If you’ve reached a point where opening your wardrobe feels more like a chore, you’re not alone. Somewhere between the changing trends and the changing seasons of life, it’s easy for confidence to slip through the cracks.
Fashion stylist Bronagh Webster is a resident ITV stylist and has worked with the likes of Lorraine Kelly, Jane Moore, Ruth Langsford and Christine Lampard, Bronagh knows exactly how to make women look TV ready while remaining entirely themselves.
Here, Bronagh shares her definitive guide to looking expensive, feeling elegant, and regaining your fashion flair.
1. Tailoring is Everything
We often blame our bodies when a garment doesn’t look right, but Bronagh insists the fault lies with the fit. “Even affordable high-street pieces can look like designer boutique finds when they fit perfectly,” she explains. Your local tailor is your new secret weapon. Whether it’s shortening a sleeve to show a bit of wrist (which instantly slim lines the silhouette) or taking in a waistline, it can make a £50 blazer look like a £500 investment in an instant. Don’t be afraid to buy for your largest measurement and have the rest nipped in.
2. Don’t Get Swept Up In ‘Trends’
The fastest way to lose confidence is by chasing micro-trends that don’t serve you. “You don’t need every new TikTok-viral aesthetic,” says Bronagh. “You just need the ones that actually flatter your shape and lifestyle.” Being intentional means asking: Does this work for my Tuesday morning? If a trend doesn’t align with your personal brand, let it pass. Focus on the classics instead. It’s about looking current, not “trendy.”
© Instagram3. Invest in the ‘Power Three’
If your wardrobe feels cluttered but you still have nothing to wear, you likely lack the anchors. Bronagh suggests focusing your budget on three specific items:
- A Structured Blazer: It provides an instant shoulder line and masks any insecurities around the midsection.
- A Great Pair of Trousers or Jeans: Look for a mid-to-high rise that holds you in and elongates the leg.
- A Quality Handbag: A structured leather bag (no matter the brand) is the cherry on top. It often pulls everything together.
© Instagram4. The Instant Sophistication Shortcut
When you’re in a rush or feeling uninspired, reach for one colour. Dressing head-to-toe in a single hue – be it navy, camel, cream, or charcoal – is a classic celebrity styling trick. “Monochrome creates an uninterrupted vertical line,” Bronagh notes. “It elongates your silhouette and makes you look taller and more streamlined without the fuss of colour-matching.”
© Instagram5. Fabric Over Labels
A designer logo won’t save a polyester blouse that clings in the wrong places and builds up static. “Fabric matters infinitely more than the name on the tag,” Bronagh told me. Natural fibers like wool, silk, linen, and cotton breathe better, drape more beautifully, and last longer. They have a weight and a fall to them that synthetic fabrics simply can’t replicate. Before you buy, check the care label.
6. The Power of the Shoe
You can wear the most beautiful dress in the world, but if the shoes are frumpy, the outfit dies. Bronagh’s rule? Update your footwear to upgrade your basics.
- Loafers: Perfect for that Carolyn Bessette look we’ve all been striving for.
- Ankle Boots: Look for a pointed or almond toe to keep the leg line long.
- Heels: A modest block heel can provide height without the pain.
7. Don’t go OTT with Accessories
Over-accessorising can often feel like you’re trying too hard to look stylish. Bronagh prefers a “less is more” approach. “Think gold hoops, a timeless watch, or a well-placed structured belt,” she says. A simple gold chain or a pair of pearl studs brings light to the face without competing with your outfit. A belt, meanwhile, is the perfect tool to reclaim your waistline in a floaty dress or an oversized knit.
© Instagram8. Update Your Basics
“You don’t need to reinvent yourself every decade,” Bronagh reassures. “You just need to refresh the foundations.” For example, if your t-shirts have lost their shape, look for a heavier-weight cotton with a refined neckline. These small updates keep you looking instantly more polished.
9. The Secret Styling Trio
This is the insider info usually reserved for the ITV dressing rooms. Bronagh swears by three unusual items to keep her clients comfortable and flawless:
- The Kimble Gun: A plastic tagging tool used for quick stitches. Use it to turn up a pair of trousers last minute, or neatly tack a gaping wrap dress.
- Bar of Soap: Swipe a dry bar along the inner heel of new loafers or pumps. It creates a waxy barrier that minimizes friction and stops blisters before they start.
- Ibuprofen Gel: A lifesaver for events. Apply a little to the balls of your feet before putting on heels; it acts as a mild anti-inflammatory to take the edge off a long night of standing.
© Instagram10. Confidence: The Ultimate Finisher
The most important lesson Bronagh has learned from dressing women like Ruth Langsford and Christine Lampard? You have to wear the clothes; the clothes shouldn’t wear you.”Confidence is the best styling hack in the book,” she says. “If you feel restricted, itchy, or self-conscious, it will show on your face. But if you feel good in what you wear – if it reflects who you are today – you’ll look incredible every single time.”
This week, try taking Bronagh’s advice: Visit that tailor, ditch the synthetic fabrics, and remember that a kimble gun might just be your new best friend.
Follow Bronagh on Instagram @bronaghwebster.
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