What your holiday wardrobe is trying to tell you

A question that’s come up lately in conversation with clients and friends …

“Why do I feel braver with my style when I’m on holiday?”

Honestly, I feel it too … thought about it a lot and I think your wardrobe is trying to tell you something important.

There’s something about stepping out of your day-to-day surroundings that unlocks a part of you that’s bolder … more expressive, more experimental, more free.

You pack the bright earrings you wouldn’t wear at home. You buy something you would only consider wearing on holiday or reach for that cut-out dress that’s lived at the back of your wardrobe all year.

You let your shoulders breathe. You lean into colour.

I hear how women come alive through clothes when they’re away on holiday. It's not just about sunshine or a shift in climate — it’s about permission.

On holiday, we give ourselves space to be more ourselves.

We quieten the little voices that usually ask: “Is this too much?”, “Will I stand out?”, “ What will people think?”

Instead … we choose joy … we choose ease … we choose possibility.

We dress differently when we’re away on holiday and not just because it’s hot.

When we’re away, we also step out of roles. We’re not just mum, manager, partner, friend. We’re not locked into our usual schedules. We’re not bumping into neighbours or sitting in the same meeting rooms.

And with that space … something opens up.

Clothing becomes playful again.

Styling becomes intuitive.

That side of you that wants to feel stylish, confident, and comfortable finally gets the spotlight.

But here’s the thought I keep coming back to and the one I often offer to my clients when they return home:

What if you didn’t leave that version of you at the airport or in your suitcase?

What if the version of you who felt bold and beautiful in that red dress … could walk confidently into your office, brunch with friends or do the school run just as she is?

The style you wear on holiday is not a costume … it’s a clue.

It’s a signal.

It tells you what you really want from your clothes: fun, freedom, femininity, drama, lightness, movement, whatever it is for you.

That feeling? It’s not location bound.

That magic isn’t in the miles … it’s in the mindset.

One of my favourite style exercises and something I often encourage clients to try … is this:

Choose one “holiday” piece and weave it into your everyday wardrobe this week.

It could be:

• The statement necklace you always save for “special dinners”.

• The loose printed trousers you think only work poolside.

• The dress you only wear on holiday but always feel incredible in.

Let that piece act as a gentle rebellion against playing small with your style.

A daily reminder that clothes are for you — not just for occasion, location, or approval.

So, tell me …

Do you notice a shift in your style when you’re away on holiday?

Do you feel more adventurous, more comfortable in your skin, more open to trying things?

If so, why do you think that is?

I would love to know — because when we start noticing these things, we can start reclaiming them. Bringing those pieces of ourselves home and dressing in a way that reflects who we really are — not just where we are.

And if you're not sure where to start? I’m here

Let’s talk about how to translate your “holiday self” into everyday confidence — wardrobe first.