As I prepare my closet for the season of life ahead of me, I find myself thinking.

Right now, it doesn't matter how well I know my personal style. I know what I love, what works for me, what makes me feel confident, and how I enjoy expressing myself through clothes. After all, this is what I do for a living!

But at this moment, I have some very clear priorities, and I'm allowing myself to be exactly where I am.

I'm preparing to become a mom, and my wardrobe will need to support a completely different routine. Comfort, practicality, easy access for breastfeeding, and clothes that allow me to move freely will become much more important when making my daily clothing choices.

And that's okay. This won't be forever!

A few weeks ago, someone said to me, "Those statement earrings you love so much? Forget about them when the baby is here!"

I laughed at the moment, but when I got home, I couldn't stop thinking about it.

I spent the rest of the day practically mourning the fact that she was right! Of course, pregnancy hormones probably made the situation a much bigger deal than it needed to be. But still!

It made me realize that some of the little things I love when getting dressed might need to take a back seat for a while.

And as silly as it sounds, that made me a little emotional.

I love getting dressed, playing with colors, accessories, and all those details that make an outfit feel like me. But I'm also learning to give myself permission to put some of those things aside while I adjust to this new chapter.

And this brings me to something I often discuss with my clients.

Personal Style and Lifestyle Are Two Different Things

This experience isn’t unique to me or the stage of life I'm entering.

There are different ingredients that influence the way we dress, and two of them can easily be confused: personal style and lifestyle.

Your personal style reflects your personality, preferences, and how you enjoy expressing yourself through clothes.

Your lifestyle reflects your routine, responsibilities, activities, and the practical needs of your everyday life.

And sometimes, the two don't align.

You might love beautiful heels but spend most of your day on your feet. You might enjoy elegant, structured clothing but have a routine that requires comfort and movement.

Or, like me, you might love oversized statement earrings while preparing for a season of holding, feeding, and caring for a newborn.

Knowing your personal style is important, but understanding your lifestyle is what helps you make choices that actually work for you.

Your Environment Matters Too!

Think about how much the places we live in or visit influence the way we dress.

My closet when I lived in Brazil looked very different from the one I have today in New England. The weather alone changes so much!

But the energy of a place also plays a role. I'm naturally more edgy when I'm in NYC than when I'm spending time in Cape Cod. A vacation in Vermont will have me packing a completely different wardrobe than the one I packed for a trip to Tampa a few years ago.

Different climates, cultures, and environments influence our choices, sometimes without us even noticing.

And while adapting can be fun, it can also make us feel disconnected from our personal style when we try too hard to dress for what feels appropriate in a certain place.

I believe we can adapt to our surroundings while still finding ways to express our personality.

Finding the Middle Ground

Let me give you an example.

Imagine you have a very sexy, feminine personal style. You love high heels, beautiful details, and dressing up.

But right now, you're a stay-at-home mom with three toddlers.

As much as you love your stilettos, does it make sense for 70% of your shoe collection to be made up of them?

Probably not!

But that doesn't mean you need to give up on beautiful shoes and wear basic sneakers every day. Maybe this is the season to invest in some really cute flats! Something with a little sparkle, an interesting shape, a beautiful color, or a fun detail that makes them feel special.

Shoes that still reflect your personality but allow you to comfortably run around with your kids.

That's the compromise I'm talking about!

And remember, this stage of life might not last forever. Those stilettos can have their moment again someday.

In the meantime, you deserve a wardrobe that makes sense for the person you are today.

A Little Exercise to Better Understand Your Wardrobe

Here's something I'd love for you to try.

Grab a piece of paper and divide it into three columns.

Column 1: Your Personal Style

Write down what you love.

What makes your eyes light up?
What do you enjoy wearing?
What pieces do you wish you could wear every day?

Think of the colors, shapes, fabrics, and details that make you excited to get dressed.

Forget practicality for a moment. This column is all about your personality and preferences.

Column 2: Your Environment

Now think about where you live and spend your time.

Are you in Florida, surrounded by sunshine, warm weather, and colorful, happy looks?
Are you on Cape Cod, where soft colors, fresh fabrics, and relaxed coastal energy feel appropriate?
Or are you in NYC, where being too coordinated can almost feel boring and there's room to experiment with fashion?

Consider the climate, culture, and dress codes of your surroundings.

How do these things influence your choices?

Column 3: Your Lifestyle

Finally, let's get practical!

What do you actually get dressed for?
How much walking do you do?
Does your work require specific attire?
Do you spend your days at home, running errands, attending meetings, or caring for children?
What functions do your clothes need to serve?

Be realistic about your daily activities and how much time you spend doing each one.

Now, Look at Everything Together!

This is where you might start finding answers to some very familiar wardrobe frustrations.

Why do you have a closet full of clothes but feel like you have nothing to wear?
Why do you love certain pieces but rarely reach for them?

And here's another thing I encourage you to do: look at your laundry!

Seriously! Look at the clothes you're constantly washing and wearing again.

Why do you keep choosing those pieces?

Chances are, they meet practical needs that other items in your closet don't.

But do you also feel good wearing them?
Do they reflect your personality?

Maybe you don't need more clothes. Maybe you need better versions of the pieces you already wear.

Or perhaps you've been shopping for a lifestyle that looks beautiful in your imagination but doesn't match your everyday routine.

Understanding these three ingredients can help you see your wardrobe with more clarity and make better decisions moving forward.

And remember, life changes! What works for you today might look completely different a few years from now.

As for me, I'm preparing for a new chapter, and I'm excited to discover what getting dressed will look like as a mom.

My statement earrings might spend a little more time in their drawer, and my outfits might be simpler for a while.

But I'm making room for this season of my life, knowing my personal style will stay part of who I am.

I hope this blog helps you better understand your own wardrobe and gives you the clarity to make thoughtful choices that reflect your personality while supporting your everyday life.

Your clothes should work for you and the life you're living, not the other way around.

With love,

Ana Harris

When Having Style Is Not Enough