Instead, I’ll give you the dead honest answer: Something is flattering when I feel sexy in it, when I think I look good in the mirror, and when I still think I look good when I see myself photographed in it.

Finding her style

From 2020 to 2022, I created content about dressing as a woman under 5’4”, understanding proportions, and the small adjustments that can make clothes sit better on your body. The response was incredibly positive because people weren’t using these “rules” to restrict themselves—they were using them as tools.

When something feels off, understanding proportion gives you a language for it. It helps you figure out whether the waist is sitting in the wrong place, whether the shoe feels too heavy, or whether an outfit is cutting you up in a way you don’t like.

Around the same time, my own relationship with getting dressed was changing. I’d gone from corporate life to working from home, by myself, post-COVID. I started to lose the thread a little. Why get dressed properly if no one was going to see me?

Then my life changed again. I ended a decade-long relationship at 35, and suddenly I was getting dressed for a version of my life I hadn’t experienced in a very long time.

Dating was part of that, of course, but it was much bigger than dating. It was about rediscovering who I was outside the person I’d been for the previous ten years.

That’s when I started having fun with clothes again. I still cared about proportions, but I cared less about making every outfit technically correct. I wanted to experiment more. I wanted to wear things because they felt good, or sexy, or interesting.

Dressing with confidence

There’s another fashion idea that’s become very popular over the past few years: that the ultimate goal is to narrow down your personal style into one coherent aesthetic.

That feels slightly controversial for me to say because, for a long time, I encouraged that in my own content too. I still think there’s value in understanding what you like, but I no longer think the goal is to arrive at one perfectly curated aesthetic and stay there.

Where I am in my style journey now is that I have a few different personalities.

There’s the everyday version of me, the one that comes through most in my newsletter and on social media. She’s drawn to colour and clothes that work for real life.

Then there’s evening me. During the day, I almost never wear black. In the evening, it’s basically all I want to wear. I love fitted clothes. Something a little early-2000s, a little Tomb Raider-adjacent. It’s completely different to how I want to dress for a Tuesday afternoon therapy appointment or an 8 a.m. matcha run—but in the right context, I feel incredibly confident in it.
So I think what makes me feel most aligned is not dressing like the same person all the time.

Sometimes that means looking polished and intentional. Sometimes it means looking sexy. Sometimes it means being comfortable.

Rule-breaking

I no longer use fashion rules as the starting point of an outfit. Instead, I use them as a diagnostic tool—a way to fine-tune something once I already know what I want to wear.

Take the idea that short women shouldn’t wear oversized clothes. I’ve probably shared that advice myself in the past: when you’re under 5’4”, too much volume can overwhelm your frame and reduce the sense of vertical elongation.

And yet... I love wearing oversized with oversized.

The difference is that I approach it with a little more intention now. Rather than avoiding oversized silhouettes altogether, I think about proportion. I might use the rule of thirds to create a better visual rhythm, consider where skin is showing, play with contrast, or use a small design detail to add balance.

The rules aren’t there to stop me wearing something I love. They’re there to help me make it work.

Dressing for her proportions

I think that’s one of the biggest differences between getting dressed in your twenties and getting dressed as you get older.

At this point, I know there are certain things I’m very unlikely to feel good in. High necklines are difficult for me. Sleeveless tops and dresses rarely work. Most jeans are difficult.

And I no longer experience that as some great sartorial loss. I don’t miss them in the way I might have ten years ago, when I still felt like I should be able to make everything work.

Understanding my proportions has also made shopping much easier because it gives me a filter. I have fewer shopping mishaps, and I’ve become much more specific. I no longer think in broad categories like, “Tank tops don’t suit me” or “Dresses don’t suit me.”

Often, the difference between something feeling wrong and something feeling great is surprisingly small. The depth of a neckline. The width of a strap. A couple of centimetres can change everything.

Her advice to other women

I want to be very practical here.

The first thing I would say is to unfollow anything or anyone that gives you a bad gut feeling. It doesn’t matter whether the trigger is your body, your career, your lifestyle, someone else’s wardrobe, or something you can’t quite articulate. If you consistently come away from someone’s content feeling smaller, more anxious, more behind, or more at war with yourself, unfollow them.

The same applies to clothes.

There are a zillion T-shirts in the world. If the one you just tried on doesn’t make you feel amazing, that doesn’t mean T-shirts aren’t for you. It means that T-shirt isn’t the one.

Trust that there’s another version with a slightly different neckline, sleeve length, fabric weight or cut that will work better. Flore Flore T-shirts are everywhere right now. They look fantastic on lots of people. I’m 4’11” with an F cup. They don’t work for me, and I’m not going to make myself feel rubbish over it.

The best thing you can do for your wardrobe is to set aside an afternoon and actually try things on. Not five minutes before you need to leave the house. Not when you’re already running late. Put on some music, pour yourself a glass of wine if that’s your thing, and experiment.

We used to do this instinctively when we were younger. We tried things on. We played. We planned outfits. Then life gets busy, and getting dressed becomes something we only do under pressure—which is probably the worst possible moment to figure out what makes you feel good.

And if you take one thing away, make it this: take pictures of your outfits. Don’t overthink them in the moment. Take the photo, move on, and look back over the next few weeks. It’s one of the most powerful things you can do for your style. You’ll start noticing patterns. Outfit combinations you hadn’t considered. The pieces you always reach for. And the ones you thought you loved—but never actually wear.

I loved that Liza finished with practical advice. We spend so much time talking about confidence as if it's something we're supposed to magically feel one day, but confidence is often built through small, tangible actions. Curating your feed. Becoming more selective when you shop. Taking time to experiment instead of rushing out the door. None of those things change your body—but they can completely change your relationship with getting dressed.

- Essays on the beauty industry, body image, social media culture, and modern love.

I first came across Naomi because of a brilliant piece she wrote about almost going on weight-loss medication. It was the conversation everyone knows is happening, but very few women are actually having it out loud. As soon as I read it, I knew I wanted her perspective on this piece.

On “flattering”

I really struggle with this question because I find most clothes aren’t very flattering on me. As someone who struggles with body image, I want to feel comfortable in whatever I’m wearing.

There are certain parts of my body I prefer not to highlight, so I tend to gravitate towards a few trusted outfits: looser tops with flutter or angel sleeves, lower necklines that aren’t too revealing, and wide-leg trousers.

They’re still flattering in the sense that I feel good and confident in them.

Finding her style

When I was younger, I thought a good outfit had to be revealing. I remember wearing low-cut tops with push-up bras or tops that showed a bit of my stomach, but I never actually felt comfortable in them.

Over time, I realised that comfort takes precedence for me. I think that shift happened as I got older and stopped dressing for the male gaze. Instead, I started building a wardrobe around pieces that genuinely work for my body and make me feel like myself.

Dressing with confidence

Generally, I feel most confident in pieces that are comfortable. I also love adding colour—light blues, yellows—because they instantly lift an outfit.

Most importantly, I want to be able to enjoy my day, eat good food and not spend it worrying about whether my stomach looks bloated.

Dressing for her proportions

I don’t know loads about proportions, but I have learned what works well for my body.

I know looser tops suit me, while drawing attention to my waist creates balance. Wide-leg trousers are another staple, and learning about the rule of thirds has helped me think differently about proportions. I’m still learning, though, and I’d love to understand even more.

Her advice to other women

Find a few go-to pieces that you know you’ll always feel good in, and don’t be afraid to buy similar versions. If I’m having a bad body image day, I know I have clothes I can rely on.

One piece of advice I completely ignore is that you should “dress your age.” Someone once told me I needed to, and honestly, I think that’s nonsense. There isn’t one way to dress at any age. The goal is to find a style that feels authentic to you and reflects your personality.

Naomi’s answers reminded me confidence doesn’t always come from wearing something bold. Sometimes it comes from knowing you have pieces in your wardrobe that let you get on with your day without thinking too much about your body. And that’s just as powerful.

- Writer, stylist, podcaster & recovering perfectionist trying to have fun with clothes.

I admire how open Maureen is about her relationship with style. In her newsletter, Intuitive Style, she invites readers into the process rather than pretending to have all the answers, and I think there's something incredibly refreshing about that.

On finding her style

I spent many years feeling constantly dissatisfied with my wardrobe, despite owning good pieces that fit well. I was so trapped in the comparison game that nothing I wore ever felt good enough.

One of my biggest challenges has been validating my own preferences. I know what I like, yet I often struggle to accept that what I like is enough. When I decided I was ready for a new mindset, I started my own newsletter to give myself the space and time to lean into my own preferences, hoping that if I could learn this practice, other women would see it’s possible for them too, even if it doesn’t come naturally.

If I love a fitted T-shirt while everyone else is wearing boxy tees, why force myself to like the boxy tee? Why not style the tee I already love in lots of different ways, unapologetically?

Instead of rejecting our impulses, we have an opportunity to acknowledge our preferences and make them the best version possible.

Ignoring fashion ‘must-haves’

I like a clean, strong vertical line. I’m most comfortable in full-length A-line jeans, boxy jackets and pointed-toe flats. I also gravitate towards serene colours, mostly cool-toned neutrals like dark denim, grey-blue and cream.

I don’t own many of the fashion “must-haves,” like a blazer, a leather jacket, tailored trousers or even a white button-down. I may add these pieces over time, but I haven’t rushed into buying them because I’ve found other things that work just as well for me. A basic for someone else may be completely irrelevant to us.

On body image

Over time, my critical eye has softened. I look back at pictures from times when I felt terrible about my body and feel utterly confused. The woman in those photos was beautiful, and the “flaws” I saw were so exaggerated in my own mind.

When I have difficult body-image days now, I remind myself they’re not permanent. Thoughts and feelings are transient. Seeing them that way helps stop me from holding onto them, and instead lets them flow over me like a lazy river.

I loved how often Maureen came back to trusting herself. In a world full of advice and opinions, learning to listen to your own instincts might be one of the most valuable styling skills of all.

- A world traveler that loves fashion, beauty, and learning how to feel confident as a petite Latina in a tall-girl world.

Our petite Colombiana, who champions artisan designers and culture in such a thoughtful way. Whether she's writing about millennial nostalgia or introducing us to an incredible jewellery designer, her perspective is always a joy to read.

On “flattering”

Everyone enjoys a bit of flattery, but for me that idea has changed quite a bit over the years.

When I was younger, I think I needed it more. It felt like a form of external validation, perhaps linked to seeking approval from men, family members or friends.

As I’ve grown older, the opposite has happened. I find much more joy in giving genuine compliments than receiving them. Of course I still appreciate being complimented, but I’ve reached a point where it no longer defines how I feel about myself.

I think that’s come from personal growth, learning to love myself, and knowing my own worth.

Finding her style

I think my relationship with style changed when I realised my height was getting in the way of getting dressed.

Certain silhouettes and pieces I loved simply didn’t work on me the way they did on taller women, and that frustrated me. I often felt unseen by the fashion industry.

But it didn’t stop me from loving fashion—it simply forced me to be more intentional.

I started paying attention to my proportions and where things hit on my body. I made peace with it… well, most of the time! But now I know what works for me, and that’s a real blessing.

I don’t chase trends anymore because I know what works—and what doesn’t—for my petite frame.

The fashion rule she happily ignores

One fashion rule I’ve completely let go of is that petite women shouldn’t wear flats because they make us look even shorter.

I believed that for years. I was almost always in heels—or at least wearing something with a bit of height.

Then life changed. I started living in big cities where walking everywhere made heels completely impractical, so I slowly stopped wearing them.

Somewhere along the way, I also made peace with my height.

Now, flats are the shoes I reach for most. I feel great in them, and I no longer feel like I need a few extra inches to prove anything.

Dressing for her proportions

It changed everything, honestly.

For a long time, I bought things because they looked great on a model or on someone else, without ever asking whether they would actually work on my body.

Understanding my proportions forced me to start asking that question.

I’m much more intentional about how I shop now. I don’t impulse-buy something just because I love it or because I see everyone wearing it.

In a way, it’s also freed me from trends. I know my proportions well enough to understand what works for me and what doesn’t. I can admire a trend from afar, appreciate it on someone else, and happily move on.

That’s incredibly liberating.

Her advice to other women

That’s such a complex question because there are always so many layers to it. Our relationship with our bodies is shaped by past experiences, family, culture, and the stories we’ve carried for years. I can only really speak from my own experience.

I’ve always been naturally thin, and that came with its own insecurities. For a long time, I felt like a child compared to my friends whose bodies had developed earlier. Eventually, I learned to accept that this was simply the body I was born with.

Then I had my daughter, and everything changed. My body changed in ways I’d never experienced before. I gained weight, and because I wasn’t used to it, I panicked for a while.

Then I reminded myself that I’d just grown a human being. Of course my body needed time. I focused on eating well, exercising in a way that supported my health, and being patient with myself. It took three years for my body to feel like mine again, and even now there are still changes. But I’m okay with them.

So my advice would simply be this: be patient with yourself. Look after your health, find solutions that feel sustainable, and try not to be so hard on yourself.

If there’s one thing these conversations reminded me, it’s that confidence doesn’t come from having the “right” body.

It comes from understanding yourself.

Knowing what you enjoy wearing. Learning what feels balanced to you. Letting your wardrobe evolve as your life evolves.

Every woman featured here has walked a different path, but they all arrived at the same place: fashion stopped being about fixing themselves and became a way of expressing who they already are.

And perhaps that’s the most flattering thing of all.

I’d love to know where you are on that journey. Leave a comment below and let’s keep the conversation going.

Love,

Noelia x

How’s your summer going??

I love a summer evening, especially when the World Cup is on. It’s the perfect excuse to wander to the local bar on a random Monday night. I’m not a huge football fan, but I am a fan of drinking cold beers with friends while we complain about Cristiano Ronaldo. (Spain won, phew!)

A few weeks ago, I shared Part 1 of this series, all about the simple swaps that can instantly make your wardrobe feel more summery. Because you know me... one week I'll be encouraging you to browse the sales, and the next I'll be reminding you that your best wardrobe upgrade might already be hanging in your wardrobe.

Since then, I’ve realised there are a few more styling tricks I’ve been using myself.

I usually live in dresses throughout summer, but this year I’ve found myself reaching for them a little less. I think Substack has something to do with it. (It’s very much a pull-on trousers kind of vibe.) And spending so much time writing about style has made me want to experiment more with my wardrobe instead of relying on my usual summer uniform.

I’m still wearing my dresses, just with a bit more personality. And when I do wear separates, I’ve been making a few small swaps that completely change the feel of an outfit without requiring a whole new wardrobe.

So, here are three more easy swaps I’ve been loving lately. And if you’d like to see how they translate into real life, I’ll be sharing them in an upcoming A Week in Outfits, where you can see exactly my styling process.

1. Swap Your White T-Shirt for a Colourful One

I don’t know how I manage it, but I always seem to reach for a white T-shirt or tank to go with absolutely everything. And don’t get me wrong, I’ll never stop wearing them. They’re a wardrobe staple for a reason.

But lately I’ve been trying to introduce more colour into my outfits, and I’ve realised one of the easiest ways to do it is simply by swapping the white tee for a colourful one.

It’s such a small change, but it completely shifts the mood of an outfit. I’ve been pairing colourful tanks with black trousers, denim and even contrasting them with other bright colours. Suddenly, an outfit that felt safe feels much more styled.

You don’t need to wear head-to-toe colour either. Even a butter yellow tank or an olive green T-shirt can make your same pair of jeans feel completely different.

Some colour combinations I am excited about:

• Butter yellow + denim

• Sky blue and brown

• Olive green + almost everything

• Tomato red + purple

• Cobalt blue + white linen

• Navy + turquoise

• Turquoise + burnt orange

I could happily spend an entire newsletter talking about colour (and I probably will!). If you've been wanting to wear more colour but aren't sure where to start, watch this space!

2. Stop Saving Your Holiday Pieces

Your holiday wardrobe doesn’t have to be reserved for those two weeks by the sea. They are clothes like any other, so why not let them work a little harder?

One of my favourite ways to make summer dressing feel more interesting is by mixing holiday pieces with everyday staples. It’s less about looking like you are on holiday, and more about bringing that relaxed feeling into your day-to-day outfits.

Try things like:

• Swapping your everyday bag for a raffia bag instantly makes everything more summery. Go on, try it!

• Wear your swimsuit as a top. A fun block colour swimsuit under a linen shirt and denim shorts works beautifully, or a bikini top can look incredibly chic peeking through a crochet top.

• Don’t save your hats for holiday. Sun protection isn't just for the beach, and neither are beautiful straw hats. Wear yours to the farmers' market, a picnic in the park, brunch or even your weekly food shop. They add instant personality to the simplest outfit while doing your skin a favour.

• Style your sarong beyond the pool. Wear it as a skirt with a simple tank top or knot it over linen trousers for an unexpected twist.

• Give your kaftan and fancy cover-ups another life. Wear it over a pair of floaty wide-leg trousers as a lightweight summer layer.

• Add holiday-inspired accessories. Shell jewellery, colourful beads or anything with a subtle mermaid-core feel is an easy way to bring a little bit of holiday into your everyday wardrobe.

The trick is to balance one holiday-inspired piece with the rest of your everyday wardrobe. That way, you don’t look like you’ve accidentally wandered off the beach—you just look like someone who knows how to get more wear out of the clothes they already own.

3. The Shoe Swap I Didn’t Know I Needed

I recently bought a pair of white leather flip-flops in the sales, fully expecting to send them back. Instead, I am surprised to say, they have barely left my feet. Initial blisters and all.

I wasn’t expecting them to be so versatile, but they add such a fresh, modern feel to everything I wear. I’ve worn them with an old shirt dress from Mango, comfy pull-on shorts and a simple white linen dress (also a sale find), and every outfit somehow feels a little lighter and a lot more current.

Just as I love my black flip-flops for grounding an outfit, this white pair gives everything a lighter, more summery feel. I genuinely wasn't expecting to wear them this much.

Other light-coloured shoes I love:

• This flip-flop style with an ankle strap would definitely be on my radar if I hadn't already bought my Massimo Dutti pair. I love how cool they feel.

• I am trying really hard to ignore this pair of Marni fisherman sandals that are currently sitting in my Vinted favourites. has this pair and I so want to copy her.

• Before I found my flip-flops, I had my eye on this strappy pair from Reformation. They have the same fresh feel but are a little dressier.

• A pointy-toe shoe is such an easy way to elevate wide-leg trousers. They instantly make the proportions feel a little more polished.

• Woven leather shoes is the ballet flat of the summer. This pair feels timeless rather than trendy, and I'd happily wear them all summer long.

Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe to make your outfits feel fresher, just a few thoughtful swaps and a willingness to look at the clothes you already own a little differently.

If you’re feeling stuck with your wardrobe and you’d like a second pair of eyes, let me help you. My Nothing to Wear sessions are designed to help you make sense of what you already own, identify what’s missing, and create outfits that actually work for your life.

Book a Nothing to Wear Session

✨ Paid members receive 20% off selected styling services, and if you’ve been thinking about joining, there’s still 4 days left to get 20% off your first month.

Subscribe now

And if you’re in the mood for a little browse, you can shop the full edit here.

Things I’ve Enjoyed Reading Lately

Just before sending this newsletter, I read through latest weekly challenge and I felt very seen! Summer is not the time to overthink outfits too much. Sometimes an easy dress and flip-flops are exactly what your body needs, and that’s okay!!!

This article by made me want to immediately grab everything brown and red in my wardrobe and wear it together. Such a gorgeous colour combination, and one I never really reach for — but that is changing today.

And if you’re, like me, slightly obsessed with graphic T-shirts, I stumbled upon this article and I’m already putting it into practice as we speak.

Love,

Noelia x

Suddenly everything feels like a bargain. There’s a huge sense of urgency. Pieces you’ve never looked twice at somehow become irresistible because they are 40% off, and before you know it you’ve spent £300 on clothes you weren’t even looking for.

We’ve all been there.

Over the years, I’ve learnt that the best sale purchases aren’t the ones with the biggest discount. They’re the ones that would have earned a place in your wardrobe anyway.

Here’s how I shop the sales without ending up with a wardrobe full of regrets.

1. My Basic Rules

I let it sit in my basket. Unless it’s something that’s already been on my wishlist, I try to leave it for at least a day. It’s amazing how many things lose their appeal once the initial excitement wears off. I recently had a few Zara pieces sitting in my basket that eventually sold out… and honestly, I haven’t thought about them since.

If there’s something I know I want, I prepare in advance. Some brands, like Massimo Dutti, let you save your basket before the sale starts. If I’ve been waiting months for a particular piece, I’ll have everything ready to go rather than panic-scrolling once the discounts go live.

I’m okay with missing out. This one took practice. Sometimes the piece sells out while I’m still deciding. Annoying? Yes. The end of the world? Not really. If I wasn’t sure enough to buy it, it probably wasn’t the right purchase for me.

The sales aren’t a competition to see how many bargains you can find. They’re simply an opportunity to buy the things you already wanted, just at a better price.

2. Start with Your Wishlist (and Your Wardrobe)

One of the biggest mistakes we all make during the sales is letting the discounts decide what we need.

Instead, let’s look at our wardrobes!

What have I been wearing on repeat? What keeps feeling like it’s missing? Is there something I’ve been thinking about for months that has finally been reduced?

I also go back to a framework I shared with my paid subscribers last year, which has become my mental shopping list every time I buy something.

I like to think of every purchase as falling into one of four categories:

The Everyday Hero – the pieces that do the heavy lifting. Great trousers, a quality knit, a shirt you’ll wear three times a week.

The Seasonal Shift – the piece that makes your existing wardrobe feel current. Maybe it’s a jacket, a new silhouette or a pair of shoes.

The Statement Piece – the colourful bag, the printed skirt, the earrings that make even jeans and a T-shirt feel like an outfit.

The Fixer – possibly my favourite category. These are the quiet heroes that make everything else work: the perfect belt, a better bra, the right pair of loafers or the lightweight knit you throw over your shoulders all summer.

Whenever I’m shopping, I like to know which category I’m buying for, and I encourage you to do the same. It makes shopping in the sales—and really, any kind of shopping—feel much more intentional.

Knowing what role a piece will play in your wardrobe makes every purchase easier. Instead of asking, “Is this a good deal?”, you start asking, “Is this what my wardrobe actually needs?”

3. Buy Better, Not Just Cheaper

Sales shouldn’t be about buying more. They are about buying better.

This is when I look for the quality pieces that I might have hesitated over at full price: a beautiful linen shirt, a well-cut blazer, a great handbag or a piece of jewellery I’ll wear for years.

It’s also the perfect time to think ahead. While everyone is understandably shopping for summer dresses, I often find myself looking at cashmere, coats and knitwear that I’ll be grateful to have come September. Some of the best purchases in my wardrobe have been bought completely out of season. I recently bought this leather jacket that I'd been eyeing up last season, and I’m completely obsessed! It’s actually making me look forward to winter… which is saying something.

4. Keep Your Non-Negotiables Close

The sales aren’t the moment to lower your standards. If anything, they are the moment to hold onto them even more tightly.

I always recommend my clients to have a list of non-negotiables that every purchase has to pass, whether it’s full price or 60% off.

For me, they are things like fabric, fit, comfort, quality, versatility and whether I can already picture the piece fitting into my wardrobe.

If a dress is made from a fabric I know I won’t enjoy wearing, the discount doesn’t change that. If I can’t think of how I’d wear something beyond the excitement of finding a bargain, I leave it behind.

The sales are full of reasons to compromise. Wrong size. Almost the right colour. A fabric you normally wouldn’t choose. A piece that’s “good enough.”

Those are exactly the moments to go back to your non-negotiables.

Having a clear idea of what matters to you makes shopping so much easier.

☀️ A Little Summer Sale

Since we are talking about shopping the sales, I thought I’d join in too.

For the next week, new paid members will receive 20% off their first month, plus access to:

✨ The Style System
✨ Style Tools
✨ The complete paid archive
✨ 20% off selected styling services

If you’ve been thinking about joining, I’d love to have you inside the club.

Subscribe now

5. My Summer Sales Picks

I've spent far too many hours scrolling through the sales over the past few days, so you don't have to. These are the pieces I'd genuinely buy for myself, recommend to my clients, or happily add to my own wishlist. You can see the full edit here.

Everyday Heroes

The pieces that quietly do the heavy lifting.

This &Daughter 100% wool cardi is one of those pieces every wardrobe can benefit from, but also the colour makes it fresh and right on trend.

A really good pair of light linen trousers is always an Everyday Hero in my wardrobe. They're effortlessly versatile and somehow make every outfit feel a little more polished. I love this pair from Massimo Dutti, they're exactly the kind of piece I'd happily wear on repeat all summer long.

Finding a great pair of jeans is no easy task, but when you do, they become one of the hardest-working pieces in your wardrobe. Agolde consistently gets the fit right, and this pair has exactly the relaxed silhouette I love.

A really good in-between seasons jacket is one of the hardest-working pieces in a wardrobe, especially if you live somewhere like the UK. This Toteme jacket is timeless, beautifully cut and exactly the sort of investment piece I'd wear year after year. Throw it over jeans, to make tailoring a bit more casual or add contrast to a floral dress and you are good to go.

I love bags that don't require any thought. This A.Emery tote is beautifully simple, fits everything I need and goes with absolutely every outfit. Exactly what an everyday bag should do.

I'm trying very hard to convince myself I don't need another pair of sunglasses. Unfortunately, these Loewe cat-eye pair is making an excellent argument.

Metallic shoes are basically a neutral in my wardrobe. They add just enough interest to an outfit while still going with absolutely everything. I'd wear these with jeans, linen trousers, dresses... even on holiday with a swimsuit and an oversized shirt.

Not clothing, but possibly one of the most useful things I've added to my travel kit this year. Cadence kindly gifted me this set recently and I genuinely can't wait to use it on my next trip. They're perfect for decanting skincare, toiletries or even jewellery, and they click together so everything stays neat and organised. One of those things you don't realise you need until you have it.

Seasonal Shifts

The pieces that instantly make your wardrobe feel current.

This silk dress from Dôen is exactly the kind of piece I love investing in. It's versatile enough to wear with flat sandals during the day, but just as easy to dress up for dinner with a pair of heels and some statement jewellery. The kind of dress that works just as well at home as it does on holiday.

I always think shoes are one of the easiest ways to make your wardrobe feel more current. Whether it's the clean, minimal lines of these A.Emery sandals (or the similar Massimo Dutti pair for a more affordable option) or a colourful pair of ballet flats like these forest green Margaux ones, they have the power to completely change the feel of a simple outfit. Add them to jeans and a white shirt, a linen dress or pull-on trousers, and suddenly the whole outfit feels much more current.

Colourful beaded necklaces are becoming a bit of a running theme here on Substack. They're such an easy way to add personality without overthinking an outfit, and this pale blue one from Monica Vinader is exactly the sort of piece I'd wear all summer long.

Statement Pieces

Because getting dressed should still be fun.

Ever since I saw wearing this silk skirt from Dries Van Noten, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. It's not the kind of skirt I would normally gravitate towards, which is exactly why I haven't bought it yet. But I absolutely love the colours and the print, and I can imagine it being one of those statement pieces that does all the work with nothing more than a white T-shirt or a simple knit.

This Massimo Dutti suede jacket is proof that a statement piece doesn't have to be difficult to wear. The colour does all the work, while the silhouette stays timeless. I'd happily throw it over denim, tailoring or a simple dress and let it be the focus of the outfit.

I firmly believe a great pair of sunglasses can make even the simplest outfit look expensive. These Loewe sunglasses are bold, sculptural and guaranteed to make even the simplest outfit feel cool. The kind of piece you build an outfit around.

I love pairing a graphic T-shirt with a floaty printed skirt or tailored trousers. It's one of my favourite ways to balance something feminine with a slightly more relaxed feel. I really like this one from Comme des Garçons.

The Fixers

The pieces you never realise you are missing until you own them.

A Barbour jacket has been on my wishlist for years, but I’ve always convinced myself it was something reserved for the British upper classes and people who own Labradors.

Then I remembered I spend half my life getting rained on in London. So it’s probably the perfect in-between jacket for the UK, and I can already picture it with floral dresses and chunky boots, very Alexa Chung on Glastonbury. I think this might finally be the year I stop romanticising it and actually buy one.

Every wardrobe needs a dress you don't have to think about. This Dôen one would be mine. It's comfortable, timeless and easy to style, which means I'd probably end up wearing it far more than something trendier.

If I could only recommend one shirt, it would probably be a white poplin one. It's one of those wardrobe pieces that solves so many outfit dilemmas, whether you're wearing it with tailoring, denim, linen trousers or over a swimsuit. Simple, but incredibly hard-working.

I’ve been meaning to buy a pair of trainers that can do it all: workouts, styling jobs where I’m on my feet all day, and everyday life without looking like I’ve just left the gym. I’ve heard really good things about Salomon, but I’ve never quite managed to justify the price. With the sales on, these have finally made it onto my shortlist.

I hope this gives you a little more confidence the next time you are scrolling through the sales. Remember, you don’t need to buy everything, you just need to find the pieces that genuinely earn a place in your wardrobe.

If you’d like someone to help you work out what your wardrobe is actually missing before you spend a pretty penny, that’s exactly what I do with my styling clients. You can find all my styling services here.

Happy shopping!

Love,

Noelia x

As soon as the temperatures rise, getting dressed suddenly feels much harder. Clothes cling in all the wrong places, layers become impossible, and somehow the outfit you loved a month ago now feels completely unbearable.

Growing up in southern Spain (Canary Islands) , where summers are long and properly hot, I’ve learnt what my body needs when the temperature reaches the point where you don’t really want to wear clothes at all. After many summers of trial and error (and a fair amount of sweating), I’ve learnt which fabrics, outfits and styling tricks genuinely make a difference.

So whether you’re surviving this week’s heatwave or simply trying to make summer dressing a little easier, here are the things I always come back to.

1. Build the outfit around comfort

You know that this is always priority number one in the Nothing to Wear Club: comfort is synonymous with feeling good in your clothes.

When it’s boiling hot, uncomfortable clothes become even more uncomfortable.

This isn’t the day for anything that pinches, clings, needs constant adjusting or only works if you’re standing perfectly still.

Think breathable fabrics, relaxed silhouettes, comfortable shoes and pieces that let you completely forget about your clothes.

2. It’s All About the Fabrics

If comfort is the foundation of a good summer outfit, fabric is what makes or breaks it.

I am that annoying person who always checks the fabric label before even looking at the price. Because understanding what your clothes are made from completely changes the way you shop. It makes you slower, pickier, and much less likely to buy something just because it looks good on the hanger.

The same dress can feel completely different depending on what it’s made from. Some fabrics allow air to circulate and keep you cool, while others can turn you into a stinky human greenhouse.

Growing up in southern Spain has definitely made me more selective about the fabrics I wear in summer. But living in the UK has taught me a different set of lessons altogether.

Summer in Gran Canaria is built around the heat. If it gets unbearable, you escape to the beach, have a late swim or simply spend less time outdoors during the hottest part of the day.

Summer in London is a different story. You still have to commute, sit on the Tube, go to work, run errands and survive the entire day in the same outfit, often moving between scorching streets and poorly air-conditioned offices.

Living between southern Spain and London has taught me that summer dressing isn't about where you are, it's about how your clothes make you feel after a full day of living in them. These are the fabrics I reach for time and time again, both in my own wardrobe and when I'm shopping with clients.

Linen

The queen of summer fabrics. Linen is breathable, lightweight and dries quickly, making it perfect for hot, humid weather. Yes, it wrinkles, but personally I think that’s part of its charm.

The best linen1 only gets better with age, becoming softer and more comfortable every summer.

Best for: Dresses, shirts, wide-leg trousers, tailoring and matching sets.

Cotton

Cotton is probably the hardest-working fabric in my summer wardrobe. It doesn’t get the same attention as linen, but it’s breathable, easy to care for and endlessly versatile. I love cotton gauze for soft, floaty dresses that feel cool against the skin, while cotton poplin and voile are my go-to fabrics for shirts and blouses that still look polished without feeling heavy.

Best for: T-shirts, shirts, dresses, skirts and everyday basics.

Hemp

Hemp deserves far more attention than it gets. It has a similar feel to linen but is often a little softer, incredibly durable and becomes nicer the more you wear and wash it. It’s also naturally breathable and moisture-wicking.

Best for: Shirts, relaxed trousers, dresses and lightweight jackets.

Ramie

A bit of a hidden gem. Ramie is another natural fibre that feels similar to linen but tends to hold its shape slightly better. It has a crisp finish, breathes beautifully and is surprisingly hard-wearing.

Best for: Shirts, dresses and tailored separates.

Lyocell (TENCEL™)

One of my favourite modern fabrics. Lyocell is made from wood pulp and has a beautiful drape that almost feels like silk. It’s soft, breathable and much cooler than many synthetic fabrics.

Best for: Slip skirts, dresses, blouses and relaxed trousers.

Bamboo

Bamboo fabrics are wonderfully soft against the skin and naturally breathable. They’re particularly nice if you prefer clothes with a bit more drape rather than structured cotton or linen.

Best for: Jersey tops, dresses, loungewear and lightweight basics.

Silk

People often forget about silk in summer, but a lightweight silk blouse or dress can feel wonderfully cool. It regulates temperature surprisingly well and instantly elevates even the simplest outfit.

Best for: Blouses, skirts, dresses and evening outfits.

Summer Wool

Yes, wool.

Summer or tropical wool is woven differently from winter wool, making it lightweight, breathable and ideal for tailoring. If you need to wear a suit or structured trousers to work, this is one of the best fabrics you can choose.

You won't always find it labelled as tropical wool, so keep an eye out for lightweight wool suiting or finely woven 100% wool blazers and trousers. One other thing I'd mention (because it's genuinely useful): avoid wool blends with lots of polyester. A 100% lightweight wool blazer will often feel cooler than a cheaper wool-polyester blend, especially if you are commuting in the heat.

Best for: Blazers, trousers, waistcoats and workwear.

Linen Blends

If you love the look of linen but aren’t keen on the creases, linen blended with cotton, Lyocell or viscose can be a brilliant compromise. You still get much of the breathability with a little more softness and structure.

Best for: Everyday dresses, trousers, skirts and shirts.

My Summer Fabric Cheat Sheet

For dresses: Linen, cotton, Lyocell and lightweight silk.

For shirts: Cotton poplin, linen, hemp and ramie.

For skirts and trousers: Linen blends, Lyocell, cotton and hemp.

For workwear and tailoring: Cold wool and linen blends.

For lightweight knitwear: Cotton, fine merino and linen blends.

3. Summer dressing isn't one-size-fits-all

One thing that really frustrates me about summer style advice is that it assumes we’re all wandering around in a strappy linen dress and sandals with absolutely no responsibilities. But life is a bit more complicated than that.

Maybe you need sleeves. Maybe your office has a dress code. Maybe you don’t wear open-toe shoes. Maybe you need a supportive bra. None of these things mean you have to sacrifice style; they just mean your version of summer dressing might look a little different.

Here are some of the most common situations I come across, along with the solutions I recommend. And if your particular summer dressing dilemma isn’t here, you know where to find me.

If You Prefer to Cover Your Arms

One of the biggest misconceptions about dressing for hot weather is that less fabric automatically means you’ll feel cooler. In reality, a lightweight long sleeve can often feel far more comfortable than having your skin directly exposed to the sun.

Whether it’s for sun protection, modesty, comfort, or simply because you prefer your arms covered, there are plenty of ways to stay cool without reaching for a heavy jacket.

The secret is choosing fabrics that allow air to circulate and silhouettes that create space between the fabric and your skin.

does this incredibly well. Even though she lives in Miami, where the heat is no joke, she somehow manages to create outfits with interesting layers, textures and details that still feel appropriate for the weather.

Instead of fitted sleeves, look for:

• Oversized linen or cotton shirts. Wear them open over a vest or buttoned up with the sleeves rolled.

• Cotton poplin shirts. Crisp, breathable and polished enough for work while still allowing you to stay cool.

• Wide or balloon sleeves. They create airflow around the arms instead of trapping heat like fitted sleeves do.

• Sheersucker, crochet and open-weave fabrics. Think broderie anglaise, guipure lace or any fabric with beautiful cutwork or embroidery. They let the breeze in while still giving you the coverage you want.

• Kimono-style jackets or lightweight overshirts. Perfect for throwing over dresses or sleeveless tops without feeling too warm.

• Fine cotton or linen knitwear. Ideal for air-conditioned offices or evenings when you want a little extra coverage without overheating.

If You Need a Proper Bra

Can we collectively stop pretending every summer outfit works with a sticky bra or one of those poorly constructed strapless bras that needs pulling up every five seconds?

If you need support, don’t fight against it. Choose clothes that work with your everyday underwear.

Look for:

• Wide shoulder straps that comfortably hide your bra straps.

• Square, scoop or higher necklines that are naturally bra-friendly.

• Tops with built-in bras, this is my favourite solution!

And here’s another little styling trick: your bra doesn’t always have to disappear.

A beautiful lace bra under a slightly sheer shirt, a black cotton bra under a black linen tank, or even a colourful bra peeking through a white broderie anglaise blouse can look completely intentional. Rather than trying to hide it at all costs, think of it as another styling element within your outfit.

Personally, I love the look of a simple non wired black cotton bra underneath a sheer blouse. It adds a subtle, slightly sexy edge without feeling overdone.

The same goes for swimwear. A simple bikini top or a cool swimsuit can double as a top under an oversized linen shirt, an open crochet knit or a sheer blouse—even if you are nowhere near the beach. It’s an effortless way to stay cool while adding another layer of texture and colour to your outfit.

If You Need to Dress for the Office

Summer dressing becomes a little trickier when you still have to commute, spend eight hours in an office and still look vaguely professional. While every workplace has its own dress code, you can absolutely stay cool without sacrificing polish.

The biggest difference comes down to fabric. Swap heavy tailoring for breathable materials like linen, cotton poplin, Lyocell or lightweight wool, and you’ll notice a huge difference.

Summer workwear doesn't have to mean sacrificing colour either. Sometimes simply swapping your navy suit for olive, butter yellow or soft blue instantly makes an outfit feel more seasonal.

Some of my favourite office-friendly pieces are:

• A colourful linen suit. Who says workwear has to be boring? A linen suit in a summery colour instantly looks polished but feels much lighter than traditional tailoring. I particularly love this one from Jigsaw (sale).

• Lightweight dresses in silk or linen. They do all the hard work for you. Add a pair of loafers or ballet flats for the office, then swap to sandals after work if you fancy. I love this printed one, or this beautifully simple COS dress that’s currently on sale.

• Waistcoats instead of blazers. They give you that tailored feel without adding an extra layer. Wear one with matching trousers, a floaty skirt or even bermuda shorts.

• Easy midi skirts. One of the most versatile pieces in a summer work wardrobe. Pair with a crisp shirt for meetings, a simple T-shirt for more casual days, or a lightweight knit.

• Tailored bermuda shorts. If your office dress code allows them, they are one of the smartest alternatives to trousers. Add a blazer, waistcoat or oversized shirt and they instantly feel polished rather than beachy.

And if your office doesn’t allow open-toe shoes, don’t worry, summer footwear doesn’t begin and end with sandals.

Some of my favourites are:

• Woven leather flats. A great alternative to sandals. The woven leather keeps them breathable while still looking polished enough for the office. Sézane does some beautiful pairs like these or these.

• Fisherman sandals. They offer more coverage than traditional sandals while still allowing plenty of airflow, and they look just as good with tailored trousers as they do with midi dresses or bermuda shorts.

• Loafers. A classic for a reason. If you’re looking to lighten up your summer workwear, swap your black loafers for a white, cream or tan pair. They instantly make an outfit feel fresher without compromising on comfort.

After years of dressing through summers in southern Spain and London, one thing hasn’t changed: I always choose comfort first.

Because when you feel comfortable, you feel more like yourself—and that’s what great style is really about.

If you’d like some help making your wardrobe work harder this summer, let’s chat!

Book a Free Consultation

Love,

Noelia x

Sales Edit

Before you buy anything, have a look at my Sales Edit on Shopmy. I've done the scrolling for you and picked out the designer pieces under £500 that I genuinely think are worth considering, along with some brilliant high-street finds. I update it regularly whenever I spot something good.

After weeks of thinking, editing, and rearranging outfits in Indyx, I finally put my Japan capsule wardrobe to the test. Did I wear everything? Did I massively overpack? Did I end up wearing the same three outfits on repeat?

(And if you’d like the full Japan shopping guide, beauty finds, and all the places I loved, I’m putting together a dedicated Japan post for paid subscribers, so come and join us!)

Subscribe now

I should probably start by saying that the trip didn’t begin exactly as planned. I landed in Japan with a lovely case of aerosinusitis, which sounds made up but is apparently what happens when you fly with a blocked nose, allergies, or a cold.

Special mention to the turmeric shots I brought from London (gifted), which ended up working overtime during those first few days. Between those and some excellent Japanese medicine, I eventually managed to shake off the worst of the cold and get on with the important business of shopping and eating.

Once I was sufficiently medicated, and could breathe through at least one nostril, I was determined not to waste a minute.

What I Actually Wore

Spoiler alert: I wore everything!

I know. I was just as shocked as you are.

Usually there is at least one item that spends the entire trip sitting at the bottom of the suitcase wondering why it came. But this time every piece earned its place, even if only for a few hours.

I think the reason it worked is that I packed outfits rather than individual pieces. Everything could be worn with at least two or three other things in my suitcase, which meant getting dressed was easy and I never felt like I had brought a “one outfit wonder” that only worked in very specific circumstances.

That said, some items definitely worked harder than others.

The real heroes of the trip were dresses, my silky green skirt, and comfortable shoes.

The dresses and skirt earned their place because they worked for almost everything. They were comfortable in the heat, easy to style, and could take me from a day of walking and shopping straight into dinner without much thought.

Special thanks to my old Sambas. Whenever I knew I would be walking 20,000 steps or spending an entire day shopping in Tokyo, they won every time.

That said, by around day four my feet had completely given up. I suspect I could have walked another five miles in a pair of pointy-toe Louboutins and they wouldn’t have noticed the difference.

My Repeat Outfit Formula

Looking back at my photos, I realised most of my favourite outfits followed a very similar formula:

• A dress + an extra layer + comfortable shoes

• A skirt + a simple top + a statement accessory

• Relaxed shorts + tank top + colourful accessories

When it was hot and humid, dresses did most of the heavy lifting. They were comfortable, easy to wear, and required very little thought, which is exactly what I want from holiday dressing.

Some of my favourite combinations were:

• My handmade dress + blue striped shirt tied around the waist + Sambas and white socks
  Probably my most-worn formula of the trip. Comfortable enough for a full day of walking but still felt like me.

• Terracotta Massimo Dutti dress + Desigual printed shirt + Zara western belt
  An outfit I hadn’t planned at all but ended up loving.

• Black linen dress + pink knit tied around the waist + pink Bottega bag
  The pop of colour made the outfit feel much more interesting. The only downside was that the linen dress had a tendency to creep upwards while walking, which left me constantly worried that I was accidentally flashing Tokyo.

• White Rixo dress (gifted) + checkered Vans
  I absolutely love this dress, but there is one problem: it’s almost too pretty and prim. The checkered Vans that I bought in Osaka (£30!) balanced it out perfectly and made it feel much more like me. A good reminder that sometimes the most interesting outfits come from mixing something feminine with something a little unexpected. The dress also survived being bitten by a hungry deer in Nara, which is not a sentence I expected to write when I packed it.

The Surprise Hero

The biggest surprise of the trip was definitely the Bottega bag.

I wasn’t specifically planning on buying a designer bag, but I was very excited to explore Japan’s second-hand luxury market. The quality of the vintage and second-hand shopping there is incredible, and before the trip I had made a list of stores I wanted to visit. Some were familiar from my first visit to Tokyo, like Ragtag and 2nd Street, but thanks to excellent shopping guide I also discovered Kindal.

I visited Kindal in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Kyoto, and it quickly became my favourite luxury second-hand store of the trip. The selection was incredible, the condition of the pieces was impeccable, and it was in the Shibuya store that I spotted the bag.

I recognised it immediately. It was the Bottega Veneta Padded Cassette in magenta pink, a bag I had always liked. When it first came out, I remember being particularly drawn to the brighter colours, especially because most luxury bags tend to play it very safe.

What surprised me was the price. The condition was excellent, and compared to what similar bags were selling for elsewhere, it felt like a genuinely good deal. My theory is that the colour helped. It’s a slightly unusual shade that perhaps doesn’t have the same broad appeal as black, beige, or other more classic colours.

Even so, I didn’t buy it immediately.

As much as I loved it, I questioned whether it would go with enough outfits, whether it was practical, whether I should be buying something more classic, whether I would regret it, and about a hundred other scenarios my brain helpfully produced.

You know, all the questions I am constantly telling you to ask yourself before making a big purchase.

The problem was that I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

I kept comparing every other bag I saw to that one. Part of it was practical: it was a price I could comfortably afford, the condition was excellent, it was comfortable to wear, and I could already think of multiple outfits I wanted to wear it with.

But if I’m being honest, a big part of it was simply that I really liked it.

Sometimes we spend so much time trying to justify a purchase that we forget that genuinely loving something is a perfectly good reason too.

So I went back for it.

And the best thing about the purchase is that I started wearing it straight away. It appeared in outfit after outfit throughout the trip, adding colour, personality, and a little bit of fun to even the simplest looks.

No, it doesn’t go with everything. No, it’s probably not the world’s greatest investment bag.

But every time I look at it, it makes me happy, and that’s a much better reason to buy something than most of the ones we invent afterwards.

What I Wish I’d Packed

I don’t want to be that person, but honestly? Not much.

In fact, I am surprisingly content with what I packed.

Everything came with me for a reason and, perhaps more surprisingly, everything got worn. The pieces I bought during the trip also earned their place immediately. The vintage-looking David Bowie t-shirt, the Uniqlo shorts that became instantly useful in the heat, the checkered Vans, and of course the Bottega bag all went straight into rotation.

If anything, I don’t wish I’d packed more. I wish I’d had more time.

More time to wander around Tokyo. More time to get lost in Kyoto. More time to browse second-hand shops, discover tiny restaurants, and spend hours looking at beautiful things.

Japan is one of those places that leaves you feeling like you’ve barely scratched the surface, no matter how much you see.

And perhaps that’s the biggest packing lesson of all: I rarely need as much as I think I do. The right clothes, comfortable shoes, the right jewellery and a few pieces that genuinely feel like me are usually enough. The best outfits of the trip weren’t necessarily the most interesting ones. They were the ones I felt most myself wearing.

Because at the end of the day, the things I'll remember most aren't the outfits. They'll be the places, the food, the people I met, the little discoveries, and the feeling of wanting to book another trip before I'd even left.

Love,

Noelia x

The internet starts serving us endless holiday wardrobes, summer capsule edits, and lists of “must-have” pieces until we’re convinced that surviving June requires an entire new collection of white shirts and pull-on trousers.

As if linen trousers were invented yesterday, suddenly we’re all convinced we need a new pair in every colour, a basket bag, seventeen pairs of sandals, and perhaps a spontaneous trip to the South of France to justify it all.

And while I fully support a little seasonal shopping, I don’t actually think most of us need a whole new wardrobe every time the temperature goes above 20 degrees.

What we usually need — you know where this is going — is a slight shift.

A few small tweaks that make our outfits feel lighter, brighter, and a bit more playful. The kind of changes that make you feel like summer has arrived, even if you’re still commuting to work, running errands, or popping to Tesco rather than sipping an Aperol al fresco somewhere glamorous.

So before you fill your basket with an entirely new personality here are three easy ways to bring a little more summer into the clothes you already own.

Add a Touch of Crochet

Crochet is one of those fabrics that can instantly transport an outfit into summer mode, even when the weather is still doing its thing.

The trick is not to dress head-to-toe in crochet as if you’ve just stepped off a Mediterranean yacht. It’s about adding a touch of texture to the outfits you already wear and letting it do the heavy lifting.

A few easy ways to incorporate it:

• Swap your usual t-shirt for a crochet top. Even with your favourite jeans and trusted shoes, it instantly makes an outfit feel more seasonal. I love take on this, layering a crochet top over a shirt. Also crochet works surprisingly well against tougher fabrics like denim and leather.

• Replace your knitwear with a crochet jumper. I have a crochet jumper from Mango that I bought on a whim and somehow wear constantly. It’s perfect over dresses, with linen trousers, or tied around the waist when you need an extra layer without losing that soft summer feel.

• Layer a crochet dress under an oversized shirt. I haven’t tried this yet, but it’s firmly on my summer mood board. I love the contrast between delicate crochet and a big masculine shirt.

• Let a crochet dress do the work. A colourful crochet dress can easily take you from a day in the park to dinner in the evening. Add ballerinas, sandals, or even trainers and you are done. How wonderful is this preloved one from Ulla Johnson, It has that effortless "drinks on the Amalfi Coast after sunset" feeling.

• Start small with accessories. A crochet bag, scarf, or pair of shoes can add just enough texture to make an outfit feel more summery without committing to a full crochet moment.

Add Colourful Shoes

I am currently obsessed with colourful shoes, and frankly, you should be too.

They are one of the easiest shortcuts to summer style (and style in general, if you ask me). Wearing your favourite outfit but feel like something is missing? Can I interest you in a pair of orange satin mules? Want to give your go-to dress a completely different feel? Add a pair of red flip flops.

Colourful shoes are a brilliant way to experiment with colour without committing to a bright dress or statement trousers. They can transform even the simplest outfit and instantly make it feel more intentional.

I particularly love the idea of adding a primary colour to a neutral outfit. A pop of red, yellow, or cobalt blue against denim, white, beige, or black always feels fresh and a little unexpected.

And if sandals aren’t your thing, a colourful trainer can do exactly the same job.

Beach, Please!

If, like me, you fell a little bit in love with Chanel’s Coco Beach collection but don’t quite have Chanel’s budget, don’t worry. You don’t need designer prices to channel that same carefree summer energy.

Think shells, coral-inspired jewellery, mother-of-pearl details, colourful beads, woven textures, and anything that reminds you of long days by the sea.

The beauty of this trend is that it doesn’t have to be literal. A shell necklace layered over a simple white t-shirt, a beaded bracelet with linen trousers, or a raffia bag paired with your favourite jeans can be enough.

Even if your summer consists of commuting, running errands, or having a picnic in your local park rather than lounging on a yacht in Capri, fashion allows us a little escapism.

After all, mermaidcore isn’t really about looking like a mermaid. It’s about capturing that carefree, sun-soaked feeling and bringing a little bit of it into your everyday life.

Dress for the Summer You Want

What I love about all of these ideas is that they don’t require you to reinvent your wardrobe.

A crochet detail, a colourful shoe, a shell necklace, or a woven bag might seem like a small change, but often that’s all it takes to shift an outfit into summer mode.

Style doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch every season. Sometimes the most interesting outfits come from looking at what you already own and finding new ways to wear it.

So before you rush off to buy an entirely new summer wardrobe, try a few small swaps first. You might be surprised by how much of the summer feeling is already sitting in your wardrobe.

And if you’re struggling to make your wardrobe work for the season ahead, this is exactly the kind of thing I help clients with.

Whether you are looking to refresh your style, build outfits from what you already own, or finally stop staring at a wardrobe full of clothes and thinking “I have nothing to wear,” I’d love to help!

Book your ‘Nothing to Wear’ Session

Love,

Noelia x

This is it. This top is going to solve all my problems.

However, I know myself well enough now to recognise that sometimes when I shop, I have an agenda. I know exactly what I’m looking for, I’m focused, intentional, and I don’t settle for anything that doesn’t feel right.

But other times… I shop because I’m bored, sad, anxious, restless, avoiding work, procrastinating, or convincing myself a new pair of shoes will somehow emotionally transform my life.

This is not a post trying to convince you to stop shopping. Absolutely not — we are all lovers of fashion here.

If anything, this is more of a reminder article (mostly for myself) that I started writing while flying to Tokyo, because I already knew I was going to be tempted by approximately a thousand beautiful things.

As it turns out, I never finished it on the plane. And then I definitely wasn’t going to finish it in Japan either, because every spare moment was spent eating, wandering around department stores, more eating, exploring and generally enjoying the amazing culture.

So thank you for forgiving the missing newsletters!

Style vs Consumption

Consumption thrives on novelty. It constantly asks, “What’s next?”

Style asks something different. It asks, “What keeps working?”

One of the biggest examples of this for me has been colour.

I've always been naturally drawn to colour, texture, statement pieces, and slightly playful styling. But like many people, I think I got a little swept away by the whole quiet luxury movement so for a while suddenly everything felt very toned down, polished, minimal, beige, expensive-looking. And because trends influence all of us whether we admit it or not, I found myself muting parts of my wardrobe and dressing much more quietly than I naturally would.

But the interesting thing is that I don’t actually think it was a complete mistake.

Because while I was toning things down, I also started understanding the importance of the “bridge” pieces in a wardrobe — the good trousers, the layering pieces, the knitwear, the coats, the simpler items that allow the louder or more expressive pieces to make sense.

Before that, I think I was often chasing the shiniest thing in the room without really thinking about what would support it.

So now, reclaiming colour again feels less like following a trend and more like returning to myself — but with a much stronger foundation underneath it.

My wardrobe today feels much more balanced between quiet and loud, expressive and practical, playful and wearable, and that’s where my real personal style lives.

What I Buy vs What I Actually Wear

One of the things that has helped me understand my personal style the most hasn’t actually been shopping more.

It’s been paying attention.

Paying attention to what I repeatedly buy, yes, but more importantly, what I repeatedly wear. Because those two things are not always the same.

There are pieces I’ve bought in a moment of excitement that barely made it out of the wardrobe. Pieces that looked amazing on someone else. Pieces that felt very “fashion”. Pieces that I convinced myself I would wear once I found the right occasion, the right shoes, the right version of myself.

And then there are the clothes that tell the truth about my style.

• The oversized shirts.

• The colourful skirts.

• The statement earrings.

• The comfortable shoes.

• The dresses I reach for every summer.

The pieces that somehow find their way into my outfits again and again, without me having to force them.

Those are the pieces that have taught me the most about my style.

Because when I look at what I actually wear, the patterns become incredibly obvious.

• I like colour.

• I like personality pieces.

• I like comfort.

• I like clothes that feel expressive but easy.

• I like pieces that can be worn in different ways and don’t require a special occasion to justify their existence.

And I believe personal style lives in those patterns. It evolves, shifts, and matures, but the thread running through it should always be you—not the trend, not the hype, and not the exciting purchase that makes no sense once you get it home.

I also love something said recently about personal style being influenced by nostalgia and the things we were drawn to when we were younger.

I’d never really thought about it that way, but it makes complete sense.

Think about what you loved as a child or a teenager. Yes, you were massively influenced by trends, but you were also experimenting, exploring, and figuring out who you were.

For a while, I went through a full skater phase. I very rarely went on a skateboard, but I was obsessed with Avril Lavigne, wore baggy clothes, and happened to fancy a boy who was a skater, of course!

Looking back, my recent purchase of a pair of checkered Vans suddenly makes perfect sense. I’d been thinking about them for a while, despite the fact that they’re not particularly trendy at the moment. I just genuinely liked them.

And maybe that’s the point.

Sometimes the things we’re most drawn to aren’t random at all. They’re connected to older versions of ourselves, old interests, old aesthetics, and parts of our identity that never completely disappeared.

Personal style isn’t always about discovering something new. Sometimes it’s about recognising what has been there all along.

The Non-Negotiables

I like having a relatively small wardrobe.

The moment it starts feeling overcrowded, I get overwhelmed and stop wearing half of it, so I’m constantly editing and refining what I own.

That process has made me incredibly picky when I shop because I have few non-negotiables that every potential purchase has to pass.

Fabric is a big one.

I know myself well enough to know that if something feels uncomfortable, makes me too hot, or requires more maintenance than I’m realistically willing to give it, I simply won’t wear it.

While I was in Kyoto, I tried on a gorgeous Sacai piece in the most incredible combination of red and orange. It was exactly the sort of colour palette I am gravitating towards right now.

Then I checked the label. 100% polyester.

A few years ago I would have tried to convince myself it didn’t matter. The colour! The design! The excitement! The price!

The reality is that I sweat, I walk everywhere, and I like my clothes to work hard. If something doesn’t feel good to wear, I won’t reach for it, no matter how beautiful it is.

These are my non-negotiables:

• Fabric: I strongly prefer natural fibres and pieces that feel good against my skin. If something makes me too hot or uncomfortable, I know I won’t wear it.

• Fit & Comfort: "Almost right" rarely becomes a favourite. I want clothes that work with my life and allow me to sit, move, walk, eat, travel, and generally exist in peace. If I'm constantly adjusting something, pulling it up, pulling it down, or wishing it fit differently, it's probably not coming home with me.

• Price: I don’t have an unlimited budget for clothes, and I’ve become quite good at judging whether something feels worth its price. A designer label can be tempting, but only when I genuinely believe the quality, design, craftsmanship, or longevity justify the cost. Expensive doesn’t automatically mean valuable.

• Versatility: Not in the boring capsule wardrobe sense, but in the sense that I can immediately imagine how it fits into my existing wardrobe.

• Longevity: Will I still be excited about this in six months? A year? Or am I caught up in the excitement of the moment?

• Lifestyle compatibility: Does this work for how I actually live? and where I live?

Those were some of the questions I asked myself before buying my Bottega bag in Tokyo.

What ultimately convinced me wasn’t the brand or the fact that it was a good deal. It was the fact that I knew exactly how I would wear it, and I could immediately see what it would add to my wardrobe: colour, personality, and a bit of fun.

The Wishlist Test

When you understand your style and your wardrobe, each season naturally reveals what might be missing. It’s a combination of seeing what’s out there, noticing what others are wearing, and paying attention to trends, but always coming back to the same question: is this actually something my wardrobe needs?

And look, I read a lot of wonderful Substacks every week, and I get tempted by pieces all the cool people here recommend too. I’ll click the link, add it to my cart, and imagine all the ways I could wear it. But most of the time, I wait. I give myself space to think about whether it would genuinely work in my wardrobe and whether I actually need it.

I always tell my clients to take a screenshot or a photo and save it somewhere—Pinterest, Indyx, or even just their camera roll—and then spend some time thinking about how that piece would fit into their existing wardrobe.

Because I’ve learned that wanting something and wanting to own something are not always the same thing.

Sometimes I’m simply appreciating good design. Sometimes I’m admiring the way someone else styled it. Sometimes I’m bored and looking for a little dopamine hit disguised as a pair of Donni pants.

The waiting period helps me figure out which one it is.

If I keep thinking about a piece weeks later, that’s usually a good sign. If I find myself mentally building outfits around it, even better. If I can immediately see how it fits into my wardrobe and my life, then I start paying attention.

I also like asking myself a few questions:

• Do I want this piece, or do I want the outfit it was styled with?

• Can I imagine wearing it next week?

• Would I still want it if nobody else was talking about it?

• Is it adding something new to my wardrobe or duplicating something I already own?

• Am I excited about the item itself, or just the feeling of buying something?

The Bottega bag I bought in Tokyo is a good example of this.

I’d liked the Cassette bag since it first came out, and I had been looking for a colourful, fun bag for a while because I felt that was something missing from my wardrobe.

When I came across this one in Tokyo, it ticked a lot of boxes at once.

I loved the colour, I could immediately picture how I would wear it, it was in fantastic condition, and yes, the fact that it was a Bottega bag and a very good deal definitely played a part too.

But what ultimately convinced me was that I could already see it fitting into my life and my wardrobe. The outfits came to mind instantly, and I knew it would add something I felt was missing.

For me, that’s usually the difference between a good purchase and getting caught up in the hype.

My Current Wishlist

In the spirit of transparency, here are a few things currently sitting on my wishlist. Some of them might make it into my wardrobe, some of them definitely won’t, and a few are simply here while I figure out whether I genuinely want them or just enjoy looking at them.

• I’m after a pair of colourful shoes, definitely something red. This pair from Mango is currently sitting in my basket, but I’m also very tempted by THE yellow satin pair from Reformation. I am also after a pair of white ones to add some freshness to my summer looks but haven’t found any I like yet.

• I ‘need’ a pair of distressed denim shorts that are not too short, not too long, and don’t make me feel like I’m trying to relive my twenties.

• I absolutely do not need any more dresses, but COS keeps testing my resolve. I love this brown drop waist one and the light yellow, should I go for either of them?

• I’m patiently waiting for this embellished pareo skirt to arrive in stores so I can try it on in person.

• I’ve been looking for a leather belt with a gold buckle for what feels like forever. Maybe this is the one?

• I am not buying the Donni pants. However, I did buy a gorgeous floaty fabric in a very similar shade of green and fully intend to attempt my own version.

Let’s see which of these survive the waiting period.

A Few Final Thoughts

If there is one thing I hope you take away from this article, it’s that style is not about having more.

Consumption thrives on novelty, dopamine, trends, and the excitement of something new arriving at your door.

Style is what remains. It comes from repetition, observation, editing, understanding what suits you, and building a wardrobe around your real life rather than a fantasy version of it.

The pieces that shape our style are rarely the ones we bought on impulse. They are usually the ones that earned their place over time.

So if you’re trying to shop more intentionally, here are a few things I’d encourage you to do:

• Pay attention to what you actually wear, not just what you buy.

• Figure out your non-negotiables and stick to them.

• Give yourself a waiting period before purchasing something.

• Create a wishlist instead of relying on multiple shopping baskets.

• Learn from your shopping mistakes instead of feeling guilty about them.

• Ask yourself whether a piece is adding something genuinely new to your wardrobe.

• Don’t underestimate the value of second-hand shopping.

One of the reasons I love shopping second-hand is that it slows the process down. You’re less likely to buy something because a brand is pushing it towards you, and more likely to buy it because you genuinely love it.

I really enjoyed Tina’s latest article on how shopping second-hand can help you cultivate your personal style, and I couldn’t agree more. Second-hand shopping has taught me to look for quality, personality, and longevity rather than simply chasing whatever happens to be new.

The pieces that shape our style rarely arrive because we were looking for a dopamine hit after watching yet another boring haul video.

They usually arrive because we know ourselves well enough to recognise them when we see them.

Building a wardrobe you love doesn’t happen by accident.

If you’d like some help along the way, let’s chat!

Book a 'Nothing to Wear' Session

Love,

Noelia x

Our first trip was two years ago and we completely fell in love with the country. This time it’s technically more of a business trip — not for me, for my husband — but obviously I’m tagging along.

We’re spending one week in Tokyo and one week in Kyoto. Last time we only did four days in Kyoto and it didn’t feel nearly enough, so I’m really looking forward to slowing down a bit more there and properly exploring the city.

I’ll also be doing a few days of solo sightseeing, which I genuinely love. As much as I enjoy travelling with my husband or friends, there’s something really exciting about wandering around a big city on your own — going at your own pace, stopping wherever you want, sitting in cafés for too long, and, most importantly, shopping without having to pretend you are “almost done”.

This post by the lovely completely fuelled my excitement again. I visited a lot of the areas she recommends during my first trip, but this time I want to take my time a bit more instead of trying to see everything at once.

One of my favourite things about Japan was the second-hand shopping. The quality and condition of the clothes is incredible, and the range is amazing — a lot of American brands, vintage designer, amazing Japanese brands we don’t get the chance to see in Europe, tiny independent shops hidden in random buildings… they have everything. Which means I already know I need to leave extra room in my suitcase.

This is not another packing article telling you to roll your clothes into tiny cubes or pack according to some hyper-specific system (Wasn’t it the Sudoku the last one doing the rounds?)

It’s more of a reminder to pack for yourself — your lifestyle, your comfort, your style, the weather, and the trip you’re actually taking.

Because when you feel good in your clothes, you look better in them. It’s that simple.

And honestly, holidays are one of the few times we actually allow ourselves to play a bit more with style — taking longer getting dressed, experimenting with outfits, wearing more jewellery, trying new combinations, buying pieces you immediately want to wear the next day.

That’s the kind of packing I’m interested in.

My Packing Rules

Before I even think about specific outfits, I already know there are a few rules that will make packing for this trip easier.

• Everything needs to survive long walking days
If I can’t comfortably wear it for hours, it stays at home. Japan involves a lot of walking, trains, stairs, wandering, shopping, and “let’s quickly check this area too” turning into another 10,000 steps.

• Everything needs to work in humidity and possible rain
I already know I’ll regret heavy fabrics or anything too precious. Lightweight layers, breathable pieces, and shoes that can survive unexpected rain are doing the hard work this time.

• I need to feel like myself in it
This one sounds obvious, but it matters. I don’t want to pack a fantasy version of my style just because I’m travelling. If I wouldn’t wear it at home, I probably won’t wear it in Tokyo either.

• I need space for the shopping
This is a very real packing category in Japan. Last time we came back with kimonos, ceramics, snacks, gifts, vintage finds, and an emergency extra suitcase. I fear this trip may follow a similar pattern, so no over-packing allowed.

• Everything needs to repeat easily
I already know I’ll gravitate towards the same silhouettes over and over again — oversized shirts, easy dresses, comfortable layers, relaxed trousers, my favourite accessories and jewellery.

These little rules usually make the packing process much easier because they remove a lot of the unnecessary overthinking.

If something only works under perfect conditions, it probably doesn’t deserve suitcase space.

What I’ll Actually Be Doing

Mainly walking. A lot.

So comfortable shoes are completely non-negotiable.

I also need a practical bag that can carry enough without feeling heavy after twelve hours of wandering around Tokyo.

But there are also a few slightly dressier moments to consider:

• an anniversary dinner in Kyoto (9 years married somehow?!)

• a few evening work events with my husband

• and, realistically, wanting to feel a bit cute in one of the most stylish countries on earth.

So I’m trying to find that balance between practical, comfortable, and still feeling like myself. Which is probably the whole point of packing well in the first place.

What I Want My Outfits to Feel Like

The interesting thing about packing for Japan is that it’s making me think less about “outfits” and more about how I actually want to feel while I’m there.

Comfortable, obviously. I’m not interested in suffering for fashion while doing 25,000 steps a day and carrying shopping bags through train stations.

But I also still want outfits that feel interesting. Relaxed silhouettes, comfortable fabrics, pieces I can layer and repeat without getting bored of them. Things that work for wandering around Tokyo ad Kyoto all day but still feel good if we end up somewhere nice for dinner.

I also think Japan naturally makes me want to dress a little better. Not in a super polished or overdressed way, but in a more fun way. There’s a practicality to Japanese style that I really love — comfortable shoes, oversized silhouettes, interesting layering, amazing fabrics — but it still feels incredibly expressive and personal.

And that’s exactly how I want my suitcase to feel too.

What’s Making the Cut

I’ve started building a little collection on Indyx with the pieces I’m considering taking, obviously it’s things I wear regularly and that I know will allowed me to create multiple outfits.

Tops & Jackets

I’m keeping tops pretty easy and versatile.

Lots of tank tops (the Uniqlo ones with the built-in bra are still my favourite), one or two white t-shirts, a graphic tee, a couple of shirts for layering or tying around the waist, and a couple of lightweight jumper for cooler evenings.

I’m currently on the hunt for the perfect 100% cotton chunky navy knit, so if anyone spots one, please send it my way.

I’m also bringing a few tops that can work during the day but still feel good for dinner or evening plans without needing a full outfit change.

Jackets are where I’m slightly stuck.

I’m definitely bringing my oversized denim jacket, but I also ordered this bomber-style leather jacket and I’m desperately hoping it arrives in time because I already have outfits planned around it in my head. Very healthy behaviour.

Realistically though, I know I’ll probably end up buying some kind of colourful technical jacket in Japan. I’ve been obsessed ever since I saw Fanny Adams styling one with a cute dress, and now I can’t stop thinking about that contrast.

Bottoms

I’m trying to keep bottoms fairly simple this time because I already know I’ll end up repeating the same silhouettes over and over again.

I’m taking three pairs of shorts:

• one denim

• one linen

• and one from my COS co-ord set, which is ridiculously comfortable and breathable for warmer days.

For skirts, I’m bringing my silk midi skirt from & Other Stories, which works perfectly during the day but also feels dressed up enough for evening plans, plus my white Massimo Dutti skirt because apparently I enjoy travelling with at least one item that could be ruined by soy sauce at any moment.

I’m also packing my cargo linen trousers for travel days and my favourite baggy JW Anderson x Uniqlo jeans for cooler evenings or rainier days.

Honestly… I think that should be enough?

Famous last words before I panic-pack another pair of trousers.

Dresses

This is where things start getting slightly out of control.

I love wearing dresses, especially in warmer weather, but I currently have seven sitting in my Indyx collection and that feels… excessive. Even for me.

So some editing will need to happen.

My new Rixo dress is definitely coming. It’s perfect for those in-between days where it’s warm but not properly hot yet — enough sleeve, enough structure, not too flimsy, and easy to wear during the day or in the evening.

Then there’s my white slip dress, which is incredibly useful for layering and creating different outfits… but I’m also bringing a white skirt, so realistically I probably don’t need both. Although now that I’m writing this, maybe the skirt is the problem. You see how this becomes difficult.

The terracotta Massimo Dutti dress is a definite yes because I always gravitate towards it and it works really well for evenings too.

I’m also bringing my little handmade dress because:

1. it’s cute

2. I’m proud of it

3. it takes up basically no suitcase space, which feels like an important detail here.

Then there are the black dresses. One mini, one maxi.

Do I need both? Probably not. Will I still try to justify both? Absolutely.

Accessories & Jewellery

This is probably where I’ll have the most fun because accessories do most of the heavy lifting when you’re repeating outfits.

I’m packing the usual necklaces I always use for layering, colourful beaded ones I recently bought, a few statement earrings, and enough jewellery to make the same white t-shirt feel slightly different five days in a row.

A couple of belts are coming too — ones that work equally well with jeans, dresses, or thrown over an oversized shirt when I want a bit more shape.

I’m limiting myself to two bags because realistically I always end up rotating the same ones anyway… and there’s a very high chance I’ll buy another one while I’m there.

I’m also bringing a couple of brooches because I’ve become mildly obsessed with adding them to shirts, jackets, and bags lately. Tiny detail, surprisingly big impact.

Shoes

My Sambas and my Massimo Dutti chunky sandals are the first things going into the suitcase. They’re incredibly comfortable, already fully adjusted to my feet, and I know I can walk in them all day without wanting to throw them into the nearest bin (which, inconveniently, there aren’t many of in Japan).

I’m also bringing a pair of black leather flip flops and a slightly more minimal brown pair that feels a bit more polished for evenings or dinners.

I think I’m skipping heels altogether this time — even kitten heels. I always pack them with good intentions and then end up ignoring them completely while choosing comfort and survival instead.

That said, I’m very open to the idea of finding a fun pair of shoes in Japan. Ideally something slightly unexpected, possibly red, and completely my style.

Packing, But Like Yourself

I think the older I get, the less interested I am in packing for a fantasy version of myself.

The best trips always happen when I feel comfortable, practical, and still like me — not when I’m forcing outfits that don’t make sense for the weather, the walking, or the reality of the trip.

And honestly, while packing methods and capsule rules can be helpful, I think trusting your gut matters more. You already know what you reach for constantly, what shoes you can actually walk in, what silhouettes make you feel good, and what clothes survive a full day without annoying you.

So if you’re packing for a trip soon, this is your reminder to start there:

• what you genuinely wear

• what makes you feel good

• the weather

• the pace of the trip

• and the version of yourself you realistically want to be while you’re there

Because good travel style is rarely about packing more.

It’s usually about packing smarter, repeating outfits unapologetically, and leaving enough room in your suitcase for the things you fall in love with along the way.

Love,

Noelia x

Monday

Starting strong this Monday after waking up ridiculously early for the gym and somehow managing to do half my life admin before 10 a.m. Success.

I wore my white Rixo dress — one of those pieces that instantly makes me feel cute, but also isn’t the easiest to style in different ways. I filmed a little Instagram video trying a few options, but I think the one below ended up being my favourite.

The dress naturally leans very feminine — almost slightly trad-wife-adjacent — so I always feel the need to pull it back into a more “me” direction. This time I layered a few necklaces, added pointy mules, and wore another necklace as an anklet because I liked the slightly boho feel it gave the outfit.

I even went to the dentist dressed like this and came out without a speck of blood on it!

Tuesday

I have a weird relationship with this dress. I absolutely love it, but sometimes the second I put it on, I instantly feel huge. Which, to be fair, makes sense — it’s the shape, not my body.

Quick note to the reader: next time you feel huge in something, please don’t EVER blame yourself. Blame the piece of clothing — it has no feelings. Your body is fine.

I bought it fully aware that it wasn’t the most flattering thing in the world, but I still loved the robust denim fabric and playful silhouette. Although maybe I started turning against it after wearing it in London last year and having someone offer me their seat on the tube.

I knew I wanted to layer something underneath, partly for warmth and partly to break up the shape a bit. I started with a white T-shirt, but it made me look about five years old, so I swapped it for a mesh knit instead — and actually ended up really liking those two textures together.

Then I added a scarf around my waist, then swap for a shirt, partly for styling purposes and partly to reassure both myself and the general public that I wasn’t pregnant.

I still wasn’t 100 per cent convinced by this look, though. I have a feeling this dress might end up on Vinted soon.

Wednesday

This is a good dress. I bought it from COS a few years ago, and it’s one of those pieces that always works. It’s simple and comfortable, but somehow still feels like you’ve made an effort.

The open back and the silhouette make me feel good in my body — and that’s reason enough to love a piece of clothing, honestly. Even if I occasionally have to wrestle with the side zip to get into it.

I also love that it is navy instead of black — it feels a bit softer for summer, and I have recently realised how good navy looks with pinks and purples.

I ended up wearing my husband’s navy shacket with a pink cardi tied around my waist, and the colourful necklace was exactly what the dress needed in that moment. Also finally gave my crossbody Chloé bag some love after neglecting it for far too long.

That morning I watched a great video by Rachel styling a gorgeous red dress in tons of amazing ways, and it completely reminded me how important the right inspiration can be. I ended up trying loads of different styling combinations with this dress and realised I’m probably going to wear it constantly this summer.

Which is usually the sign of a very good purchase.

Thursday

I was feeling very lazy today, so I threw on a white slip dress — this one is from the Marks & Spencer x Sienna Miller collaboration — and wore it all day with a mesh jumper over the top while working from home.

By late afternoon, I decided I needed to make a bit more of an effort and remembered Sogole’s article about Good Outfit Energy, which basically inspired me to dress according to the mood I needed instead of the mood I had.

So I added a touch of earth and a touch of fire — earthy textures, woven accessories and this coral necklace from Zara that I bought years ago and never wear enough.

It completely changed the energy of the outfit. Funny how one accessory can suddenly make you feel much more alive.

Friday

I was very tired today and had approximately five minutes to get ready after the gym, so I went for a reliable black dress.

This one is from a friend’s boutique and has a knitted top with a poplin skirt — incredibly comfortable and exactly the kind of thing I reach for when I’m uninspired but still want to feel put together.

To stop it feeling too cute, I added black loafers and cat-eye sunglasses, then brought in a bit of warmth with gold jewellery and the gold woven bag. Otherwise, it starts feeling a little too polished and not entirely like me.

I did cheat later in the evening and changed into jeans with a gorgeous new top from Zara… but honestly, after five dress days in a row, I think I deserved it.

Saturday

I was hungover for most of the day after a red wine session with friends on Friday, but I had a festival to go to, so another black dress came to the rescue.

I threw on my new Desigual shirt, a denim jacket, Sambas with socks, and somehow ended up feeling both extremely comfortable and quite cute.

Unfortunately, this confidence was based on a massive miscalculation because the festival was right by the sea and it became freezing the second the sun disappeared.

A gentle reminder from me to myself: always check the weather app before dressing for a coastal evening.

Dresses On My Radar Right Now

How I Make Dresses Feel Like Me Right Now

First of all, it’s almost always about the shoes for me. I usually need something to shift the energy of the dress a bit.

I love adding black minimal sandals, mules, fisherman sandals or even cowboy boots — anything that makes the outfit feel a little more grounded and a bit less “perfect”. I’ve realised that when a dress feels too feminine on me — which can happen quite easily because I’m naturally curvy — what I’m usually missing is contrast somewhere in the outfit.

That contrast can come from anywhere really: black cat-eye sunglasses, a chunky necklace, a woven bag, a shirt tied around the waist, slightly messy hair, or layering pieces that make the dress feel more relaxed and lived-in.

I also think texture makes a huge difference. I love mixing romantic or floaty dresses with things that feel more structured or tactile — denim, mesh knits, leather accessories, woven fabrics, heavier jewellery. It stops the outfit from feeling too precious.

But honestly, the warmer it gets, the less I want to do. In summer, my ideal outfit is usually just a good dress, flat sandals, gold hoops and a hopefully a tan.

So next time you put on a dress and something feels slightly wrong, here are a few questions I’d ask myself:

• Is it the dress… or the styling around it?

• What would make this feel more like me?

• Do I need contrast somewhere?

• Would I style this differently if I wasn’t worried about looking “too much”?

• Would I actually want to wear this all day?

Below, I’m sharing what I actually look for before buying a dress now — from fabrics and shapes to the little details that make the difference between something I wear twice and something I reach for every summer.

Honestly, a pretty good time to join the paid club if you ask me.

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