068: Dissecting Your Desires
How to bridge the gap between the wardrobe you have and the style you actually want
If you’ve come to the realisation that your Pinterest boards have a better sense of style than your actual wardrobe, this newsletter is for you. We’ve all been there, constantly saving outfits that look amazing, only to open our own wardrobes and feel underwhelmed by what’s inside. Regretful purchases, uninspiring pieces, and a lack of direction can leave you unsure of how to bridge the gap between inspiration and reality.
Through working with my clients, I noticed a recurring challenge. While they were great at curating Pinterest boards and saved folders that reflected their style aspirations, they struggled to identify the patterns that connected those images. This created a kind of split: on one side, the reality of their existing wardrobe, and on the other, the vision that lived solely in their inspiration boards. I realised that the key to resolving this disconnect was helping them dissect their desires to understand who they were becoming, and to begin reflecting that identity through their clothing choices.
At its core, dissecting your desires is about recognising patterns. It means noticing the recurring themes in your saved folders or Pinterest boards and using those insights to guide your shopping and styling decisions. When you’re clear on the feelings and aesthetics you’re drawn to, you’re far more likely to buy pieces that align with your deeper style goals and to build outfits that feel like an authentic expression of you.
Looking at the board, a few patterns begin to emerge that reveal what this person is drawn to stylistically. There’s an appreciation for texture—lace, organza, and silk—which suggests a sensitivity to how clothing feels as well as how it looks. This tactile quality seems to anchor their aesthetic. There’s also a play with contrast: tailored coats layered over casual outfits, or sheer tops paired with sharp trousers. This hints at a love for high-low styling and an attraction to looks that feel effortless and unprescribed. Finally, the pairing of simple, feminine silhouettes with casual accessories brings a sense of ease and everyday elegance to the mix.
Noticing these patterns isn’t just an exercise in observation—it becomes a tool for clarity when you shop. Instead of getting distracted by trends or overwhelmed by choice, you start filtering options through a more intentional lens. You can ask yourself: Does this piece echo the textures I’m drawn to? Does it align with the kind of contrast I love? Will it bring the same ease I see in my inspiration? These reference points help you make decisions that are not only more aligned with your style but also reduce the likelihood of impulse buys or purchases that don’t quite fit.
What makes this process so powerful is that it takes style out of the realm of guesswork and into one of intentionality. Instead of buying pieces and hoping they work, you start to see your wardrobe as a cohesive expression of your inner world. It’s not about copying exact outfits or following rigid style rules. It’s about tuning into the repeated signals in your inspiration. The mood of certain textures, the ease of specific silhouettes, the quiet confidence of unexpected pairings. These are guideposts, helping you shop with more clarity and dress with more conviction.
Ultimately, bridging the gap between your wardrobe and your inspiration board isn’t about reinventing yourself. It’s about uncovering the self that’s already there, waiting to be expressed. When you take the time to dissect your desires, you realise that your dream style isn’t out of reach. It’s simply a matter of learning to listen more closely to what’s already calling to you.
Have a lovely week and speak soon :)
Wardrobe Therapy: Explore Your Style from the Inside Out
If this exploration helped you see your style in a new light, Wardrobe Therapy is designed to take you deeper. In three thoughtful sessions, we’ll unpack the patterns in your inspiration, understand what they reveal about your evolving self, and begin building a wardrobe that reflects it.
It’s about moving from confusion to clarity—turning aspiration into alignment.
✨ Click here to learn more and book your sessions.
Let your wardrobe reflect who you’re becoming.