What is the one thing you can never wear?

What have you told yourself you can’t wear?

I’ll go first.

For years, I believed that loafers just didn’t suit me. I’d slip a pair on, look in the mirror, and feel more like a police officer than the chic Parisienne I wanted to imitate. So I avoided them completely.

Fast forward to today, and I’m now the proud owner of not one, but two pairs of loafers that I absolutely love. You can see one of the pairs below.

So what changed?

Looking back, the problem wasn’t loafers per se – it was the wrong shoes and the wrong outfits. Once I found the right shape and learned how to style them in a way that felt like me, it completely changed how I felt about them.

And I see this with clients all the time.

For example, one client told me, “I only wear black and white.” She ended up falling in love with – and buying – a stunning orange dress.

Another client swore she “didn’t wear denim”… until she tried on a modern pair of barrel-leg jeans that perfectly flattered her shape.

We all have these ‘style rules’ that we’ve created for ourselves; usually based on something that didn’t feel right once, years ago. But as our bodies, lifestyles, and fashion evolve, those old beliefs don’t always serve us anymore.

So if you’ve been telling yourself, “I can’t wear that,” I’d love you to challenge it. Here are three tips to help you break out of that cycle:

1.Revisit, Don’t Reject

If something didn’t work for you before, it doesn’t mean it never will. Try a new version, cut, or fabric. Sometimes the tiniest tweak, a different neckline, length, or shoe pairing, can completely transform how a piece feels.

2.Experiment Without Commitment

Next time you’re shopping, grab something you’d normally avoid and just try it on. There’s no pressure to buy it, simply see how it looks and feels. You might be surprised! Some of my clients’ favourite pieces started as “let’s just give it a go” try-ons.

3.Ask Yourself How You Want to Feel

Rather than thinking, “Can I wear this?”, ask, “Does this make me feel how I want to feel?” Whether that’s confident, creative, modern, or relaxed. If it gives you that feeling, it’s worth exploring. I advise my clients to take a few minutes when trying on a new shape or style as it can take a while to adjust.

We all have mental blocks and preconceived ideas that can keep us stuck in a style rut that feels dull and uninspiring. I believe that fashion should be fun and freeing – not full of self-imposed rules about what we can or can’t wear.

So, what have you been telling yourself you can’t wear? Maybe it’s time to give it another go.