"I want to wake up and have style"

A friend once said to me: “I want to wake up and have style.”

I smiled. Because, wouldn't that be wonderful? No effort, no second-guessing in front of the wardrobe, no wondering whether this goes with that. Just wake up, get dressed and voilà – style!

But the thing is: style isn't something you simply wake up with. It's something you develop. And yes, you can learn it.

Much like learning a new sport, a foreign language or even how to master an Excel spreadsheet (some things require more patience than others!), developing your personal style is a process. And one that can be rather enjoyable.

Style is a work in progress

One thing I have learned from working with women in my image consultations is that style is never set in stone. It evolves as we do. Or perhaps we evolve with it.

When I look at pictures of myself at 18, sporting a rather impressive perm, I wonder whether I had much style at all. Hair, certainly. Lots of it. But style? I'm not so sure.

Then again, pretty much everyone seemed to have that hairstyle in the 80s - women and men alike. And now, just when I thought we had finally put certain things behind us, the mullet (or VoKuHiLa, as we used to call it in German) was making a comeback among teenagers a few years back. Every time I spot one on the streets, I have to take a deep breath.

But back to style.

For me, style goes far beyond clothes. I see it as part of a much bigger picture - almost a way of living.

Good style starts with a positive attitude towards the world and, perhaps even more importantly, towards ourselves. Being kind and open to others, but also to ourselves. Looking after ourselves, our belongings and our environment. Making things last rather than constantly replacing them.

Style isn't about rushing to the best boutique in town every season to buy a completely new wardrobe. Quite the opposite, actually.

I believe in working with what you already have and adding a few carefully chosen pieces when the season changes or your needs evolve.

Think of your wardrobe a little like your home. It should grow with you, filled with favourite things collected over the years, each with its own story. Not look as though the same interior designer furnished the entire place in one afternoon.

You can't buy style with money. A beautiful statement piece, on the other hand? That's a different story.

So, how do you find your own style?

First of all, it takes a little curiosity - and a willingness to look at yourself differently.

Some questions worth asking yourself:

• What do I want my appearance to say about me?
• How do I want to feel in my clothes?
• What am I actually comfortable wearing?
• Which colours, shapes and fabrics make me feel good?
• Does my wardrobe reflect the woman I am today, or the woman I was ten years ago?

And then, start looking around.

Sit in a café and observe people passing by. Notice how they dress, how they move, how they combine colours and accessories. Pick up a fashion magazine. Look at women whose style you admire. Perhaps a friend always manages to put together an interesting outfit, or someone wears a particular colour combination you would never have thought of.

Pinterest is another wonderful source of inspiration. Create a mood board and collect images of outfits, colours, shoes, accessories and little details that catch your eye. After a while, you may notice a pattern emerging. Perhaps you are drawn to relaxed silhouettes, bold accessories, feminine details or clean, classic lines.

Instagram can be inspiring, too. But a little reality check is useful here. Many influencers receive entire outfits from brands, have access to stylists and photograph themselves in carefully curated surroundings. What looks effortless on Instagram may require quite a bit of effort, and a generous clothing allowance, in real life.

So don't simply copy someone else's look. Ask yourself what exactly you like about it and how you could translate that into your own wardrobe, lifestyle and budget.

And, most importantly, dare to experiment. Try something you wouldn't normally pick up. Mix things differently. Wear those shoes you have been saving for a special occasion.

You know what they say: nothing ventured, nothing gained. That applies to style, too.

A little help along the way?

Of course, you can do all of this on your own. But sometimes an outside perspective makes all the difference.

In my Style Consultations and Style Coaching sessions, I help women discover what works for them - not by imposing a set of rules or telling them to throw out half their wardrobe.

We start with what you already own, the pieces you love, the colours and cuts you are naturally drawn to, and how you want to look and feel in your everyday life.

Because personal style isn't about following a formula. It's about understanding yourself, making conscious choices and finding combinations that feel genuinely yours.

And if you feel you could use a little guidance, that's exactly what I'm here for.

So, can you learn style? Absolutely. You just need a little curiosity, some inspiration and the courage to give it a go.

And perhaps, eventually, you will wake up and have style. Just don't expect it to happen overnight!

Happy styling, my stylish friends!