Pussy Bows, Party Zones and Breaking the Rules

I went shopping with a friend on Friday and found myself trying on size 16 clothes, which was rather exciting!

Having spent the best part of 25 years shopping in plus-size ranges, there's something lovely about being able to walk into a shop, pick something up off the rail and think there's a reasonable chance it might fit.

Although I've discovered that having more shops to choose from doesn't necessarily mean there's more stuff I actually want to wear.

The colours around at the moment aren't exactly filling me with joy. There's an awful lot of brown, olive green, ubiquitous black and various shades of uninspiring.

Then there are the styles. Frills, pussy bows, lace and all manner of fussy little details that seem to have been added to make clothes ‘interesting’.

Give me a bold print, an unusual shape, an interesting fabric or a fabulous colour any day.

And don’t talk to me about the sizing lottery!

I've recently bought some stretchy trousers in a size 16 that fit beautifully. Yet another pair from the same shop, in a different fabric and shape, looked dreadful in a size 20.

I'm delighted that my body is getting smaller, but I haven't suddenly become a different shape. The proportions that influence what looks good on me haven't fundamentally changed.

Neither has my taste. Losing weight hasn't suddenly made me want to wear a brown blouse with a pussy bow.

Anyway, I did eventually find a top that I absolutely love and I know I'll enjoy wearing it.

I also bought a blusher, the most I've ever paid for one, but I'd spent ages looking for a very particular colour and finish and wasn't prepared to settle for something that wasn't quite right.

Which got me thinking about how much my relationship with shopping has changed.

During my Treble F years (Fat, Fed up and Frumpy), I would often buy clothes simply because they fitted.

If I was going out with friends, I'd be in Asda or Sainsbury's and pop something in the trolley with the fruit and veg just for that little buzz of having something new to wear.

I also spent years thinking my plus size weight was temporary. I'd put weight on when I was pregnant and never really lost it, but I assumed I'd eventually get back to my previous size. Spending a lot of money on clothes felt pointless when I was convinced I wouldn't need that size for long.

Of course, the clothes I'd bought because they were new and fitted (rather than because I loved them)became the ones that ended up unworn in the wardrobe, eventually going to the charity shop.

These days, I'd much rather have a wardrobe full of older clothes that make me happy than keep buying new things for the sake of it.

I splurged on agrey wool Windsmoor coat that I bought from Debenhams around 25 years ago. I still love that coat, the cost per wear now is minimal.

There's a different kind of dopamine hit that comes from putting on something you've owned for years and still absolutely love wearing. And that doesn't cost you another penny.

All of this has been interesting because I've spent a lot of time this week thinking about colour and style again.

I've been refining my Funky Diva Day Retreat and decided to replace the Sparkly Shoes activity with colour analysis.

I absolutely love the Sparkly Shoes Workshop. There's something wonderfully joyful about it.

But it's a craft activity, and a works beautifully as a standalone experience, whereas the Funky Diva Day Retreat is about something deeper and more lasting.

I've been thinking a lot recently about what my clients take away and what difference it can make to their lives afterwards. And I realised my years of colour and style expertise definitely make a real difference.

Which sounds rather obvious when I say it like that.

But I've spent so long being determined that people don't see me as a ‘traditional’ stylist that I think I've almost rejected that part of my work.

I didn't want Funky Diva Vibes to be perceived as being about makeovers, dressing for your shape or being told which colours you should wear.

Somewhere along the way, though, I think I've overlooked just how valuable that knowledge can be.

Understanding colour, proportion, shape and fabric helps you work out why something looks fabulous on the hanger but somehow doesn't look right when you put it on.

It helps explain why one pair of trousers looks great and another pair in the same size looks dreadful, or why a colour you absolutely love doesn't seem to love you back.

And once you understand those things, you can make much more informed (Funky Diva) choices.

One of the things that has always driven me absolutely mad is when somebody who's had their colours done says, 'Lisa told me I can't wear that.'

I have NEVER told anybody they can't wear something.

I might explain why a particular colour isn't especially great, but if they love it, I'll happily show them how to make it work.

The same goes for style.

I've always talked about party zones and quiet zones. Your party zones are the bits of yourself you're happy to draw attention to, while your quiet zones are the areas you'd rather not make a feature of.

And you get to decide what those are.

And I think that's where my colour and style work fits into Funky Diva Vibes now.

I'm excited about bringing that my knowledge into the experience, with even more emphasis on experimenting, understanding and choosing what feels right for you and become more confident about making decisions.

This next chapter of Funky Diva Vibes involves bringing some of those earlier chapters with me.

Project FAB was always about No More Making Do, and I still want people to stop settling for things that don't feel right for them, whether that's clothes, expectations or the way they're living their lives.

Which is exactly what we'll be exploring at my Funky Diva Day Retreat . A whole day to have some fun, explore what makes you YOU, and discover a few practical ways to feel more confident in your choices.

There’ll be Sausage Machine Bingo, my Funky Diva Vibes Quiz and archetypes and some time spent on colour, a day focused on you, your personality and what makes you feel good. A whole day of laughter, play, discovery and being gloriously YOU.

So this year, when you’re asked ...

“WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAs?”

Instead of saying

“Oh, I don't know. I don't really need anything.”

How about something to look forward to once the Christmas decorations are packed away.

FUNKY DIVA VIBES DAY RETREAT! 🩷

Saturday 30 January 2027, Nottingham.

A day to step away from the everyday, have some fun, explore different sides of yourself and take a little Funky Diva energy home with you

And yes, I can provide a gift voucher so there's something lovely to unwrap on Christmas morning.

You can find out more here: https://lisanewport.com/funkydivadayretreat

So, anyway what DO you want for Christmas? 🎁