Fashion Fashion Tips Moms style

5 Ways to Flex Your Style Muscles

style muscle


Some of you may be aware that when I am not with my The Joy of Style partner, Mara, creating new amazing outfits for you from your own closet or scouring the malls to find the perfect pieces for you, I moonlight as a Fit 4 Two® Pre and Postnatal fitness instructor.

When I am in fitness trainer mode, I try to ensure my clients get a full-body workout each class. Everyone works at their own pace at their own fitness level. It may be uncomfortable at first, but newbies soon get addicted to the rush of endorphins and the sense of accomplishment having performed one more rep than the last time or finishing a drill faster than before. They say they love the feeling of muscle soreness they experience over the next day or two. Many times new clients have told me afterwards, “I forgot I even had muscles there!” to which I often reply, “Yup! It’s use it or lose it!”.

The same is true for our Joy of Style clients when they first come to us with weak “style muscles”. Many of our clients seek our help after they’ve had a baby or gotten a little too comfortable with our casual BC lifestyle. It’s like  they have fallen down the slippery slope of yoga pants and knitwear and can’t get up.  And accessories?  Forgetaboutit!  It’s another case of, “Use it or lose it” and that’s how many women end up in a style rut.

A second way my two client bases are similar is that new clients often think you have to be a “certain type” to be fit or to be considered stylish.  Nothing could be further from the truth! Fitness and Personal Style can be learned. While I think it’s fair to say most of my fitness clients will not become Olympic athletes, I do have clients who were once out of shape, now running marathons and competing in fitness challenges. Many are in better shape than they were pre-pregnancy. Likewise, I have seen The Joy of Style clients of ALL shapes and sizes who were previously self-conscious and extremely-plain Janes, taking on the world with incredible self-confidence and body-love simply by making better wardrobe choices.

  Like taking the stairs everyday instead of the elevator gets you closer to your fitness goals, small changes in your wardrobe can help you reach your style goals.

5 Ways to Flex Your Style Muscles

1. Wear a blazer instead of a cardigan. You will instantly look more polished and put-together.
2. Pair something masculine with feminine. Inspiration can be found here.
3. Add a pop of colour to a neutral outfit with a bright shoe, bag, belt, necklace or lightweight scarf.
4. Add texture to your outfit.  Think leather, lace, faux snakeskin, shiny or silky.
5. Add shimmer with a metallic shoe, bag or belt (Metallics are more versatile than you think!)

 

Like fitness training, you could go it alone, but most of the time you get better results when you hire a coach. Could your wardrobe benefit from some personal training? Contact The Joy of Style to book your appointment today.

 

 

 

Dee Clarke

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  • Sandra
    May 23, 2016 at 10:32 am

    Great tips and all so true. Thanks for getting me on the style flexing path, my Joy of Style gurus!

    • Mara Arnold
      June 10, 2016 at 10:20 am

      You are so welcome! It was so much fun working with you, Sandra. You are a beautiful person inside and out.

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