I'm so excited to finally share that the July issue of Slimming World Magazine is out now, which means you can read my very first "Ask the Stylist" feature and pick up some of my style confidence tips.
I'm also busy working on the October issue, which will be published in August, and I can't wait to share even more advice with you.
I was absolutely thrilled when Slimming World approached me to become their new "Ask the Stylist." It's a brand new feature they're hoping to run in every edition of the magazine, and it's such an honour to be part of it.
Each month, Slimming World chooses one of their members, and I have a chat with them over Zoom to help them rediscover their style confidence.
After helping women for over four decades, I have a pretty good idea of the conversations we're going to have. The weight loss journey may be different for everyone, but so many of the feelings are exactly the same.
What I love most about this column is that although I'm talking to one member, I know thousands of women reading it will be thinking...
"Gosh... that's me!"
Whether you've lost weight, gained weight, gone through menopause or simply don't recognise the woman looking back at you in the mirror anymore, the questions are often the same.
What should I wear?
What can I wear?
Who am I now?
Losing weight changes your body, but it can also shake your confidence in your clothes.
One thing I see time and time again is women continuing to buy clothes that are too big. It's become a habit. You've worked so hard to lose the weight, yet you're still dressing for the body you used to have.
Tip One: Don't Wait Until You Reach Your Goal
One of the things I hear most often is:
"I'm not buying any new clothes until I reach my target weight."
So what happens?
You spend months walking around in clothes that hang off you. You meet friends for coffee, go out for lunch, pop to work or the supermarket wearing clothes that make you feel drab instead of fabulous.
Yes, celebrate the number on the scales...
But I want you to celebrate how fabulous you LOOK and feel too.
You don't need a whole new wardrobe. Treat yourself to one or two pieces every few months as your body changes.
Think about it. A lunch out with a friend and a couple of coffees can easily cost £20. For not much more, you could buy a fabulous pair of jeans. Marks & Spencer, for example, do some brilliant quality jeans at really reasonable prices.
When your clothes fit properly, you instantly stand taller, feel more confident and enjoy the amazing progress you've worked so hard to achieve.
Life is simply too short to feel just OK when you could feel fabulous.
Tip Two: Let Go of the Old You
Once you've reached your goal, why are you still hanging on to all those oversized clothes?
After all the commitment, determination and hard work you've put in, ask yourself one simple question...
Do I ever want to wear those clothes again?
For most women, the answer is no.
So why are they still taking up space in your wardrobe?
My advice is simple.
Let them go.
Fill your wardrobe with clothes that fit the woman you are today. Clothes that make your heart sing. Clothes that make you smile every time you put them on.
Because confidence isn't just about losing weight.
It's about enjoying the new you.
As many of you know, helping women feel confident has been my life's work. Whether I'm coaching women through their wardrobes, helping them find clothes that celebrate their new shape, or designing my own confidence-boosting base layers, everything I do has the same purpose... helping women look fabulous, feel fabulous and enjoy getting dressed every morning.
Thank You, Slimming World
A huge thank you to Slimming World for inviting me to be part of this wonderful new feature.
It's a privilege to share my style and confidence tips with your members each issue and, hopefully, help even more women enjoy getting dressed every morning.
Because losing weight is an incredible achievement...
But feeling fabulous in your clothes is what helps you truly celebrate it.
Here's to helping more women look amazing, feel amazing and keep rocking their style.
Stylish wishes,
Alicia x
