We’ve all heard it. It’s the January pitch to change who you are and embrace all that you can (maybe) be. Flip that calendar and flip your life! I mean, I get where they’re going. I love the idea of starting fresh. But is a new you just as easy as turning the calendar? It got me thinking about some of the questions that often come up in my free discovery calls so, as we move into this new year, let’s look at some of the questions that might be keeping you from trying out that new you energy in 2026.

1. Do I need a personal stylist or just better clothes?

Well. The answer is maybe both. Yes, you can buy better clothes but let’s take a step back – what does better mean? And how will you find the pieces that really resonate with the new you? It often takes a fresh set of eyes to find the patterns in what we have and recognize areas where we’re getting stuck. Look, you hire an accountant to do your taxes and a lawyer to finalize your contracts because that’s what they studied and they know their craft inside and out. A stylist is no different. I look at clothes, and proportion, and body shapes and symmetry all day long. That means if you’re just looking for better clothes, I can help you find what works and show you why.

2. What does a personal stylist actually do?

This is a great question and one that I actually really love. So, what do I actually do? I take my years of industry experience, my knowledge of fit and fabric, of proportion and colour theory, my deep understanding of how clothes move and function and bring that to you. I give you the Coles notes on what works, what doesn’t and (crucially) why. A stylist helps you find your personal style and gives you the confidence to get dressed knowing that everything you put on fits appropriately and reinforces who you are and how you function day to day. As a personal stylist I’m not dictating what you wear necessarily. My primary goal is to help you find clothes that you love and give you the confidence to wear them. We have to get dressed everyday. Might as well look good doing it!

3. Is a personal stylist worth it for working moms?

As a working mother of two myself I can categorically say YES. Who is more time strapped and worn thin than working moms? We need a no nonsense, foolproof way to get dressed and out the door. Working moms don’t have time to hit the mall weekend after weekend, trying things on and pondering how they fit into their world. No. They’ve got toddlers underfoot, a to-do list a mile high and need clarity – and quick. As a personal stylist I take the guess work out of getting dressed. We work out what you need from your closet, what fits and flatters and what feels comfortable. From there I create a system to help you get dressed faster (and better). Honestly I think every working mother should work with a stylist. Get your time back and offload the fashion planning to an expert!

4. How personal styling works for women over 40

If we’re fortunate, we get to experience middle age. And with age comes clarity and less patience for BS honestly. We are rarely the woman at 40 that we were at 20 and we better understand what we want and what we’re not willing to negotiate on. Many of my clients come to me ready to re-claim their fashion sense. Not as the younger, trend-driven version of themselves but as the very worthy, very accomplished woman they are today. At 40 we have the room and space to be just exactly who were are meant to be. Working with a stylist at mid-life can re-centre your priorities, re-affirm that your body is worthwhile (no matter the size or shape) and that feeling good comes from looking good. And, as the oft’ quoted Maybelline tagline tells us, You’re Worth It.

The reality is that there are myriad reasons to work with a stylist but what’s most important, I think, is that you recognize how you show up is actually important and that you can be doing better – for yourself. So if the new year, new you energy has you pondering possibilities let’s chat. I would love to talk to you about what you need and how working with a local personal stylist in the GTA can help you rediscover what the new you looks like. Offering services locally in-person in Durham Region, Northumberland and virtually across Canada.