The Style Stories Podcast

Looking to stay fashionable while maintaining your unique style? In this episode, Lisa Gillbe shares practical insights on how to interpret trends, find your style vibe, and dress authentically without overcomplicating body shape rules.
In today's episode, I am answering listener Alison's question, "How to navigate current trends by body type or style vibe without losing sense of self?"

Main Topics:

Why style is about feeling, not just following trends

Moving beyond rigid body shape rules to focus on silhouette and visual balance

How to interpret current summer trends in a way that suits your vibe

The importance of emotional and practical aspects of wardrobe planning

Building a wardrobe that reflects your mood and lifestyle on any given day

Avoiding trend fatigue by focusing on what makes you feel confident

Lisa emphasizes that style is about your vibe and emotional connection to your clothes

Practical tips on using Pinterest boards to clarify your personal style

How to interpret trends like boho mini dresses, linen co-ords, and chunky boots through your personal lens

The pitfalls of rigid body shape rules and why paying attention to your body lines and silhouette is more effective

The role of horizontal lines in outfit flattering — where they fall matters

How to dress for different feelings and occasions without losing sight of your authentic self

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome to the Style Stories Podcast and today's focus on staying fashionable with authenticity
00:30 - The importance of style vibe and personal attraction to patterns, silhouettes, and textures
01:19 - Interpreting trends through your style mood rather than literal copies
01:48 - Practical tips for using Pinterest to discover your style feeling
02:18 - Encouragement to ask questions and engage via email or Instagram
03:00 - Navigating trends by embracing your personal vibe rather than rigid body rules
03:54 - Current summer 2026 trends: boho dresses, linen co-ords, vintage prints, and high-low styling
04:51 - The impact of accessory choices, including shoes like ballet flats and chunky boots
05:50 - The contemporary mix of floaty dresses, crochet, lace, and vintage prints
07:16 - Challenging traditional training: style is about feeling, not fitting into rules
08:12 - How silhouette and visual balance matter more than body shape labels
09:37 - Practical wardrobe strategies: capsule wardrobe, emotional styling, and daily mood
10:07 - Matching outfits to feelings like power, softness, or femininity
11:05 - The importance of flexibility and authenticity over rule-following in style choices
12:03 - Moving from rigid body shape rules to focusing on silhouette and visual balance
13:29 - How horizontal lines and outfit proportions can influence flattering looks
14:27 - Summary: look at lines and silhouette for authentic style decisions

Resources & Links:

Super Styling with Lisa Gillbe Newsletter

Lisa Gillbe’s Instagram

Ask me a question for a feature on this podcast!
What are you struggling with when it comes to your wardrobe? DM me on Instagram or email Lisa@lisagillbestyle.com

Today's episode is an important one! I'm covering how to find your 3 style words AND the outfit formula you need to transform how you get dressed:

Grab your 3-Style Words Workbook here when you sign-up to my Substack newsletter: 

Discover how to unlock your authentic style and make wardrobe decisions with confidence. In this episode, Lisa Gilby shares practical tools like finding 3 words to describe your style (SO POWERFUL) and the 'fit, fire, flare' formula to help you dress intentionally and feel unstoppable every day.

Main Topics:

The importance of clarity on personal style in wardrobe function

How personal style evolves and how to identify your own

The three word method: defining your style in three adjectives

The significance of describing how you want to feel, not just look

Examples of celebrity style descriptors for inspiration

Using the three word method workbook for clarity

A wardrobe framework: fit, fire, and flare — balancing comfort, confidence, and creativity

Practical tips for adding personality and interest through textures, silhouettes, and accessories

Embracing secondhand shopping and sustainable fashion

How to identify wardrobe gaps aligned with your style words

Three Word Method Workbook (Link to subscribe and access the workbook)

Disco Kids T-shirt collection (Fun graphic tees to add personality)

Oxfam Online Secondhand Shop (Great for vintage and sustainable fashion treasures)

Follow Lisa on Instagram
Lisegillbestylist

Connect with Lisa Gillbe:

Super Styling with Lisa Gillbe Substack (Join the community and access resources)

Style Power Facebook Group (Free community for style discussions)

 
Timestamps:
00:00 - Why wardrobe clarity matters and common wardrobe issues 00:28 - The focus of the episode: clarifying personal style 00:57 - The two main wardrobe problems: lack of clarity and wrong clothing mix 1:27 - How volume in wardrobe creates confusion and indecision 1:53 - The evolution of personal style through life phases 2:21 - The importance of taking time to understand your current style 2:50 - Introducing the three word method to define your style 3:19 - How to choose three adjectives that reflect how you want to feel 4:16 - The origin of the three word method and its recent popularity 4:44 - Moving beyond outdated style labels to a multilayered style identity 5:14 - Personal example: discovering vintage as a style word 6:12 - Using celebrity style descriptions to understand style adjectives 6:42 - The significance of describing how you want to feel, not just look 7:11 - Dressing for your essence versus the occasion 7:39 - Example: Audrey Hepburn's style via three adjectives 8:09 - Comparing celebrities' style descriptors to find your vibe 8:39 - Modern celebrities' style words: Kim Kardashian, Zendaya, and more 9:37 - The importance of wardrobe fit and embodying your style 10:05 - Wardrobe gaps: do you have the right clothes to reflect your three words? 11:35 - Introducing the Super Styling newsletter and workbook resource 12:29 - How finding your three words simplifies shopping and wardrobe organization 12:58 - Encouragement to update and tweak your style words over time 13:27 - Using Pinterest and community support to refine your style 14:27 - Sharing ideas for future episodes and style topics 15:22 - The three F's formula: fit, fire, flare — a practical dress framework 15:53 - Balancing practicality with emotional confidence 16:52 - The confidence element: clothes that make you feel powerful 17:50 - The flare factor: adding creative, interesting touches 18:48 - Practical examples of flare: scarves, jewelry, playful details 20:08 - How to incorporate the three F’s with specific clothing choices 21:07 - The impact of accessories like scarves and shoes to elevate outfits 22:35 - Mixing textures and silhouettes for interest 24:01 - The importance of current shapes and styles to feel modern 25:57 - Incorporating thrifted and vintage pieces for unique wardrobe additions 27:25 - The role of interesting jackets and textured fabrics 28:22 - Staying updated with silhouettes like baggy or structured styles 29:17 - Using accessories like bags and shoes to add tension and personality 30:44 - Sustainable shopping and secondhand gems for individuality 31:14 - Final encouragement to subscribe and share style ideas

If you love this podcast - please hit the follow button adn leave a review - it really supports my work and helps the podcast get noticed. Thank you!

Click here to subscribe to the Substack Newsletter that runs alongside this podcast to get all Lisa's recommendations on what to wear. Super Styling with Lisa Gillbe

Are you looking to refine your personal style but unsure where to start? In this episode, Lisa Gillbe shares actionable strategies to understand and articulate your unique style, especially suited for summer wardrobes.

Key Topics:

The importance of questioning why you do or don’t wear certain pieces, especially seasonal wardrobe items

Decluttering your wardrobe to reveal your current style and preferences

Creating a Pinterest board that represents your holistic self, beyond just fashion

Using the three-word method to distill and describe your personal style with adjectives

Tapping into your gut instincts to identify what makes you feel great or uncomfortable in clothing

Recognizing recurring themes in your style journey and how to adapt them over time

The significance of personality traits and personal preferences in shaping your wardrobe choices

Timestamps:
00:00 - Why questioning your wardrobe choices clarifies your personal style
00:28 - Decluttering as a tool for revealing your current style
00:56 - Using Pinterest to explore your aesthetic beyond fashion
01:22 - Incorporating home decor and lifestyle elements into style insights
01:49 - The three-word method for defining your personal style with adjectives
02:17 - How your personality influences your clothing choices
02:47 - Narrowing down choices by understanding what works for you
03:14 - The power of descriptive adjectives in setting style guardrails
03:43 - How personal style reflects who you are and your personality
04:10 - Tapping into your instincts to identify what you love or dislike in clothing
04:39 - The importance of buying pieces you love and understanding why they resonate
05:07 - Recognizing recurring themes and evolving your style over time
05:35 - Encouragement to subscribe for more insights and personal style guidance

Resources & Links:

Substack: Style Power with Lisa Gillbe — Join for ongoing style tips and community

Connect with Lisa Gilby:

Instagram

Website

Feel empowered to question, reflect, and craft a personal style that truly speaks to who you are!.

Want to ask a question for Lisa to answer on this podcast? Email Lisa@lisagillbestyle.com

Podcast Shownotes
In this episode, I’m talking about why real style starts within, not from endless outside fixes. Inspiration from Instagram, friends, celebrities, and everywhere else can be brilliant — but until you understand your own inherent personal style, it all tends to feel confusing and disconnected.

After 16 years as a personal stylist and having looked inside hundreds of wardrobes, I’ve seen the same two reasons people struggle again and again. In this episode, I break down what they are, why they keep happening, and the practical steps you need to take to start dressing with more clarity and confidence.

I’m also sharing a little update from the New Day Originals pop-up boutique in Notting Hill, where I’ll be styling the new collection tomorrow and chatting about this very topic in real life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why looking outward for style inspiration only gets you so far.

The difference between inspiration and true personal style.

The two main reasons people struggle with their wardrobes.

How to start uncovering your own style from the inside out.

Why your wardrobe feels easier once you know what is actually you.

Mentioned in this episode:

New Day Originals pop-up boutique, Notting Hill.

Styling the new collection tomorrow.

Personal style clarity, wardrobe confidence, and dressing from within.

Episode takeaway:
If your wardrobe feels confusing, the answer may not be to buy more, copy more, or follow more trends. The real shift happens when you stop looking for an outside fix and start getting honest about your own style identity.

Style becomes so much easier when you stop asking, “What should I wear?” and start asking, “What already feels like me?”

Want more style tips? Sign up to Lisa's Substack here: https://lisagillbe.substack.com/

 

Do the 3-word workbook! Find your 3 words: https://canva.link/qwcrtx38igoxwor

 

Please hit the follow button and leave me a review ❤️

In this episode of The Style Stories Podcast, I’m joined by the wonderful Lady Terese Robinson — novelist, former PR and events professional, and wife of the late, great Sir Ken Robinson, whose TED Talk Do Schools Kill Creativity? became one of the most watched of all time.

Lady T has lived a richly varied life, from the UK to Los Angeles, and her style story is every bit as interesting as her career journey. We talk about how style evolves over time, why experimentation is an important part of finding your own look, and how she always returns to her core style personality: undone, sexy, classic and chic.

We also get into one of my favourite subjects — the idea that style is ageless. We challenge the outdated, fear-based rules the media still pushes about what women “should” or “shouldn’t” wear at certain ages, and make the case for dressing in a way that feels true to you, not dictated by somebody else’s opinion.

One of the most powerful parts of style is how it makes you feel. When you wear something that feels like you, you move differently, show up differently and feel more confident. In this conversation, Lady T and I talk about how to notice what works, why it works, and how paying attention to that can help you build a wardrobe that feels more and more natural over time.

This episode is a celebration of individuality, confidence and the freedom to dress without apology.

Episode description
Lady Terese Robinson joins me to talk about style, identity and confidence at any age. We discuss why experimentation matters, why style is ageless, and why the best outfits are the ones that make you feel most like yourself.

Find Lady T's books here: http://ladytherese.com/home

Follow Lisa on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/lisegillbestylist/?hl=en

Work with Lisa - styling services here: https://www.lisagillbestyle.com/wardrobe-refresh