Menopause Awareness Month: How to Create a Flattering, Feel-Good Capsule Wardrobe
Menopause is a natural and inevitable chapter in any woman’s life. Yet still, in this day and age, it’s often overlooked due to a lack of understanding surrounding this monumental milestone.
At Joe Browns, we recognise Menopause Awareness Month as a time to shine a light on the transformative journey that countless women embark on. We want to empower women, and their support networks, to approach menopause with knowledge, empathy, and a proactive approach to well-being.
To help us on our mission, we’ve partnered with leading medical expert, Dr Ella Russell, the Yorkshire Menopause Doctor, to share her expert tips on how women can navigate this life phase with true confidence and style.
Discover how to build a flattering, feel-good capsule wardrobe this autumn, designed to help women on this transitional journey.
Dr Ella’s Top Tips on How to Dress With Confidence During Menopause
There are a whole host of challenging symptoms women experience during menopause. Hot flushes take the top spot as the most commonly reported, with 75% of women encountering these on a regular basis.
But menopause symptoms have more than just a physical impact. They can also have a significant influence on women’s well-being. According to a recent healthcare survey, 67% of UK women reported a loss of confidence during menopause.
Throughout this challenging journey, choosing the right clothing is vital in order to feel poised and positive. A well-crafted capsule wardrobe tailored to the ever-changing demands of menopause can be a true source of confidence, enabling women to navigate this chapter looking and feeling their best.
With her wealth of knowledge on this subject, we have teamed up with Dr Ella to share with you a handful of well-kept style secrets for tackling symptoms of menopause.
Embrace Natural Fabrics
Dr Ella advises women to avoid synthetic materials like polyester, nylon, satin and cotton mixes. “Where possible, steer clear of heavy denim and leather jackets. These items tend to trap heat in, potentially exacerbating hot flushes and discomfort,” she explains. “While garments crafted from these materials may well be stylish, they aren’t the best choice for women experiencing symptoms of menopause.”
Embracing comfortable fabrics is crucial during menopause. Natural materials, such as cotton, linen and silk, are highly breathable, allowing air to pass through the fibres, which can help to regulate body temperature. Additionally, they're soft against the skin, reducing the risk of irritation.
Consider Versatile Layering
“Layering is one of the best strategies for creating a menopause-friendly wardrobe,” explains Dr Ella, “Items that can be unzipped or unbuttoned are a great option for allowing more air to circulate if you’re experiencing hot flushes.” By incorporating lightweight jackets, cardigans and waistcoats, you can easily adapt to fluctuating temperatures.
Try pairing a simple cami top with a linen shirt, a light wool cardigan or a jumper. Avoid turtleneck tops, high collars and tight-fitting trousers, where possible, to stay cool and comfortable.
Opt for Loose Silhouettes
“Loose silhouettes can significantly help to promote comfort as the body undergoes changes during menopause” explains Dr Ella. At Joe Browns, we have an array of floaty dresses, button-up shirts, and wide-leg trousers, offering a relaxed fit while still reflecting a chic and stylish appearance.
Embrace Bold Colours and Prints
Bold colours and detailed prints are a great way to make an uplifting statement. Don't shy away from vibrant hues and eye-catching patterns. Bright colours not only inject positivity and personality into your wardrobe but also uplift your mood. Sometimes a few stand-out accessories and a pop of colour is all that’s needed to help bring a touch of sunshine to a rainy day!
Create a Joe Browns Capsule Wardrobe, Tailored to You
Crafting a capsule wardrobe tailored to your unique needs is an essential step towards navigating your menopause journey. A carefully curated collection of versatile pieces allows for effortless mix-and-match styles that ensure you feel cool and confident, no matter what the occasion.
From everyday ensembles to stylish occasion wear, discover our top tips, taking on the expert advice from Dr Ella, on a range of timeless looks that promote comfort while celebrating your individual style.
Cool and Comfortable Workwear
For comfortable workwear, focus on smart yet versatile pieces that can be easily paired alongside one another. When it comes to tailoring, consider looser cuts for added comfort. For instance, opt for an oversized blazer and wide-leg trousers instead of fitted jackets and tight trousers. Invest in a selection of blouses in light, breathable fabrics, such as silk or chiffon.
If you are looking for an effortless all-in-one style, pick up a classic tunic that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion.
Everyday Ensembles
When it comes to everyday wear, it’s important to prioritise comfort - without sacrificing style! Invest in quality t-shirts, lightweight jumpers and comfortable jeans or trousers. Stylish skirts and dresses are great for circulating air to your legs and are incredibly versatile to style across a range of occasions.
Don't forget to include comfortable footwear, such as casual trainers, that support your feet throughout the day.
Stylish Occasion Wear
Everyone wants to look a million dollars when it comes to their next fancy occasion and we firmly believe that symptoms of menopause should not stand in the way of this. With a few strategic styling choices, you can feel 100% confident when dressing to impress at your next event.
Opting for elegant pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable is key for this one. Consider either knee-length or maxi dresses to accentuate your waistline and flatter your figure. Selecting uplifting colours that you love to wear will instantly make you stand a little taller in a crowded room.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something super easy to wear that’s still fabulously stylish, a sophisticated jumpsuit will become your new best friend. Whether you opt for a wide-leg or a floaty boho style, opting for looser fits will allow for movement - perfect for keeping cool when spinning around the dancefloor!
Don’t forget to accessorise your party ensembles with statement jewellery to elevate your look.
Menopause Myth-Busting
With many medical milestones comes an array of misconceptions. Perhaps one of the most common of these is the age brackets surrounding menopause. While it’s true that for some women menopause typically begins around age 50, this can widely vary, with some women experiencing menopause as early as their 30s, and some as late as their 60s.
It’s important to remember that there is no normal and every woman’s biological clock is entirely unique to them.
Similarly, another frequent misconception about menopause is that it’s a brief phase of life. In actual fact, the average length of menopause ranges from 7-14 years, including the perimenopause stage. With this in mind, it’s clear to see that women are in this for the long haul, making it more important than ever to seek the right support and take the relevant steps to ensure they feel their best throughout their menopause journey.
Dr Ella explains, “Talking to health care professionals, friends, partners and family about how you feel can be incredibly beneficial and seeking support with menopause health matters and troublesome symptoms is a must.”
Self-Care & Well-Being
Embracing self-care during menopause is essential in order to feel confident throughout this time. Dr Ella advises, “Drinking plenty of water, getting an adequate amount of sleep and eating nutrient-rich foods can make a huge difference in making you feel better, both physically and mentally during menopause.”
Whether it’s upping your skincare regime to ensure you’ve got that radiant glow, or dressing to impress in your favourite seasonal outfits, prioritising self-care steps will help to boost your confidence on those days when you may be struggling more than others.
Looking for more information on menopause? Discover everything you need to know on Dr Ella’s website.
Discover a More Confident You at Joe Browns
Jane Reik, Joe Browns Buying Director, shares her thoughts on dressing confidently.
“The secret to dressing confidently is to feel comfortable. The more comfortable you feel in your outfit the more you enjoy what you're doing, be that at work or a night out with the girls. There is nothing worse than wearing a pair of shoes that go with your outfit but that you can't actually walk or dance in!
My personal tip is to dress for the woman you're going to be that day. Here at Joe Browns, the buying and design team work hard to find prints, fabric and shapes that make women walk that bit taller and laugh that bit louder when you’re wearing them. We want all our pieces to be remarkable in every way in the hope that this then passes on to our customers.”
Building a menopause-conscious capsule wardrobe is about accepting new norms, embracing the beauty in change and celebrating the strength that comes with it. By choosing the right fabrics, silhouettes, and colours, you can create a stylish wardrobe that supports symptoms and makes you feel confident and empowered in your day-to-day life.
Remember, no matter where you are in your menopause journey, your wardrobe can play a key role in boosting your self-esteem and providing a positive opportunity for you to showcase your unique style, your way.
For more fabulous fashion tips and styling secrets, check out our inspiration page, where you’ll find an array of content dedicated to creating showstopping outfits this season and beyond.
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