EP 9 : How to Build a Trust-First Wardrobe: Personal Styling Myths Busted (with Alena)

In this Beyond the Bio conversation with personal stylist Alena from Le Blanc , we explore how your wardrobe builds trust before you ever say a word.

We bust common personal styling myths and share a practical framework for creating a signature look that works across every context—from client meetings to Instagram posts. Learn how to build a wardrobe system that stays consistent and fresh without constant shopping sprees or style overhauls.

Perfect for founders and professionals who want their personal style to reinforce their brand.

Connect With Alina for your personal styling needs here : https://www.instagram.com/leblanc_label/

Want to be a guest on Think Brand. Talk Brand.? Send Shivani Pandey a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/176592585258842274e1cc1aa

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:00

You're listening to Think Brand, Talk Brand with entrepreneurs, founders, community builders and standout voices to how perceptions becomes connections with the right authors. We skip traps and gimmicks, every episode delivers usability. I'm Chivani, your host for the How Your Move, take one idea, put it to work, and then share it.

SPEAKER_00 0:32

So for me, it's all about shifting your mindset first and getting very intentional with your style and then going through you have first because I don't think you need to constantly be buying new, new, new all the time. It's figuring out what pieces fit your body, feel really good, function with your lifestyle and your goals, and then making sure you have more of that and less of the pieces that don't align with that in your wardrobe.

SPEAKER_02 0:59

I'm in conversation today with Alina LeBlanc, who is a personal stylist and the founder of LeBlanc Labels, where she helps female founders and entrepreneurs express their power and authenticity through style. Known for her intentional approach, she teaches women how to use style as a strategic tool to strengthen their brand and expand their impact.

SPEAKER_00 1:32

And I'm Alina.

SPEAKER_01 1:34

Alright, Alina, what is your bold take on personal styling for founders?

SPEAKER_00 1:40

I would say personal style is personal development and it's for everyone, not just celebrities.

SPEAKER_01 1:47

Ooh, how interesting is that? I think that's lovely because there's so many myths that we need to bust today. And I think I also hold a lot of myths and that's why I'm so glad you're here, so that we can bust some myths together. Um, I really want to know when people say that, you know, styling is not for me, it's vanity, it's expensive, um, it's time consuming. What's your take on that?

SPEAKER_00 2:14

I would say it is for you because regardless, you're being constantly judged on how you look and how you show up. And I know that's unfortunate, but you get to use it in your advantage. And working with the personal stylist saves you so much time and so much energy. And it just creates a more intentional style rather than you wandering around in shops just looking for random pieces or going down a rabbit hole, which is the entire internet, to find pieces that maybe might work for you.

SPEAKER_01 2:45

Ooh, yeah, exactly. And and myth number two, styling is very expensive.

SPEAKER_00 2:51

I think it's more expensive to just keep buying things that you never wear that just sit in your closet. And buying things for one-time use. I see this all the time when I look in clients' closets. They have garments with tags still attached that are just sitting there, or they say, I've worn this for this event and I haven't worn it since. So that ends up being more expensive over time. And also, style is an investment in yourself.

SPEAKER_01 3:17

I think that's the right because you're going to be reaping benefits out of it that you can't even see. And that's why we're calling this building the trust first wardrobe, because trust signals are not just what you are talking or what you're putting out there. Trust signals are very intuitive, they're also felt, right? Like when somebody walks into the room, they haven't even spoken a word, but there's something about them that is making us want to understand their authority and to lean into their authority, right? So it's it's lovely that you say that it's an investment. It's such a good perspective to look at it.

SPEAKER_00 3:52

Yeah, and like you're saying though, about the trust first. When you see somebody and they look put together, you're more likely to trust them than somebody who looks like they just rolled out of bed and they're there in a professional environment. So definitely how you look and present yourself and like what you said, also the presence that you carry and the confidence you have changes when you have a style that is aligned with you.

SPEAKER_01 4:15

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00 4:16

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 4:16

And I also want to bust a myth, which I personally have, and I would love you. I think a lot of women who are my shape and my size have this fear that like styling is for fashionable people, it's for people who already own that body, that like you know, that kind of that they can take, they can pull off things like that. And I for myself too, I try to like dress appropriate, but never fashionable because I just think it's not for me. So do you have something for us?

SPEAKER_00 4:46

Yeah, I would say everybody can be fashionable, fashionable. And I think not just following trends, but leaning into what feels good on you because anybody at any size can have amazing style and look confident. And confident is or confidence is just your trust in your abilities. And when you feel better with your body and actually lean into it and celebrate it rather than saying, like, oh, my midsection is big, I cannot wear this. You're limiting yourself when in reality there's certain things that you can wear that are going to draw attention to parts of yourself that you feel confident in that you like about yourself, and people are going to be drawn to those parts. There's ways to use like optical illusion in your wardrobe to make you feel really confident in your body too. But everybody can have great style. It doesn't matter what size you are. I work with clients who are petite, under which is under five, four. I work with clients who are plus size, like I've seen everything in the range, and I just understand that no matter what size you're at, it reaches a time where you get sick of what you're wearing and not feeling good about yourself and your body. And women carry so much weight around that, that finally when you get to a point where you're like, this is a body that I'm accepting based on perimenopause, menopause, your body's changed. You've had kids, and you know that you are worthy and deserving to feel good at any shape. I think that's when the real transformation starts to begin because 90% of what I do has nothing to do with clothes. It's holding space for people and women especially to feel open to try new things.

SPEAKER_01 6:25

That is that is really actually very humbling because it just makes you feel that you've been uh a little bit too hard on yourself. Otherwise, yeah, women are so hard on this pumping.

SPEAKER_00 6:36

Yes, women are so hard on themselves, and it doesn't help that the media shows you like what perfection looks like, or you see celebrities or influencers looking a certain way, and when you don't see yourself in that person, it can feel really hard and very heavy, and then you carry that with you.

SPEAKER_01 6:54

And I think you carry that with you, and you then you carry that energy somewhere in your business as well, right? Like you're trying to play small because you think you're not good enough.

SPEAKER_00 7:03

Yes, you end up hiding and you play small because you're scared to be seen, you're scared to put yourself out there and become more visible. So your style is totally a reflection about how you feel about yourself and how other people perceive you. And that's why I always say it's a tool, you get to use it. It's not something to be afraid of, it's something that you get to embrace to feel better.

SPEAKER_01 7:26

That's that's really that's really interesting. So for someone who has never ever kind of worked with a person stylist or not taken their style into consideration to build that trust signal that that is essential as a founder, as someone who is trying to make a change, build brands on purpose. Is there uh, you know, is there a framework that you think that you offer which helps them like look instantly what they're trying to say? Like uh I I am a boss energy girl, I am a I am uh, you know, somebody who's very grounded, like you know, everyone has different energy that they bring into the room. Yes. So how do they what is the framework they should think of, or how do you work with clients when you're looking at that?

SPEAKER_00 8:11

When I work with clients, I really take a holistic approach. I want to see what you have, what you've been wearing, what you feel the best in, and also create words that are going to help you understand your style better too. Because most people haven't brought intention to their style. They're just shopping for things like needs and they just grab something. Or if they see something, they're like, oh, that's cute, I'll buy it. Rather than thinking of your style as a way to represent yourself and your personality. So for me, it's all about shifting your mindset first and getting very intentional with your style and then going through you have first, because I don't think you need to constantly be buying new, new, new all the time. It's figuring out what pieces fit your body, feel really good, function with your lifestyle and your goals, and then making sure you have more of that and less of the pieces that don't align with that in your wardrobe. So getting clear on how you want to feel, like you said. Do you want to have boss energy? Do you want to feel grounded in your clothes and start to take notice when you're putting something on? How is it making you feel?

SPEAKER_01 9:18

And do you think uh these these energies, like do colors play a big part of it? Is that something that you work with? Or because uh you know, there's nowadays, of course, the gods of algorithm are sharing these apps, like where according to your aura or where according to your archetype, and there's so much, and then so is there like a ground rule that say, for example, I'm not ready to write now think of a stylist, but I want to style myself in a way which is aligned to me. What's the what's what's the few ground rules I could use?

SPEAKER_00 9:50

I would say stop paying attention to everybody else. Yeah, it's really getting focused on yourself, and I think color analysis is kind of BS because that's someone else telling you what you should and shouldn't wear, and women are already very boxed in. So instead of doing that, like I said, how do you feel when you put on a color? What is going to ignite a spark in you that makes you feel good? Because technically, I should be wearing like a lot of neutrals and tans and browns, and those are like autumn colors, but I really don't care because those are not the colors that light me up and bring me joy. I want you to be able to reach into your wardrobe and know that when you put on something, you feel like the best version of yourself. So taking notice of that in the colors that you wear because there's so much psychology around color, too. Um so for instance, you're wearing brown, it's more like a grounded color. It is calm, it is warm. That's a great way to invite guests on your podcast and make them feel comfortable with you. Um red is a really bright color and it's a great way that it has actual physical effects on your body. So it speeds up your heart rate and your blood pressure, and it actually excites people. So that's why you see sometimes people in a bold power suit that's red, just because it draws attention to you and attracts people to you, which I think is really exciting too. But just feeling how colors make you feel rather than you should or shouldn't wear these certain colors.

SPEAKER_01 11:22

So if I'm hearing you right and for the benefit of audience who are listening in, and I know 90% of my audience is women, based on the stats Spotify gives me, we need to really not get so bogged down all the latest things being thrown at us. Yes and and really see what actually, as you said, lights you up. Yes, especially for important events, right? That's why I wanted to actually put the next question to you was that excuse me, I just give is that context. You know, I I am somebody who is who's more grounded, my energy is soft, but when I have to say present to investors, to founders, I suddenly feel the need and the pressure to like, oh my god, I should look a bit more outstanding, so the the trust signal develops and they believe in me, they believe in my brand. So, in the in different contexts, it could be me speaking on a stage or somebody else like doing a podcast or going for a networking event. So, does my style need to develop based on situation? Do I need to kind of play around with it or do I maintain my consistency of like who I am and like okay, I'm a I'm a ground grounded earthy person. Browns and tans are my thing. That's how that's what I wear. So, how do you how do you juggle with that?

SPEAKER_00 12:40

Yeah, I think that your style should fit your lifestyle. So, dependent on what you're doing, I do think it's important to show up and look professional and put together in situations, and you can still incorporate it, those grounding colors and maybe some more structured styles too. Another great way to do this is to incorporate different textures and fabrications that are going to be more elevated. So, yes, you can wear browns and tans. There's nothing wrong with that, but maybe you're wearing it in a more structured outfit or garment, like a construct or let's see, the best way to put that a really tailored blazer in brown because it's still gonna have that warm feel, but it's gonna make you look really presentable. Or if you are going to somewhere much more casual, like wearing a sweater or something that's cozy in those tones is really nice too. So I think color can definitely translate to all of the different facets of your life. And then playing into silhouettes is again highlighting the parts of yourself that you feel confident in, minimizing the things that you don't feel as confident in. I think also elevating your accessories for different things because you can wear jeans and a white t-shirt. But if you add a belt, if you add a really nice shoe or a great bag, those are gonna elevate your looks. So there's different ways to incorporate pieces in all of the different areas that you are that are really gonna help you feel more confident in those situations.

SPEAKER_01 14:13

I love that. And I also want to bring up the first time we were discussing, we're gonna have this podcast, you said something very beautiful, and I want the audience to hear it. Is that I told you that I asked you that like people like Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg have a like a uniform approach to their wardrobe being men, and we just feel like oh men get to do it, but not us, and then this decision fatigue, there is it's time consuming. So you said something beautiful, and I really want the audience to hear it. I think you know what you said, you said that I think women are so wholesome, nurturing, and vibrant that pinning them down to a uniform is disservice to their vibrancy, and it's a disservice to their their women who who hold so much. They you know it's like putting them down in uniforms is like again putting them in a box. I mean, of course, if it works for you, if that's who you are is something that that is your style, then that's fine. But like to have this debate of you know, men get to wear just the same thing and no one questions it, but women need to be you know, styling and changing and you know, being always looking trendy or in style. That's that's where we that's the discussion we were having, and it was so beautiful. So I really would love more thoughts on that.

SPEAKER_00 15:37

Yeah, I do feel like it really confines you, and I do think women are more in tune with themselves most of the time and also more creative, and leaning into your style is a way to celebrate your body and to celebrate who you are. So I think, yes, that's I do remember now, but I will say just wearing a uniform all the time, it kind of stunts that. And there's ways that you can feel good every day that it's not taking so much of your brain power or time, but it almost is an experience where you get to focus on you a little bit because women also give so much to everybody else. So getting dressed in the morning should be a powerful ritual where you're figuring out how do you want to feel and you want what do you have going on throughout your day. Your wardrobe should you show up stronger in all of those areas. So I think sticking to a uniform can be very limiting, but sticking to maybe a formula and different ways to wear things is going to be really helpful because it will save you time. Maybe you pair like a printed blouse with a wide leg trouser and a nice shoe, and then you can throw on different jackets, just something like that that's gonna be in the back of your mind of like, oh, these are just different formulas that I can wear that are gonna feel good, and I already know. So giving yourself a little bit of time in the morning, and it doesn't have to be so much time, it can be five minutes, but it's gonna make an impact on the rest of your day.

SPEAKER_01 17:03

And I was going to really bring up the fact the way that you've been talking about styling, about seeing what you have, and you know, uh, how do you style it better? It almost like it's so sustainable, and it's it's taking you towards sustainability, which is the buzzword around fashion too, right? The the fashion industry in itself is promoting overconsumption, and the sustainability is is such an issue, and it's like, are we just buying things and not wearing them? And again, the second thing that a lot of women think is that okay, what's the longevity if I invest in this piece, right? Like tomorrow it may be out of out of trend, like the trend is over, what do I do with them? So, how do we keep systems which are fresh, like without having to keep shopping again and adding to that overconsumption and like lack of sustainability approach? So, do you have some advice for that?

SPEAKER_00 17:56

Yes, I do. So I think it's figuring out what pieces you really love in your wardrobe because even if trends change, there's still ways to incorporate these pieces. For example, I've worked with so many female clients lately where they have those like more fitted suits, and most of the women are not going into the office all the time. Our lifestyles change. COVID shifted the landscape of office fashion, right? So they've invested a lot of money in these pieces and they don't necessarily want to get rid of them. So what I always try to do is an incorp is incorporate a couple items that feel a little bit more fresh and modern. So maybe breaking up those pieces and pairing it. Like if you have a very fitted blazer, how are we going to make it feel more modern? Pair it with a wide-leg trouser or pair it with something unexpected because when you go and you just buy something and it's a matching set, you can wear it together, but it gives you so much more opportunity to wear it individually as well. So people get stuck in this mindset of like, I have this item and I can wear it with this. It's more about playing and getting creative with your style to say, like, oh, I love this print. It has this color in it. Let me pull this color out of it and pair it with something that is going to match for my bottom. Maybe you can pull out a red, maybe you can pull out a purple, what that looks like, so that you're able to wear your pieces many different ways. And for me, that's really important because I was in the fashion industry. I was a fashion designer that didn't align with me anymore. So I decided to shift my focus and help people get more intentional with their style, which in turn becomes more sustainable anyway. But it's showing people, yeah, how do you utilize your pieces? You want to get the most wear when you're buying new pieces. You also want to think of cost per wear. You want to purchase these pieces you're going to wear a lot in a lot of different ways. And that's what I do. I help people understand how to wear their garments in different ways, give them creative ideas that are really going to help them make the most out of their style.

SPEAKER_01 20:03

That's that's very interesting because, say, for example, I buy something expensive from this expensive brand. Okay, I have that piece now because obviously it's it's a good investment right now that I think of. And then I use a stylist to help me use that piece in five different ways so that I'm still wearing, you know, a brand that I like, but I'm wearing it in different occasions with different styling.

SPEAKER_00 20:30

Yes. And I will say not all stylists think like that. There's so many stylists out there who are just like, you need to be on trend and buy and buy and buy. I would say I'm very different because of that. I am not trying to have you buy a whole new wardrobe every season.

SPEAKER_01 20:44

I that's amazing. So for the ones who are who like quote unquote are not stylish inherently, people who like you know can't save their style even with a gun on their head. So, yes, hiring the personal stylist is probably the best decision for them. But if they were to take a baby step, step number one, what do you think they can do right now to improve their style?

SPEAKER_00 21:10

I think finding inspiration that you like, and you can find that anywhere. I would say literally going outside on a walk and seeing different flowers and seeing different colors and see what you like, and then try to incorporate that more in your style. Going to a museum, looking at your friends, seeing what you like about their style, and trying to just add in maybe a couple fresh pieces that feel invigorating to you because it should be style, it should be a form of self-expression, and incorporating who you are in your style makes everything feel better for you. So leaning into that, like what lights you up, and then trying to add more of that into your style. You can always also use Pinterest. I have clients do that to pull visual inspiration, but just as a starting point to lean into what you're drawn to, so it helps. You train your brain to figure out what you actually like versus what you're being pushed to purchase all the time.

SPEAKER_01 22:07

Oh, yes, that is that is actually good advice. That is great advice for anyone who's listening in and thinking that hey, I'm not stylish enough. Where do I start? And that's that's great. Like you just actually observe the ones that are are around you first. Even when you go to like a restaurant or a mall, you you know, somebody crosses, you're like, that one's like, how is it that that person really attracted you? Because somewhere you like their style, the way they we they put together everything.

SPEAKER_00 22:37

Yeah, and I think everyone can have great style. It's just a matter of getting more intentional and leaning into what makes you feel good and what feels personal to you because the fashion industry does push you constantly to just buy, buy, buy, and then you end up filled with a closet and have nothing to wear. And it's because that doesn't match who you are as a person. It might not even match your lifestyle. So you're just purchasing and it's just adding clutter, which affects how you see your wardrobe. It makes getting ready in the morning so much more difficult, too, because you're bombarded with pieces rather than having a closet filled with things that you know light you up, that you know you can mix and match and feel really good in and create these looks and outfits for all of the different aspects of your life.

SPEAKER_01 23:22

That is such great advice. So, anyone listening and they want to reach out to you for personal styling, where do they catch you?

SPEAKER_00 23:28

Yeah, on my website, lablanclabel.com. I offer a free 30-minute style discovery call. And on the call, we really we understand what's been holding you back with your style, what are your goals moving forward and create a plan for you.

SPEAKER_01 23:42

Wow. Now, how cool is that for the ones who thought that they just can't uh, you know, think of a personal stylist, you are so accessible, you are also with the view of sustainability, which is where a lot of women feel that, you know, I'll have to keep buying and keep updating that trend. And that's something that I really want everyone to take away from here is that you don't have to do that. You you you don't want to add to the overconsumption or the decision fatigue of like you have so much, but like I don't know what to wear. So I hope this has helped people to change that view. And I really, really am so thankful and grateful that you decided to come here today. Thank you so much, Alina.

SPEAKER_00 24:23

Thank you. I do want to share. I also am releasing a digital product soon, which is my next level style journal. So that's something I've been working on, and it's a really good guide because it helps you get more intentional. There's questions to answer and prompts for you to really understand your personal style in different ways to elevate that. Sign me up.

SPEAKER_01 24:44

I'm getting their guys.