Tranquil Topics

Sustainable Style: Finding Your True Colours with Mithila Ramagavigan

• Stephanie Graham • Season 1 • Episode 23

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"I’m Mithila, a style coach who is passionate about creativity, cultural heritage and sustainability. Personal style can be self-care and getting dressed can be joyful! If you need some support on the journey to finding your authentic style or would like to collaborate then please get in touch."

Ever felt like your wardrobe doesn't truly reflect who you are? Sustainable Style Coach Mithila Ramagavigan transforms this common frustration into an opportunity for self-discovery and joyful expression.

Clothing isn't just what covers our bodies - it's how we communicate with the world. Mithila's approach blends colour psychology, sustainability, and personal identity to help people rediscover their authentic style. Through her business Life in Colour, she guides clients to wardrobes that feel genuinely aligned with who they are and how they want to show up in the world.

The magic of colour analysis opens doors to shades many have previously dismissed. This process frequently leads to surprising discoveries and colours once avoided become new favorites.

Mithila also addresses the environmental impact of our clothing choices. "The easiest way to have a sustainable wardrobe is to wear what you already have," she emphasises. In a world of micro-trends that cycle through in mere weeks, finding lasting joy in what we already own becomes a revolutionary act.

For those feeling stuck in a style rut, Mithila offers a playful solution that worked for her: "I just came up with random characters and became that character for a day." This approach helped her incorporate more of her South Asian heritage into her daily style, starting with bold jewellery and gradually building confidence with full outfits. Her three personal style words - playful, vibrant, and desi - guide every outfit choice.

Ready to reconnect with your authentic style? Start by identifying what truly makes you feel confident and joyful, not what others expect you to wear. As Mithila beautifully articulates, "Put other people's ideas and expectations of who you should be to one side. Think about how you want to take up space in the world, and dress for yourself - because you're worth it."

To connect with Mithila, please use the links below:

Website: https://www.itsacolourfullife.co.uk/

Instagram: @lifeincolouruk

LinkTree: lifeincolouruk

Links to resources mentioned in this episode are below:

Shakaila Forbes-

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Steph:

Hello, welcome back to Tranquil Topics. I'm your host, Steph, and today's guest is somebody who brings vibrancy, purpose and empowerment to the way we dress. Mithila Ramagavigan is a Sustainable Style Coach and the founder of Life in Colour, a business dedicated to helping people reconnect with their identity and confidence through the power of colour and conscious fashion. Through her work, Mithila blends colour, psychology, dopamine dressing and sustainability to guide her clients towards wardrobes that not only reflect who they are, but also support their wellbeing and values. Whether it's breaking free from the pressure to fit in, healing from negative associations with certain colours or simply learning how to dress like your best self, Mithila is here to help people feel seen, joyful and empowered in what they wear. Welcome to the podcast.

Mithila:

Oh, thank you so much. That was a lovely intro, thank you.

Steph:

Thank you for being here. I'm interested with this conversation because I haven't had it before and I've never come across anybody like yourself, um. So for everybody listening, can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?

Mithila:

Yeah, absolutely. Um, so I am very interested in people telling their own stories through clothing and finding joy in expression and making that as sustainable as possible. So, trying to work with what people already have in their wardrobes or being able to make a few tweaks so they feel like they're putting their best foot forward and are able to, yeah, express themselves through their clothing, but not necessarily by going out and buying a whole new wardrobe. Um, I also am really passionate about colour as well. I love working with clients and doing colour analysis.

Mithila:

So finding a palette of colours that that works for you, um, I often find it can lead to people exploring colours that they'd previously written off, or just finding different, different shades that they might not have tried. And it can be so easy to default to kind of like the neutrals and black that we see all the time, but actually are those colours that are making you feel joyful and you're excited to wear. If you're really excited to wear those colours, then that's absolutely fine and if that works for you. But often it can be a default and through not knowing what else to do. So I love helping people explore how they express themselves through clothes.

Steph:

And what inspired you to start Life in Colour? How did sustainability become a core part of your mission?

Mithila:

Yeah, I think I've shopped secondhand, and now more glamorously called pre-loved, for a really long time. I think for me when I started, it was more about saving money and like being able to buy things. Second hand was was more like cost effective. But actually I found that I wasn't as drawn to things that were just on the high street, because it I didn't necessarily want to look like everyone else and wear the same things, and I found myself in a little bit of a style rut yeah, I would call it a bit of a rut and was wearing things that were comfortable but not necessarily expressing who I was. So I'd find myself in I love Lucy and Yak, but I'd wear a lot of Lucy and Yak dungarees and stripy t-shirts and it was a bit of a mum uniform for me, of like. It can get a bit messy and it wasn't anything that really excited me. Um, but one year, I can't, probably about three or four years ago, I did an Instagram challenge. Um, I don't know why, I don't know why, I don't know what possessed me, of like, why I thought it would be fun to do. Um, but it was weekly challenges, so you'd have like a week of dressing in particular colours, um, a week of wearing stripes. Um, my favourite was a week of like fruit inspired

Steph:

Oh, cool

Mithila:

Fruit inspired um outfits. I just really enjoyed it and, as well as finding things that I did I really liked, it also showed me what I really didn't like and I found that, although I had loads of stripy tops, I I didn't like wearing them. I was like, oh no, I just it didn't feel, I didn't feel connected to those clothes. I was like, oh, it's a bit boring, isn't it, f or a whole week. And, um, because you were sharing the pictures on Instagram, you could see the tag that people were using.

Mithila:

Probably it came to fruit week, I went full out and was like I wanted to look like a watermelon for a day, so I was wearing that. I think I had like like green trousers and a pink blazer and things like that, whereas other people were doing in a lot more like, a lot more subtle way of kind of like maybe some earrings here and there, or like an orange on a top. I was like, no, I want to be the orange and I just found so much fun in that creativity, in that play. And then I was like, oh, this sounds like something that I could explore more. So it was really through my own personal exploration of my style that I was like, oh, I think this is actually something I want to do more of and help other people explore, and I worked for a really long time in museums so the idea of storytelling through objects was kind of, I've only just recently put that together, actually that that the running theme is that storytelling. So, yeah, left that job last year and have focused on on styling.

Steph:

It's interesting to hear you say that you yourself got stuck in a style rut because, looking at your instagram now, it gives hope for people like me, because you know the fact that, like, if you go out in a pink blazer and green trousers, I would look at somebody wearing that and think, wow, that's bold, like they look really cool, but I would never think that I would be the person making them bold style statements. You know, um, and especially, like you said, with the dungarees and being comfortable. Yes, during covid I definitely went down the comfort road and just wearing the same, the same sort of baggy comfy. You know joggers, baggy t-shirt.

Mithila:

It's really easy to do.

Steph:

Yeah, it is easy to do, but then it's harder to get, I think it's harder to get out of for me because I'm still very much comfort mode activated, you know. So what can someone expect when they book in with you for the first time? Because I know you mentioned a colour analysis, but can you give us like a an idea of when a client first comes to you?

Mithila:

Yeah, so usually I have a chat beforehand so we work out a time and a place to meet. People often ask if you have to wear something in particular if you're doing a colour analysis session but you don't. It does help if you're makeup free so you can see how the colours work with your, with your undertones in your natural colouring. And I start with a series of of creams and whites, of greens and reds, because basically I'm working with four different palettes that are looking at your undertones, whether you're cool or warm and whether your features are high or low contrast, and they work with the season. So if you're an autumn or a spring, you've got warm undertones, and if you're a winter or a summer, you're cool. And then high contrast palettes are winter and spring, so they have much more like bright, punchy colors, and summer and autumn are a little bit more muted. But the basic idea is that there is a palette that suits everyone and all of those palettes have variations of of the basic colors. So all of them have reds and greens and blues and yellows even, but just slightly different shades. That kind of complement your skin tone and I definitely find, when I'm wearing the colours that suit me, that I wear less makeup. So I don't really wear foundation anymore. I probably wore it a little bit more previously, but when I'm wearing a palette that I feel more confident in, I just feel a little bit more radiant, and that's the idea. It's kind of a styling tool that can be used as a confidence boost and also introduce you to colours that you might have you mentioned ruled out like previously through bad experience. Yeah, all that you thought might have not worked for you but actually, on reflection, looks really good. So it's interesting to be able to, I often start with which seems a bit cruel the palette that I think is furthest away from the one that suits you.

Steph:

Okay.

Mithila:

So if you're warm and high contrast or if you're a spring, I'm more likely to start with a summer palette. That's that's cool and muted, because you can see those colours that might not work for you.

Mithila:

Then we work, work towards a palette that does work, and then you so you might find the odd colour in in different palettes that work, so we can pull those in as well. And then, when you get to the palette that is best for you, we can pull in those other colours as well, and it's often a chance to see black is okay, but actually there's lots of other variations of colours that could work much better or could be worth trying. I do think it's, um, a really fun styling tool, but I don't really like to work in in styling rules. I think if there's something you really love, like hot pink doesn't suit me, but I just it's really fun color, so I just um I wear it, but I tend to wear it further away from my face. Or I've got some hot pink trousers that I wear and then I'll wear something that I know suits me on top.

Steph:

So when you first discovered the colour palette, did you find that you were wearing colours that didn't I don't know, bring out your eye colour or, you know, didn't.

Mithila:

Yeah, didn't quite suit me.

Steph:

Yeah. Did you find that you were doing that and then it changed it for you?

Mithila:

Yeah, you know what, when I found colour analysis, I found, um, black kind of washed me out because it was a little bit too harsh for me and the thing I'm most conscious about with my face probably my under eyes being a little bit dark, and I found that, as that was sort of highlighted by wearing lots of black, and I've actually, partly through colour analysis but partly, yeah, wanting to change my wardrobe a little bit, sort of phased that black out and don't really tend to buy much black anymore um, I'm trying to think of the last time I bought anything black and I can't, I can't think, um, because I know it's just a little bit too harsh for me. Yeah, so, yeah, it has changed my approach to colour and there's, there's still colours that I know like, like the pink and also neon yellow. For some reason, that colour, just it, makes me really happy, so I just wear it anyway, but just team it with colours that I know do work.

Steph:

So do you, as well as the colour analysis, do you help advise your clients on items that they could wear that would flatter their shape? Because, for example, I like wearing dresses, but I don't wear them often and there's all sorts of different styles of dresses you can get?

Mithila:

Yeah, absolutely, um, I can definitely advise. Flattering is such an interesting word, isn't it? Because I guess it's what you want to highlight about your body, because to me, um, flattering has connotations of wanting to look smaller and thinner.

Steph:

Okay.

Mithila:

Whereas I don't necessarily think that I always want to do that. Sometimes I actually want to take up more space. Um, I want to be more visible. I think there's something. Yeah, I've got, I think maybe it's how I feel about the word flattering and wanting to be to, to minimize, whereas I'm like I just want you to feel your best, um, and if working to, to, to highlight a particular body shape is how you would feel best, then absolutely I can. I can help you with that, but sometimes let's just take up a bit more space as well.

Steph:

Do you know that's so interesting? Because when I think of the word flattering, it's what it brings out in me, so like because I feel I've got quite wide hips and I think sometimes I can wear things that doesn't show that, and it's like, why wouldn't I, you know? I mean, obviously people take words for different meanings, but it's very interesting, especially when it comes to style as well. So do you find that people can have misconceptions about hearing the word sustainable style? Have you come across that?

Mithila:

Yeah, I think there's there is a sort of there's a potential to think. To have a sustainable wardrobe, you need to have sourced everything in the most, um, ethical way. But really the easiest way to have a sustainable wardrobe is to wear what you already have, um, and to make best use of what you already own, um, and that's not going to make me loads of money being like you just need to wear what you have but, um, but it's enjoying it as well.

Mithila:

I think, for me, styling is more about the creativity and the play and building time into the experimentation. I think that is a really powerful way that you can be more sustainable with your style without spending any money. And when you're looking for new things, and if you can't find things like that are pre-loved, then then I think it's great when you look at more sustainable brands that are working ethically, um, that are paying garment workers like, and have greater transparency. So if you can't find clear policies about how how people are being paid or like what materials they're using, then that's like red flags for me about like, yeah, there's a lot of greenwashing, especially with with fast fashion, of kind of claims that they're like trying to do more, but actually there's there's a real lack of accountability within the fashion industry and I really think that there should be more accountability, more responsibility placed on them, because they the amount of um, like waste produced from the fashion industry is is really high, and also all those clothes that we we might like think that we're donating to charity shops that might end up in landfill or move to the global south um and they're impacting other people, but because they're out of sight, out of mind.

Mithila:

here's think it's yeah, that is something I'm I'm really passionate about. I don't want to get too much on my soapbox because I think there are, i t doesn't need to be. I think it can be really joyful, sustainable style can be really joyful, but I think it is useful to know the the kind of ramifications of ultra fast fashion, yeah, and the impact it has on, like, the environment, on people that are making those clothes and the conditions that they're they're forced to work in as well, and, being someone from the global majority, I'm very conscious of like, oh, I don't want to just um, yeah, not be aware of those things that are impacting people in parts of the world that I'm from.

Steph:

Yeah, no, absolutely. It's important to highlight. Thank you for for speaking about that, because I think sometimes, when it might not be something that's at the forefront of somebody's mind, when they do go shopping um, yeah and yeah, I've seen it on the news and landfill and everything like where it's shipped off to different countries and you know, if you can make your way of living less impactful in terms of, you know, looking after the planet and looking after other people whilst you're doing it, why wouldn't you? You know.

Mithila:

Yeah absolutely.

Mithila:

Um and I hope that wasn't too too long a rant but I also find a lot of joy as well in that that creative process and that play with clothing.

Mithila:

So as well as it being better for the environment, it's also just a more fun. Um yeah, trends are really interesting because it can highlight things that you find interesting, that you might have not have explored before. But when trends move so quickly, I think if you, if you wanted to get on board with, like a trend, it's really useful to think, oh, is it something that I would wear past this season, or is it something that I would wear next year and the next year and you can see yourself wearing it more long-term. Then I think that's actually a really good investment for you.

Mithila:

Something that I bought more recently that I thought was a trend item was metallic trousers, and I was like, oh, I put off buying them for actually a couple of years because I was like, well, it seems like a trend and I was like, oh no, but I actually really enjoy them. So I um, so I did find some second hand, and that's another way that you can be more sustainable as well, because fashion can be really cyclical um, you can find so much like second hand, um, on Vinted and eBay and other like other sites as well, um, that you don't necessarily need to to be buying something brand new.

Steph:

When you say about and trends being cyclical, and I've heard people sometimes have summer and winter wardrobes, so they will literally, when it's going into autumn, winter, they'll take the summer wardrobe and they put it in storage and then bring the winter one out. What's your view on that?

Mithila:

Oh, I think it's, um, if you have the space for it, it can be useful, because then you're, I think it's useful to have things in your wardrobe that you, that fit you and that you're gonna wear at that time. But actually my wardrobe I try and use it all year round. So summer dresses get layered with like knitwear and boots and maybe those heavier jumpers I tuck away. But, um, I mean, in England it can be a day in, it can be all four seasons in a day, um, so it's it's less clear on those seasonal differences, um, but I try and get a little bit more wear out of of things than, yeah, having a clear, but if it works for you and if it makes you use your, your clothes more, then then great, but I I would recommend taking things out that are that need mending and having like a clear pile of like oh, that's actually stuff that I could take to the tailors and get that fixed. Actually, the skirt I'm wearing today, I recently got the zip went and I wish it, I wish a zip was something I could fix myself, but I um, I did take it to a seamstress and she fixed it for me. And also stuff that doesn't fit any like anymore, even if you want to keep it because you might change sizes, not having it in a wardrobe that you use every day. If you've got somewhere else, you can stash it, because I think that can be can be a little bit overwhelming when you've got so much in your wardrobe that you can't see what you can wear.

Steph:

Yeah, that makes sense.

Steph:

If I change the conversation around now towards dopamine dressing, because when I heard this I was like like oh OK, what is it? So can you explain what is dopamine dressing?

Mithila:

Yeah, it's basically the idea of dressing for empowerment and to feel more confident, and it's often associated with wearing like bright and vibrant colours.

Mithila:

It doesn't necessarily mean that you have to, but, yeah, dopamine dressing for me is a real mood boost and I find it can lift my mood by wearing like brighter colours. Um, and there is a psychology behind it of like the different colours that you can wear can have a different impact on on on your mood and how you're perceived by people. So a colour that I love and wear often is orange, and the psychology behind wearing orange is you often appear warm and friendly and I was like, oh, I was wearing it. And then I read the colour psychology behind it and I was like, oh, no, that does make sense for me because that is how I want to appear. Oh, um, but I and in the book that I was reading they were like, oh, don't, maybe don't wear it for a job interview because it might make you seem like too informal. And I was like, well, that orange suit that I bought might have not been the the right call, but I love it anyway.

Steph:

So so are there specific colors that you would recommend for boosting certain emotions, like being calm or motivated, or happy?

Mithila:

Oh, I think it is very personal. I think there you can look up the guides of kind of how you can be perceived in different colors, but I think it's really how you feel and the colours that really resonate with you. Yeah, I would go for that. So what colour would you say, Steph, that you would wear if you wanted to lift your mood? Oh, sorry, I've put you on the spot.

Steph:

You have a little bit. To lift my mood, so I love blue. But to actually lift my mood and make me do something, I'd probably go for a red.

Mithila:

Oh, would you?

Steph:

Yeah, I think so.

Mithila:

There's an energy behind a red, isn't there?

Steph:

Yeah, like, if I need an oomph, I do like a green as well.

Mithila:

What shade of green?

Steph:

Well, that's the thing thing. Who knows, I'll take any green, um, but it's sort of. What do I put with green?

Mithila:

Oh okay it's the color combination?

Steph:

Yes, yeah, because I think, like you sound very confident in experimenting with colours and I've not like I've not had a history in my life of doing that. So if I put like two bolds together, I probably wouldn't go out and wear them because I wouldn't know like, is it too much for me? You know? And like you say, with the colour analysis, I'd be really interested to have that done actually, because when you talk about wearing no makeup and seeing like your natural complexion against these colours because I bet the colours I sway towards there'll be others that I haven't even thought of wearing that would, I don't know, bring out my eyes like I've got blue eyes.

Mithila:

So another thing about the palettes is that all of those colours do work together, so it is a really it does make it a more kind of time efficient way to put together a wardrobe. So my palette is autumn, so I um, predominantly in my wardrobe I wear a lot of those kind of rich autumn colours like oranges and browns and like deeper reds, but all of those colours kind of work together and peach as well, and we're in peach today. All of those colours work together and with winter the colours are like more poppy and you've got and also winter is the palette that can wear, like the, the true black and the true red, and like the, the bright blues and things like that. They're quite strong colours.

Mithila:

Um, spring also is strong, but with a warmer tinge. They can tend to be like bright blues and bright greens. Um, and summer's all the lovely, like more muted, kind of like sea blues, and there's some lovely pinks in there as well, but a little bit more pastel in tone. So if you're intimidated by by colour, then you've got like a palette that you know kind of works and is quite harmonious together.

Steph:

Yeah, so, yeah, another benefit of colour analysis can you incorporate somebody's like favorite colour into a session with you?

Mithila:

Yeah, absolutely you know, what I I think it's best not to rule out. If you really love it, then yeah, wear it. Just don't don't rule anything out. I think is is my advice. I think it's a useful tool, but it's not something that you should use to restrict you. If you find it helpful and find it fun, then it's useful.

Mithila:

I've once had a client that had her confidence was so low. She was like absolutely stunning and and from the outside, you she just had a figure that I would um pay money for um. But her confidence with colour and the kind of things that she'd she sort of picked up from other people, or other people had told her about what you should wear and what you shouldn't wear. She had so many kind of strict rules of like, oh, no, black and brown, oh, someone told me that green just doesn't suit me. I'm like there's there's so many different types of green, though, and it really impacted her confidence to try different colours, but actually there was lots in her wardrobe that work for her and there were some pieces that she bought in the kind of like, oh, I'd really like to wear this um, but then just couldn't work out how to to make it fit for her lifestyle.

Mithila:

She's very active, always on her bike, but is there a way that she could kind of maybe, maybe even dressing down some stuff so it felt a little bit less less dressed up, so kind of like a fancier skirt but with a knitted jumper so it doesn't feel so like overdressed, or with some like fun trainers, so making it a little bit more casual? I love that kind of mix of style as well. Yeah, just being a little bit more unpredictable, there's a theory called I think it's called The Wrong- Shoe Theory of like it's making an outfit more interesting by just wearing unexpected shoes which I think is really fun.

Mithila:

So, if you're wearing like a really fancy dress, why not wear it with trainers? Because then, um, I was, and also it works for me, because I just like comfortable shoes. I don't wear heels because I don't enjoy them, so I always opt for something a bit more, a bit more comfortable and practical, um, particularly with footwear. Um, and today I'm wearing, like, um, a peach like embellished maxi skirt. That's very kind of, yeah, south Asian inspired, but that's because I, I love it, but it's just just a random day of the week and I'm working from home and then picking up the kids. I'm not going anywhere in particular. So, yeah, I think I would also advise people not to save things for best. I think it's great to just if you can push a little bit outside of of your comfort zone and you are the occasion I think I've I think I've written a blog post about it of like, yeah, you, you are exciting enough to kind of wear that nice outfit on a random day if it makes you feel good. And another thing I did when I was first like playing with my style and I wasn't feeling as confident as I am with the experimentation now is I just come up with random characters and be that character for a day. I know that sounds mad, doesn't it.

Steph:

Really? No way!

Mithila:

Yeah, oh, I'm trying to think of one. Oh.

Mithila:

So I really wanted to incorporate more of my cultural heritage into how I dress. But that was a real challenge for me to start with. So I started. But I started with jewellery, so I wear like quite flamboyant costume jewellery. Lots of it didn't really stand the test of time. I did buy it second hand and I've now added it to a jacket. So I'm reusing it again in a different, a different way.

Mithila:

But, um, so experimenting with accessories was a way to dip my toe in, um. But then when I wanted to get a bit more, a bit more out there with my outfits, um, and push a bit further, I'd just come up with a character. So one was like a Bollywood understudy who really wanted to be the leading lady and was willing to like, kill the leading lady with a kitten heel. I don't know, it sounds like absolute madness, but it just um, it just added a spring to my step and I was like I kind of felt a bit bolder just by just through doing that and just that playfulness, and that's the kind of energy that I bring to to styling and I don't know it just makes the day-to-day more fun.

Steph:

I absolutely love how you've thought of that. I absolutely love it. And you know, when you said about staying within your comfort zone, if you push that bit further out, you you will feel more confident, won't you like? Even if it's, even if you do start with accessories, you'll slowly build that confidence. And when you're talking about your client, that really lacked in self-confidence. One thing stood out to me when you said that she took on somebody else's opinion about what suited her, and that made me feel really sad, because it's so easy to do that and to internalise other people's thoughts and opinions but at the end of the day, you don't know if they're just having a bad day and you're, you're collateral, you know they're just taking it out on you and it's really like if anyone's listening and has experienced that. I just hope that this is a reminder that it's it's an opinion, it's not the truth and, like you, can wear what you want and be proud of it and feel confident.

Mithila:

I think it's so important, isn't it? But personal style is, is your style, it's what makes you feel good, so it really doesn't need to make sense to anyone. But you like, no one really needed to know the backstory of me wanting to dress in a particular way, but actually on that occasion it made me feel more confident, um, and helped me pull off an outfit I might not otherwise have thought I could. So, yeah, I think it is. It is really important and and really like capitalism, like benefits from us undervaluing ourselves and being underconfident, um, and in a society that like, yeah, gains from us wanting to like, buy more things because we think that that will make us feel better. Actually, to like yourself and to have the confidence in your own style is really powerful and really empowering yeah, I mentioned earlier about colours that you have maybe fallen out with in the past for whatever reason.

Steph:

So for colours that carry emotional baggage. For example, my school uniform was maroon and every time I see maroon I'm like, oh, not for me, no thanks. So how do you help clients navigate those associations?

Mithila:

So when we're doing swatches, if there's a colour that I think really suits someone, but they, they just have a really instant kind of gut reaction that, oh god, this this colour reminds me of that. I often go back to it of like, let's put this colour aside, let's, um, look at some other colours, but then bring it back round and when we're looking at the full palette, I'm like, can you see how this this colour might work with other colours in your palette? Or compare it to, if it's something like a maroon, to the other other reds that might not suit them as well? If it's a colour, I think, oh, you're missing a trick here, um, by ruling this out completely.

Mithila:

There was a yeah, the last colour analysis session I did, someone had mentioned, as we were going through the palettes, oh, brown. I tried on a dress in like a chocolate brown and it just looked absolutely awful and I was like, oh, that's interesting because I could see from her . and And as we were getting closer, I was like, I think, I think it could be a colour that really suits you. Um, and when we got to it, she was like, oh, this is not what I was expecting, so it might have been the lighting in the changing rooms. It might have been the shape of the dress that she was trying on, but I don't think it was that actual shade of colour, because, um, because it did look really nice, it really suited her. So by going back and then seeing it, um, and seeing it with other colours that it worked with as well, I think that was a useful reflection. But then also, if you really hate it and you just don't want to go near it, there's so many other colours. So yeah, if it's, don't, don't worry too much if there's one colour that you just it just doesn't work for you.

Steph:

Okay, and what would you say to somebody who wants to reconnect with their authentic style, but they may have lost touch with it?

Mithila:

Um, you can always get in touch with me and I can help you along the journey and maybe think about your, like someone that you whose style you aspire to. Pinterest can be an interesting place to like, explore different, different styles or put together a few images that you find inspirational and really pick them apart. So what is it about that outfit that you particularly like? Is it the colours? Is it the shapes? Is it the appearance of confidence? Is it the appearance of like wealth or luxury? Is it the fabrics?

Mithila:

Um, it can be all sorts of things, but try and pull out what it is that you really love, and I often use um style words as well, so I have three words that I use to describe my style and I bring in, I try to bring into every outfit that I wear. So that is, um, my outfits are playful, um, vibrant and desi. So trying to incorporate that south asian culture into my like everyday style, and I find that when I an outfit feels off, it's often because I'm missing one of those elements, and it might be a case of like throwing on some earrings or adding a different color to add that vibrancy and play, and sometimes footwear can can be like The Wrong-S hoe Theory. It can add that element of playfulness as well. Um, so those can be, that can be tips to kind of get you out of a little bit of a style rut, or try a style challenge, because that helped me as well. And colour analysis can be a way of broadening ideas around colour and what, what suits you and what doesn't. So yeah, there's a few different options.

Mithila:

I hope that's helpful.

Steph:

Yeah, it is.

Steph:

And when you said that you came up with those three words yourself, I suppose you can pick, like how you want to feel and what you want to project the world three words that you know absolutely link with with you, can't you? That's interesting. I wouldn't have thought of doing that at all. So for those that lacking confidence in their the choices like I do., I don't, actually, I stopped enjoying shopping for clothes in person a long time ago, like I would go to the internet like one, it's quicker. Yes, I end up sending a lot back, but I just found it so enjoy, unenjoyable. And the fact that you do see trends come in and come out, and I've never been one for trends because I always thought, well, they just won't suit me and oh, it's weird, isn't it? It's so strange. So can I ask you, are there any current fashion or colour trends that you're excited about, or ones even, alternatively, ones that you think we should be cautious of?

Mithila:

Oh that is really interesting. I was um recently reflecting that I've lost touch of trends. I don't actually. I'm so. This sounds really self-involved. I'm so enjoying playing with the clothes I have um that I've lost sight of what other people are doing um and what trends are fashionable. I think if you really like buying what works for you, you tend to be less less bothered by or less invested in in trends as trends um. Yeah, I couldn't couldn't, I couldn't even tell you what the what the summer trends are this year do you know?.

Steph:

That's so interesting because, as many of the listeners know, like I've come to the end of my university journey now and over the three years I kind of was able to tell what was coming in as a trend by what the majority of people were wearing. Yeah, but then it like one thing that put me off is it's an investment, isn't it, clothing um yeah, and if you're going to buy stuff to stay on trend, but the trends are constantly moving then, it kind of becomes well, am I using my money to the best of you, know what it could be used for and what it's serving like, like you mentioned earlier in the podcast, are you going to wear this again in a year's time, in two years time?

Mithila:

Yeah, absolutely yeah.

Steph:

So it is interesting, uh. But I'm kind of with you on trends, because sometimes I don't know, sometimes I'm like, oh, was that a trend and it's been and gone and I didn't even know.

Mithila:

Well the phrase micro trend just makes me really sad that you might have a trend that is is a trend for like a few weeks or a month. It's like that is so short term and if you're buying something just to wear for like a couple of weeks, I just think, oh god, like, maybe just enjoy what you have already. Or, um, just spend a little bit longer thinking about what you actually like and what is the point, like yeah, that feels a little bit too quick, um, but if something really resonates with you, if you see like, like a colour or a style and you think I could wear that again and again and again I'm very much an outfit repeater. I think it's so important that you have clothes and outfits that you're like I could wear this a hundred times and I won't get bored of it. Or if it's a trend and you're like, oh, should I get it? If it works with existing pieces in your wardrobe and you can see it in like 10 different ways, that you can wear it with different outfits maybe 10.

Mithila:

So, yeah, it's a high target, but at least five you should be able to to figure out five different ways or or outfit combinations. You could try with it. I think then, maybe and I like um, a fashion psychologist who I um follow his name has gone clean out of my head, um, but Instagram account is, yeah, fashion is psychology she talks about pausing as well between buying. So even if you like something and you really want to buy it, just sleep on it. If you still like it, like the next day or the next week, then maybe, maybe, it's, it's worth that, that investment. I slept on those metallic trousers for for two years and then I was like, yeah, this is one for me. And then they were like so many pairs on Vinted to choose from.

Steph:

Yeah, and I suppose if you add it to basket, so I've had this before, not just with clothes but with other items. So if you think like, oh, I kind of like that and you do want to leave it a while, you can add to the basket and more often than not you'll get a reminder email saying oh, do you want to buy this? Here's an extra five, ten percent discount because they want you to buy it don't they but if you like, yeah, there you go, top tip.

Mithila:

Yeah that is a great tip. Um, it's so rare that I buy things, especially clothes like that, uh, that are not secondhand, but yeah, who doesn't love a cheeky discount?

Steph:

Exactly, exactly. So can I ask what's one colour that you'd say represents you right now, and why?

Mithila:

Oh, um. I'm in a full peach outfit today and I'm feeling pretty peachy. I think it's um, it's that summertime. It still fits with the autumn palette, but it's a little bit on the kind of just feels dreamy. To me it feels a little bit like summertime vibes and and yeah, and it has that warmth of orange and the friendliness. So I go orange and peach is what I'm I'm really feeling at the minute.

Steph:

And if you could give one piece of advice to somebody listening who would like to dress more intentionally, what would you say to them?

Mithila:

Oh, that is a great question. I would say have fun playing. I really think playing with your clothes is really underutilized and it's a great way. Um, it's all. I found it a great way to get to know myself a bit better.

Mithila:

The choices that I was making of the clothing I was picking every day, why I was drawn to certain things and certain colours, and also what I was shying away from wanting to incorporate more of my cultural heritage, was really about what I had been denied for a really long time and that kind of, I think a lot of second generation people feel of just not fitting in. Not fitting in and not feeling enough of one thing not feeling I didn't feel Asian enough, but I also didn't feel like British enough either. But finding that balance and being able to incorporate um more South Asian, like clothing and styling, into my every day, um has really boosted my confidence in how I think about myself and how I feel more grounded. But I also feel more empowered to just be myself and essentially that's God. That sounds really mad, but that's who I'm striving to be like, just the most like joyful version of myself, and I found that through clothing. Did I even answer the question there?

Steph:

You did you did, and overall so not just talking to somebody who's thinking they want to dress more intentionally, but overall from the whole conversation that we've had today, what's one piece of advice you hope that the listeners take away?

Mithila:

To dress for yourself. o. Put other people's ideas and expectations of who you should be and how you should dress to one side. Um, and think about how, how you want to live in the world, how you want to take up space, and dress for yourself, because that is you're worth it. You're worth that.

Steph:

I love it. Thank you so, so much. It's been honestly, it's been so fascinating speaking to you.

Mithila:

Oh, thank you.

Steph:

How can people find you? How can people work with you?

Mithila:

Oh, so you can find me on Instagram. I hang out there probably more than I should. So that's Life in Colour UK, um, and you can also get in touch through my website as well. I think you're going to link in the show notes, aren't you? To the website, and you can book a free, brief chat with me as well, if you've got like, if you want to understand more about colour analysis or what a wardrobe edit would look like. Um, there's more details on the website, but I was so nervous about recording this podcast, but I actually really do enjoy just chatting to people, so so, yeah, you can call me for a chat

Steph:

Oh lovely.

Steph:

Thank you so so much. Honestly, you've been an absolute joy. I really hope, I really hope people find you and that you just

Mithila:

Me too

Steph:

Have a domino effect and help everybody. It's a fascinating subject and one that I had no experience of, so thank you so much for sharing everything with us today.

Mithila:

Oh, thank you so much for having me.

Steph:

You're so welcome.

Steph:

Thank you so much for listening. You can follow me me on Instagram at Tranquil Topics and if you have enjoyed this episode, please do leave a rating or review, as it will help me to reach more people and I'll be back in two weeks time with another episode. Bye.