If you’d asked me 12 years ago if I thought I’d be still writing Inside Out Style and that it would have turned into the encyclopaedia of colour and style, I’d have probably thought you were crazy. Yet here we are 12 years later and I’m still creating new content (and I thought I’d be running out of ideas a long time ago).
To celebrate my 12th Blogiversary, I decided it was time for a makeover as it’s always good to refresh your look every few years. So I commissioned a new illustration that includes my now almost 18 month old whippets Bo and Arrow (who inspired this blog post about finding your style recipe) and keep me laughing with their antics every day.
And used a photo of me from earlier this year in a unique piece designed by the brilliant Alfia Galimova who creates incredibly wearable and fabulous pieces.
And then my brilliant tech assistant Kate and I updated the whole look to complete this transformation and hopefully make it easier to navigate and modernise it for 2020s (well at least the first few of them).
I’ve also added in an additional free download that encapsulates my 6 Brilliant Strategies for Creating the Perfect For You Wardrobe – which you can download here.
In the past 12 years I’ve written over 2400 posts! And uploaded over 10 000 photos and images to illustrate each of these posts.
I remember when I started that I thought to myself … well if nobody ever reads it, at least I’ll be creating content that I could one day turn to a book. I’m pretty sure I could now fill multiple books with how much content is here!
I want to take this opportunity to say thank you for coming here and reading my work. It’s a passion project in many ways (it seriously costs me a fortune to keep this “free” website running) which is why I so value my readers who decide to invest in their own style and take my online style programs as without them I wouldn’t still be able to afford to keep it running. That you see the value in how defining and refining your own style will not only give you more confidence but also help you create a cohesive wardrobe that’s full of clothes and outfits you love to wear makes me truly happy.
That my passion to empower women to educate themselves about style and colour and then apply this knowledge so that they are not at the mercy of fashion trends, fashion influencers or salespeople, and instead has them in their own style driver’s seat is what gets me up and back here day after day for the past dozen years.
There is so much research that says what you wear can change your life in so many ways, starting by helping you feel more confident, which then ripples out to your whole life, your work, your relationships and how others see you. Your image can open doors or have them slam in your face. So as much as some devalue style as shallow or unimportant, I know, that you know its impact really runs deep. This is why so often people will reveal to me that they refuse invitations for lack of the “right” clothes. That they feel bad or inauthentic in their clothes and they don’t want to be seen in them, but are equating style and image to “fashion” rather than understanding the full impact of how the clothes on your back impact your mood, your sense of self, and of course your day.
This is why actors wear costumes, as they communicate volumes about personality, place, time, politics, religion, rank, gender, attitudes, values and beliefs … to name a few things. And just as those characters are communicating this all non-verbally with you as you watch them. Your clothing, grooming and accessory choices are communicating with everyone who comes into contact with you.
Did you know that there is even research on how you judge someone’s character based solely on their shoes!
So make sure you put your best foot forward (as they say) and keep on upgrading your style!
Remember, style is a journey, not a destination.
Keep Refining and Defining Your Style with a Comprehensive and Intelligent Style Program
Evolve Your Style – a fun 31 day style challenge to get you out of your style rut
7 Steps to Style – get your style and colour fundamentals sorted out so you stop wasting money on all the wrong clothes
Ignite Your Style Genius – the advanced course full of fun style activities to keep you learning and growing your style knowledge and take it to the next level.
Imogen, I can’t adequately thank you for this extraordinary resource you’ve created. There are lots of concepts about color, value, pattern, figure type, etc., that I never fully grasped or could implement until I discovered your blog five years ago. Maybe only fellow bloggers can fully appreciate what a stunning achievement 2400 posts is. I’ve written 200+ posts, so I have quite a way to go to catch up! Twelve years is also a long time to keep a blog running; mine is 7 1/2 years old but I’ve taken some “sabbaticals” from it. Your stamina and lifelong learning attitude are a continual inspiration to me. Thank you.
Thanks Paula! I really appreciate your kind words. I completely get why you’d want to take sabbaticals from your blog!
Congratulations on 12 years of wonder style and colour information. I mightn’t comment much do read all of what you produce. Thank you very much.
Thanks Sharon! I appreciate you coming by
Congratulations Imogen! Love the illustration and adorable whippets!
Dear Imogen,
You are amazing! Thank you for so many great blogposts. You help women accept ourselves and go through life’s transitions in style. To 12 more years, and 12 and 12 😉
Urska
Congratulations Imogen. Love your blog, and your dogs are so cute!
They are – and thanks!
What a fabulous way to celebrate 12 years of blogging! Congratulations. I am right there with you in the desire to help other women feel great in what they are wearing and to simply live their best lives. I am finally accepting, at the age of 46, that it is perfectly okay for a middle aged woman to play dress up every single day. It’s fun. It’s creative. It gives me something to do. And it makes me feel great. All the important things in life. Happy Blogiversary! Thanks for joining my link party.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Congratulations, Imogen! It’s an impressive accomplishment. The new masthead artwork is great.
Your blog has been a huge education for me. I recommend it all the time. I found it back in 2015 when I started a new job that had a “dress code”. What was I going to do!?! After years of working in a super casual region where cutoff shorts and flip flops can be considered appropriate for work (I’ve seen it) I had nothing “business like” to wear that fit or was remotely “in-date”. Searching for advice led me to your blog.
Your blog explained why some of my preferences were actually intuitively correct even though I didn’t know why and flagged some big mistakes I had been making. I feel like I understand color so much better. I definitely got good value out of the Evolve your Style and 7 Steps even though I haven’t finished it yet. Over the weekend, I used things I learned on your blog to order new glasses online. I’m a much savvier shopper than before and I don’t loathe shopping for clothes so much. I even actually try to accessorize now. 🙂 Thanks to your blog.
Wishing you continued success 🙂
Congratulations Imogen! The makeover looks great! You’ve created something wonderful and special. I can’t thank you enough-I’ve learned so much-become so intrigued by style.
Congratulations on 12 years. Wishing you many more, blessings to you. So much great advice here.
Congrads Imogen – Thats an amazing achievement.
Congratulations on 12 years!
I just found you and I want to keep reading more and more.
Rosemary
Congrats on your 12 years of blogging! I love your new art work that includes your adorable pups! Thank you for sharing with Creative Compulsions.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Congrats on 12 years! I love the new illustration! Looks like it sums you up well!
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Congratulations on your 12 year anniversary! Your dogs are gorgeous 🙂 Thanks for linking up!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Hi Imogen, this is Ada. I have replied here once or twice before but first of all Huge Congrats on 12 years, wow! I am going into 8 years and I cannot believe it! I love your very elegant style and the way you use color. This dress for example – love!! Your art drawing of this outfit is stunning, too! You and your dogs look fabulous!